Sign up
Trailer

Cool Hand Luke

1967Movie2 h 7 minPG

CrimeDrama
90
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Metacritic928.4Rotten Tomatoes100%95%

A deeply moving, tense drama movie about society and crime, with standout performances and direction.

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for warmth, comfort or laughs.

Movies with

Story

The man... and the motion picture that simply do not conform.

When petty criminal Luke Jackson is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline, who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers.

Feels like

  • Existential Prison Drama
  • Iconic Anti-Hero Performance
  • Southern Gothic Atmosphere
  • Defiance Against Authority
  • Tragic Heroism
  • Stoic Rebellion
  • Social Critique of Justice System
  • Enduring Cultural Legacy

Cast

24 of 30

Crew

Directed by
Stuart Rosenberg
Written by
Frank Pierson, Donn Pearce, Hal Dresner
Produced by
Gordon Carroll, Carter DeHaven Jr.
Music by
Lalo Schifrin

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

November 1, 1967 · 2 h 7 min · PG

Released
November 1, 1967
Runtime
2 h 7 min
Age rating
PG
Content
Violence, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery
Genres
Drama, Crime
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$3 million
Box office
$16 million
Available in
90 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Faux Affably Evil, Punishment Box, Sinister Shades +9

  • Faux Affably Evil
  • Punishment Box
  • Sinister Shades
  • Super-Persistent Predator
  • My Girl Is Not a Slut
  • Uncertain Doom
  • Creator Cameo
  • Bully Turned Buddy
  • Crucified Hero Shot
  • The Hero Dies
  • Returning War Vet
  • Smite Me, O Mighty Smiter

12 of 64 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Cool Hand Luke?"

Questions about Cool Hand Luke

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Cool Hand Luke?

In the United States, you can rent or buy Cool Hand Luke from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Spectrum On Demand. It streams in 35 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Cool Hand Luke worth watching?

90
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 90 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 92). Critics rate it higher (96 out of 100) than audiences (86).

Is Cool Hand Luke okay for kids?

PGViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imagery

Not for young kids: it's rated PG in the United States for violence, strong language, and disturbing imagery, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Is Cool Hand Luke plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Will I feel good after watching Cool Hand Luke?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 3 for hopefulness.

Was Cool Hand Luke a box office hit?

Budget$3 million
Box office$16 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $3 million to make and earned $16 million worldwide, 5.1 times its budget.

What tropes does Cool Hand Luke use?

Faux Affably EvilPunishment BoxSinister ShadesSuper-Persistent PredatorMy Girl Is Not a SlutUncertain DoomCreator CameoBully Turned BuddyCrucified Hero ShotThe Hero DiesReturning War VetSmite Me, O Mighty Smiterand 52 more

TV Tropes lists 64 tropes for it, including Faux Affably Evil, Punishment Box, and Sinister Shades.