🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Nicholas Webster
- Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 1964
- Runtime (length): 1h 21min
- IMDb rating: 2.7/10 (15K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Martians, obsessed with Earth TV, decide the only way to fix their boring kids is to kidnap Santa, resulting in a series of hilariously bad decisions and green-faced shenanigans.
🍿 Santa Claus Conquers the Martians: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Martian Children’s Discontent
On Mars, the children are depressed and listless, lacking the ability to laugh or play. The Martian leader, Kimar, consults with the Martian elder, Chochem, who determines that the children need fun and joy in their lives. Chochem suggests kidnapping Santa Claus to bring happiness to Mars.

The Kidnapping of Santa
Kimar agrees to the plan, and a Martian spaceship is sent to Earth to kidnap Santa Claus. They also kidnap two Earth children, Billy and Betty, as they believe the children can help explain Santa Claus to the Martian children.

Santa’s Martian Workshop
Santa Claus, along with Billy and Betty, attempts to bring joy to the Martian children. They establish a workshop on Mars to create toys. Voldar, a Martian who disapproves of Santa’s influence and the frivolity he brings, plots to sabotage Santa’s efforts.

Voldar’s Sabotage and Capture
Voldar attempts to sabotage Santa’s toy-making operation, but is thwarted by the Martian children and Santa. Voldar is captured and ultimately reformed, realizing the importance of joy and laughter.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Santa Claus (John Call): A jolly and charismatic figure who is kidnapped by Martians to bring joy and Christmas spirit to their children.
- Kimar (Leonard Hicks): The Martian leader who orchestrates the kidnapping of Santa Claus in an attempt to bring happiness to Martian children.
- Voldar (Vincent Beck): The disgruntled Martian who opposes Santa’s presence and plots to eliminate him and the Earth children.
- Dropo (Bill McCutcheon): A clumsy and simple-minded Martian who ultimately becomes the Martian Santa Claus.
- Billy Foster (Victor Stiles): One of the two Earth children kidnapped by the Martians to help find Santa Claus.
- Betty Foster (Donna Conforti): The other Earth child who is kidnapped along with her brother and assists Santa on Mars.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Kimar: “Dropo, you are the laziest man on Mars. Why are you sleeping during working hours?” – Kimar scolds Dropo for sleeping on duty, highlighting Dropo’s ineptitude.
- Dropo: “I wasn’t sleeping, chief. It’s just that I haven’t been able to sleep these last few months. I forgot how. So I was just practicing.” – Dropo gives a ridiculous excuse for sleeping, showcasing his simple-minded nature.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $200,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, folks, let’s be real. This movie is a dumpster fire… a holiday dumpster fire. But, I can’t help but love it. The green-faced Martians, the cheesy sets, and the polar bear that clearly has a guy inside – it’s all so wonderfully terrible! I remember watching this as a kid during Christmas, and it was just pure, silly fun. It made me laugh then, and it still makes me laugh now, even if it’s mostly out of disbelief. It’s the kind of movie that’s perfect for gathering around with friends and making fun of, but secretly enjoying every ridiculous moment. I will be watch again, every year.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of so-bad-it’s-good movies”
- “People who enjoy campy Christmas films”
- “Those looking for a laugh at a notoriously bad film”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild sci-fi violence”
- “Low production quality may be disturbing to some viewers”
- “General silliness”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “”Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” is a holiday trainwreck that’s so bad, it’s almost good, provided you have a high tolerance for cheesy sets, questionable acting, and a plot that makes absolutely no sense.
- IMDB: “A cult classic precisely because it’s gloriously awful. The plot is nonsensical, the acting is atrocious, and the special effects are laughably cheap, yet it possesses a strange, endearing charm. Perfect for a bad movie night.
- Film Threat: “Whether you view it as a nostalgic trip or a comedy goldmine, “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” delivers a unique viewing experience. Despite its flaws, it’s a film that has etched itself into cult cinema history.
Audience Reactions
Viewers found the low-budget effects and cheesy costumes hilariously entertaining.: A timeless classic that’s so bad, it’s good.
Viewers enjoyed the goofy storyline and absurd situations.: Endearing nostalgic charm that is hard to resist.
Overall Consensus: “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” is widely regarded as a terrible movie, yet it has garnered a significant cult following due to its campy humor, nostalgic value, and ‘so bad it’s good’ quality.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film’s low budget resulted in the use of Roosevelt Field, a shopping mall on Long Island, as a filming location, contributing to its famously cheap aesthetic.”
- “The costumes, particularly the Martian outfits and the polar bear suit, are considered some of the worst ever seen in a feature film.”
- “Despite its poor reception, the movie has gained a cult following and is often shown during the holiday season, embraced for its camp value.”
🖥️ How to Watch Santa Claus Conquers the Martians?
While ‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’ isn’t widely available on major streaming platforms as part of a subscription, you can often find it for rent or purchase on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region, so check these services for the most up-to-date options. Physical copies (DVDs and Blu-rays) can also be found through online retailers such as Amazon and eBay, though their condition may vary due to the film’s age. Checking archive.org for public domain versions is also an option, but quality is not guaranteed.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, you might like these similar films:
- Plan 9 from Outer Space (1957): Shares the same ‘so bad it’s good’ appeal with low production values and nonsensical plot.
- Robot Monster (1953): Another famously low-budget sci-fi film with questionable special effects that has gained a cult following.
- Mars Attacks! (1996): A more modern take on Martian invasion films, embracing the camp and absurdity of the genre.
🛒 Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Related Products
- Santa Claus Conquers the Martians [Blu-ray]: High-definition restoration of a cult classic, for fans of bad cinema looking for the best possible viewing experience.
- Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (MST3K Version) [DVD]: Mystery Science Theater 3000’s take on “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians”. Hilarious commentary from Mike and the Bots.
- Santa Claus Conquers the Martians – Retro Movie Poster: A vibrant reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating your home theater or media room with a touch of vintage kitsch.
- “Hooray for Santa Claus” Vinyl Single: A limited-edition vinyl single featuring the infectious theme song from the movie. A quirky and fun addition to any music collection.
🎧 Soundtrack
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians 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
Currently, ‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’ is not typically available on major streaming platforms like Netflix or Hulu. You can usually rent or purchase it on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check those platforms for availability.
The film is widely considered a bad movie due to its low budget, poor production quality, nonsensical plot, and questionable acting. Despite its flaws, it has gained a cult following as a so-bad-it’s-good film.
The main characters include Santa Claus, Kimar (the Martian leader), Voldar (the dissenting Martian), and the Earth children Billy and Betty.
🔥 Bonus Content
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians – The Search For The Worst Christmas – IHE
Ever wonder if ‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’ is *really* as bad as everyone says? I Hate Everything dives deep to uncover just how terrible it is, and honestly, you might be surprised by how hilariously awful it becomes. Definitely worth a watch if you’re a fan of bad movies!
SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS – Why?
Want to laugh at just how ridiculous ‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’ truly is? Elvis The Alien breaks down all the insane moments with his signature humor. Trust me, it’s the perfect watch if you need a good chuckle!
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