Spaced Invaders (1990)
A screwball sci-fi comedy about bumbling Martians who crash-land on Halloween and get mistaken for trick-or-treaters in a small American town.
Spaced Invaders - Movie Information
- Original Title: Spaced Invaders
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: Patrick Read Johnson
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 27, 1990 (United States - PG), August 3, 1990 (United Kingdom - PG), February 14, 1991 (Germany - 12)
- Alternative Titles: Locos invasores del espacio (ES), Najezdzcy z kosmosu (PL), Invasores por error (MX), Космічні загарбники (UA), ハロウィン・インベーダー/火星人襲来!? (JP), Jorden tur och retur (SE), Invasores por error (AR), Marsista tullaan ja lujaa (FI)
- Production Companies: Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV
- Production Countries: United States of America
Spaced Invaders - Plot
A crew of Martians overhears a radio broadcast of Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" coming from Earth, and, thinking the Martian fleet is attacking Earth, they land their broken-down ship in a backwater mid-American town. As luck would have it, they land on Halloween and get mistaken for trick-or-treaters. Comedy ensues as the Martians try to get taken seriously.
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Spaced Invaders - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Patrick Read Johnson
Main Cast
- Douglas Barr
- Royal Dano
- Ariana Richards
- J.J. Anderson
- Gregg Berger
- Wayne Alexander
- Fred Applegate
- Patrika Darbo
- Tonya Williams
- William Holmes
Writers
- Patrick Read Johnson
- Scott Lawrence Alexander
Producers
- Luigi Cingolani
Spaced Invaders - FAQs
What is Spaced Invaders about?
Spaced Invaders follows a hapless crew of Martians who intercept a radio broadcast of Orson Welles' War of the Worlds and mistakenly believe an invasion is underway. They land in a small American town on Halloween night and are hilariously mistaken for trick-or-treaters in costume.
Is Spaced Invaders a good Halloween movie for kids?
Absolutely! Spaced Invaders is a lighthearted PG-rated comedy tailor-made for Halloween viewing with the family. The bumbling Martians are more goofy than scary, and the Halloween setting gives the whole film a festive, fun atmosphere that kids and nostalgic adults tend to enjoy.
Where can you watch Spaced Invaders?
You can rent or buy Spaced Invaders on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's widely available across digital platforms, so tracking it down for a Halloween movie night shouldn't be a problem.
Is the War of the Worlds broadcast joke explained in the film?
Yes — the whole premise hinges on the Martians picking up a rebroadcast of Orson Welles' famous 1938 War of the Worlds radio drama and taking it literally. They assume the Martian fleet is already attacking Earth and rush to join the invasion, kicking off the film's central misunderstanding.
Who are the main cast members of Spaced Invaders?
The film stars Douglas Barr as Sam and Royal Dano as the crusty Wrenchmuller, with a young Ariana Richards — later known for Jurassic Park — as Kathy. J.J. Anderson plays Brian, and the Martian crew is brought to life by Gregg Berger, Wayne Alexander, and several others.
Is Spaced Invaders based on a true story or book?
No, Spaced Invaders is an original story written by director Patrick Read Johnson and co-writer Scott Lawrence Alexander. While it riffs on Orson Welles' legendary 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast, the film itself is a wholly original comedic concept built around that cultural touchstone.
What movies are similar to Spaced Invaders?
If you enjoyed Spaced Invaders, you'll likely have fun with Galaxy Quest, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Men in Black, and Planet 51 — all films that play with alien-meets-human comedy. Mars Needs Moms and Monsters vs. Aliens are also solid picks for family-friendly extraterrestrial laughs.
How did Spaced Invaders perform at the box office?
Made on a modest $3 million budget, Spaced Invaders earned around $15.4 million at the box office — a respectable return for a small-scale family comedy. While it never became a blockbuster, it found a loyal audience and has since developed a cult following among fans of 1990s family films.
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