6 Best Strother Martin Movies

By Vlad Zakh · August 13, 2026

Strother Martin turned small, eccentric supporting roles into unforgettable moments and became one of the most quotable character actors in American film. Cool Hand Luke gave him the famous failure-to-communicate line, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and True Grit are other highlights, Slap Shot turns a hockey team violent to save a town, and Up in Smoke drives two stoned friends in a marijuana van across the border. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance rounds out the list.

Up in Smoke (1978)

TMDB ★ 6.6

Strother Martin features in this stoner comedy about two perpetually stoned friends who unknowingly drive a van made entirely of marijuana across the border.

Directed by Lou Adler · 1h 26m · Rated R

Where to watch

Rent: JustWatch TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Slap Shot (1977)

TMDB ★ 6.8

A minor-league hockey coach turns his losing team into brawling local celebrities.

Directed by George Roy Hill · 2h 03m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: TNT, tru TV · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

TMDB ★ 7.6

Two legendary outlaws flee to Bolivia when a relentless posse makes robbing trains too dangerous at home.

Directed by George Roy Hill · 1h 51m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, A&E Crime Central Apple TV channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

True Grit (1969)

TMDB ★ 7.3

A tough, one-eyed marshal helps a determined young woman track down her father's killer.

Directed by Henry Hathaway · 2h 08m · Rated G

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

TMDB ★ 7.7

A rebellious prisoner's repeated escape attempts from a brutal chain gang make him a legend among his fellow inmates.

Directed by Stuart Rosenberg · 2h 07m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

TMDB ★ 7.8

Andy Devine features in this western about a senator whose reputation is built on a legendary shootout whose true story is far different.

Directed by John Ford · 2h 03m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, MGM Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Strother Martin Movies

Up in Smoke (1978)

Slap Shot (1977)

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

True Grit (1969)

Cool Hand Luke (1967)

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)

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