Explore the hilarious world of the Naked Gun franchise as we rank all five movies and shows, highlighting their unique contributions to comedy.
Ranking All 5 Naked Gun Movies and Shows
(Photo by Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection. THE NAKED GUN.)
Following the success of Airplane!, the modern American parody was firmly in the hands of directors David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker (collectively known as ZAZ), along with the comedic genius of Leslie Nielsen. Their next venture? Television.
Police Squad!
The result was Police Squad!, a parody of cop procedurals that starred Nielsen as detective lieutenant Frank Drebin. He showcased his signature Airplane!-style deadpan delivery, complemented by ZAZ’s classic visual gags, rapid-fire wordplay, and traditional slapstick humor.
ABC executives prematurely deemed Police Squad! a doomed show, as it required viewers to pay attention to catch all the jokes. Unfortunately, network television in 1982 wasn’t ready for such smart comedy, and the show was canceled after just six episodes. However, Police Squad! would go on to influence future single-camera comedies like Arrested Development and The Wire.
The Naked Gun Franchise
But Frank Drebin’s story didn’t end there. In 1988, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! hit theaters, becoming a blockbuster success with both critics and audiences. Its triumph proved to network executives that audiences appreciated clever humor, even if it included a cheeky beaver joke. The film featured a stellar cast, including Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, and O.J. Simpson.
Sequels followed, with The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear in 1991 and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult in 1994, before the franchise took a hiatus.
The Future of Naked Gun
However, Hollywood has a way of reviving beloved franchises. Just as there was never a movie simply titled The Naked Gun, the time may be ripe for a new installment. The upcoming film features Frank Drebin Jr., played by Liam Neeson, stepping into the world of feature-length parody under the direction of Akiva Schaffer, known for his comedic hits.
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The public is eager for comedies that make us laugh and cry—perhaps even featuring adults in full-body prophylactics.
Ranking of Naked Gun Movies
#1 – Police Squad!
Critics Consensus: Wacky, inventive, and endlessly quotable, Police Squad! is a hysterically funny leap forward for TV comedy that was tragically ahead of its time.
#2 – The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Critics Consensus: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is loaded with gags that are goofy, unapologetically crass, and ultimately hilarious.
#3 – Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear
Critics Consensus: Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear delivers moderate laughs, but its antics pale in comparison to its predecessor.
#4 – Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
Critics Consensus: Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult has sporadic humor thanks to Leslie Nielsen’s solid performance, but it falls short of the original.
