You're probably sitting on your couch, craving that specific brand of 1980s absurdity that only Leslie Nielsen can provide. We've all been there. You want the deadpan delivery, the background gags that you missed the first ten times, and the absolute chaos of Frank Drebin. But then you open the app, type it in, and hit a wall. Checking if is The Naked Gun on Netflix is a bit of a rollercoaster because, frankly, streaming licenses are a mess.
Let’s get the bad news out of the way for most of you. As of early 2026, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is not currently streaming on Netflix in the United States.
It's annoying. It's frustrating. It's exactly the kind of bureaucratic nonsense Frank Drebin would trip over while trying to investigate a dockside smuggling ring. While Netflix used to be the "everything store" for movies, the rise of studio-specific platforms like Paramount+ has pulled classic libraries away into their own gated communities. If you are in the U.S., your search bar is likely going to suggest Beverly Hills Cop or some random true crime doc instead of the slapstick gold you're looking for.
Why isn't The Naked Gun on Netflix in the US?
Licensing. That’s the short, boring answer. Paramount Pictures owns the rights to the ZAZ (Zucker, Abrahams, and Zucker) catalog. Since Paramount has their own horse in the race—Paramount+—they aren't exactly incentivized to hand over their crown jewels to Netflix for cheap.
Sometimes these movies "cycle." You might see it pop up for a glorious three-month window when a specific contract expires, but right now, the lights are off. However, the story changes completely if you happen to be reading this from a different country. Netflix's library is a fractured map of international borders and legal handshakes.
The International Exception
If you are using a VPN or traveling, you might find a different reality. Historically, Netflix regions like Canada, the UK, or parts of Western Europe have carried the trilogy when the US version didn't. This happens because Paramount might not have a strong streaming presence in those specific territories, leading them to sell the rights to the highest bidder—which is usually the "Big N."
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But don't get your hopes too high without checking. These deals shift monthly. One day it’s there, the next day it’s replaced by Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
Where you can actually watch it today
Since we've established that the answer to is The Naked Gun on Netflix is a "no" for the American audience, where do you go?
- Paramount+: This is the most consistent home for the franchise. Since it’s a Paramount property, the original film and its sequels—The Smell of Fear and The Final Insult—usually live here.
- Max (formerly HBO Max): Occasionally, Warner Bros. Discovery strikes a sub-licensing deal. It has drifted onto Max in the past, though it's less reliable than Paramount's own service.
- Pluto TV: If you don't mind commercials and want to feel like it’s 1994 again, Pluto TV often runs a "Naked Gun" marathon on their comedy channels. It’s free, it’s easy, and the ads give you time to go grab a beer.
- Digital Rental: If all else fails, the "buy or rent" option on Amazon, Apple TV, or Vudu is the only way to guarantee a viewing tonight. It usually costs about four bucks. Honestly? Worth it to see the OJ Simpson hospital scene one more time.
The Comedy Legacy of Frank Drebin
Why do we even care this much? Why are people still Googling this movie decades later?
The movie is a miracle of writing. Based on the short-lived series Police Squad!, which was too smart for TV (people complained they actually had to watch it to get the jokes), The Naked Gun perfected the "spoof" genre. Before we had the watered-down, low-effort parodies of the 2000s, we had this.
Leslie Nielsen wasn't always a comedian. He was a serious dramatic actor. That’s the secret sauce. When he says, "It’s a topsy-turvy world, Jane and maybe the problems of two people don’t amount to a hill of beans," he isn't playing for laughs. He's playing it like he's in a gritty noir. That commitment is what makes the sight of him getting stuck in a giant pressurized suit or fighting a live fish so legendary.
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The New Reboot Factor
There is another reason everyone is checking if is The Naked Gun on Netflix right now: the reboot.
Liam Neeson is stepping into the shoes (or at least the world) of Frank Drebin in a new iteration directed by Akiva Schaffer. When a reboot is announced, interest in the original sky-rockets. People want to see the DNA of the jokes. They want to remember why "Shirley" isn't a name you should call anyone in a cockpit.
The new film, produced by Seth MacFarlane, has been a hot topic in Hollywood circles. It’s a risky move. How do you replace a man who was essentially a human cartoon? Neeson has the gravitas, much like Nielsen did, so the potential is there. This buzz usually leads to streaming platforms fighting over the rights to the original trilogy to capitalize on the "nostalgia watch" trend.
The "Invisible" Gags You Might Have Missed
If you do find a way to watch it (whether on Netflix international or elsewhere), you have to look past the main action. The ZAZ team specialized in the "background gag."
In the first film, watch the scene in the police station. Look at what the officers are doing in the far corners of the frame. One guy is usually cleaning a window that isn't there, or someone is being hauled away in a way that defies physics. There is a density of humor here that modern comedies just don't attempt anymore. They don't make 'em like this. They literally don't.
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Technical Specs and Visuals
When you finally track it down, don't expect 8K HDR perfection. This was filmed on 35mm with a specific 80s grain. If you find a 4K remaster on a service like Apple TV, jump on it. The clarity makes the physical stunts—especially the legendary baseball sequence at the end—look even more ridiculous.
The sound design is equally important. The Foley work for the punches, the whistles, and the crashing cars is intentionally over-the-top. If you're watching on a phone, use headphones. You'll hear the tiny, whispered lines that get lost through tinny TV speakers.
Getting the most out of your search
If you're still determined to find is The Naked Gun on Netflix, use the "JustWatch" or "Reelgood" apps. They track the daily movements of these movies across every platform. It's much more efficient than manually checking every app on your Roku or Fire Stick.
Actually, here is a pro tip: if you own a physical copy—a DVD or Blu-ray—keep it. We are entering an era of "digital rot" where movies disappear from streaming services overnight due to tax write-offs or corporate mergers. Having Frank Drebin on your shelf is the only way to ensure he’s there when you need a laugh at 2:00 AM.
Immediate Steps to Take
Stop scrolling through Netflix's "Recommended for You" section. It's a black hole of content you don't actually want to watch.
First, check your Paramount+ subscription if you have one through a bundle like Walmart+ or your mobile provider. It’s the most likely hiding spot for the trilogy. If it’s not there, head over to a free ad-supported service like Tubi or Pluto TV. They frequently rotate classic comedies into their "Action Comedy" categories.
If you are outside the US, double-check your local Netflix library right now, as the "Leaving Soon" tags often appear around the 15th of the month. Catch it before the license expires and it vanishes into the ether of another platform's library. There's nothing worse than finally finding it only to see "Last day to watch: Yesterday."