Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Surprisingly touching adventure has sad moments amid comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mars Needs Moms
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 44 parent reviews
Parents say this film is a polarizing experience, with many expressing concern over its intense and frightening themes that could be traumatizing for younger or sensitive children. While some viewers appreciate the underlying message about the importance of motherhood and family values, others criticize the dark content—including near-death experiences and emotional manipulation—as inappropriate for a children’s movie.
- traumatizing for children
- intense themes
- mixed parental responses
- importance of family
- dark content criticism
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 37 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green, whose voice is altered to sound younger) has a loving but occasionally disciplinarian mom (Joan Cusack) who sends him to bed without a movie because he feeds his broccoli to the cat. In response to her nagging, Milo spits out, "I wish I didn't have a mom," leaving her in tears. That night, an alien ship abducts her, but not before Milo jumps aboard and flies back to Mars as a stowaway. On Mars, Milo evades detection by jumping down a trash chute that leads to an underground Martian garbage dump, where all the male Martians are kept locked away by the ruling females. Milo meets Gribble (Dan Fogler), a tech-savvy human who explains that every 25 years, the Martians abduct a good Earthling mother in order to program a flock of nanny robots who raise Martian girl babies. If Milo can't save his mom before programming, she'll die -- and he'll be stuck on Mars forever.
Is It Any Good?
This is a surprisingly tender and sweet adventure. As motion-capture technology advances and produces more and more films, the startlingly realistic animation it produces is no longer as occasionally disturbing as it was when The Polar Express was released. It's easier to just be in awe of it now -- and to see the actors' faces and expressions in every scene. And MARS NEEDS MOMS, like most animated movies, features a noteworthy comedic voice cast, especially Green as Milo, Fogler as Gribble, and Cusack as Mom.
The film's weak link is the '60s-show-obsessed Martian, Ki (Elisabeth Harnois). She believes in groovy love thanks to watching the same 1960s TV program over and over again. It's funny for a little while to hear her say anachronistic catchphrases, but after a while the joke gets a bit flat. Still, this is an enjoyable movie that helps kids understand that, despite the rules, the chores, and the bedtimes, mothers love their kids fiercely, unconditionally, and sacrificially. Mothers -- don't be surprised if you cry and your kids hug you extra tight.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the movie's message. What is it saying about moms and kids? Kids: Do you see your mom at all differently after watching this movie?
Kids: What parts of the movie were scary and/or sad? Did any of it seem scarier or sadder because of the way the animation looks? Why do you think that is?
How does Milo's experience affect him? How does he act differently once he's back home?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 11, 2011
- On DVD or streaming : August 9, 2011
- Cast : Dan Fogler , Joan Cusack , Seth Green
- Director : Simon Wells
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Book Characters
- Run time : 88 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sci-fi action and peril
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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