The Naked Gun 2025: Liam Neeson Says Sequel Plans Are Off Despite Box Office Success

The much-anticipated The Naked Gun 2025 has been delighting audiences worldwide, quickly recouping its $42 million budget and earning praise as one of the best-reviewed comedies of the year. But while fans are already dreaming of a sequel, lead star Liam Neeson has poured cold water on the idea of The Naked Gun 5.

Speaking to Newsweek, Neeson confirmed that, regardless of the movie’s strong box office run, a follow-up isn’t in the works. “I think it’s a one-off, yeah. And if it succeeds, good,” he said, making it clear this latest installment is meant to stand alone.

This stance might disappoint long-time followers of the slapstick spoof series, but it hasn’t stopped the current film from generating renewed excitement for big-screen comedy. Even David Zucker, co-creator of the original Naked Gun trilogy and a previous critic of the fourth film’s concept, has praised the new movie’s success. “I’m excited about it because it just shows that there’s a strong market for comedy in movie theaters, and spoof in particular. People are liking it, which is great. I really like the director, and I just couldn’t wish him more well…” Zucker remarked.

Why Liam Neeson Won’t Commit to The Naked Gun 5

Neeson’s comments suggest that the creative team sees The Naked Gun 2025 as a respectful revival rather than the start of a new multi-film era. While earlier entries — including the cult-loved Police Squad! TV series — thrived on absurd gags and recurring characters, the latest movie brings a fresh cast and style that may not lend itself to endless sequels.

Historically, comedy franchises risk losing their spark when stretched too thin. The original trilogy’s final installment, The Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), while still amusing, fell short of the critical acclaim of its predecessors. Neeson’s “one-off” approach might be a conscious choice to protect the legacy of the series while celebrating its current success.

How The Naked Gun 2025 Is Performing at the Box Office

Industry analysts project that The Naked Gun 2025 will surpass its budget in just two weekends — a strong achievement for a spoof comedy in today’s streaming-dominated era. Tracking shows it’s already halfway toward the lifetime gross of The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear, which remains the highest-grossing entry in the franchise.

Positive word-of-mouth and high audience scores have helped drive ticket sales. The film’s slapstick humor, absurd set pieces, and modern comedic timing have connected with both nostalgic fans and a younger audience discovering the series for the first time.

Why It Matters for Comedy in 2025

The success of The Naked Gun 2025 highlights a surprising trend: theatrical comedy is far from dead. In recent years, big-screen comedies have struggled to find an audience, with many skipping theaters entirely for streaming platforms. This movie’s strong turnout shows that, when done right, the genre can still draw crowds.

David Zucker’s endorsement carries extra weight, considering his original involvement in shaping the franchise’s comedic DNA. His comments point to a healthy demand for parody films — a niche that had largely vanished from mainstream Hollywood over the past decade.

What’s Next for the Franchise?

While Neeson has ruled out a direct sequel for now, the film’s commercial success could still inspire spin-offs, specials, or even a short-form streaming revival of Police Squad! Whether the creative team pursues those options remains to be seen.

For now, fans will have to savor The Naked Gun 2025 as a rare example of a reboot that respects its roots while winning over new audiences.

For devoted followers, the main takeaway is clear: enjoy this return to absurdity, because it might be the last time we see Frank Drebin’s world on the big screen — at least with Liam Neeson at the helm.

The Naked Gun 2025 has cemented itself as one of the year’s most surprising comedy hits, but as Liam Neeson makes clear, audiences should treat it as a standalone gem rather than the start of a new series.

You Must Know:

Is there going to be The Naked Gun 5?
No. Liam Neeson has confirmed the latest film is intended as a one-off, even if it performs well at the box office.

How much did The Naked Gun 2025 cost to make?
The production budget was $42 million, and it is on track to recoup that within two weekends.

Who created the original Naked Gun series?
The series was co-created by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, also known for Airplane!.

What is the highest-grossing Naked Gun film?
The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear holds the franchise’s box office record.

Could there be a Police Squad! revival?
While no plans are confirmed, the renewed interest in the franchise could open the door for future projects in that style.