Mars Attacks!
A fleet of Martian spacecraft surrounds the world's major cities and all of humanity waits to see if the extraterrestrial visitors have, as they claim, "come in peace." U.S. President James Dale receives assurance from science professor Donald Kessler that the Martians' mission is a friendly one. But when a peaceful exchange ends in the total annihilation of the U.S. Congress, military men call for a full-scale nuclear retaliation.
Working with a mid-range budget of $70.0M, the film achieved a respectable showing with $101.4M in global revenue (+45% profit margin).
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Mars Attacks! (1996) reveals precise narrative design, characteristic of Tim Burton's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 46 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.9, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening montage establishes multiple characters in their ordinary worlds: President Dale in the White House, the Norris family in Kansas, Las Vegas entertainers, and scientists detecting the Martian fleet approaching Earth.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when The Martian fleet is confirmed to be real and approaching Earth. The President addresses the nation announcing first contact, forcing every character to confront this new reality that will change everything.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The Pahrump massacre: during the peaceful welcoming ceremony, the Martians reveal their true hostile nature and slaughter the crowd, including the hippie with the dove. Humanity is now at war. No turning back., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat The Martians infiltrate the White House disguised as humans (using the transplanted body parts). The President attempts negotiation one final time, but it's a trap. False defeat: the heart of American power is compromised and the President is completely outmaneuvered., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 78 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, President Dale is killed by the Martian leader in the White House. The literal death of hope and leadership. First Lady flees with daughter. Simultaneously, nuclear weapons prove useless against the Martian fleet. All is lost., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 84 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Richie discovers that Slim Whitman's "Indian Love Call" makes the Martians' heads explode. The answer was in Grandma's simple, unpretentious taste in music all along. The synthesis: folk wisdom and accident triumph over military might and intellectual hubris., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mars Attacks!'s emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Mars Attacks! against these established plot points, we can identify how Tim Burton utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mars Attacks! within the comedy genre.
Tim Burton's Structural Approach
Among the 17 Tim Burton films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Mars Attacks! takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Tim Burton filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Tim Burton analyses, see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sleepy Hollow and Dark Shadows.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening montage establishes multiple characters in their ordinary worlds: President Dale in the White House, the Norris family in Kansas, Las Vegas entertainers, and scientists detecting the Martian fleet approaching Earth.
Theme
General Decker states "We have to strike now, sir. Annihilate! Kill! Kill! Kill!" versus Professor Kessler's belief that the Martians come in peace. The theme: humanity's warlike nature versus peaceful coexistence, and whether we can trust those who appear different.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the ensemble cast and their worlds: President Dale's dysfunction, the Norris family dynamics, Byron Williams preparing to leave his family, Richie working at the donut shop, Barbara Land and Jason Stone in Vegas, and the media frenzy around the Martian arrival.
Disruption
The Martian fleet is confirmed to be real and approaching Earth. The President addresses the nation announcing first contact, forcing every character to confront this new reality that will change everything.
Resistance
Debate over how to respond to the Martians. Kessler advocates peace while Decker wants military action. Preparations for the welcoming ceremony in Pahrump, Nevada. Characters position themselves for first contact, with hope and optimism prevailing despite Decker's warnings.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Pahrump massacre: during the peaceful welcoming ceremony, the Martians reveal their true hostile nature and slaughter the crowd, including the hippie with the dove. Humanity is now at war. No turning back.
Mirror World
Introduction of Grandma Norris, who remains unfazed by the Martian threat, watching her old Westerns. She represents the calm wisdom and unpretentious values that will ultimately prove key to victory, contrasting with the pompous authorities.
Premise
The promise of the premise: Martians attack Earth in increasingly absurd and darkly comic ways. The ensemble navigates the invasion with varying degrees of incompetence. Includes Congress massacre, Tahiti ambassador incident, and multiple character threads of chaos and destruction.
Midpoint
The Martians infiltrate the White House disguised as humans (using the transplanted body parts). The President attempts negotiation one final time, but it's a trap. False defeat: the heart of American power is compromised and the President is completely outmaneuvered.
Opposition
Martians tighten their grip: White House under siege, Richie witnesses mass destruction, Byron tries to protect his family, Art Land is killed, Barbara Land is captured. The Martians are winning on all fronts as Earth's defenses crumble. Characters scatter and suffer losses.
Collapse
President Dale is killed by the Martian leader in the White House. The literal death of hope and leadership. First Lady flees with daughter. Simultaneously, nuclear weapons prove useless against the Martian fleet. All is lost.
Crisis
Characters process the darkness: Richie and Grandma hide in their home as destruction rains down, Byron searches desperately for his ex-wife and kids in the chaos, the survivors in the White House bunker face doom. The darkest hour before the accidental discovery.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Richie discovers that Slim Whitman's "Indian Love Call" makes the Martians' heads explode. The answer was in Grandma's simple, unpretentious taste in music all along. The synthesis: folk wisdom and accident triumph over military might and intellectual hubris.
Synthesis
The finale: Richie and others broadcast the music worldwide, destroying the Martian forces. Byron rescues his family. The few survivors regroup. The Martian invasion ends not through weapons but through the accidental discovery of a cultural artifact they couldn't anticipate.
Transformation
Richie and his family are celebrated as heroes in a medal ceremony at the ruins of the Capitol. The outcasts and ordinary people who survived inherit the Earth. Where once pompous leaders failed, the humble succeeded. Hope restored from ashes.