If You’re Revisiting the ‘Naked Gun’ Movies, Here’s How To Watch Them in Order

Hailed as one of the greatest comedies of all time, the crime-spoof franchise The Naked Gun follows the antics and misadventures of the bumbling Police Squad Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) as he finds himself swept up in one high-stakes case after another. Based on the short-lived 1982 TV series Police Squad, the original film trilogy became celebrated classics and featured the additional talents of famous faces like Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, and O.J. Simpson.

Created by the comedy filmmaking trio of Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker, The Naked Gun movies are revered for their over-the-top slapstick humor and absurd gags, with the series (and his iconic work in Airplane!) helping shift Nielsen’s career from being a dramatic actor to a deadpan comedian. Three films were released between 1988 and 1994, all of which were successful at the box office and left audiences rolling with laughter. After more than 30 years, the franchise epically returned to the big screen with a legacy sequel starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Here’s how to watch The Naked Gun movies in order.

'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!' (1988)

Fondly declared “the Olivier of spoofs” by Roger Ebert, actor and comedian extraordinaire Leslie Nielsen starred as the bumbling police lieutenant Frank Drebin in the crime action comedy The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, a continuation of the short-lived TV series that follows the lovable goofball as he stumbles upon a plot to assassinate the Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the United States. Naturally, chaos and sidesplitting hijinks ensue.

The well-meaning yet incompetent Drebin must face off against affluent businessman Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban), who uses a device to hypnotize people into becoming killers, and also falls head over heels for his assistant Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley). The beloved ’80s gem is jam-packed full of slapstick humor and endless puns and gags, and it became a hit with audiences because of Nielsen’s hilarious deadpan delivery, grossing over $152 million and ultimately going on to become regarded as one of the greatest comedies of all time. Stream on Paramount+.

'The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear' (1991)

After the massive critical and commercial success of the 1988 knockout, Nielsen returned for another zany adventure three years later with The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, this time centering on the comically inept Police Lt. Frank Drebin as he discovers that his old flame Jane’s new slimy boyfriend Quentin Hapsburg (Robert Goulet) is involved in a nefarious scheme to kidnap the brilliant scientist Dr. Meinheimer (Richard Griffiths), who wants to advocate for renewable energy for the U.S.

Much like its trailblazing predecessor, The Smell of Fear does not shy away from delivering goofy gags and over-the-top antics, as Drebin dons delightfully outrageous disguises and serves up even more zippy one-liners while on his quest to save the world. The sequel would become the highest-grossing entry in the original trilogy and raked in $192 million, with moviegoers appreciating that the comedy stayed true to the playful spirit of the first film but hilariously upped the ante (even if it was deemed inferior to the ’88 classic). Stream on Paramount+.

'Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult' (1994)

For his third and final outing as Frank Drebin, Nielsen once again teamed up with his eclectic co-stars Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, and O.J. Simpson (his last feature film before his arrest for murder three months later) for Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult, which serves as the conclusion for the acclaimed comedy trilogy. The entry focuses on the now-retired Drebin as he enjoys life with his new bride, Jane, only to be pulled back into the job when he’s tasked with preventing the bombing of the Academy Awards, for which he goes undercover as Phil Donahue.

The Final Insult features series newcomers Fred Ward, Anna Nicole Smith, and Kathlee Freeman, and unapologetically pokes fun at Hollywood, celebrities, and awards shows through the franchise’s signature gags and slapstick jokes. The sequel failed to match the success of its predecessors, though it still grossed a solid $132 million and included countless amusing cameos like James Earl Jones and “Weird Al” Yankovic, as well as an uproarious performance by Nielsen. Though the celebrated comedian had been in talks to reprise the role for a fourth installment in 2009, the project was ultimately canceled, and Nielsen passed away a year later. Stream on Paramount+.

'The Naked Gun' (2025)

After a more than 30-year absence from Hollywood, the comedy franchise made its epic return to the silver screen with the legacy sequel The Naked Gun, which touts an electrifying new ensemble led by Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, and Paul Walter Hauser and centers on the son of the late Lt. Frank Drebin as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of his famous father and prevent the closure of the LAPD Police Squad. The equally incompetent Drebin Jr. (Neeson) must investigate both a murder and a bank robbery, doing so with the help of the fetching Beth Davenport (Anderson).

The Naked Gun is directed by The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer and winningly honors the original trilogy while evoking nostalgia in the best way. Both critics and fans seem to be smitten with Neeson’s unhinged, screwball performance, as the sequel currently holds a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score and an A- CinemaScore from moviegoers. The Detroit News wrote in their rave review, “A fresh, fun and uproariously funny laugh riot that honors its source material and reinvents it for a whole new audience and generation. You’ll laugh until it hurts, and it’ll feel great.” Currently in theaters.

'The Naked Gun' Movies in Order By Release