About
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) is a campy, cult-classic Christmas–science fiction comedy directed by Nicholas Webster. When Martian children grow listless from their rigid, joyless upbringing and excessive television viewing—especially of Earth’s holiday broadcasts—wise elder Chochem advises their leaders, Momar and Kimar, to bring Santa Claus to Mars. A Martian delegation kidnaps the real Santa (John Call) along with two Earth kids, Billy and Betty Foster, and whisks them back to Mars. There, Santa sets up a toy workshop to bring holiday cheer to Martian youngsters. Meanwhile, the gruff Martian Voldar plots to undermine Santa’s influence, sabotaging the toy factory and even attempting to eliminate him. Amid slapstick chaos and misguided misadventures, the children's delight eventually thaws the opposition, Voldar reforms, and Christmas spirit triumphs—restoring joy to Mars and allowing Santa and the Earth children to return home. The film, budgeted at about $200,000, famously lands on many “worst films ever made” lists, yet endures in cult fame thanks to its earnest charm and frequent features on shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000.
