Get Ready for Laughs: The Naked Gun Reboot is Streaming Soon!

Hold onto your hats, comedy fans! The much-talked-about reboot of The Naked Gun, starring Liam Neeson, is bringing its unique brand of humor directly to your living room. After a successful run in theaters, this action-comedy hit is set to begin streaming on Paramount+ this September 30 in both the U.S. and Canada. If you've been waiting to experience the absurdity and side-splitting gags from the comfort of your couch, your wait is almost over!

The Hilarious Return of Police Squad Lands on Paramount+

Audiences loved seeing The Naked Gun bring old-school comedy back to movie theaters this summer. Now, those same big laughs are making their way to home screens. This late sequel to the beloved "Police Squad!"-inspired movie series from the 1980s and ’90s is here to reintroduce the franchise to a modern crowd. It successfully delivered a refreshing dose of slapstick humor and bizarre situations, staying true to the original tone that fans adored.

The film quickly gained a reputation for its rapid-fire jokes and a cast committed to playing it completely straight, making the ridiculousness even funnier. Critics, like Deadline's Pete Hammond, praised it saying, "This one has more than a few if sight gags, literal humor and characters short a few cards of a full deck are your idea of a good time." It seems the world truly needed a good laugh, and The Naked Gun delivered exactly that.

Liam Neeson's Unexpected Yet Perfect Portrayal of Frank Drebin Jr.

Taking on the role of Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. is none other than action star Liam Neeson. He steps into the shoes of Leslie Nielsen's iconic lead character from the original films. Neeson’s Drebin Jr. is the son of the original Detective Frank Drebin. This casting choice might have surprised some, but it turned out to be a brilliant move. Neeson is known for his serious demeanor, a trait that creates a fantastic contrast with his character’s playful cluelessness and outrageous crime-fighting escapades.

His performance makes for an uproarious comedy, perfectly capturing the spirit of the Zucker Brothers’ original style. Neeson's ability to play it straight while surrounded by overwhelming buffoonery and absurdity is a true highlight of the film. He truly embodies a bumbling, yet surprisingly effective, police officer, following in his dear old dad’s footsteps.

Stepping Into Legendary Shoes: The Enduring Legacy of Frank Drebin

For those unfamiliar with the original, Leslie Nielsen first brought Detective Frank Drebin Sr. to life in the 1982 ABC sitcom Police Squad!. The character then exploded onto the big screen in 1988 with The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!. This film quickly spawned two more successful sequels, The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear in 1991 and The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult in 1993. Nielsen, joined by co-stars Priscilla Presley and George Kennedy in all three films, created a comedy legend.

Liam Neeson's Frank Drebin Jr. picks up this torch, tasked with leading Police Squad and saving the world. He finds himself embroiled in two surprisingly linked cases that could spell disaster for everyone. He investigates the mysterious death of a tech genius working for billionaire tech mogul Richard Caine, played by Danny Huston. Along the way, he teams up with Beth Davenport, the sister of the deceased, played by the fantastic Pamela Anderson.

The Creative Minds and Stellar Cast Behind This Modern Comedy Gem

Bringing this fresh take on a beloved franchise to life required a special team. The film was directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for his work on Saturday Night Live and The Lonely Island. Schaffer also co-wrote the screenplay with Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. Producing the film were industry veterans Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy, and Erica Huggins. This combination of comedic talent ensured the reboot respected its roots while feeling fresh and new.

The film itself was developed at Seth MacFarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions and released by Paramount Pictures in association with Domain Entertainment. It truly was a decade's worth of effort to create this fourth film. Earlier versions, including one with Leslie Nielsen for a cameo or Ed Helms as a new Frank Drebin, just couldn't get off the ground. It took Schaffer and MacFarlane to finally reopen Police Squad! on the big screen.

A Star-Studded Cast Delivers the Gags and Good Times

Beyond Neeson and Anderson, the movie features a seriously talented cast that delivers laugh after laugh. You’ll see Paul Walter Hauser as Captain Ed Hocken Jr., Drebin’s partner and the son of Alan North’s character from the old movies. Other notable actors include CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, and Eddie Yu.

And let’s not forget the fun cameos! Audiences will spot Dave Bautista, Busta Rhymes, and Cody Rhodes making appearances. In a truly special touch, "Weird Al" Yankovic and Priscilla Presley also pop up. They are the only two actors returning from the original films, adding a nice nod to the franchise's past.

Box Office Success and Critical Acclaim: A Testament to Great Comedy

The Naked Gun hit theaters on August 1, debuting to a solid $17 million at the domestic box office. It went on to gross over $100 million worldwide, with a final tally of $102.1 million on a production budget of $42 million. This shows that despite facing competition, the film resonated with a wide audience eager for a good laugh.

The movie didn’t just win over audiences; critics loved it too! It scored an impressive 88% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 319 reviews. The film also garnered a 73% “fresh” score on RT’s Popcornmeter, based on over 2,500 verified user ratings. This strong critical reception and healthy box office take truly affirm the power of well-executed slapstick comedy.

From Theaters to Your Couch: A Box Office Hit Now Streams

The film's theatrical run was modest compared to some blockbusters, but its global haul just north of $100 million is a solid result for a comedy reboot. It ended up behind “Fantastic Four: First Steps” and “The Bad Guys 2” in its opening weekend, but its consistent performance and rave reviews kept hopes alive for more. Its journey from big screens to streaming platforms now gives even more people a chance to enjoy its unique humor.

Liam Neeson's The Naked Gun is certainly one of his most successful films in recent memory, proving his comedic chops are just as sharp as his action hero skills. The film managed to surpass expectations and deliver a sequel that lived up to the comedic heights of the previous films, a challenging feat indeed.

What's Next for Frank Drebin Jr. and the Police Squad?

With such a positive reception, many fans are naturally wondering if there will be a sequel. Given that the original Naked Gun had two follow-ups starring Leslie Nielsen, it's a fair question for Liam Neeson’s iteration. Newsweek asked Neeson in an August interview if he would be interested in reprising his role as Frank Drebin Jr.

Unfortunately, for fans hoping for more, Neeson sounded pretty satisfied with his work on this film. He suggested it might be a “one-off.” He told Newsweek, “I think the film's going to have a few giggles and a few laughs in it, and God, we all need that at the minute. I think it's probably a one-off. Not that the experience wasn't great, it was. It's terrific, working with Pamela, Danny Huston, all these terrific guys.”

Will We See More Bumbling Adventures? The Future of The Naked Gun Franchise

While Neeson seems content with a single outing, the positive buzz certainly has others thinking. Producer Erica Huggins told The Hollywood Reporter back in August that discussions about future possibilities for the reboot were happening even before the film’s release. These talks picked up even more after the strong reception.

Huggins stated, "We’ve now had enough conversations among the filmmakers, and certainly with Pam [Anderson] and Liam, too, when we were selling the movie in the blue sky version of what could happen next, yes, we were thinking about where it could go and what it could be. Akiva and Dan and Doug, our writers, we’re all talking about it.” So, while Neeson might not be fully on board for another round just yet, the creative team is definitely exploring the idea. Paramount has not officially commented on a sequel, but given the success, fans would certainly welcome more.

How to Catch All the Laughs: Streaming Details and Franchise History

The best news is that you won't have to wait much longer to enjoy all these laughs from home! The Naked Gun will begin streaming on Paramount+ this September 30. You’ll need a subscription to watch the movie on the platform. If you don't have Paramount+, you can subscribe to the ad-based Paramount+ Essential for $7.99 per month, or the ad-free Paramount+ Premium for $12.99 per month.

If you're looking to binge the entire hilarious franchise, Paramount+ is also your go-to spot. All three of Leslie Nielsen’s original The Naked Gun movies—The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear, and The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult—are currently available to stream on Paramount+. This means you can watch all four Naked Gun movies in one convenient place!

Your Guide to Streaming All Four Naked Gun Films on Paramount+

This streaming announcement makes catching up with Frank Drebin’s adventures easier than ever. It's a great opportunity to revisit the classics and then dive into Neeson’s critically acclaimed take on the character. The new film was praised for its committed performances by Neeson and Pamela Anderson, and its script is described as a great blend of clever and silly humor, complete with some relevant modern commentary. It truly justified updating the classic comedy for today's audiences.

So, clear your schedule, gather your snacks, and get ready for a comedy experience that promises giggles and big laughs. The Naked Gun is ready to patrol your streaming queue!