The Mars Generation

The Mars Generation

movie

ALL, 2017

WISE
86%

WISE Score

6.5

IMDb

Forget TikTok fame; these kids want to colonize the Red Planet and they're actually smart enough to do it.

IMDb6.5
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

The Mars Generation is basically a high-end recruitment video for NASA, but honestly, we could use more of those. It’s refreshing to see teenagers who are genuinely obsessed with orbital mechanics instead of dance trends.

It’s not a cinematic masterpiece—it has that standard Netflix documentary 'look'—but it’s deeply earnest and surprisingly motivational. If you have a kid who constantly asks how things work or looks at the stars, this is a no-brainer. It’s clean, smart, and might actually make them want to do their math homework.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9 and up. While younger kids can watch it, the 'talking head' interview style and political discussions about NASA budgets will likely bore them to tears before the first rocket launches.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
92

It features remarkably focused, articulate teenagers who are passionate about science and space. It models hard work, collaboration, and big-picture thinking without any of the typical 'teen drama' tropes.

Imaginative
88

The film bridges the gap between science fiction and reality, pushing viewers to visualize what life on another planet looks like and how we actually get there.

Safe
96

Extremely safe. There is some very mild 'peril' during training simulations (spinning in centrifuges, simulated equipment failure), but it's all controlled and educational.

Enriching
94

It’s a STEM powerhouse. It covers the history of the space race, the physics of Mars travel, and the political hurdles of NASA funding in a way that's actually digestible.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • It makes being a 'space geek' look incredibly cool and purposeful.
  • Provides a solid history lesson on NASA without feeling like a dusty classroom lecture.
  • The peer-to-peer inspiration is real; seeing other kids work this hard is a great 'productivity' nudge.
  • It tackles the actual 'how' of Mars travel, not just the fantasy.
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What to Watch For

  • It can be a bit dry in the middle if your kid isn't already a fan of documentaries.
  • The 'simulated peril' might make very anxious kids a little nervous about space travel.

Conversation Starters

  • "If you were picked for a Mars mission, what's the one thing from Earth you'd miss the most?"
  • "Do you think it's worth spending billions of dollars to go to Mars when we have problems here on Earth?"
  • "Which part of Space Camp looked like the most fun—and which part looked like a nightmare?"
  • "Would you sign up for a one-way trip to another planet if it meant making history?"

Deep Dive

The "Space Camp" vibe check

The teenagers in this film are the real draw. They aren't just "interested" in space; they are obsessive. Watching a 15-year-old talk about orbital mechanics with more clarity than most adults is the kind of motivational fuel that might actually convince a middle-schooler that their math homework has a point. It’s one of those STEM documentaries that spark real curiosity because it focuses on peers rather than just experts in lab coats. Seeing kids their own age take something this seriously makes "being smart" look like a superpower rather than a social liability.

A history lesson in disguise

Director Michael Barnett splits the focus between the "Space Camp" experience in Alabama and the broader history of NASA. This is where the 6.5 IMDb score makes sense. The kids are electric, but the segments about the Apollo program and NASA's shifting budgets can feel a bit like a classroom lecture. If your kid is only there for the "action" of the centrifuge and the simulated missions, they might get restless when the film pivots to the politics of space travel. That said, for a kid who actually wants to work at NASA, this context is the meat of the story. It explains why we haven't been back to the moon and why Mars is the next logical (and incredibly difficult) step.

Where it sits on the shelf

Think of this as a gateway drug for rocket science. It’s not a gritty survival story or a high-stakes thriller. It’s a hopeful, somewhat polished look at what the next few decades could look like if we stay the course. If your kid finishes this and immediately starts asking about the "real" history of the space race or how realistic the physics are, you’ll want to check out our list of the best space movies for kids to find their next obsession. It’s a low-friction win for parents who want to swap mindless entertainment for something with actual weight. You aren't just watching a movie; you're watching a recruitment film for the future of the human race.

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