Steve Martin has been one of the most celebrated performers in cinema history due to his unique comedic skills, versatility of talent, cultural impact of his works, and pioneering a comedic style that has influenced generations afterward. Throughout his career, he has won an Emmy, an Honorary Oscar, and five Grammy Awards.
You might be in the mood to watch a movie that Martin starred in. Here is our list of recommendations for some of his best celebrated works in cinema.
The Jerk
The Jerk follows a simple-minded, sheltered country boy who suddenly decides to leave his family home to experience life in the big city, where his naivete is both his best friend and his worst enemy.
The film marked Martin's vehicle for becoming a major movie star. It ended up being a box office success across North America and instantly turned him into the biggest comedy performer of that time. This is considered one of Martin's most iconic entries in his filmography.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home
Pennies from Heaven
Pennies from Heaven follows a sheet-music salesman who seeks to escape his dreary life through popular music and a love affair with an innocent schoolteacher during the Great Depression.
While the film received critical acclaim at the time of its release, it was a box office bomb commercially. Despite that, it has gained a cult following throughout the years and is now a celebrated work in Martin's filmography.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home
Three Amigos!
Three Amigos! follows three actors who accept an invitation to a Mexican village to perform their onscreen bandit-fighter roles, unaware that it is the real thing.
The film marked Martin's first major collaboration with Martin Short, who would eventually become his frequent collaborator in the decades after and close best friend. It has also gained a cult following and reputation in the years after as one of the most underrated comedies of the era.
Where You Can Stream: MGM+
Roxanne
Inspired by the classic story of Cyrano de Bergerac, Roxanne follows the large-nosed C.D. Bales, who is in love with the beautiful Roxanne. However, she falls for his personality, but another man's looks.
This is one of the rare entries in Martin's filmography where he showcases his chops as the lead of a romantic-comedy and spotlights his charismatic on-screen presence. Just like his other films, it has also gained a massive cult following in the years after its release.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Planes, Trains and Automobiles follows a Chicago advertising man who struggles to travel home from New York for Thanksgiving, with a lovable oaf of a shower-curtain-ring salesman as his only companion.
Since its release in the late '80s, this has become the definitive movie of Thanksgiving due to its heartwarming story with an emotional ending that still makes audiences cry to this day. It is also considered one of Martin's most celebrated works in his career, as well as the late John Candy's.
Where You Can Stream: Paramount+
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels follows two con men who try to settle their rivalry by betting on who can swindle a young American heiress out of fifty thousand dollars first.
The film is one of the celebrated works from Martin's filmography due to its strong comedic storytelling and the exceptional chemistry between Steve Martin and Michael Caine. It has also inspired a Broadway musical adaptation and a female-led remake released in 2019.
Where You Can Stream: Prime Video
Parenthood
Parenthood follows the four Buckman siblings who attempt to raise their children, each in their own different style, and deal with the joys and sorrows that the process brings.
The film is another iconic entry from Martin's filmography due to its relatable familial themes and storytelling. Its success and rewatchable reputation led to the creation of a TV series adaptation that premiered in 2010, which also became a success.
Where You Can Stream: Netflix
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride follows George Banks, an ordinary, middle-class man whose 22-year-old daughter Annie has decided to marry a man from an upper-class family. He struggles to let go of her as the wedding day is approaching.
It has gained a reputation as one of the best comedy films of the 1990s due to its heartwarming story, relatable jokes, and familiar themes to all parents who might be dealing with a similar situation. Its success led to a sequel that was released years later.
Where You Can Stream: Disney+
Bowfinger
In Bowfinger, when a desperate movie producer fails to get a major star for his bargain-basement film, he decides to shoot the film secretly around him.
This is one of the rare projects that starred two comedy legends: Martin and Eddie Murphy, who both have exceptional chemistry and proved together why we've been revering them as comedy icons for decades.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home
It's Complicated
In It's Complicated, after attending their son's college graduation, a couple reignites the spark in their relationship. But the complicated fact is they're divorced and he's remarried.
While he is the "third wheel" among the main characters, Martin still shone in his role, and his character contributed to the "complicated" story that made this worth watching and became an iconic romantic comedy of the era.
Where You Can Stream: HBO Max
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