TL;DR: Steve Martin is currently pulling off the rarest feat in Hollywood: being genuinely cool to Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z simultaneously. Whether your kids know him as the "guy from the TikTok mystery show" or you grew up with the "arrow through the head" routine, he’s a rare safe harbor in a sea of "brain rot" content.
Quick Picks for Family Night:
- Best for Tweens/Teens: Only Murders in the Building — It’s basically a cozy mystery for the podcast generation.
- Best for Elementary Kids: Cheaper by the Dozen — Physical comedy that actually lands.
- Best for a Nostalgic Rewatch: Father of the Bride — Still the gold standard for "dad feelings."
- Skip This One: The Pink Panther 2 — Even Steve looks like he wants to be somewhere else.
If you had told me in the late 90s that the guy from The Jerk would become a Gen Z style icon and the face of "cozy" television in 2026, I would have assumed we were living in a simulation. But here we are.
Steve Martin has managed to evolve from a "wild and crazy" stand-up comic into a multi-hyphenate elder statesman of comedy who somehow avoids being "cringe." For parents, he’s a bridge. He represents a brand of humor that relies on wit, timing, and often absurd physical comedy rather than shock value or mean-spiritedness.
In a world where our kids are bombarded with 15-second clips of "Skibidi" nonsense, sitting down to watch a Steve Martin project is like a literal deep breath for the family brain.
If your middle schooler or high schooler is suddenly interested in Steve Martin, it’s 100% because of Only Murders in the Building.
As we head into the 2026 season, the show has reached a level of cultural saturation usually reserved for things like Stranger Things. Why? Because it hits the "cozy mystery" vibe that is currently dominating digital culture. Think of it as the TV equivalent of playing Stardew Valley—it’s low-stress, aesthetically pleasing (the coats! the apartments!), and intellectually stimulating without being grim-dark.
The chemistry between Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez is the secret sauce. For kids, seeing a "Disney Channel legend" like Gomez treat these two older men with a mix of affection and "you guys are so old" snark is highly relatable. It’s one of the few shows where the "generation gap" isn't a punchline about how old people are useless, but rather about how different generations can actually solve problems together.
If you want to introduce your kids to the "Movie Star" era of Steve Martin, you have to be selective. Not everything from the 80s and 90s aged perfectly, but a surprising amount of his filmography is pure gold for intentional families.
Father of the Bride (Ages 8+)
This is the ultimate "intentional parenting" movie. It captures the anxiety of watching your kids grow up too fast in a way that hits just as hard in 2026 as it did in 1991. It’s clean, it’s heartfelt, and Martin’s physical breakdown over the price of hot dog buns is a masterclass in comedy.
Cheaper by the Dozen (Ages 6+)
While critics generally hate this movie, kids love it. It’s chaotic, there’s a lot of slapstick, and it deals with the very real dynamics of a large, messy family. If your kids are used to the high-energy pacing of YouTube, this is a good "gateway" movie to longer-form content.
Three Amigos! (Ages 8+)
This is where you introduce the Martin Short/Steve Martin bromance. It’s absurd, it’s silly, and the "My Little Buttercup" scene is still a viral meme waiting to happen. It’s a great example of how comedy can be "stupid" without being "gross."
Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Ages 12+)
A holiday staple, but be warned: there is one very famous scene involving a specific four-letter word used about 18 times in a row at a car rental counter. For younger kids, skip or mute. For teens, it’s a great conversation starter about frustration and empathy.
Steve Martin and Martin Short are currently on their 2026 tour, and if you’re considering tickets, do it.
It’s one of the few live comedy events you can actually take a teenager to without worrying they’ll hear a 20-minute set of offensive tropes. It’s vaudeville for the modern age—banjo playing, roasting each other, and incredibly tight comedic timing.
It’s also a great way to show kids that "fame" can be a long game built on actual talent and friendship, rather than just chasing a viral moment.
If your kid gets a "Steve Martin" itch and starts digging into his 1970s stand-up or his first few movies, you might need to have a talk.
The Jerk is a classic, but it’s definitely a product of 1979. There are jokes about race and class that are handled through a lens of "ironic stupidity," which might fly right over a 12-year-old’s head. They might just see the "Navin R. Johnson" character as offensive rather than a parody of a dimwit.
Similarly, his book Born Standing Up is a fantastic memoir for older teens interested in the craft of comedy, but it’s a serious look at the loneliness of the road and the grind of show business. It’s not a "funny" book, but it is an "intentional" one.
- Preschool & Early Elementary (Ages 3-7): Stick to the voice work. He’s great in Home (as Captain Smek). He also has some great segments on Sesame Street that are still on YouTube.
- Late Elementary (Ages 8-11): The Pink Panther (the 2006 version) is peak "kid humor." It’s silly accents and falling down. They will think it’s the funniest thing ever made. You will need a drink.
- Middle School (Ages 12-14): Roxanne. It’s a modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac. It’s smart, romantic, and shows a different side of his talent.
- High School (Ages 15+): Only Murders in the Building and Bowfinger. Bowfinger is a savage, hilarious look at Hollywood that most teens who want to be "content creators" will actually find pretty relatable.
One of the reasons I love Steve Martin for Screenwise families is that his work encourages active viewing.
Unlike "brain rot" content—which is designed to keep you in a passive, scrolling trance—Martin’s comedy often requires you to pay attention to the language. He loves wordplay, irony, and subverting expectations.
When you watch Only Murders in the Building with your teen, you aren't just consuming "content." You're solving a puzzle. You’re noticing the costume design. You’re talking about the ethics of true crime podcasting.
It’s "high-calorie" media. It feeds the brain instead of just numbing it.
Learn more about the difference between active and passive screen time
Steve Martin is the "safe" choice that doesn't feel like a "safe" choice. He’s edgy enough to be interesting, but principled enough to be a staple in an intentional home.
In 2026, he remains a masterclass in how to grow old without losing your sense of play. Whether he’s playing the banjo, writing a play, or solving a fictional murder on Hulu, he’s teaching our kids that being "wild and crazy" is fine, but being smart, kind, and creative is what actually gives you a career that lasts fifty years.
Next Steps:
- Watch together: Pick a Friday night and stream Father of the Bride. See if the "checking the bank account" scenes hit home for you now.
- Listen: Check out his bluegrass albums with the Steep Canyon Rangers. It’s great background music for a "no-screens" Sunday morning.
- Discuss: If you watch Only Murders, ask your kids why they think Mabel (Selena Gomez) hangs out with "the old guys." It’s a great way to talk about the value of intergenerational friendships.