Oklahoma shines in The Last Rodeo, a 2025 drama starring Neal McDonough as a retired bull rider seeking redemption. Filmed in nearby Owasso, Collinsville, and Tulsa, the movie showcases the state’s rugged charm while benefiting from Oklahoma’s robust film incentives, putting our region in the spotlight.
The Last Rodeo transformed Tulsa’s Expo Square Pavilion into a Professional Bull Riders arena, with the Golden Driller statue featured in the final trailer. Collinsville’s Silver Dollar Café became a lively Texas bar, while Owasso’s Jack of Clubs bar and McCarty Park rodeo grounds captured the film’s small-town soul.
Oklahoma’s Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021 boosted The Last Rodeo with a 20% cash rebate on local spending, plus up to 30% for filming in rural areas like Skiatook or small towns like Collinsville. The act, with a $30 million annual cap, has generated $484 million in economic impact since 2021, creating jobs and raising wages. The film likely used the Cherokee Nation’s $1 million incentive for shooting in its 14county area, including Tulsa and Skiatook. Tulsa’s film-friendly setup and Oklahoma’s 4% sales tax exemption on production costs added appeal.
Kip Konwiser, producer of The Last Rodeo, called Oklahoma’s landscapes a “character” in the film, praising their authentic rodeo vibe. Tulsa’s professional crews and the cost-effective tax credits from the Filmed in Oklahoma Act of 2021, were factors, combined with the state’s filmfriendly infrastructure, solidified Tulsa as a top choice for the production.
While Bristow wasn’t a filming site, its proximity to these locations underscores our area’s role in Oklahoma’s growing film industry. Visit okfilmmusic.org or cherokee.film for details on incentives driving projects like this one to our backyard.