If You're Revisiting the 'Bare Gun' Films, Right here's How To Watch Them in Order

Hailed as one of many biggest comedies of all time, the crime-spoof franchise The Bare Gun follows the antics and misadventures of the bumbling Police Squad Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) as he finds himself swept up in a single high-stakes case after one other. Based mostly on the short-lived 1982 TV sequence Police Squad, the unique movie trilogy grew to become celebrated classics and featured the extra abilities of well-known faces like Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, and O.J. Simpson.

Created by the comedy filmmaking trio of Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker, The Bare Gun films are revered for his or her over-the-top slapstick humor and absurd gags, with the sequence (and his iconic work in Airplane!) serving to shift Nielsen’s profession from being a dramatic actor to a deadpan comic. Three movies had been launched between 1988 and 1994, all of which had been profitable on the field workplace and left audiences rolling with laughter. After greater than 30 years, the franchise epically returned to the large display with a legacy sequel starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Here is learn how to watch The Bare Gun films so as.

‘The Bare Gun: From the Information of Police Squad!’ (1988)

Fondly declared “the Olivier of spoofs” by Roger Ebert, actor and comic extraordinaire Leslie Nielsen starred because the bumbling police lieutenant Frank Drebin within the crime motion comedy The Bare Gun: From the Information of Police Squad!, a continuation of the short-lived TV sequence that follows the lovable goofball as he stumbles upon a plot to assassinate the Queen Elizabeth II throughout her go to to the USA. Naturally, chaos and sidesplitting hijinks ensue.

The well-meaning but incompetent Drebin should face off in opposition to prosperous businessman Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban), who makes use of a tool to hypnotize individuals into turning into killers, and in addition falls head over heels for his assistant Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley). The beloved ’80s gem is jam-packed filled with slapstick humor and infinite puns and gags, and it grew to become a success with audiences due to Nielsen’s hilarious deadpan supply, grossing over $152 million and in the end happening to grow to be thought to be one of many biggest comedies of all time. Stream on Paramount+.

‘The Bare Gun 2½: The Odor of Concern’ (1991)

After the large vital and business success of the 1988 knockout, Nielsen returned for one more zany journey three years later with The Bare Gun 2½: The Odor of Concern, this time centering on the comically inept Police Lt. Frank Drebin as he discovers that his previous flame Jane’s new slimy boyfriend Quentin Hapsburg (Robert Goulet) is concerned in a nefarious scheme to kidnap the good scientist Dr. Meinheimer (Richard Griffiths), who needs to advocate for renewable power for the U.S.

Very similar to its trailblazing predecessor, The Odor of Concern doesn’t draw back from delivering goofy gags and over-the-top antics, as Drebin dons delightfully outrageous disguises and serves up much more zippy one-liners whereas on his quest to save lots of the world. The sequel would grow to be the highest-grossing entry within the authentic trilogy and raked in $192 million, with moviegoers appreciating that the comedy stayed true to the playful spirit of the primary movie however hilariously upped the ante (even when it was deemed inferior to the ’88 traditional). Stream on Paramount+.

‘Bare Gun 33+1⁄3: The Ultimate Insult’ (1994)

For his third and closing outing as Frank Drebin, Nielsen as soon as once more teamed up together with his eclectic co-stars Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, and O.J. Simpson (his final function movie earlier than his arrest for homicide three months later) for Bare Gun 33+1⁄3: The Ultimate Insult, which serves because the conclusion for the acclaimed comedy trilogy. The entry focuses on the now-retired Drebin as he enjoys life together with his new bride, Jane, solely to be pulled again into the job when he is tasked with stopping the bombing of the Academy Awards, for which he goes undercover as Phil Donahue.

The Ultimate Insult options sequence newcomers Fred Ward, Anna Nicole Smith, and Kathlee Freeman, and unapologetically pokes enjoyable at Hollywood, celebrities, and awards reveals by means of the franchise’s signature gags and slapstick jokes. The sequel did not match the success of its predecessors, although it nonetheless grossed a strong $132 million and included numerous amusing cameos like James Earl Jones and “Bizarre Al” Yankovic, in addition to an uproarious efficiency by Nielsen. Although the celebrated comic had been in talks to reprise the position for a fourth installment in 2009, the venture was in the end canceled, and Nielsen handed away a 12 months later. Stream on Paramount+.

‘The Bare Gun’ (2025)

After a greater than 30-year absence from Hollywood, the comedy franchise made its epic return to the silver display with the legacy sequel The Bare Gun, which touts an electrifying new ensemble led by Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, and Paul Walter Hauser and facilities on the son of the late Lt. Frank Drebin as he makes an attempt to observe within the footsteps of his well-known father and stop the closure of the LAPD Police Squad. The equally incompetent Drebin Jr. (Neeson) should examine each a homicide and a financial institution theft, doing so with the assistance of the fetching Beth Davenport (Anderson).

The Bare Gun is directed by The Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer and winningly honors the unique trilogy whereas evoking nostalgia in the easiest way. Each critics and followers appear to be smitten with Neeson’s unhinged, screwball efficiency, because the sequel at the moment holds a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an A- CinemaScore from moviegoers. The Detroit Information wrote of their rave overview, “A recent, enjoyable and uproariously humorous giggle riot that honors its supply materials and reinvents it for an entire new viewers and era. You will giggle till it hurts, and it will really feel nice.” Presently in theaters.

‘The Bare Gun’ Films in Order By Launch

The Bare Gun

Launch Date

August 1, 2025

Producers

Erica Huggins