Steve Martin has worn many hats: legendary stand-up comedian, banjo player, Martin Short pal, and expert Academy Awards ceremony host (though, he was never a winner or even nominee himself). Toss in bona fide movie star, too, because Martin has an expansive filmography. And, more often than not, he’s leading the entries on that filmography. So, naturally, when someone has so many projects under their belt, some are going to escape the audience’s attention. Those are the Martin films that follow.
That means no big box office hits or cult favorites that eventually became quite popular. In other words, no The Jerk, Three Amigos!, Bowfinger, Little Shop of Horrors, Parenthood, Roxanne, The Prince of Egypt, or Planes, Trains & Automobiles here. Furthermore, movies that both gained a lot of attention and have few redeeming merits, e.g. the two Cheaper by the Dozen films, Bringing Down the House, and the two Pink Panther films, were also excluded.
20 Pennies from Heaven (1981)
Directed by Herbert Ross, Pennies from Heaven is an adaptation of the BBC TV drama of the same name from back in 1978. But, instead of London, the musical takes place on the streets of Depression-era Chicago. The film is led by Martin, the great Bernadette Peters, Christopher Walken, and Suspiria‘s Jessica Harper.
What Makes Pennies from Heaven a Solid Depression-era Musical?
Unfortunately, the film bombed at the box office. And, with time, it’s become one of Martin’s most forgotten films. But it’s shot very well, and Martin is in his element as sheet-music salesman Arthur Parker. Rent Pennies from Heaven on Prime Video.
19 Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (1982)
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid was an early film for Martin, and his second of four collaborations with Carl Reiner (with the first being The Jerk). It’s kind of like Johnny Dangerously. It looks at both a specific time period and the type of noir (or, in the case of Johnny Dangerously, gangster) pictures that were being made during that specific time.
An Impressive Early Entry into Martin’s Filmography
Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid is a smart movie, and that’s as much due to the script as it is Martin’s already-adept performance. It’s not laugh-out-loud funny, and it never quite reaches classic level, but there’s merit to this Martin flick. Rent Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid on Prime Video.
18 The Man with Two Brains (1983)
While it’s just one of several collaborations between Martin and director Carl Reiner, The Man with Two Brains is by far the strangest. In fact, it’s hard to really see any of Carl Reiner’s trademarks in this thing. So, naturally, this is a movie that many will tune out during Act One.
What Makes It the Wild and Crazy Guy’s Wildest and Craziest Performance?
There’s merit to The Man with Two Brains, even if it doesn’t fully work as a feature-length narrative. But Martin goes all in, acting even more gonzo than the characters in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Plus, he has a lot of fun frequently saying his character’s name: Dr. Hfuhruhurr (which, according to him, sounds just like it’s spelled). Rent The Man with Two Brains on Prime Video.
17 The Lonely Guy (1984)
Charles Grodin always steals the show. It doesn’t matter if he’s teamed with Robert De Niro in a fast-paced crime comedy or with Steve Martin in a slow, thoughtful comedy-drama. The Lonely Guy takes place in a world where the title is an accepted term. A “Lonely Guy” always has a house plant, always goes and sits in isolation on park benches, and is always too nice. Sure, that’s a type of guy, but in this film, they’re widely accepted as “Lonely Guys.”
An Impressive Misfire
The Lonely Guy has a lot on its mind. But, like the type of man it’s informing the audience of, it has a really hard time expressing itself. In the end, it’s a very easy movie to forget, but it feels unique while one’s watching it. Rent The Lonely Guy on Prime Video.
16 All of Me (1984)
Martin has claimed he’ll be retiring after Only Murders in the Building, and there are certainly worse ways to go out than with a masterpiece. After all, Martin’s been a part of great films since the very beginning of his career. For instance, The Jerk, or the seemingly forgotten All of Me.
One of Martin’s Most Important Roles
This showed that Martin was a solid leading man for a rom-com. In other words, he can be as personable as he is uniquely charming. He’s just a goofball, but in this case, his goofiness is partly caused by Lily Tomlin inhabiting half his soul. Stream All of Me for free with ads on Tubi.
All of Me
- Release Date
- September 21, 1984
- Runtime
- 93
15 My Blue Heaven (1990)
My Blue Heaven was released before another little film with basically the same plot (but a different tone). That little film would be Goodfellas and, of course, it’s not so little. Not in runtime nor in garnered respect. My Blue Heaven, however, is not nearly as effective. Cute and sweet, sure, but this is no Goodfellas.
An Admirable Misfire
Rick Moranis was always great for a straightman role, and, per usual, his pairing with Martin is a winning one. But Martin is playing things up way too much in My Blue Heaven. One can see what he was going for, but the loud, dumb mobster schtick gets old very quickly. Rent My Blue Heaven on Prime Video.
14 L.A. Story (1991)
If any film on this list does have a decent reputation surrounding it, both in terms of critical appreciation and audience response, it’s L.A. Story. Yet, especially given how important an entry on Martin’s filmography is, it’s surprising how much this has slipped under the radar. The narrative follows a miserable weatherman who starts taking advice from an electric highway sign.
Martin’s Most Underappreciated Film
Having Martin portray a lovesick, lonely puppy dog of a man is perfect casting. But this film also feels incredibly close to Martin, more than any of his other movies. And that makes sense, considering he wrote the thing.
13 Grand Canyon (1991)
Steven Spielberg protégé Lawrence Kasdan has directed several adulting movies. AKA, movies where a group of adult characters are, in their various ways, learning of life’s complexities. Most notably, Kasdan did this with The Big Chill. But, right behind it is the very similar but far less well known Grand Canyon.
An Impressive Early Dramatic Turn
In Grand Canyon, Martin portrays Davis, the best friend of the protagonist (played by Kevin Kline, a Kasdan favorite). Davis produces Schwarzenegger-style action flicks, but changes his tune after he gets shot in the leg mid-mugging. From there, he seeks to make cinema a more peaceful form of entertainment.
12 Housesitter (1992)
While Housesitter is superior to Martin’s reteaming with Goldie Hawn later in the decade, The Out-of-Towners, it’s still mostly forgettable fluff. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Many effective films require the audience to check their brains at the door; it’s just that very few of them are stone-cold classics.
What Makes it Enjoyable?
Martin may be first billed, but this is Goldie Hawn’s movie. As a silly con artist, she’s clearly having the time of her life, and that’s infectious. Toss in the fact that Martin has always been one of Hollywood’s better straightmen, and Housesitter is a worthwhile rental. Rent Housesitter on Prime Video.
11 Leap of Faith (1992)
A solid if not exactly remarkable Sunday afternoon movie, Leap of Faith is a pleasant time-passer with a good bit on its mind. Particularly, about religion. Even more particularly, about how someone can exploit religion.
What Makes it Charming?
The tone never bashes Christianity, its believers, or faith at all, really. It’s too character-focused for that. And, in Jonas Nightengale, Martin found one of his more complexly-drawn and interesting protagonists. Not all the way likable, but interesting. Plus, Debra Winger’s in it, and that’s always a big check mark on the positive column. Rent Leap of Faith on Google Play.
10 A Simple Twist of Fate (1994)
A Simple Twist of Fate tells the story of a man who lives in isolation. One day, a little girl wanders into his middle-of-the-woods home. Her mother is nearby in her car, dead from a heroin overdose, and from there Martin’s Michael and the child, who he calls Mathilda, begin to build an unbreakable bond. Too bad the child’s unsavory father (who has denied her existence) is coming to get her. Not to help his out-of-wedlock daughter, much less raise her, but to save his own political career.
What Makes it a Sweet Movie?
Like other underrated Martin movies, this one is pretty low-key. It was never going to rake in $100 million domestic. But, it is a heartwarming 106 minutes, and Martin truly was the best performer for this particular role (he also wrote the film). Stream A Simple Twist of Fate on Hoopla.
9 Mixed Nuts (1994)
On one hand, Mixed Nuts is absolutely the worst film on this list. It’s almost impressively unfunny, and that’s when it’s not diving into being outright mean-spirited or politically incorrect. It’s a bizarre misfire not only for Martin, but for director Nora Ephron, as well. Yet, it is a film worth watching once.
An Acquired Taste of a Christmas Comedy
Adam Sandler fans immediately have a reason to watch it. After all, Mixed Nuts was one of his earliest films (hence his role being of a supporting capacity). There’s also Garry Shandling and Juliette Lewis, so there were certainly a lot of talented people behind this film. Yet, given the quality of the script, that’s only intermittently evident. Mixed Nuts is a curiosity watch. Rent Mixed Nuts on Prime Video.
8 Father of the Bride Part II (1995)
Is it as charming as the first film? Not quite. Is it as well-written? Not even close. Yet, as far as sequels from the ’90s go, Father of the Bride Part II isn’t half bad.
An Extremely Likable Sequel
The key is that the chemistry between the cast members hasn’t lost a step. Those who got something out of the first film will get something out of the second. It’s just a matter of diminishing returns. Stream Father of the Bride Part II on Disney+.
7 Sgt. Biko (1996)
While it’s pretty far from being a great film, Sgt. Bilko (an adaptation of the ’50s TV series The Phil Silvers Show) is very much Martin’s movie. He seems like he’s having fun with the role, not to mention the fairly breezy tone of the film.
A Fun Martin Performance
Any time Martin gets to play just a goofball, the audience can expect two things: laughs and a little depth. Sgt. Bilko is no The Spanish Prisoner, nor is it even as thought-provoking as The Jerk, but there are worse movies to put on for the whole family. Better ones, sure, but worse as well. Rent Sgt. Bilko on Prime Video.
6 The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
Martin has made many funny movies, but The Spanish Prisoner is decidedly not one of them. This corporate espionage story stars Campbell Scott as a corporate prodigy who comes up with a “business process.” This is something that interests the wealthy Jimmy Dell (Martin), who drags Scott’s Joe Ross down a rabbit hole of false accusations and stress.
An Admirable Dramatic Performance by Martin
The Spanish Prisoner is one of those movies where the audience feels gradually worse for the protagonist. They’re a good person facing forces far larger (and richer) than he. Putting an actor like Martin in such a sickly swindling antagonistic role? That’s smart. Stream The Spanish Prisoner on Peacock.
5 Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
Space Jam may be the more beloved film (and it’s not even close), but Looney Tunes: Back in Action is the better film. It’s also more true to the spirit of the classic cartoons. Not to mention, it’s incredibly self-aware, featuring a host of cameos from ’50s sci-fi monsters as well as a hilarious conversation between Matthew Lillard, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo.
So True to Looney Tunes
Putting Brendan Fraser in the lead was very wise on director Joe Dante’s part. He’s one of the most likable performers in the industry, and he’s never better than when playing a goofball. And that’s what this film has Fraser do. That’s also what it has Martin do, and he dives in full-force, making the audience believe he’s a Looney Tunes character brought to life. Rent Looney Tunes: Back in Action on Prime Video.
4 Shopgirl (2005)
Written by and co-starring Martin, Shopgirl is really his ultimate passion project. The narrative tells of a love triangle between a bored saleswoman (Claire Danes), an equally lost young man (Jason Schwartzman), and an older, rich businessman (Martin).
A Mostly-Successful Passion Project
Martin not only wrote this film, he also wrote the novella upon which it was based. So, everything that works about Shopgirl really comes down to him more than anyone else. That said, whoever cast Claire Danes also knew how to give the film an asset. Stream Shopgirl on Hoopla.
Shopgirl
- Release Date
- October 21, 2005
- Director
- Anand Tucker
- Runtime
- 107
3 Baby Mama (2008)
Even with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler headlining it, Baby Mama didn’t make much of a splash at the box office. And that’s a shame, because that means there are far more people who could have realized that it’s one of the most rewatchable time-passers of the aughts.
The Gold Standard for Fey-Poehler Movies?
Both Fey and Poehler are perfectly in their element in Baby Mama. Fey is the straight-laced worrier, while Poehler is very much the more easy-going, ‘So what?’ type. Not to mention, as the boss to Fey’s character, who can never really seem to come up with a coherent idea of his own, Martin gets to have a lot of fun. Rent Baby Mama on Prime Video.
Baby Mama
- Release Date
- April 25, 2008
- Runtime
- 96
2 It’s Complicated (2009)
Most of Martin’s movies feature a love interest. But, when It’s Complicated came out, it had been a while since he’d really starred in a straightforward romantic comedy. And, fortunately, Nancy Meyers’ 2009 movie about 50-somethings falling for one another is one of the aughts’ better of its subgenre.
A Sweet Rom-Com
Love triangles always grab the viewer’s attention. And, outside some cute family reaction moments (mostly provided by John Krasinski), the best element of It’s Complicated is the triangle between Meryl Streep’s sweet Jane, her quasi-jerk of an ex-husband (Alec Baldwin), and Martin’s soft-spoken architect, who has been hired to remodel Jane’s kitchen. Stream It’s Complicated on Netflix.
1 The Big Year (2011)
Even with Martin, Jack Black, and Owen Wilson on the poster, absolutely no one saw The Big Year in theaters. And, as time has gone on, that hasn’t really changed. A movie about a trio of competitive bird watchers isn’t exactly loaded with trailer-worthy moments. But it’s a charmer nonetheless.
A Slow, but Pleasant, Experience
This character-focused piece may carry a PG rating, and lacks a solitary moment that’s inappropriate for kids, but it’s adult-skewing all the way. This is a movie about life crises, from reaching one’s twilight years to feeling like nothing is occupying one’s years at all. So, while not quite a Saturday evening movie, it’s a worthy watch for those looking for a smooth viewing experience. Stream The Big Year on Disney+.
