Mars Attacks! (1996) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.
Rated PG-13 • 1996 • 1h 46m
Mars Attacks! earned its PG-13 rating for pervasive, darkly comedic sci-fi violence and bizarre imagery. The film is a parody of 1950s alien invasion movies and features wall-to-wall destruction, with Martians gleefully using ray guns to vaporize countless people into colorful skeletons. Parents should be aware of frequent but stylized violence, as well as some macabre and surreal body horror, such as disembodied and surgically swapped… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Mars Attacks! appropriate for kids?
Mars Attacks! earned its PG-13 rating for pervasive, darkly comedic sci-fi violence and bizarre imagery. The film is a parody of 1950s alien invasion movies and features wall-to-wall destruction, with Martians gleefully using ray guns to vaporize countless people into colorful… Read more — free account
Content severity in Mars Attacks!
What happens in Mars Attacks!, moment by moment
- 0:18 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
- 0:25 💬 Language 4/10
- 0:32 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
Sex and nudity in Mars Attacks!
Sexual content is brief and comedic. It includes a scene implying a couple is having sex in a rocking trailer (no nudity), a Martian assassin looking at a Playboy magazine, some brief innuendo, and Las Vegas showgirls in revealing outfits. One showgirl's bare buttock is fleetingly visible as she runs.
Violence and gore in Mars Attacks!
Violence is constant and strong, but presented in a highly stylized, cartoonish, and comedic manner. The Martians' primary weapons are ray guns that disintegrate people, leaving behind glowing red or green skeletons. The film is filled with mass destruction and the deaths of many main characters. More graphic moments, played for laughs, include a man's finger being bitten off (bloody stump shown), disembodied heads kept alive via machines, a character being shrunk and stomped, and Martian heads exploding into…
Read more — free accountLanguage in Mars Attacks!
Language is moderate for a PG-13 film. There are several uses of 'shit' and 'assholes,' multiple uses of 'hell,' and exclamatory uses of 'Jesus Christ.' The profanity is scattered throughout the film, usually in moments of panic or frustration.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Mars Attacks!
Substance use is mild. One central character, Professor Kessler, is frequently seen smoking a pipe. A character is shown to have an alcohol problem and attends an AA meeting, though this is treated comically. Other characters drink alcohol socially in several scenes.
Mature themes in Mars Attacks!
Thematic content is strong and cynical. The film satirizes government incompetence, militarism, and media sensationalism. It features widespread, nihilistic death and destruction with little emotional weight. The most mature themes involve the Martians' cruel experiments, including vivisection and keeping disembodied heads alive, which is treated as a bizarre, darkly humorous element.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mars Attacks! appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Mars Attacks! is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Mars Attacks! earned its PG-13 rating for pervasive, darkly comedic sci-fi violence and bizarre imagery. The film is a parody of 1950s alien invasion movies and features wall-to-wall destruction, with Martians gleefully…
What age rating does Mars Attacks! have?
Mars Attacks! is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Mars Attacks! about?
Mars Attacks! earned its PG-13 rating for pervasive, darkly comedic sci-fi violence and bizarre imagery. The film is a parody of 1950s alien invasion movies and features wall-to-wall destruction, with Martians gleefully using ray guns to vaporize countless people into colorful skeletons. Parents should be aware of…
Is there sex or nudity in Mars Attacks!?
Sexual content is brief and comedic. It includes a scene implying a couple is having sex in a rocking trailer (no nudity), a Martian assassin looking at a Playboy magazine, some brief innuendo, and Las Vegas showgirls in revealing outfits. One showgirl's bare…
How violent is Mars Attacks!?
Violence is constant and strong, but presented in a highly stylized, cartoonish, and comedic manner. The Martians' primary weapons are ray guns that disintegrate people, leaving behind glowing red or green skeletons. The film is filled with mass destruction…
Is the language in Mars Attacks! appropriate for kids?
Language is moderate for a PG-13 film. There are several uses of 'shit' and 'assholes,' multiple uses of 'hell,' and exclamatory uses of 'Jesus Christ.' The profanity is scattered throughout the film, usually in moments of panic or frustration.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Mars Attacks!?
Substance use is mild. One central character, Professor Kessler, is frequently seen smoking a pipe. A character is shown to have an alcohol problem and attends an AA meeting, though this is treated comically. Other characters drink alcohol socially in several…
What mature themes appear in Mars Attacks!?
Thematic content is strong and cynical. The film satirizes government incompetence, militarism, and media sensationalism. It features widespread, nihilistic death and destruction with little emotional weight. The most mature themes involve the Martians' cruel…
How long is Mars Attacks!?
Mars Attacks! runs 106 minutes, directed by Tim Burton, released in 1996.
Where can I read the full Mars Attacks! parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
Parents also checked these movies for 13-year-olds
Sign up to filter
Movies like Mars Attacks! with similar intensity
Sign up to filter
Less intense movies for families
Sign up to filter
More comedy movies with parent guides
- Interstellar parent guide
- Inception parent guide
- The Avengers parent guide
- Avatar parent guide
- Deadpool parent guide
- Avengers: Infinity War parent guide
- Pulp Fiction parent guide
- Forrest Gump parent guide
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone parent guide
- Guardians of the Galaxy parent guide
- Iron Man parent guide
- Avengers: Endgame parent guide
More movies with Bontent parent guides
- Noelle parent guide
- Sullivan's Travels parent guide
- To the Wonder parent guide
- Sibyl parent guide
- An American Pickle parent guide
- Science Fiction Volume One: The Osiris Child parent guide
- Grand Piano parent guide
- Boiling Point parent guide
- Planet Hulk parent guide
- Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King parent guide
- A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby parent guide
- Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil parent guide
- Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar parent guide
- Mr. Church parent guide
- Friends with Money parent guide
- Them parent guide