The story revolves around a young boy named Milo (Seth Green) and his relationship with his mother (Joan Cusack). The climax of the film occurs when Milo witnesses his mother being abducted by Martians who have come to Earth to steal her maternal instincts, which they believe are crucial for raising their own young.
Milo stows away on the Martian spaceship and finds himself on Mars, a sterile and authoritarian society led by the Supervisor (Mindy Sterling). He befriends Gribble (Dan Fogler), a human who has been living on Mars since the 1980s, and Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), a rebellious Martian who questions the society’s methods.
As Milo and his new friends embark on a quest to rescue his mother, they face various challenges and encounter the underground society of “Trash Cans,” rebellious Martians who reject the Supervisor’s control. Along the way, Milo learns the importance of love and understanding between parents and children.
The climax of the film involves a confrontation with the Supervisor, as Milo and his friends try to free Milo’s mother and stop the Martians from continuing their flawed method of parenting. The story explores themes of family, love, and the significance of maternal instincts.
In the resolution, Milo manages to save his mother with the help of Gribble, Ki, and the Trash Cans. The Martians, inspired by Milo’s love for his mother, begin to question their society’s practices and embrace a more compassionate approach to parenting.
The film concludes with Milo and his mother returning to Earth, having gained a deeper appreciation for each other. “Mars Needs Moms” received mixed reviews, with praise for its animation but criticism for its execution and storytelling. The movie’s emphasis on the universal importance of motherly love is a central theme throughout the narrative.