Mars Attacks! 1996

Overview

Mars Attacks! is a 1996 American science fiction black comedy film directed by Tim Burton, who also co-produced it with Larry J. Franco. The screenplay by Jonathan Gems was adapted from the Topps trading card series of the same name. The film stars Jack Nicholson, Pierce Brosnan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Glenn Close, and Annette Bening. The story begins when a fleet of Martian spacecraft arrives at Earth's major cities, with the extraterrestrial visitors claiming to have "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale is reassured by science professor Donald Kessler that the Martians' mission is friendly. However, a peaceful exchange quickly turns catastrophic when the U.S. Congress is annihilated, prompting military calls for nuclear retaliation. The Martians are revealed to be invaders with advanced weapons and a cruel sense of humor, leading to widespread chaos and destruction across the planet.