Every ‘Naked Gun’ Movie, Ranked
Most people tend to remember them for their sensational work on 1980’s Airplane!, but it’s also worth pointing out the comedic genius that lies behind Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker’s on the entire Naked Gun series.
Spanning one TV show, three films, and a soon-to-be-released spiritual sequel, the Naked Gun movies remain a dependable pillar of spoof comedy, influencing everything from Scary Movie to Austin Powers in the decades following their release.
As audiences count down the days to the release of the Liam Neeson-led Naked Gun reboot, we wanted to take a look back at the fan-favorite series to date, ranking each past Naked Gun film in order from worst to best.
3. Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994)
Handing in an otherwise perfect trilogy of films, Naked Gun 33 ⅓: The Final Insult rounds out the original series with a creative burst of energy. Offering up a tongue-in-cheek mystery set in the star-studded backlots of Hollywood, The Final Insult comes packed to the brim with inventive gags and celebrity cameos, be it in the form of Raquel Welch or the late great James Earl Jones. In spite of its undeniable star power, though, The Final Insult never sacrifices its comedic edge, handing in a laugh-out-loud comedy worthy of the series’ earliest entries.
2. The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)
Seizing upon the widespread popularity of its predecessor, The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear found a way to expand upon everything that made From the Files of Police Squad! so entertaining to watch in the first place. Equipping Leslie Nielsen with an even larger array of memorable one-liners and rapid-fire sight gags, everything simply managed to click into place in regards to The Smell of Fear’s story and overarching humor, from Nielsen’s straight-faced delivery to Robert Goulet’s hilariously confused facial reactions.
1. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
After Police Squad!’s mind-boggling cancellation following a single season on ABC, Frank Drebin and his fellow bumbling officers made their return with 1988’s The Naked Gun: From the Files of Squad! The opening chapter in what would turn out to be a remarkable trilogy, From the Files of Police! proved to be the perfect narrative bridge from the realm of television into the land of film. Retaining the same zany sense of humor as its TV predecessor, From the Files of Police Squad! also outfitted Nielsen and company with yet another stupendous comedy, one capable of rivalling the Pink Panther series or Airplane! before it.
The new movie, The Naked Gun, comes to theaters on August 1, 2025.
