Exclusive Trailer for The Last Picture Show Takes a Journey Through American Cinemas

      Rustin Thompson undertook a journey covering 10,825 miles across America to document 123 movie theaters located in small towns, resulting in the feature documentary titled *The Last Picture Shows*. Premiering at the 2026 Santa Barbara International Film Festival, this tribute to cinema and the individuals who sustain it will soon begin a summer release. In advance of a nationwide theatrical tour starting July 5 (check locations and dates here), we are excited to exclusively unveil the first trailer and poster.

      The synopsis reads: “Filmmaker Rustin Thompson embarks on a journey through the American West in search of remnants of what once served as the focal point of small-town life: the movie theater. Along the way, he discovers long-abandoned and forgotten cinemas; movie houses that have fallen into disrepair; recently closed theaters, those fighting to survive, and those that—thanks to dedicated caretakers—are not just surviving but flourishing. In between stops, Rustin beautifully weaves in excerpts from Peter Bogdanovich’s 1971 classic, *The Last Picture Show*, along with insights on the past and present challenges facing the film exhibition industry. *The Last Picture Shows* serves as a poignant depiction of an industry in turmoil, grappling with consolidation, streaming services, and the waning theatrical experience, while also highlighting that even in extensive cinema deserts, there are still pockets of community where the movie theater continues to be a site of wonder, reflection, and connection.”

      “It became evident to me that what I initially anticipated would be a somber film showcasing dilapidated facades and century-old memories transformed into a tale of hope, resilience, community, and spaces for gathering, where individuals are dedicated to preserving and providing culture, art, and entertainment in the towns they grew up in,” director Rustin Thompson remarked. “Certainly, there were aspects of elegy: closed and neglected theaters lost to history, those turned into pizza places and Subway sandwich shops, and cinemas still on the brink of extinction. However, the narrative I ultimately conveyed was predominantly one of survival. The people I spoke with are determined to remain.”

      View the exclusive trailer and poster below.