Top 10 Reasons Why The Naked Gun Is The Best Comedy Movie Of 2025

#10: Not Banking on Nostalgia

Legacy sequels exist to bring back longtime fans while introducing the franchise to another generation. Although some deliver on the fan service part, appealing to newcomers is easier said than done. Take Happy Gilmore 2 for example. We liked that legacy sequel, but much of our enjoyment hinged on our knowledge of its predecessor. If you hadnt seen the first film, the sequel could play like a series of punchlines without the setups. The Naked Gun avoids this, relying on fresh jokes cut from the same cloth as the original trilogy. Even when we do get a callback, like Frank passing by a stuffed beaver, the film doesnt dwell on it by winking at the camera. Its already progressed to the next joke.

#9: Pushing the PG-13 Rating to Its Limit

Theres a misconception that comedies need to be loaded with four-letter words and raunchy imagery to bring the laughs. While were all for hard R comedies, the constraints that come with a PG-13 rating sometimes lead to sharper humor. Since the characters cant swear every few minutes, the filmmakers need to get creative when it comes to the edgier jokes. The Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team mastered this, revealing just how far you can go with a PG-13 rating - or even a PG rating before that. The new Naked Gun similarly tests the MPA with innuendos that are about as graphic as you can get without actually being explicit. Younger audiences can buy a ticket, but theyll still feel like theyre getting away with something naughty.

#8: Not Afraid to Be Relentlessly Silly

We appreciate comedies that strike a balance between laughs and depth. With a lot of comedies, though, we admittedly find ourselves tuning out during the dramatic moments. Were mainly here for the funny stuff. The Naked Gun understands our needs, going for broke in the silly department. Every time it seems like the film might take itself even remotely seriously, it blindsides us with the goofiest of bits, be it Pamela Anderson scat singing or Liam Neeson dropping a chili dog bomb. At one point, the film even becomes Jack Frost with a ménage à trois twist. As was the case with the OG trilogy, the jokes always take priority over the plot. Hell, the plot device is a literal P.L.O.T. Device.

#7: The Visual Gags

You need to watch The Naked Gun multiple times to catch every joke. Theres so much going on in the foreground that its easy to miss the hidden gems in the background. Crypto.com Arena being replaced with Ponzi-scheme.com Arena is an especially inspired touch. For every visual gag you miss, theres another so on the nose that it practically performs rhinoplasty. Were not complaining, as many modern comedies forget that film is a visual medium. The Naked Gun takes full advantage of this. Highlights include a coffee cup running gag that just keeps getting funnier and an extravagantly hilarious crane game set piece. It might seem like a dumb comedy, which it is, but its not for those with a short attention span.

#6: Cleverly Written Jokes

For all the visual humor, The Naked Gun is also loaded with witty wordplay. Some jokes are smart, others are knowingly stupid, and most of them find a middle ground. Either way, youll be quoting several lines walking out of the theater. Weirdly enough, most contemporary comedies seem devoid of traditional jokes, instead relying on actors to improvise dialogue thatll hopefully sound funnier than whats on the printed page. The Naked Gun is a genuine throwback to old-school comedy, complete with a sharp script from director Akiva Schaffer, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand. Its not the first time this trio has captured the spirit of a classic 1988 comedy. They previously worked on Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers, a modern Roger Rabbit.

#5: Timeless Comedy

Standing the test of time can be especially difficult for comedy. What was funny to audiences thirty years ago might not land with todays crowd for various reasons. Yet, The Naked Gun trilogy still holds up decades later, even with O. J. Simpsons presence. Many of the jokes from this legacy sequel just as easily couldve been used in the 1988 classic. Some moments are more tailored toward 21st-century viewers, such as a reference to Janet Jacksons wardrobe malfunction and a major plot point involving electric cars. When people look back years later, though, most of the jokes will have the same impact. Puns and slapstick will always have a place in comedy, showing that the most timeless comedies are often the broadest.

#4: See, Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer, This Is How You Do Satire

Parody films have never completely gone away, although Disaster Movie and Meet the Spartans are just a few thatve given spoofs a bad name lately. We hesitate to even describe those as parodies, as they dont satirize anything. They merely acknowledge that other movies exist, whether or not they connect. The Naked Gun actually lampoons a genre, sending up police procedurals and spy movies like Mission: Impossible. Akiva Schaffer already gave us one of the past decades best parodies with Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. With Naked Gun, he understands that the closer a parody matches the genuine artifact, the funnier itll be. The opening is shot like a legitimate crime drama, making it all the more jarring when Liam Neeson shows up in pigtails.

#3: Honoring the Original

At one point, Liam Neeson kneels before a photo of Leslie Nielsen, saying that he wants to be just like him but to also stand on his own. This is basically the same goal of every legacy sequel, although most of them fall short. Some stick too close to the original, repeating what weve seen before. Others strive to be different, but wind up straying too far from what made the original special. The Naked Gun manages to dodge these pitfalls. The occasional callback aside, the jokes are primarily original. Yet, none of them are above or below what the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker crew wouldve given us years ago. For those who havent seen the original films, seeking them out will be a priority after this sequel.

#2: The Actors Play It 100% Straight

Like Leslie Nielsen, Neeson started as a dramatic actor. It wasnt until later in his career that people noticed the untapped comedic potential. What made Nielsens performance work is that Frank Drebin doesnt realize hes in a comedy. The same can be said about Frank Drebin Jr., with Neeson reading his dialogue as if he were doing Taken 4. Pamela Anderson, who seems to be in the midst of a career renaissance, also fully commits to playing a femme fatale, no matter how ridiculous the movie surrounding her is. Whether its a supporting player like Paul Walter Hauser and Danny Huston or just a cameo like Dave Bautista, everyone approaches the material with more gravitas than it deserves, which is part of the joke.

#1: One Joke After Another

In addition to the original trilogy, this sequel reminded us of Family Guy during its prime. Unsurprisingly, producer Seth MacFarlane provides a common link. MacFarlanes brand of comedy aligns with Zucker-Abrahams-Zuckers, committing to making the audience laugh every second or so. On the rare occasion that a joke doesnt land, the film follows it up with several more that hit bullseyes. In some cases, youll miss one joke because youre still laughing about one from the previous scene. The film only clocks in at 85 minutes, making the most of every moment. This includes both the opening title and end credits. In an era where most comedies are truly dramas with sporadic funny moments, The Naked Gun finds the genre in its purest form.

What moment from The Naked Gun made you laugh the hardest? Let us know in the comments.