Every ‘Naked Gun’ Movie, Ranked

The ‘Naked Gun’ series is a comedy goldmine that started with a short-lived TV show called ‘Police Squad!’ and grew into a beloved film franchise. Known for its slapstick humor, clever wordplay, and deadpan delivery, it follows the bumbling detective Frank Drebin as he stumbles through crime-solving with hilarious results.

With four movies spanning from the late 1980s to 2025, the series has left a mark on comedy fans. Below, we rank all ‘Naked Gun’ movies from worst to best, based on their Rotten Tomatoes critic scores and IMDb user ratings, to see which ones still deliver the laughs and which fall flat.

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994)

This third entry sees Frank Drebin come out of retirement to stop a terrorist from bombing the Academy Awards. While Leslie Nielsen’s performance remains a highlight, the film feels less fresh than its predecessors, leaning heavily on recycled gags.

The pacing is uneven, and the Oscar ceremony setting doesn’t quite land as a parody target. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 65% and an IMDb rating of 6.5/10, it’s the weakest of the trilogy, though it still has funny moments like Frank’s chaotic undercover stint.

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

Frank Drebin returns to tackle a plot by energy corporations to sabotage eco-friendly plans. The sequel keeps the absurd humor with Leslie Nielsen’s deadpan delivery shining, but it struggles to match the original’s sharp wit.

It scores a solid 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.8/10 on IMDb, praised for its fast-paced gags but criticized for feeling like an extended TV episode. The rooftop shootout scene, where Frank misses a target just feet away, is a fan favorite for its ridiculous charm.

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

The first film follows Frank Drebin as he tries to stop a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II. Leslie Nielsen’s clueless detective, paired with sharp visual gags and non-stop jokes, makes this a comedy classic.

With an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 7.6/10 IMDb rating, it’s celebrated for its lunatic sobriety and inventive humor. Iconic scenes like Frank’s struggle with a lionfish in an aquarium keep fans quoting lines decades later.

The Naked Gun (2025)

Liam Neeson steps into the role of Frank Drebin Jr., investigating a stolen high-tech device in this reboot. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, it brings back the rapid-fire gags and absurd humor, earning praise for reviving the spoof genre.

Boasting a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 7.8/10 IMDb rating, it outshines the original trilogy in critical reception. Neeson’s deadpan delivery and Pamela Anderson’s comedic flair make it a fresh yet nostalgic hit, with scenes like the chaotic P.L.O.T. device chase stealing the show.

Which ‘Naked Gun’ movie is your favorite, and do you think the reboot lives up to the originals? Share your thoughts in the comments!