8.0
Where can I stream The Last Picture Show legally?
You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
The Last Picture Show fingerprint
Big heart, strong craft, low-key.
Energy
Calm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension6
- Adrenaline3
- Fast Pace3
Heart
Deeply moving and profoundly sad
Much of it is about growing up.
- Pathos9
- Melancholy9
- Coming of Age9
Humor
Some sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay5
- Satire & Parody4
- Dark Humor4
World
Growing up, history, and society
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality8
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout direction, performances, and characters
- Direction8
- Acting8
- Character Depth8
Style
Standout cinematography
- Cinematography8
- Editing7
- Music Composition7
Energy
LowCalm and low-key
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
The Last Picture Show is calm and low-intensity. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension6Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline3High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Fast Pace3Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence3Physical conflict and intensity.
- Spectacle2Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Scare1Frightening moments and scares.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
Heart
HighDeeply moving and profoundly sad
Much of it is about growing up.
Emotionally, it's deeply moving, profoundly sad, and romantic. Much of it is about growing up.
All heart traits
- Pathos9Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Melancholy9Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Coming of Age9Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Romance8Love stories and emotional connections.
- Nostalgia8Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Catharsis7Emotional release and payoff.
- Family Dynamics6Relationships and generational ties.
- Wholesome2Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Hopefulness2Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wonder1Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Related traits
- Bleakness9Grim, stark outlooks.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Humor
LowSome sharp wit
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some sharp wit.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay5Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Satire & Parody4Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor4Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor2Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy1Slapstick and visual gags.
World
MediumGrowing up, history, and society
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around growing up, history, and society. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity6Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Historical8Period settings and real events.
- Social Commentary8Perspectives on society and norms.
- Psychological7Inner worlds and mind games.
- Class & Capitalism7Wealth, power, and inequality.
- Pop Culture6References and cultural commentary.
- Contemporary Realism5Modern, grounded storytelling.
Craft
HighStandout direction, performances, and characters
The direction, performances, and characters stand out.
All craft traits
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Intrigue6Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Complexity6Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn8Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Style
HighStandout cinematography
Look and sound: the cinematography stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality7The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization6Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality5Sound design as core element.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacing
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
Anarene, Texas, 1951. Nothing much has changed…
High school seniors and best friends, Sonny and Duane, live in a dying Texas town. The handsome Duane is dating a local beauty, while Sonny is having an affair with the coach's wife. As graduation nears and both boys contemplate their futures, Duane eyes the army and Sonny takes over a local business. Each struggles to figure out if he can escape this dead-end town and build a better life somewhere else.
Coming-of-Age DramaSmall Town AmericaMelancholy AtmosphereCharacter-DrivenBlack and White CinematographyEarly 1970sSocial CommentaryNostalgicLoss of Innocence
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Titles like The Last Picture Show
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: The Last Picture Show
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with The Last Picture Show
The Last Picture Show1971
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:This Is England '90 (2015)Jude (1996)This Is England '88 (2011)Rebel Without a Cause (1955)The Squid and the Whale (2005)Five Easy Pieces (1970)Wildlife (2018)A Walk on the Moon (1999)Wuthering Heights (1939)A Brighter Summer Day (1991)Death of a Salesman (1985)Lymelife (2008)Days of Being Wild (1990)I Vitelloni (1953)SubUrbia (1997)Pretty Baby (1978)Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (1980)Jane Eyre (1943)The Graduate (1967)My Summer of Love (2005)Splendor in the Grass (1961)The 400 Blows (1959)On Chesil Beach (2018)My Mad Fat Diary (2013)All That Heaven Allows (1955)The Ice Storm (1997)Comrades, Almost a Love Story (1996)Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974)The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015)The Nest (2020)The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)Revolutionary Road (2008)An Autumn Afternoon (1962)Moonlight Mile (2002)Norwegian Wood (2010)Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)Loves of a Blonde (1965)Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (1974)A Thousand and One (2023)Mildred Pierce (1945)Summer of 85 (2020)Lady Macbeth (2016)The Crowd (1928)The Heiress (1949)Summer with Monika (1953)The Virgin Suicides (2000)Nights of Cabiria (1957)Cemetery Junction (2010)Women in Love (1969)Jezebel (1938)Umberto D. (1952)Dogfight (1991)The Misfits (1961)The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)This Is England '86 (2010)Slums of Beverly Hills (1998)Ratcatcher (1999)The Girl with the Red Scarf (1977)Invisible Life (2019)Coming Home (1978)Maurice (1987)Forbidden Love (2008)Your Name Engraved Herein (2020)East of Eden (2026)
Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about The Last Picture Show
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is The Last Picture Show worth watching?
88
ExcellentGoodWatch scoreYes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89/100 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 98%, and Metacritic 93). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is The Last Picture Show rated?
RSexual contentStrong language
It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: sexual content and strong language.
How long is The Last Picture Show?
1 h 59 min
The Last Picture Show runs 1 h 59 min.
Is The Last Picture Show based on a true story?
No. It's adapted from a novel.
Do critics and audiences agree on The Last Picture Show?
Critics96
Audiences83
Not quite. Critics rate The Last Picture Show higher (96) than audiences (83). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
Was The Last Picture Show a box office hit?
Budget$1 million
Box office$29 million
Yes, a big one. It cost about $1 million to make and earned $29 million worldwide, 22.4 times its budget.
What language is The Last Picture Show in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch The Last Picture Show?
50
+36
+36GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Last Picture Show in 50 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does The Last Picture Show use?
Thousand-Yard StareMaking Love in All the Wrong PlacesWhat the Hell, Hero?Deadpan SnarkerUpper-Class TwitLove DodecahedronSex Is LiberationAdaptation Name ChangeVideo CreditsSmall Town BoredomBittersweet EndingComing of Age Storyand 44 more
TV Tropes lists 56 storytelling tropes for The Last Picture Show, including Thousand-Yard Stare, Making Love in All the Wrong Places, What the Hell, Hero?.