Over the years movie-goers have been been treated to countless big-budget reboots of classic film franchises, with the likes of Batman, Mad Max, Planet of the Apes and Star Wars all getting an update. The next major franchise to be defrosted from carbonite is The Naked Gun, the hugely popular crime-comedies.
Talk of a new film from The Naked Gun franchise first originated in 2009, initially as a direct-to-TV special. That project failed to materialise but in 2013 Paramount Picture officially announced that a reboot of the franchise was being developed, with Liam Neeson later approached to star as Frank Drebin Jr.
Neeson was confirmed as the lead in October 2022 and Akiva Schaffer, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand were announced as directors. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane will be heavily involved in the writing and the production of the upcoming title. The film is set for cinematic release on Aug. 1, 2025.
The cast includes Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Liza Koshy, Danny Houston and Cody Runnels.
All movies from ‘The Naked Gun’
The media franchise ‘The Naked Gun’ includes three feature-length films, a television series and a video game. The first of the three movies was released in 1988, with Leslie Nielsen playing the lead role of Frank Drebin. That first release received huge critical acclaim and is often cited as one of the best comedy films of all time.
Full list of ‘The Naked Gun’ movies
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988)
- The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (1991)
- Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994)
Each of the three previous films grossed more than $100 million at the box office, with the second instalment recording more than $192 million in total sales. In total the three films grossed $477 million. All three were produced by Paramount Pictures and distributed by Paramount.
Reviews and opinions
The Naked Gun is THE fully loaded, gut busting comedy we NEED right now. Joke after Joke had my theater laughing hysterically for 85 minutes and it was truly glorious. Liam Neeson is PERFECT! But it’s Pam Anderson that steals this romp. #NakedGun pic.twitter.com/QHRpsiHF5f
— Junior Felix (@JuniorFett) July 29, 2025
#TheNakedGun killed me. I cried from laughing, I have a total 6 pack now, & there were multiple times I could not recover to hear the next gag or scene.
If this movie doesn’t succeed than we deserve the most depressing movies for the next decade
God I’m still laughing pic.twitter.com/FVxja8ev5C
— Zach Pope (@popetheking) July 29, 2025
#TheNakedGun is hilarious from beginning to end. I missed multiple jokes because the theater was laughing too loud.
They just nailed the classic Naked Gun and deadpan comedy w/ its own flavor and not just copying the past
A comedy legacy sequel done right. pic.twitter.com/ex9S5mZIdg
— Sean Chandler (@kirkneverdied) July 29, 2025
The fourth edition of the popular cinematic franchise is big news for the legions of fans who loved the original movies and have waited three decades for the next one. Neeson, however, is more reserved about his expectations for the upcoming sequel: “It’ll either finish my career or bring it in another direction. I honestly don’t know.”
