🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Schultz
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 2009
- Runtime (length): 1h 26min
- IMDb rating: 5.4/10 (52k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 15%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of kids on vacation find out that the only thing standing between Earth and total Zirkonian domination is their ability to use household objects as weapons, and an alien techie named Sparks who would rather be home with his space-family.
🍿 Aliens in the Attic: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Family Vacation and Uninvited Guests
The Pearson family, consisting of Stuart, Nina, Tom, Hannah, and Bethany, embarks on a summer vacation to a remote lake house in Michigan. They are joined by Uncle Nate, his son Jake, Nana Rose, and the twins Art and Lee. Bethany’s older boyfriend, Ricky, also joins, creating tension with Tom. During a storm, Tom and Jake discover four aliens have landed on the roof. These aliens, the Zirkonians, plan to take over the Earth, using mind-control devices that only affect adults.

The Kids’ Resistance
The children realize the adults are vulnerable to the alien’s mind control and decide to keep the invasion a secret. Tom steps up as the leader, and they use their resourcefulness to create makeshift weapons to defend themselves and the planet. They discover they can control Ricky, who is captured and implanted with a mind-control device. They use him to fight back against the aliens, leading to comedic chaos.

Friendship and Betrayal
Hannah befriends Sparks, a sympathetic alien technician who dislikes the violence. Sparks helps the kids by creating advanced weapons. The aliens grow desperate and use their ultimate weapon: a device to increase their size. Nana Rose gets mind-controlled, leading to a bizarre fight between her and Ricky, who is also being controlled. Bethany learns the truth, and the kids work together to defeat the aliens.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Tom Pearson (Carter Jenkins): A teenage mathlete who initially tries to fail school to be cool but ends up leading the kids in defending the Earth.
- Bethany Pearson (Ashley Tisdale): Tom’s older sister who is initially concerned with her image and boyfriend but ultimately joins the fight against the aliens.
- Hannah Pearson (Ashley Boettcher): The youngest Pearson child who forms an unlikely friendship with the alien Sparks.
- Ricky Dillman (Robert Hoffman): Bethany’s arrogant older boyfriend who is controlled by the aliens and used against the kids.
- Sparks (Josh Peck (voice)): A four-armed, non-threatening alien technician who befriends Hannah and helps the kids fight the other aliens.
- Skip (J.K. Simmons (voice)): The tough and determined commander of the alien invasion force.
- Nana Rose Pearson (Doris Roberts): The family grandmother who is briefly controlled by the aliens, leading to a comical fight scene.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Tom: “Okay, people, let’s do this! We’re the only ones who can stop them.” – Tom takes charge, rallying the kids to fight the aliens since the mind control device doesn’t work on them.
- Ricky: “Eternal enslavement or instantaneous death?” – Ricky repeats the alien’s threat with sarcastic backtalk after being zombified.
- Hannah: “He’s friendly! He just wants to go home.” – Hannah defends Sparks, showing her connection with the kind alien.
- Skip: “The invasion is cancelled! Head home!” – Skip gives the order to retreat when the kids foil their plans.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $45,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $25,200,412
- Worldwide Gross: $57,881,056
💥 Aliens in the Attic Reviews
Personal Review
I saw this movie with my younger cousins, and honestly, I went in expecting a snooze-fest. But I was pleasantly surprised! It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s genuinely fun and silly. The scene where Nana Rose is doing ‘Street Fighter’ moves while possessed had me cracking up. I loved how the kids worked together, and Sparks the alien was actually kind of cute. If you need a lighthearted family movie, this is a good choice. Just don’t go in expecting Shakespeare!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Families looking for a lighthearted sci-fi comedy.”
- “Children aged 8-14.”
- “Fans of Ashley Tisdale and Robert Hoffman.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Some suggestive content (dating older boyfriend).”
- “Mild slapstick violence.”
- “Some mild language.”
Professional Reviews
- Common Sense Media: “Aliens in the Attic is a silly, harmless kids’ movie. The plot is predictable, but the slapstick and creative kid-versus-alien action will keep younger viewers entertained. Parents should expect the usual ‘adults are clueless’ trope, but the overall message of family unity shines through.
- AllMovie: “A formulaic yet energetically executed family comedy. While the CGI aliens may not be groundbreaking, the film’s fast pace and moments of physical comedy offer some genuine laughs. Robert Hoffman’s performance as Ricky, under alien control, is a definite highlight.
- Plugged In: “Aliens in the Attic offers mild action with the Pearson kids working together to thwart an alien invasion. The values are solid (teamwork, courage, family) and Ashley Tisdale offers a positive portrayal of a teen willing to put family first. It is a suitable movie for kids, though with some fantasy violence.
Audience Reactions
The kids loved the slapstick humor and the silly aliens, especially Sparks.: Viewers generally agree that it is a fun and entertaining film for children, despite the predictable plot.
Many people appreciated the positive messages about family and teamwork.: The ‘Street Fighter’ scene with Nana Rose got many laughs and was a memorable moment.
Overall Consensus: A lighthearted and entertaining family film with silly humor and positive messages, though the plot is predictable, it’s a fun choice for kids.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The original title of the movie was ‘They Came From Upstairs’.”
- “The film features visual effects from a number of companies, with work ranging from character animation to large-scale environment enhancement.”
- “Albany, Auckland, New Zealand was used as a primary filming location.”
🖥️ How to Watch Aliens in the Attic?
As of October 2024, “Aliens in the Attic” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability, as options may vary depending on your region. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available through online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Aliens in the Attic, you might like these similar films:
- Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005): Similar family-friendly sci-fi adventure where kids must work together to overcome a fantastical threat in their own home.
- Monster House (2006): Kids discover something strange and dangerous about a house and must find a way to deal with it, despite adults not believing them.
- Spaced Invaders (1990): A comedic alien invasion story centered around unsuspecting humans and quirky extraterrestrials.
- Attack the Block (2011): A group of teenagers in London defend their neighborhood from an alien invasion.
🛒 Aliens in the Attic Related Products
- Aliens in the Attic Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster. Relive the adventure with this vibrant and eye-catching poster.
- Alien Action Figures: Collect all the Zirkonian invaders! Includes Skip, Razor, Tazer, and the adorable Sparks. Each figure is highly detailed and posable.
- Glow in the Dark Alien Stickers: Set of 50 glow-in-the-dark alien stickers. Features assorted alien designs, perfect for decorating bedrooms, notebooks, or party favors.
- Aliens Board Game: A cooperative board game where players work together as the Pearson kids to defend their home from alien invaders. Features strategic gameplay and challenges.
🎧 Soundtrack
Aliens in the Attic features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
It’s a family-friendly sci-fi comedy about a group of kids who discover aliens invading their vacation home and must stop them while keeping it a secret from their parents.
Yes, it is generally considered suitable for children, featuring slapstick comedy and minimal violence. However, parental guidance is suggested due to some suggestive content and mild language.
As of October 2024, the movie is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming availability.
🔥 Bonus Content
You Don’t Remember Aliens In The Attic…
Ever wonder if ‘Aliens in the Attic’ holds up? This review dives deep, and honestly, it’s a fun watch just to see if their opinions match your own memories of the movie!
We get drunk and watch Aliens in the Attic ft. Elvis
Want to see a bunch of people get progressively sillier while watching ‘Aliens in the Attic’? This video is hilarious, especially if you’re looking for a casual and fun commentary!
Aliens In The Attic Booby Traps Montage (Music Video)
Remember all those crazy booby traps in ‘Aliens in the Attic’? This music video montage brings them all back in a super fun way – perfect if you want a quick dose of the movie’s best bits!
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