In a new interview, Johnny Knoxville has confirmed that Jackass will officially end with its upcoming new movie, bringing the curtain down on one of the most outrageous and influential franchises in modern pop culture.
The series began life as a chaotic late-night experiment on MTV in 2000, introducing audiences to a group of friends willing to put their bodies — and dignity — on the line for laughs. Created by Knoxville, director Jeff Tremaine, and filmmaker Spike Jonze, Jackass blended skateboard culture, DIY stunt work and shock humour into something that felt raw and completely unfiltered.
Fronted by Knoxville alongside Steve-O, Bam Margera, Chris Pontius and Jason 'Wee Man' Acuña, the show quickly became a cultural lightning rod. The cast voluntarily subjected themselves to dangerous, painful and often deeply ridiculous stunts — from being shot out of cannons to provoking wild animals — all in the name of entertainment.
@rollingstone The end of #Jackass? @Johnny Knoxville reveals the upcoming #Jackass5 film will be the last one — and they haven’t even started shooting the movie that premieres this summer. #johnnyknoxville #jackassmovie #movies ♬ original sound - Rolling Stone
It was controversial from the outset. Critics accused it of glorifying reckless behaviour, while fans embraced its anarchic spirit. Yet despite — or perhaps because of — the backlash, Jackass became a phenomenon. The original TV run lasted three seasons, but its impact far outlived its brief stint on air.
In 2002, the crew made the leap to cinema with Jackass: The Movie, proving that their no-holds-barred formula could draw huge box office numbers. Three further films followed: Jackass Number Two, Jackass 3D and most recently Jackass Forever. Each instalment upped the ante, combining slapstick comedy with genuinely stomach-churning spectacle.
Now, more than two decades after it first shocked audiences, Knoxville says the next chapter will be its last.
He took to social media in January to reveal another film was on the way and that it would arrive in cinemas on June 26.
“Well a wang dang and hot damn doodle, we are starting the year off with a bang,” he wrote in the caption. “We wanted to let you know that this summer Jackass is back!!”
He added that while details were still largely under wraps, he wanted fans “to hear it from us first”.
However, speaking to Rolling Stone, Knoxville confirmed the end is in sight. The latest instalment, he said, “will be the last one.” He added bluntly: “This is the natural place to end, so it’s going to be absolutely awful.”
For many fans, Jackass was never just about the stunts — it was about the personalities. Perhaps no one embodies that more than Steve-O, whose fearless (and often reckless) approach made him one of the franchise’s breakout stars. Known for swallowing goldfish, stapling parts of his body and enduring countless injuries, he became synonymous with the show’s extreme ethos.
Yet Steve-O’s journey has also been one of the most dramatic. His well-documented struggles with addiction in the mid-2000s led to legal issues and health scares, but he has since become sober and rebuilt his career through stand-up comedy, podcasting and touring. In many ways, his personal transformation mirrors the broader evolution of the Jackass cast — from reckless twentysomethings to middle-aged men reflecting on the physical toll of their past.
The franchise also launched spin-offs, including reality shows for Bam Margera and Steve-O, and helped cement MTV’s dominance in early 2000s youth culture. It influenced a wave of internet prank culture and YouTube daredevils, though few captured the same chemistry or mainstream success.
@dearmedia Nothing is off limits for Jackass, unless it’s being choked unconscious 🙅♀️ #jackass #jackassmovie #stuntscene #steveo #goodguyspodcast #podcastclips ♬ original sound - Dear Media
Importantly, the 2022 release of Jackass Forever demonstrated that the appetite for their brand of comedy had not entirely faded. The film introduced younger cast members alongside the originals, acknowledging that time had passed — and bones had broken — but the spirit remained intact.
Now, with one final film set for release this summer, the Jackass team appears ready to bow out on their own terms. Ending the franchise after more than 25 years marks the close of a chapter that redefined shock comedy and blurred the lines between performance art and physical endurance.
Whether fans see the finale as bittersweet or simply fitting, one thing is certain: Jackass changed the face of stunt entertainment forever — and it made global stars out of a group of friends who were willing to do almost anything for a laugh.
