What Happened to Jackass (franchise)?
The Jackass franchise, originating as an MTV series in 2000, evolved into a highly successful film series known for its outrageous stunts and pranks. After a hiatus, the original crew, alongside new members, returned for *Jackass Forever* in 2022, followed by *Jackass 4.5* and the recently released *Jackass: Best and Last* in June 2026, which is billed as the final main installment. The franchise continues to celebrate its legacy with restored TV seasons and new spin-off projects featuring its newer talent.
Quick Answer
The Jackass franchise has continued its legacy of extreme stunts and pranks, with its latest main film, *Jackass: Best and Last*, released in theaters on June 26, 2026, and on Digital HD on August 11, 2026. This film is presented as the final installment, featuring a mix of original cast members, new talent, and archival footage. Additionally, the original MTV series' seasons 1-3 have been newly restored and are streaming on Paramount+ as of July 2026. New spin-off projects, such as 'Sports Hurts' starring Poopies and Zach Holmes, are also in development.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Jackass TV series premieres on MTV
The original Jackass reality slapstick comedy series, created by Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze, and Jeff Tremaine, debuts on MTV, quickly gaining notoriety for its dangerous stunts and pranks.
Original TV series concludes
After three seasons, the controversial Jackass TV series airs its final episode on MTV, largely due to network censorship concerns and Knoxville's desire to end it.
Jackass: The Movie released
The first feature film, *Jackass: The Movie*, is released, proving the franchise's enduring popularity and commercial viability beyond television.
Jackass 3D released
The third main film, *Jackass 3D*, hits theaters, continuing the tradition of over-the-top stunts and gross-out humor, and is a major box office success.
Ryan Dunn passes away
Original Jackass cast member Ryan Dunn dies in a car crash in Pennsylvania, a tragic event that deeply impacted the cast and fanbase.
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa released
A spin-off film focusing on Johnny Knoxville's 'Irving Zisman' character is released, receiving critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination.
Stevie Lee (Puppet the Psycho Dwarf) passes away
Stevie Lee Richardson, known as 'Puppet the Psycho Dwarf' from *Jackass 3D*, dies unexpectedly at the age of 54.
Jackass Forever released
After a long break, the fourth main film, *Jackass Forever*, is released, bringing back the original crew and introducing new members. It garners positive reviews and box office success.
Jackass 4.5 released on Netflix
Comprised of outtakes, behind-the-scenes footage, and unused material from *Jackass Forever*, *Jackass 4.5* is released exclusively on Netflix.
Johnny Knoxville announces new Jackass film
Johnny Knoxville officially announces via Instagram that a fifth Jackass film, later titled *Jackass: Best and Last*, is in production for a June 2026 release.
Official trailer for Jackass: Best and Last released
Paramount Pictures releases the official trailer for *Jackass: Best and Last*, showcasing new stunts and confirming the film's theatrical release date.
Jackass: Best and Last premieres in theaters
The fifth and reportedly final main installment of the Jackass film series, *Jackass: Best and Last*, is released theatrically in the United States.
Chris Raab's 'Bathroom Break Podcast' returns
Former Jackass and CKY crew member Chris Raab revives his 'Bathroom Break Podcast' after a hiatus, featuring professional skateboarder Mike Maldonado as a guest.
Restored Jackass Seasons 1-3 stream on Paramount+
Newly restored versions of the original Jackass TV series (Seasons 1-3), rebuilt to match their initial MTV broadcasts, become available for streaming on Paramount+.
Jackass: Best and Last released on Digital HD
Following its theatrical run, *Jackass: Best and Last* becomes available for digital streaming via premium video on demand.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Jackass franchise began its notorious run as an MTV series in 2000, quickly gaining a cult following for its shocking and often dangerous stunts and pranks performed by Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, and the rest of the crew. The show's controversial nature and immense popularity led to its conclusion on MTV in 2002, but the demand for more chaos propelled the franchise into feature films. Jackass: The Movie (2002) proved that the concept could thrive on the big screen, leading to several successful sequels including Jackass Number Two (2006) and Jackass 3D (2010), often accompanied by 'point-five' releases featuring unused footage.
A significant turning point for the franchise was the tragic death of cast member Ryan Dunn in a car crash in 2011. Despite this loss, the crew continued with Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa in 2013, a spin-off that earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, showcasing the franchise's ability to evolve beyond pure stunt compilations.
After a prolonged hiatus, the franchise made a triumphant return with Jackass Forever in February 2022, introducing a new generation of stunt performers alongside the aging original cast. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $80 million worldwide against a $10 million budget. Unused footage from this production was compiled into Jackass 4.5, released on Netflix in May 2022.
Most recently, Johnny Knoxville announced in January 2026 that a fifth Jackass film, titled Jackass: Best and Last, would be released. This film, described as the 'final main installment,' premiered theatrically on June 26, 2026. It features a blend of new stunts, classic bits, and never-before-seen footage, with Bam Margera appearing only through archival material due to his earlier firing from Jackass Forever production. Knoxville has stated that due to his accumulated injuries, including multiple concussions, he can no longer perform certain high-risk stunts, signaling a natural end for his direct involvement in the most dangerous acts. The film was released on Digital HD on August 11, 2026, and is set for a Blu-ray release on October 6, 2026.
As of September 1, 2026, the Jackass franchise is in a transitional phase. While Jackass: Best and Last marks the conclusion of the main film series, the spirit of Jackass continues. Newly restored versions of the original MTV series (Seasons 1-3) became available on Paramount+ in July 2026, bringing the show back to its original broadcast glory. Furthermore, new cast members Poopies and Zach Holmes are slated to star in their own spin-off show, Sports Hurts, indicating a potential future for the franchise with new talent. Johnny Knoxville is also set to host a revival of 'Fear Factor' for the 2025-2026 TV season.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Jackass (franchise) made different choices?