Jackass: Best and Last is heading to theatres this weekend, and Johnny Knoxville swears that this is the last film of the franchise. After seeing the latest entry, we actually believe him. With a mixture of new and old footage, Knoxville and his band of lovable stunt-performing, d*ck-slapping, literal sh*t-eating misfits once again prove they are exactly what the world needs.

While any addition to Jackass is a welcome one, there are a couple of things to know before you watch. First, at least half of Jackass: Best and Last is reused footage. Second, a lot of the new stunts are weaker than what fans are used to. That’s admittedly disappointing, but the new project is still worth your time. Nothing feels better than laughing with a crowd during a Jackass movie, so we implore you to go out and enjoy the boys on the big screen one last time. 

JACKASS

2026 marks 30 years since Knoxville first teamed up with Jackass director, Jeff Tremaine. Their partnership began in 1996 after Knoxville attempted to sell an article idea about testing self-defense equipment on himself. Tremaine learned about the idea and pitched turning it into a filmed stunt for the skateboard magazine, Big Brother. That led to Tremaine, Knoxville, and director Spike Jonze developing a TV series. 

Meanwhile, Bam Margera was making waves with his CKY home videos. The skateboarder and his friends became known for filming stunts and pranks. They caught the attention of Tremaine, who had the idea of bringing in Margera’s crew for the proposed television show. From there, the dream team was formed. Knoxville, Margera, Steve-O,  Chris Pontius, Jason “Wee Man” Acuña, Ryan Dunn, Dave England, Preston Lacy, and Ehren McGhehey became the core Jackass group we know and love today. 

In 2000, Jackass debuted on MTV and ran for two seasons. Jackass: The Movie followed in 2002, Jackass Number 2 in 2006, and Jackass 3D in 2010. Sadly, Dunn passed away the following year. In 2022, the rest of the gang reunited for Jackass Forever and brought along some newbies. With the help of Zach Holmes, Rachel Wolfson, Jasper Dolphin, and Sean “Poopies” McInerney, a new era was formed. However, with many of the original cast members approaching their 50s, it quickly became clear that they could only take so much more damage to their bodies. 

BEST

Be prepared for the fact that the “Best” in Best and Last stands for “Best Of,” not “Best One.” If you’re a Jackass fan, you’re going to be watching a lot of things you’ve seen many times before. However, if you’re a Jackass fan, you probably won’t mind. It’s impossible to have a bad time watching old favorites like Brad Pitt in “The Abduction” or the late, great Dunn doing “Toy Car Up the Butt.” They’re classics for a reason, and they represent the staying power of this beloved franchise. 

When Jackass Forever was released in 2022, it felt like an intended send-off, but the fans kept asking for more. There was also some unexpected drama on set. During the production, Margera was fired for breaking his sobriety and breaching his wellness contract. He was subsequently cut from the film. Best and Last features some of the unused footage of Margera, which fans have been waiting to see. Unfortunately, the new Bam content is pretty limited. He’s mostly featured in an extended version of the “Silence of the Lambs” prank. While it’s cool to see a new bit with Margera, the stunt is otherwise too long to be shown again so soon. 

Best and Last is filled with some of the greatest hits, but there are also a couple of rarely seen stunts that are worth the price of admission. One of Knoxville and Tremaine’s very first videos makes the cut, and even though you know Knoxville is going to be okay, it’s still the tensest part of the entire film. But if you think you can escape watching “Paper Cuts” again, brace yourself during the end credits. 

LAST

While Forever was undeniably superior to Best and Last, the new entry provides some much-appreciated closure. There are multiple emotional moments in which Knoxville makes it clear that they have to be finished. He can no longer get shot out of canons or go toe-to-toe with bulls. He knows he can’t top the previous films, which is why this long chapter needs to end. 

The cast’s limitations are also why the new stunts are tamer than those that came before. In Forever, Knoxville’s encounter with a bull led to a broken wrist, broken ribs, and a concussion. At 55 years old, he can’t take those risks anymore, and audiences shouldn’t expect him to. 

Many have wondered if the new class will carry on the Jackass torch, but after this installment, that doesn’t seem too likely. Poopies is easily the MVP when it comes to agreeing to stunts, and Holmes holds his own with the elder cast. There’s one new stunt in which Jasper shines, but he’s otherwise relegated to the sidelines. The same goes for his dad, Compston “Dark Shark” Wilson, who was a standout in the previous movie. Meanwhile, Wolfson is barely given anything to do, which is a big letdown for the women fans who were hyped to see her join Forever. It’s hard to imagine this group carrying a solo project, but we’d still be seated.

LOVE

Ultimately, Best and Last works because it truly seems like the last. This group of wild performers has been in our lives for over 25 years, and they feel like our friends. Their lifelong bond is infectious, and it’s so obvious that they love each other. Even behind the scenes, franchise staples Rick Kosick and Lance Bangs continue to come back to film these guys, even though they vomit half the time. If that’s not proof of love, nothing is.

While Jackass: Best and Last doesn’t provide a lot of surprises, it delivers on laughter and emotions. The Jackass crew are role models, not because they do disgusting and crazy things, but because they showcase the deep power of platonic male love. 

Check out Jackass: Best and Last in theatres on June 26th.