The Last Picture Shows (2026)

Across ten states and 10,825 miles, visiting 123 theaters, filmmaker Rustin Thompson embarks on a cinematic road trip through the American West in his latest work, *The Last Picture Shows*. He hunts for the ghosts of small-town life—the movie theaters that once served as community cornerstones. Along the way, he uncovers forgotten cinemas left to decay, theaters clinging to survival, and those recently shuttered. Yet, he also discovers bright spots: venues that, thanks to devoted stewards, are not just hanging on but flourishing. Between destinations, Thompson weaves in poetic clips from Peter Bogdanovich’s 1971 classic *The Last Picture Show* and reflects on the film exhibition industry’s past and present struggles. *The Last Picture Shows* reminds us that even in vast cinema deserts, oases of gathering and wonder persist—places where the movie house still sparks imagination, contemplation, and human connection.