When it comes to thehorrorgenre, there’s arguably no director as beloved asJohn Carpenter. The filmmaker has made some of the best films of the genre, which have includedHalloween,The Fog,They LiveandThe Thing. He also has a few very underrated gems, likeIn the Mouth of MadnessandPrince of Darkness. However, even the best directors have one or two “bad” films. The center of that conversation for Carpenter is his2001 Sci-Fi horror thrillerGhosts of Mars. It’s one of the few films in Carpenter’s meaty filmography that hasn’t come to 4K either, but that’s about to change thanks toScream Factory.
Ghosts of Marswill be receiving two 4K Collector’s Editions on July 17, 2025.The first version is the normal 4K/Blu-ray combo pack slipcover that features the film’s original poster artwork that hasIce Cube(21 Jump Street),Jason Statham(The Meg),Natasha Henstridge,Clea Duvall(TheFaculty) andPam Grierready for battle. This will be $35.99 USD. The other edition will come with an additional slipcover that features new artwork from the CRP Group. This slightly more expensive version will have two posters as well of both the theatrical and new artwork for $39.98. The release will also have anew special feature, “Assault On Outpost 13: ScoringGhosts of Mars”. This is an interview with Film Music HistorianDaniel Schweiger.Ghost of Marsis just the latest Carpenter film to join Scream Factory’s 4K collection. Their previous releases includeHalloween,The Fog,They Live,Village of the Damned,Escape From New YorkandVampires. Now there are only a few Carpenter films left to release on the format. One of which is his final feature, 2010’sThe Ward.
What’s ‘Ghosts of Mars’ About?
Taking place in a future where humans have successfully colonized Mars,Ghosts of Marsfollows a police force that is tasked with taking in a dangerous criminal (Ice Cube). However, they get more than they bargained for when an army ofMartian spirits get unleashed at a local mine. They have the ability to take over the human body, which means the human race may go extinct on Mars if they’re not too careful. WhileGhost of Marsis one of Carpenter’s worst reviewed films, holding a deadly 23% critic and 25% audience approval ratings onRotten Tomatoes, it still has a bit of what made the director’s genre blending prowess so unique throughout the 80s. It also bombed at the box office when it originally released,making only $14 million on a reported $28 million budget. Almost 25 years later, this 4K release may be whatGhost of Marsneeds to get a second chance at ghastly life. Especially considering this is probably one of the rareCarpenter filmsmost of the horror community hasn’t seen.
Where Can You Stream ‘Ghost of Mars’?
Ghosts of Marsisn’t currently available on a traditional streaming service, butyou can rent it on most paid VOD platforms for $3.99. you’re able to also pre-order both 4K editions from Scream Factory on theirwebsite. The trailer forGhosts of Marscan be viewed below.
Ghosts of Mars
