29 Years Ago Today, Tim Burton’s Iconic Sci-Fi Flop Was Released (And Its Ensemble Cast Has Still Never Been Beaten)

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I grew up loving Tim Burton’s movies, and while the ’80s gave us classics like Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Beetlejuice, I honestly think the ’90s were his peak. Edward Scissorhands is the one everyone immediately thinks of, and Batman Returns was amazing, even though it kind of got him kicked off that series. Then there’s Ed Wood, which still stands out as one of the best biopics ever made. And he ended the decade with the wonderfully spooky Sleepy Hollow. There’s one film from that decade people often call a misstep, but I’ve always wondered… was it really?

Today, December 13, 2025, marks the 29th anniversary of Mars Attacks!, a movie inspired by the popular Topps trading cards. The film is incredibly charming, which has helped it become a beloved cult classic. Let’s take a look at what makes it so special.

What Makes Mars Attacks! Another Check in the Win Column for Burton?

It’s hard to think of a ’90s film with a more impressive cast. The movie featured huge stars like Glenn Close, Martin Short, Natalie Portman, Danny DeVito, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Lukas Haas, Pierce Brosnan, Joe Don Baker, Jack Black, Christina Applegate, Pam Grier, and even Jack Nicholson playing two different characters. It was a remarkably star-studded project, especially considering how lighthearted it was.

Okay, so a huge cast doesn’t automatically make a movie great, and that’s definitely true with Mars Attacks! While it’s fun to see so many faces, some actors—like Jack Black and Danny DeVito— honestly don’t get enough to do and kind of fade into the background. It’s not that they’re bad, just underused.

The success of Mars Attacks! comes from its clever blend of science fiction, horror, and comedy. While the special effects haven’t held up perfectly, the Martians themselves are genuinely unsettling and feel like a real threat. It’s darkly humorous when they gleefully destroy things – like vaporizing soldiers or swapping a dog’s head onto a person – but they’re also frightening because they seem to enjoy being so malicious.

Another great example is when the Martians shrink General Decker, played by Steiger. This scene is effective on multiple levels. First, it showcases incredibly advanced Martian technology, immediately followed by their leader casually stepping on the General, treating him like an insect. It’s hard to imagine a more powerful depiction of Earth being completely outmatched. Second, the General is such a classic, aggressive tough-guy that seeing his huge ego deflated is actually quite funny.

Even during the scarier moments, the film includes touches of humor to prevent things from becoming too intense. A prime example is when a Martian disguised as a 1950s woman infiltrates the White House by exploiting the weakness of the President’s Press Secretary. This scene expertly builds suspense, heightened by the actress’s unsettlingly still performance. We anticipate trouble for the Press Secretary, but we’re surprised by the Martian’s odd approach – a fast, stalking walk that suddenly slows down as she gets close.

Ultimately, Mars Attacks! works because it’s a fun, over-the-top movie that still manages to feel exciting. It’s a more genuinely enjoyable experience than Independence Day, which often feels empty. Mars Attacks! was clearly made by people who loved the original Topps trading cards, and that passion shines through. While it wasn’t a box office success – a big-budget alien invasion comedy from 1996 was always a risk – it’s since found a dedicated following. Like Tremors, it became a hit on cable TV, proving that good genre movies sometimes just need time to find their audience – especially viewers who weren’t around when it first came out.

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2025-12-13 22:43