Long before spoofs like Scary Movie and Austin Powers, there was The Naked Gun. Created by filmmaking trio and slapstick masterminds Zuckers, Abrahams and Zucker, the franchise remains a comedy giant. Throughout its many movies and network TV origins, The Naked Gun serves up copious amounts of laughs, double entendres, and witty jokes that come off as deceivingly lowbrow. However, frontrunner Leslie Nielsen makes the series “work,” offering a deadpan delivery that would become just as iconic as the series itself.
With The Naked Gun adding a legacy sequel after a 30 years hiatus, you’ll want to catch up on the franchise. Here’s where to watch all The Naked Gun movies and TV shows in order.
Police Squad! (1982)
Those only familiar with Leslie Nielsen’s slapstick antics on the big screen may not realize The Naked Gun franchise had humble beginnings on network television. Debuting in 1982 on ABC, Police Squad! Follows Nielsen’s comically inept Detective Frank Drebin as he (poorly) investigates all manner of police matters. Poking fun at shows like M Squad and pretty much all police procedurals airing before the early ’80s, Police Squad! establishes what the franchise is known for: rapid-fire jokes, goofy gags, and decidedly clever humor disguised as something very silly. Despite its success, ABC canceled Police Squad! after only six episodes. Although sad, the cancellation made way for the series’ transition to movies.
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
Police Squad!’s cancellation didn’t stop Detective Frank Drebin from bumbling around for long. In 1988, the Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker team (in addition to writer Pat Profit) released The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!. The feature film put Nielsen’s Drebin back in the spotlight with bigger stakes: stopping the assassination of Queen Elizabeth II. Just as ridiculously irreverent and stupidly fun as Police Squad!, The Naked Gun quickly ascended the ranks as one of the greatest comedies of all time with the critical acclaim and performances to back it up.
The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)
Not long after The Naked Gun garnered the attention of critics and audiences, The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear released in 1991. This time, Frank Drebin becomes involved in a plot to take down a scientist specializing in solar energy. In addition to all the kidnapping, decoys, and social commentary about renewable energy, the sequel also sees the returns of Priscilla Presley as Drebin’s love interest and O.J. Simpson as Drebin’s equally incompetent partner, Detective Nordberg. Although not quite as beloved as its predecessor, The Naked Gun 2½ still delivers plenty of laughs while expanding its parody sensibilities beyond police dramas and to corporate America.
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994)
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult marks the final installment in the Leslie Nielsen-led trilogy. Like the previous entries, the sequel delivers the expected low-brow silliness as Frank Drebin goes undercover to stop a group of terrorists intent on detonating a bomb during the Academy Awards. Fresh faces, including recognizable names like Anna Nicole Smith, join longtime cast members Priscilla Presley, O.J. Simpson, and George Kennedy. Raye Birk also returns as fan-favorite Bond-esque villain Pahpshmir. Much more divisive than previous installments, Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult is the lowest-grossing film in the franchise. However, longtime fans still champion it as one of the genre greats.
The Naked Gun (2025)
After a three-decade hiatus, The Naked Gun franchise greenlit another sequel, aptly titled The Naked Gun. SNL writer-turned-director Akiva Schaffer serves as director and co-writer, with Liam Neeson taking up the Frank Drebin mantle. In 2021, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane also jumped on board to produce and guide the project. Serving as a legacy sequel to Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult, longtime fans and franchise newcomers can expect more goofy antics and screwball comedy that, hopefully, spoofs modern police procedurals. The Naked Gun is set to hit theaters on August 1, 2025.
Where to Stream All 'The Naked Gun' Movies And TV Shows Online
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