Mars Attacks! (1996), directed by Tim Burton, is a darkly comic sci-fi satire that pays homage to 1950s alien invasion films. When a fleet of Martians arrives on Earth claiming peaceful intentions, world leaders attempt to communicate and avoid conflict. However, the aliens quickly reveal themselves to be hostile, unleashing destruction with advanced weaponry and a gleeful disregard for human life.

The story follows a wide range of characters, from politicians and scientists to ordinary citizens, as they struggle to survive the chaotic invasion. Blending absurd humour with exaggerated performances and deliberately campy visual effects, the film embraces its over-the-top tone. Beneath the spectacle, it satirises political leadership, media hysteria, and human arrogance, delivering a quirky and irreverent take on the alien invasion genre.