Cool Hand Luke (1967)
A defiant prisoner's unbreakable will clashes with a sadistic system, earning him both admiration and tragic consequences.
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.
How intense is Cool Hand Luke?
Cool Hand Luke has light gore and strong violence. Emotionally it is devastating. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch. Rated PG.
What Cool Hand Luke feels like
- Tone
- grittybleakearnestpulpy
- Pace
- Measured
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream Cool Hand Luke
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 9, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Cool Hand Luke for you?
Is Cool Hand Luke scary?
No. Cool Hand Luke is not a scary watch (scare level 0 of 3).
Is Cool Hand Luke gory or violent?
Light gore (1 of 3) and strong violence (2 of 3).
Is Cool Hand Luke sad or heavy?
Yes. Emotional weight 3 of 3. It hits hard; do not plan anything light after.
Is Cool Hand Luke OK for kids?
It is rated PG, but the intensity tags run warmer than the rating suggests: scare 0, gore 1, violence 2, each out of 3. Know your kid.
How long is Cool Hand Luke?
Cool Hand Luke runs 2h 7m.
Where can I stream Cool Hand Luke?
Cool Hand Luke is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does Cool Hand Luke have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
No. Brace yourself.
Cast and crew
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