The 2025 reboot of The Naked Gun brings back the beloved slapstick comedy with Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic character. Packed with jokes, visual gags, and callbacks to the original films, the movie is a treasure trove for fans. Here are 11 Easter eggs and references you might have missed.
The Original Cast Returns in a Funny Way
The reboot pays tribute to the original Police Squad team with a hilarious gag. Photos of the original cast, including Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin and George Kennedy as Ed Hocken, hang in the police station. Frank Drebin Jr. talks to his father’s picture, asking for advice, while Ed Hocken Jr. does the same. The best part? Nordberg’s son (originally played by O.J. Simpson) looks at his dad’s photo, then turns to the camera and shakes his head, breaking the fourth wall in a clever nod to the controversial actor.
Weird Al Yankovic’s Cameo Tradition Continues
“Weird Al” Yankovic has been a staple in the Naked Gun series since the first film. In the reboot, he appears again, this time as entertainment for the villain’s doomsday bunker. His cameo mirrors his past roles—playing himself in the first and third films and a criminal in the second. The post-credits scene shows him waiting to perform for an empty room, a funny twist since the villain’s plan fails.
Frank Drebin Jr.’s Terrible Driving Skills
Just like his father, Frank Drebin Jr. is a disaster behind the wheel. Every driving scene ends with a crash—whether it’s hitting pedestrians, police barricades, or parked cars. This running gag from the original trilogy gets even wilder in the reboot, proving bad driving is a Drebin family trait.
The Famous Stuffed Beaver Makes a Comeback
One of the most iconic jokes from the 1988 film was the “beaver” scene, where Frank compliments Jane’s “beaver,” and she hands him a literal taxidermied beaver. While the joke isn’t repeated, the stuffed beaver appears in the background of a bar scene, filled with mounted animals—a subtle but fun callback for eagle-eyed fans.
The Cigar Misunderstanding Gag Returns
In the original, villain Vincent Ludwig offers Frank a “Cuban?” cigar, and Frank responds with his ethnic background instead. The reboot recreates this with Richard Cane offering Frank Jr. a cigar by saying, “Cigar?” Frank Jr. replies, “Yes, that is a cigar,” continuing the franchise’s tradition of literal humor.
Frank’s Surprising Acrobatic Skills
Frank Drebin Jr. spends most of the movie as a clumsy cop, but in one scene, he suddenly turns into an acrobat. After being framed for murder, he flips around the room and dives out a window to escape—just like Nielsen’s Drebin did in the original. This unexpected athleticism is a classic Naked Gun joke.
The Sparkling Water Joke
A waiter takes Frank Jr.’s order for “sparkling water” too literally, bringing him a glass of water with an actual sparkler in it. This mirrors a gag from The Naked Gun 2½, where Frank asks for the “strongest thing you’ve got,” and the waiter brings him a bodybuilder instead of a drink.
A Romantic Montage with a Magical Snowman
Frank and Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson) have a fantasy sequence where they fall in love in a snowy cabin. A spellbook brings a snowman to life, leading to a bizarre love triangle before the snowman goes on a rampage. This over-the-top scene is a nod to the original’s beach romance montage but dialed up to absurd levels.
The Police Squad Theme Plays in the Credits
The classic Police Squad! theme song makes a return in the reboot’s credits. It plays during the post-credits scene, bringing back the nostalgic tune that fans of the original TV series and movies will recognize immediately.
Original Footage in the End Credits
As the credits roll, footage from the 1988 film’s opening—where a police car drives through ridiculous situations like a hockey game—plays again. While the reboot didn’t reuse this for its own opening, it’s a fun way to honor the original’s iconic intro.
Hidden Gags in the Credits Themselves
The credits are filled with joke listings, like “Netflix Password” and fake crew roles such as “Tool Non-Person” for a buzzsaw. This tradition started with the original films, which also included humorous fake credits, making the reboot’s credits just as entertaining as the movie.
Also Read: Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson Playfully Address Dating Rumors While Promoting The Naked Gun
Credits: Screen Rant, TIME
