Clever, tightly written, and endlessly bingeable, The Naked Gun movies redefined how parody films could be made. Created by the comedy trio Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker, the franchise stars Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin, a hilariously clueless and accident-prone cop whose assignments tend to spiral into outrageous conspiracies, slapstick disasters, and unlikely heroism.
The Naked Gun movies and tv shows brilliantly blend slapstick, wordplay, and deadpan delivery with Nielsen’s straight-faced performance anchoring the absurdity. The franchise paved the way for other parody movie franchises like Austin Powers and Scary Movie. After 30 years of radio silence, the franchise is making a long-awaited comeback with a reboot that promises to revive its gloriously ridiculous spirit. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the madness, there’s no better time to dive back in. Here’s how to watch all The Naked Gun movies and TV shows in order.
Police Squad! (1982)
Before the films, there was Police Squad!, a TV series that follows Detective Lieutenant Frank Drebin on his ridiculously bizarre cases. The show is a razor-sharp parody of police procedurals, packed with deadpan humour, puns, and laugh-out-loud gags. Although it was cancelled after just six short episodes, it was well ahead of its time and went on to become a cult favourite, with TV Guide ranking it seventh on its list of the top 60 shows cancelled too soon. The franchise was later revived in the films, with Leslie Nielsen continuing as the hopelessly earnest, hilariously inept cop at the centre of the chaos.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
A continuation of the tv series, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! brings back Leslie Nielsen as the hilariously accident-prone cop, Frank Drebin. In the movie, Frank Drebin is put in charge of stopping the assassination of Queen Elizabeth II. As always, his attempts to solve the case leads to a series of absurd accidents, exaggerated misunderstandings, and mistaken identities. Full of gags and puns, the movie revives the classic parody style of the original films and lays the groundwork for even more outrageous sequels to come.
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)
After the critical and commercial success of the first film, The Naked Gun franchise didn’t waste much time before returning with a sequel. The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear sees Detective Lieutenant Frank Drebin assigned to protect Dr. Albert Meinheimer, a prominent scientist who has angered the heads of major oil corporations by proposing a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. When the corporations conspire to replace Meinheimer with a lookalike to sabotage his announcement, Drebin is sent in to uncover the plot. While leading his offbeat investigation, Drebin also finds himself entangled in a romantic dilemma with his on-again, off-again love interest and partner in crime (solving), Jane. Grossing over $86 million at the global box office, The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear became the most commercially successful film in the series.
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994)
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult is the final chapter in The Naked Gun film trilogy. The movie follows a now-retired Frank Drebin as he struggles to cope with civilian life. His retirement is cut short, however, when a terrorist plot to detonate a bomb at the Academy Awards pulls him back into action. As always, the investigation sends him on a string of absurd escapades, including infiltrating a prison and causing chaos during a hilariously over-the-top finale at the Oscars. In addition to the return of familiar cast members, the film introduces Playboy model and media personality Anna Nicole Smith as Tanya Peters, a glamorous femme fatale and new villainous character who adds another layer of campy charm to the outrageous cop-comedy.
The Naked Gun (2025)
The Naked Gun franchise is being rebooted after a 30-year hiatus. The fourth film is a legacy sequel that will loosely continue the events of the third instalment. The movie is directed by Akiva Schaffer and co-produced by Seth MacFarlane, the creator behind Ted and Family Guy. The latest film will star Liam Neeson in the lead role as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic character. While the exact plot remains under wraps, fans can expect the same kind of gags, puns, and slapstick humour as the previous films, teased in an official preview where Neeson is seen dressed as a schoolgirl attempting to thwart a bank robbery. Pamela Anderson has been cast as Beth, a possible love interest for Neeson’s character. The film also marks a surprising but exciting late-career shift from drama to comedy for Neeson. The Naked Gun is set to release in cinemas on 1 August 2025.
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