Invaders From Mars | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

88% Tomatometer 16 Reviews 56% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings

Curious adolescent boy David MacLean (Jimmy Hunt) confronts aliens who have set up base in his backyard. The extraterrestrials intend to use mind control on the local townsfolk. Determined to stop the invaders, who have already co-opted his father (Leif Erickson), he attempts to warn others. But when local law officers also succumb, David teams up with astronomer Stuart Kelston (Arthur Franz) and Dr. Pat Blake (Helena Carter), and the trio must fight together to repel the insidious intruders.

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Invaders From Mars

Critics Reviews

View All (16) Critics Reviews
Invaders From Mars | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Budd Wilkins Slant Magazine William Cameron Menzies brings his extensive visual training as a production designer to bear on Invaders from Mars. Dec 23, 2022 Full Review Invaders From Mars | Rotten Tomatoes (2) James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk Although it is hindered by wooden acting and some low-grade effects and costumes, it nonetheless embodies so much cleverness and ingenuity in its overall design and effect that you forgive the visible zippers and hammy lines of dialogue. Rated: 3/4 Mar 27, 2023 Full Review Invaders From Mars | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Aaron Neuwirth Why So Blu While not what I can see as a signature sci-fi film compared to other classics I had a greater response to, there’s certainly a lot to like about Invaders From Mars. Rated: 7/10 Feb 14, 2023 Full Review Invaders From Mars | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Bill Chambers Film Freak Central ...the results are duly impressive regardless of format... Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 4, 2023 Full Review Invaders From Mars | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Matt Brunson Film Frenzy It retains its kicky charm. Rated: 3/4 Dec 23, 2022 Full Review Invaders From Mars | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Rob Humanick Suite101.com It isn't great, but it is great fun. Rated: 3/5 Oct 22, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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CodyZamboni Z Campy, colorful, fast paced sci fi, told from a kid's point of view, The kid manages to convince the Pentagon that Martians are turning humans into pod people, Given the low budget, movie does have a few impressive overscaled sets, all framed from weird deep angles, But the sight of silly green velvet alien costumes, underwhelming white balloon alien set design, and the overuse of military stock footage, detract from the movie fun, Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/05/24 Full Review Alec B it gets a little too long but the designs remain charming and it effectively makes an alien Invasion a vehicle for very specific childhood fears. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/28/24 Full Review Thom G Showing its age, but still entertaining and a classic! Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/24 Full Review Matt R "From out of space comes hordes of green monsters" & in Super Cinecolor too! INVADERS FROM MARS (1953) was the first film to bring spaceships and aliens to the big screen in color! This independently produced, relatively low budget film, came out just before the Technicolor big budget WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953). Invaders is an amazingly suspenseful wonder whose influence can still be seen in everything from "The Simpsons" to "The Iron Giant" to "NOPE". John Tucker Battle's story and Richard Blake's screenplay predates "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" but introduces some of the same paranoia and dread as earthlings are turned into mutates and controlled by the Martian invaders. There were some involved with the production that claim Invaders was originally planned to be in 3D. Even in standard 2D, it is a stunning picture. Directed by William Cameron Menzies, the picture has good performances, dramatic music and great effects that really stand out in full color. I only regret not having seen INVADERS FROM MARS before now or not in a theater. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Scary for young Blobettes. Well done for early '50's. Eerie music is help. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member "What happened to him? He was alright, and then..." Alien invasion flick which finds a father transformed into a very different and angry man immediately after he investigates the landing of a flying saucer. The son notices something awry, and soon sees more and more neighbours acting strangley robotic and curt. As the boy attempts to alert others, he is thought to be pulling a prank and his words are neglected to the point of locking him behind bars. Pretty ridiculous and definitely marketed toward children as the kid is present in most scenes; I'm glad he wasn't too annoying. A great example of the scifi/horrors popular at this time. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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Cast & Crew

William Cameron Menzies Director Helena Carter Dr. Pat Blake Arthur Franz Dr. Stuart Kelston Jimmy Hunt David MacLean Morris Ankrum Col. Fielding Leif Erickson Mr. George MacLean
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Invaders From Mars

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Synopsis Curious adolescent boy David MacLean (Jimmy Hunt) confronts aliens who have set up base in his backyard. The extraterrestrials intend to use mind control on the local townsfolk. Determined to stop the invaders, who have already co-opted his father (Leif Erickson), he attempts to warn others. But when local law officers also succumb, David teams up with astronomer Stuart Kelston (Arthur Franz) and Dr. Pat Blake (Helena Carter), and the trio must fight together to repel the insidious intruders.

Director
William Cameron Menzies

Producer
Edward L. Alperson

Screenwriter
Richard Blake

Production Co
Edward L. Alperson Productions

Genre
Sci-Fi

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 9, 1953, Limited

Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 8, 2017

Runtime
1h 13m
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