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The Martian

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction survival film directed by Ridley Scott and adapted from Andy Weir’s 2011 novel of the same name.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction survival film directed by Ridley Scott and adapted from Andy Weir’s 2011 novel of the same name. It stars Matt Damon as astronaut Mark Watney, who is stranded on Mars and must use his training and ingenuity to survive while NASA works to bring him home. The film was released theatrically on October 2, 2015, by 20th Century Fox.

Plot

The film centers on astronaut Mark Watney’s efforts to survive alone on Mars after being abandoned by his crew. On Earth, NASA and other scientists attempt to devise a rescue plan while Watney works to extend his survival time and communicate his situation.

Production

The film is based on Andy Weir’s novel and was directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by Drew Goddard. It was produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Scientific accuracy

The Martian is frequently described as one of the more scientifically grounded major space films. Sources note that NASA reportedly reviewed aspects of the film, and the movie has been praised for depicting plausible survival methods and mission design.

Reception

The film opened to critical acclaim and became a major box-office success. It was widely praised for combining suspense, humour, and scientific detail.

Key facts

  • The story follows Mark Watney, an astronaut left behind on Mars after his crew believes he has died in a storm.
  • The film was adapted from Andy Weir’s novel and directed by Ridley Scott.
  • NASA and international scientists in the story coordinate efforts to rescue Watney.
  • The film is widely noted for its emphasis on scientific realism.
  • The ensemble cast includes Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, and Mackenzie Davis.
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Canadian context

The Martian was released in Canada in 2015 and is part of the wider North American market for Hollywood science fiction films. Its Canadian relevance is mainly as a widely distributed English-language film frequently shown on Canadian streaming, broadcast, and educational entertainment platforms.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Martian based on?
It is based on Andy Weir’s 2011 novel The Martian.
Who directed The Martian?
The film was directed by Ridley Scott.
Who plays Mark Watney?
Mark Watney is played by Matt Damon.
When was The Martian released?
It was released theatrically on October 2, 2015.
What genre is The Martian?
It is generally classified as science fiction, adventure, and drama.
Why is The Martian known for realism?
It is often praised for using plausible science and mission concepts, and for consulting scientific expertise during development.

References

  1. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_martian
    Supports: Director, producer, distributor, genre, release date, runtime, rating, synopsis
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_(film)
    Supports: 2015 release, director, screenplay, cast, adaptation from Andy Weir's novel, box office, awards
  3. Space.comhttps://www.space.com/31045-the-martian-movie-six-surprising-facts.html
    Supports: Plot premise, scientific realism discussion
  4. IFLSciencehttps://www.iflscience.com/how-accurate-martian-9-things-movie-got-right-and-wrong-30937
    Supports: NASA review of the film and accuracy discussion
  5. Science Newshttps://www.sciencenews.org/article/martian-entertaining-science-fiction-rooted-fact
    Supports: Scientific realism and factual grounding