The Wasteland Reviewer

Jackass: Best and Last (2026) Written Review

Just how many stunts and pranks can the Jackass crew possibly put themselves through? 2026 might be the right time to hang things up for Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, and the rest of the crew. For over 25 years, this group of pals have been putting their health, safety, and (honestly) lives on the line for the wildest entertainment possible for their audience. From a hit MTV series to a successful film franchise, Jackass is a cultural touchstone for so many Gen Xers and Millennials who basked in the insanity. After delivering an incredible (and much needed) Jackass Forever during the tail-end of the pandemic, this group is back to ride off into the sunset with Jackass: Best and Last.

How does Best and Last stand out in this beloved franchise? Admittedly, Best and Last truly is not the best but it probably should be the last. There is a choice to treat this film as a balance between the last rodeo of bonkers stunts and pranks while also treating the film as a “clip show” that highlights some of the best stunts and pranks from this franchise. There are a few unseen stunts (including a wild one with a gun that opens the film) that never aired but most of them are the best stunts from over the years. This is obviously entertaining, but it does make the film feel less fresh and its own stand-alone film. The new stunts and pranks are done more frequently with the newer faces in the crew and some of the lesser-known originals. There is a bit of lacking luster when Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Wee-Man, and many of the originals spend most of the time on the sidelines. This is probably for the best (due to their age and health), but it does take away a bit from the overall experience. The connection for the audience for so many years has been with the bigger names, but they do not skimp on the actual gags. 

Outside of the clips from the past (which are certainly excellent), does Best and Last deliver some amazing stunts and gags? Overall, there are not many gags that feel truly fresh but there are plenty that are entertaining. The film feels a little more like a homage show that explores ways of referencing previous gags and updating them with technology. One of the freshest and most modern of the pranks is leveraging a robot to stick its finger up Steve-O’s ass and grab his genitals. One of the elements (and a great running gag in the film) is the voice work done by comedian Adam Ray. He is quite hilarious whenever his voice pops up throughout the film. There are plenty of truly uncomfortable stunts with plenty of asses, feces, and needles. There are enough laughs along the way for this film to be entertaining and a good entry even if it doesn’t bring enough new to the table. 

Are there some elements from the filmmaking that makes Best and Last stand out? When you look at the approach of this film (and the franchise in general), the fourth wall breaking of the documentarian approach is unique and engaging. You see the cameramen and director (Jeff Tremaine) throughout the film, and they are a part of the experience as well. Knoxville is also an excellent ringmaster of this bonkers circus of stunts and pranks. He might not take on the danger as much anymore, but he is still a great piece of the puzzle. The continued highlighting of the group witnessing the stunts brings plenty of energy and comradery throughout the experience. Pontius and Wee-Man (as the strongest examples) bring so much from their witnessing of the stunts and their reactions. Two of the elements of this film that stand out the most are the opening credits and the final stunt of the film. A great needle drop tune like “Holding Out for a Hero”, a unique liminal space, and plenty of homages to their greatest stunts make the credits so entertaining to start the film. The final stunt, including a massive shopping cart and (seemingly) endless pyrotechnics, is the right amount of bombastic energy that ties this whole experience together. 

Is Jackass: Best and Last a great final entry in this hilarious and wild franchise? In hindsight, maybe this should have ended with Jackass Forever. But that doesn’t mean this final entry isn’t entertaining. Knoxville guides this wild ride along the way in such a charming and fun way. Get an equal number of new laughs and appreciate this franchise’s past.