The upcoming release of The Naked Gun reboot starring Liam Neeson has garnered significant critical acclaim, currently holding a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This strong reception positions the film as a potential box office success and signals a promising comeback for Neeson, whose recent projects have struggled critically and commercially.
The reboot, directed by Akiva Schaffer and featuring Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., reinvigorates the classic comedy franchise originally led by Leslie Nielsen. The impressive Rotten Tomatoes score reflects a positive shift in Neeson’s career trajectory, particularly given his previous decline in audience and critical appeal within the action genre.
Positive Critical Reception Marks a Key Turning Point in Neeson’s Career
The Naked Gun reboot revisits the well-known franchise with Neeson stepping into the lead role of Frank Drebin Jr. While the film initially achieved a perfect 100% critics rating, it has since settled at 93%, still ranking it among Neeson’s best-reviewed films in recent years. This marks a significant departure from his recent history, where most of his projects failed to resonate with critics or audiences alike.
Previously, Neeson’s 2023 film In the Land of Saints and Sinners was one of the few to receive favorable critical response, but it was not a box office success, underscoring the need for a stronger commercial turnaround. Neeson’s traditional action-thriller roles have lost momentum, making this venture into action-comedy with The Naked Gun a refreshing shift in tone and approach.
This genre crossover could allow Neeson to tap into a different audience base, leveraging humor alongside action to revitalize his career. The reboot’s positive reviews suggest that this transition might be successful if audiences respond equally well.
Box Office Performance Will Determine the Full Extent of Neeson’s Comeback
While critical acclaim is encouraging, The Naked Gun reboot’s financial success will ultimately dictate the impact on Neeson’s comeback. Industry tracking anticipates an opening weekend domestic gross between $15 million and $17 million, which, if achieved, would surpass many of Neeson’s recent theatrical performances.
The film was produced on an estimated $42 million budget, and industry analysts indicate that it needs to earn at least three times this amount globally to be considered a definitive box office hit. This translates to a target of approximately $150 million worldwide.
Given the positive reviews and the established popularity of the franchise, there is optimism that The Naked Gun reboot can meet or exceed this benchmark. Achieving this milestone would mark Neeson’s first film since 2019’s Men in Black: International to surpass $150 million at the global box office.
The film’s release date in the United States is set for August 1, 2025, which will provide the clearest indicator of whether this reboot can cement Liam Neeson’s return to widespread cinematic success.
