Liam Neeson’s The Naked Gun Reboot Scores $7M Opening, Best in a Decade

The gravel-voiced action titan just delivered his most surprising knockout punch in years. Liam Neeson, renowned for his deadly-serious “particular set of skills,” has shattered expectations with his uproarious turn in The Naked Gun reboot, securing a $7 million domestic opening weekend. This marks Neeson’s strongest box office debut since 2014’s Taken 3, proving audiences are ravenous for the actor’s unexpected comedic renaissance.

Paramount Pictures’ revival of the iconic slapstick franchise has defied modern comedy trends by fully embracing the absurdist spirit of Leslie Nielsen’s original films. Neeson stars as Frank Drebin Jr., delivering lines about tuna casseroles and rogue toupees with the same bone-dry intensity he once reserved for threatening human traffickers. Early scenes feature Drebin solemnly arresting a runaway balloon animal and getting tangled in municipal sprinkler systems—all performed with Oscar-worthy gravitas.

The Naked Gun Revival Captures Classic Comedy Magic

The reboot meticulously resurrects the franchise’s signature cocktail of visual gags, deliberate overacting, and ludicrous scenarios that made the 1988 original a cultural touchstone. Director Akiva Schaffer (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) preserved core elements like the jaunty title sequence, freeze-frame gags, and fourth-wall-breaking title cards (“Little Old Lady Land: 2 Miles”).

Pamela Anderson shines as Drebin’s love interest, with her comedic timing earning particular praise from Variety‘s July 2025 review. A scene-stealing cameo by Paul Rudd—playing a lactose-intolerant villain menacing California’s dairy infrastructure—has become an instant meme. The film’s commitment to practical effects, including a disastrous zoo sequence involving ill-fitting gorilla suits, contrasts sharply with CGI-dependent modern comedies.

Industry analysts note the timing proved perfect. “Audiences are exhausted by superhero fatigue and nihilistic dark comedies,” explains Box Office Pro chief analyst Shawn Robbins. “This offers pure, uncomplicated joy—exactly what summer moviegoing needed” (Box Office Mojo, August 2025).

Neeson’s Comedy Comeback Defies Action Hero Expectations

At 72, Neeson showcases remarkable comedic agility that recalls his early career. Before Taken transformed him into an action staple, he charmed audiences in 1989’s supernatural farce High Spirits and 2003’s Love Actually. His performance here bridges both eras—combining physical precision with deadpan absurdity.

The actor revealed his approach in a Hollywood Reporter interview: “I treated the script like Shakespeare. If you commit fully to the ridiculousness, the truth emerges.” This methodology yields gold, particularly during a courtroom scene where Drebin “accidentally” replaces evidence with novelty whoopee cushions.

With The Naked Gun‘s 90% Rotten Tomatoes score (August 2025)—the franchise’s highest ever—studios are re-evaluating Neeson’s marketability. Insiders report three action-comedy offers already on his desk, signaling a potential new chapter. “He’s found the sweet spot,” notes USC Film Professor Dr. Alicia Vega. “Audiences still want him kicking down doors—they just want him tripping over the welcome mat first” (Cinema Studies Journal, July 2025).

Neeson’s triumphant pivot proves that laughter remains cinema’s most potent weapon. The Naked Gun reboot delivers exactly what 2025’s cultural moment demanded: uncomplicated, expertly executed joy. With record-breaking reviews and box office momentum, this revival could reignite studio interest in physical comedy—and extend Neeson’s reign as an unlikely multiplex king. Don’t miss the funniest cinematic surprise of the summer—see it before spoilers ruin the rubber chicken fights!

Must Know

Q: How does Neeson’s Frank Drebin compare to Leslie Nielsen’s original?
A: Neeson honors Nielsen’s deadpan legacy while making the role his own. His Drebin is slightly more world-weary but equally committed to oblivious heroism. Expect familiar bumbling genius with fresh physical comedy tailored to Neeson’s skills.

Q: Are the original film’s creators involved?
A: Yes. Co-writer Pat Proft consulted on the script, ensuring gags align with the franchise’s spirit. Director David Zucker also gave his blessing after seeing Neeson’s test footage involving a runaway golf cart and confused ostrich.

Q: Will there be sequels if this succeeds?
A: Paramount has greenlit preliminary discussions for a trilogy. Producer Erica Huggins confirms script ideas exist involving Drebin Jr. battling pirates at a theme park and foiling sentient vending machines.

Q: Is the film appropriate for kids?
A: Rated PG-13 for innuendo and slapstick violence (no blood). The humor relies on absurd situations rather than crude jokes—comparable to the original films’ family-friendly mayhem.

Q: How long is the runtime? Any post-credits scenes?
A: 107 minutes. Stay through the credits for gag reels and a scene setting up Paul Rudd’s return.

Q: Where was it filmed?
A: Primarily in Budapest (doubling for Los Angeles) and Vancouver. The Queen Mary ocean liner scene used practical sets to recreate the original’s nautical chaos.