News from Planet Mars poster

News from Planet Mars

Movie 2016 1h 41m 5.4 /10
Directed by Dominik Moll

Philippe Mars spends his days juggling a dozen small duties in a bid to keep everyone happy. He wants to be a good father, a amiable ex husband, a helpful coworker and a patient brother. But his organized world begins to fray as his son adopts a vegetarian streak, his daughter becomes... Read more

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Streaming availability last verified: January 14, 2026

About News from Planet Mars

Philippe Mars spends his days juggling a dozen small duties in a bid to keep everyone happy. He wants to be a good father, a amiable ex husband, a helpful coworker and a patient brother. But his organized world begins to fray as his son adopts a vegetarian streak, his daughter becomes relentlessly studious, and his sister turns their living room into a gallery of naked parental portraits. Friends and coworkers start weighing in with unsolicited advice as pressure builds. At the office, Philippe faces the chaos created by a volatile colleague named Jerome who one night arrives at his doorstep with a young woman released from a clinic. The result is a comedy of muddled intentions and mistaken priorities.

Released in 2016, News from Planet Mars is directed by Dominik Moll with Gilles Marchand credited as creator. The French comedy blends dry wit with character driven humor, placing relatable families in farcical, everyday situations that feel familiar to many.

Critics treat the film as a light look at family life under pressure, balancing love and frustration with deadpan charm. It follows one man who tries to keep a household intact while navigating a volatile coworker and a string of unpredictable incidents. The humor rests on awkward signals and misunderstandings.

Box office figures aren't provided in the available data, suggesting the title circulated mainly in art house and domestic French venues rather than as a blockbuster. Its profile fits a niche audience that enjoys dry humor and quirky family plots.

No major nominations or wins are listed in the available records for News from Planet Mars. The film appears to have drawn a modest reception, with a small but engaged audience and a mixed critical response that leans toward lighthearted domestic comedy rather than prestige recognition for this title now.

Details

Release Date
March 09, 2016
Runtime
1h 41m
User Ratings
75 votes
Type
Movie
Genres
Comedy
Country
Belgium
Studio
Diaphana Films +2 more
External Links
View on IMDB

Cast

François Damiens

François Damiens

Philippe Mars

Vincent Macaigne

Vincent Macaigne

Jérôme

Veerle Baetens

Veerle Baetens

Chloé

Jeanne Guittet

Jeanne Guittet

Sarah Mars

Tom Rivoire

Tom Rivoire

Grégoire Mars

Léa Drucker

Léa Drucker

Myriam

Michel Aumont

Michel Aumont

Philippe's Father

Catherine Samie

Catherine Samie

Philippe's Mother

Gaspard Meier-Chaurand

Gaspard Meier-Chaurand

Clément

Olivia Côte

Olivia Côte

Fabienne Mars, alias Xanaé

Director: Dominik Moll

Written by: Gilles Marchand

Frequently Asked Questions

News from Planet Mars is not currently available on streaming subscription services, but you can rent or buy it on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

Yes, you can rent on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video or buy on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and Amazon Video.

With a rating of 5.4/10 from 75 viewers, News from Planet Mars is a mixed bag - check out reviews to see if it's right for you.

Philippe Mars spends his days juggling a dozen small duties in a bid to keep everyone happy. He wants to be a good father, a amiable ex husband, a helpful coworker and a patient brother. But his organized world begins to fray as his son adopts a vegetarian streak, his daughter becomes relentlessl...

News from Planet Mars stars François Damiens, Vincent Macaigne, Veerle Baetens, Jeanne Guittet, and Tom Rivoire.

News from Planet Mars was directed by Dominik Moll.

News from Planet Mars was released on March 09, 2016.

News from Planet Mars is a Comedy film.

François Damiens plays Philippe Mars, a father who tries to please everyone. The film follows his attempts to balance family life with a chaotic office, as his son becomes a hardcore vegetarian and his daughter turns into a compulsive swot.

Vincent Macaigne plays Jérôme, Philippe Mars's colleague who is described as mentally unstable. His arrival at Philippe's door with a young woman in tow adds to the movie's workplace chaos.

Veerle Baetens plays Chloé, a character in the film.

Jeanne Guittet plays Sarah Mars, Philippe Mars's daughter.