A cinematic collage of Mars-inspired films celebrating Red Planet Day (Photo: File)
Red Planet Day on 28 November marks the launch of NASA's Mariner 4 mission, the first to send close-up images of Mars back to Earth. The milestone continues to inspire storytellers who imagine what life, exploration and conflict might look like on or around our neighbouring world. To celebrate the occasion, here is a selection of six films that explore Mars in ways that are tense, funny or philosophically curious.
These titles offer a broad combination of genres, from the realistic tale of survival to animated adventures. Each film represents a different face of the fascination that Mars holds among filmmakers and fans alike.
This quiet, introspective drama streams on Amazon Prime Video, as Captain William Stanaforth is sent on a one-way mission to build humanity's first base on Mars. The film tracks his slow descent into isolation as equipment fails and doubts grow. It’s a thoughtful look at what true loneliness in deep space might feel like.
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Now available on JioHotstar, this blockbuster transforms a survival crisis into an inspiring, often humorous fight to stay alive. Matt Damon plays Mark Watney, an astronaut left behind after a violent storm. Relying on science, improvisation and relentless optimism, he learns to grow food, make water and signal Earth while waiting for a rescue that may never come.
Now streaming on Netflix, this documentary focuses on teens training at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Their dream is simple: help lead humanity to Mars. The film combines personal stories and expert commentary to reveal how young people contemplate the future of space exploration.
A sci-fi classic, this is about Douglas Quaid, a construction worker whose trip to Rekall puts him into a spiral of false memories and dangerous conspiracies involving Mars. This action movie tangles with questions of identity and reality. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video.
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Also on Amazon Prime Video: This animated thriller follows Aline Ruby and her android partner as they chase a hacker across a futuristic Martian city. What begins as a routine job turns into a deeper mystery involving robots, missing researchers and a threat that could reshape the solar system.
Tim Burton's comedy invasion story, now streaming on Amazon Prime Video, tells a far-out fable about Martians who show up to say peace but cause mayhem. Playful and chaotic, it acts as a lighthearted counterpoint to more serious Mars films.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be taken as scientific guidance or viewing endorsement.
