Thescreescore – Liam Neeson’s comedic turn in the rebooted Naked Gun is defying expectations, achieving a major box office milestone in less than two weeks. The Paramount release, marking the studio’s final bow under its old leadership before the Skydance acquisition, opened on August 1st to a $16.8 million debut – the second-best opening weekend for the franchise. Variety reports that the film added another $2.3 million on Friday alone, projecting an $8.4 million weekend haul. While showing a typical 50% drop from its opening, the film’s domestic total is expected to reach a remarkable $33 million by the end of the weekend.
This performance is a significant win for big-screen comedies, a genre often relegated to streaming platforms in recent years. The film, boasting a reported $42 million budget, still has a path to profitability, particularly considering potential international box office returns and ancillary revenue streams. The strong performance, less than two weeks post-release, highlights the enduring appeal of Neeson in a comedic role and suggests a potential franchise continuation under Skydance’s stewardship.
While not yet matching the colossal success of the original trilogy (with The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear grossing over $86 million domestically), the reboot is on track to surpass Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult‘s $51 million. The film’s success is further bolstered by its positive critical reception, currently holding an 89% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. This suggests a genuine audience appetite for theatrical comedies, potentially signaling a renaissance for the genre. The Naked Gun reboot’s success could pave the way for more comedic ventures to grace the big screen. The film’s blend of nostalgia and fresh humor has clearly resonated with audiences, proving that even in a changing cinematic landscape, laughter still has a place in the spotlight.
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