Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Naked Gun!2025’sThe Naked Gunis finally here, and it has plenty of Easter eggs and references that you may have missed.The classic comedy franchise returns with a new coat of paint, following Liam Neeson’s Frank Drebin Jr. as he investigates another gag-filled crime. Following in the footsteps of the Leslie Nielsen original, the newThe Naked Gunmakes sure to pay homage to its predecessors.
The Naked Gunacts as a sequel and a reboot, with a new cast filling in the familiar roles inhabited by the original characters. Neeson’s Frank Drebin Jr. leads the film as the bumbling successor to Nielsen’s original protagonist, and the character brings plenty of repeated gags along with him.
11The Original Naked Gun Cast’s Cameos
Outside of Priscilla Presley, who makes a quick cameo, none of the main cast members from the originalNaked Gunreturn in the 2025 reboot, as most of them have sadly passed away. However,the characters do get an Easter eggin the form of one of the film’s funniest gags.
Early in the movie, Frank Drebin Jr. sees a picture of his father that hangs in the Police Squad headquarters. He spends a moment talking to the framed image of Nielsen, asking him for guidance. The film thencuts to Paul Walter Hauser’s Ed Hocken Jr., doing the same thingwith an image of Ed Hocken.
The punchline comes with one final cameo, this time from O.J. Simpson.Nordberg’s is seen looking at the image of his father before he breaks the fourth wall, turning toward the camera and shaking his head. This hilarious gag parodies the controversial sports star and actor, while still managing to bring the originalNaked Guntrio back together.
10Weird Al’s Newest Naked Gun Cameo
He’s Back Once Again
The main characters of the originalNaked Gunaren’t the only ones who are referenced in the reboot. In fact,“Weird” Al Yankovic returns to the franchise as himself yet again. At one point in the original film, Drebin exits an airplane to a roaring crowd. However, he soon discovers that the crowd is cheering for Weird Al, who is exiting the plane behind him.
He then went on to cameo in the next twoNaked Gunmovies, playing a criminal in the second and himself in the third. Weird Al is back in the reboot, appearing briefly in the film and its post-credits scene.The parody musician plans on performing at the main antagonist’s secret bunker, offering entertainment as the world outside comes to an end.
9Frank Drebin Jr.’s Poor Driving
He Inherited It From His Father
One of the best bits in the originalNaked Guntrilogy is Frank Drebin’s poor driving, a gag that is shown in all three movies.Almost every driving scene with Drebin ends with the police officer crashing his carwhile parking, whether that be into buildings, property, or other cars.
This joke is continued in the 2025 reboot, proving that Drebin Jr. has taken a lot from his father. Neeson’s character is also a horrible driver. Throughout the movie,he crashes into pedestrians, police barricades, and more. This is a fantastic continuation of one of the original trilogy’s best jokes, a clear callback to the legacy Nielsen’s character left behind.
8The Stuffed Beaver
It Is The Background Of The Bar Scene
One of the most famous gags in the originalNaked Gunis the stuffed beaver joke,one that is so popular that it even inspired Regal’s popcorn bucketfor the new movie. While Presley’s Jane Spencer is looking in the attic, Drebin looks up at her and compliments her “beaver.” Jane then hands down a taxidermied beaver, making it a surprisingly literal gag.
While this joke isn’t repeated in the 2025 film,eagle-eyed viewers will spot the famous stuffed beaver in one of the scenes. When Drebin Jr. walks into the bar that is filled with taxidermied animals, the stuffed beaver can be seen in the background of a shot, referencing the 1988 film.
7Frank Drebin Jr. Is Offered A Cigar
Referencing The “Cuban?” Gag
Another small callback to the original movie can be spotted in the scene where Frank Drebin Jr. meets with the villainous Richard Cane (Danny Huston). Cane turns to Drebin and offers, “Cigar?“Drebin comedically responds by agreeing that Cane is indeed holding a cigar.
This parallels a scene in the originalNaked Gun, in which Frank Drebin is offered a cigar by Vincent Ludwig, the first movie’s villain. There,Ludwig says “Cuban?,” with Drebin responding, “No, Dutch Irish, my father was from Wales.” This miscommunication with a villain around a cigar is now a running gag in the franchise, thanks to the reboot.
6Drebin’s Sudden Athleticism & Flexibility
Bringing Back The Naked Gun’s Texas Switches
Frank Drebin Jr. seems to be an average police officer throughout the 2025 film, outside of one scene. When Drebin walks into the apartment of an investigative journalist, he gets framed for murder thanks to his hilarious lack of awareness. Then, the police appear, preparing to take him in.Drebin suddenly does several backflipsbefore diving out the window and into his self-driving car.
This is incredibly reminiscent of a scene from the first movie, in which Nielsen’s Drebin does something similar.He, too, flips around the room, diving behind furniture in order to pull off some hilarious Texas Switches. Although this isn’t confirmed to be a callback, it is hard for fans of the franchise not to notice the similarities.
5The Sparkling Water Order
Calling Back To The Second Naked Gun Movie
Miscommunication surrounding drink orders is another running gag inThe Naked Gunfranchise, and it returns in the reboot. InThe Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, Drebin tells a waiter to give him the strongest thing he’s got.The waiter then brings him a bodybuilder, and Drebin asks for a white Russian. The waiter then looks at the camera, signaling that they won’t take the low-hanging fruit.
This gag is repeated in the 2025 film, when Frank Drebin Jr. orders a sparkling water. He is delivered a glass of water with an actual sparkler in it,calling back to the sequel’s alcohol bit.
4The Romantic Montage Between Frank & Beth
The Wild Snowman Scene Is A Callback
Frank and Beth (Pamela Anderson) have a romantic connectionand quickly fall in love. The development of their relationship is shown in a fantasy sequence, which features the duo going to a cabin and playing in the snow. There, they find a spellbook that brings a snowman to life. They initially start a throuple, but subsequent events put the sentient snowman on a murderous rampage.
This sequence is a reference to a similar moment from the original movie. In the 1988 classic,a fantasy sequence is shown between Drebin and Jane Spencerwhere they run on the beach and fall in love.
It Plays In The Naked Gun’s Credits
Although it isn’t played during the main events of the film,the originalPolice Squad!thememakes an appearance in the credits.The classic theme plays over the film’s post-credits sceneand the start of the credits, calling back to the franchise’s original musical motif.
2The Original Naked Gun Footage Shown In The Credits
The Opening Credits Footage Is Played During The End Credits
As the credits roll on 2025’sThe Naked Gun, the reboot’s only reused footage is seen. Credits play as the opening of the original movie is shown, following the police car as it drives into wacky situations like a hockey game and a car wash.While the 2025 film didn’t use this bit for its opening title, it is nice to see it return in the credits.
