Liam Neeson has reached a major career milestone with the reboot of The Naked Gun, which became his highest-grossing film in over a decade. After six days of release, the movie earned a total of $32.9 million worldwide, surpassing the $32.6 million of his 2020 film Honest Thief. The latest Tuesday alone added $2.7 million to the domestic box office, demonstrating strong audience interest.
The film’s earnings are divided between $21.4 million domestically and an additional $11.4 million from international markets. Prior to this success, Neeson’s recent projects, including 2024’s Absolution, 2023’s In the Land of Saints and Sinners, and Marlowe from the same year, all struggled to hit $10 million globally. Neeson’s last major blockbuster success had been his role in the star-studded ensemble for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, alongside actors such as Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver.
The Critical Acclaim Behind The Naked Gun Reboot
Beyond its commercial success, The Naked Gun reboot has also received significant praise from critics and audiences alike. Rotten Tomatoes reports an 89% “certified fresh” rating from critics, while 75% of audience ratings are positive. The film was directed by Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island and produced by Seth MacFarlane, adding notable creative talents to the project. Pamela Anderson stars alongside Neeson, continuing her momentum from last year’s surprise hit The Last Showgirl.
Collider’s Aidan Kelley gave the film a 9/10 rating, calling it
“one of the funniest movies of the decade.”
Kelley further remarked,
“In the constant barrage of legacy sequels and franchise reboots, especially as more and more seem to be coming from the comedy genre, such as with the upcoming Scary Movie, the new Naked Gun is everything you could possibly want from a so-called
requel.”
He also quoted,
“It’s a topsy-turvy world, and maybe the problems of two people don’t amount to a hill of beans. But this is our hill. And these are our beans!”
—Aidan Kelley, Film Critic
A Strong Ensemble Brings Classic Comedy to Life
The reboot sees Neeson portraying Frank Drebin Jr., a role originally immortalized by Leslie Nielsen, capturing the spirit of the iconic character with a fresh comedic energy. Pamela Anderson’s portrayal of Beth Davenport complements Neeson’s performance, contributing to the film’s widespread appeal among fans and newcomers.
With a cast blending veteran performers and rising stars, the production maintains a comedic balance that honors the original while offering new moments of humor. The involvement of director Akiva Schaffer and producer Seth MacFarlane adds another layer of modern comedic sensibility, helping to connect with contemporary audiences.
Looking Ahead: The Naked Gun’s Role in Liam Neeson’s Career
The success of The Naked Gun reboot marks a significant upswing for Liam Neeson, positioning it as his highest-grossing reboot and one of his most lucrative projects of the decade. This achievement could signal new opportunities for the actor in the comedy genre, an area less explored in his recent career.
The film’s positive reception from both critics and audiences suggests a promising future for potential sequels or other comedic ventures involving Neeson. As the movie continues to perform well in theaters, industry observers and fans alike will be watching closely to see how this momentum might influence Neeson’s upcoming roles.
The Naked Gun is currently available in theaters nationwide, and its box office and critical acclaim indicate strong longevity throughout the summer season.
