Naked Gun reboot makes $1.6 million in previews

Paramount's reboot of Naked Gun shows promise with strong early box office numbers.

Naked Gun reboot earns $1.6 million in previews

Paramount’s reboot of "The Naked Gun" has earned $1.6 million during its Thursday previews at the box office. This early performance suggests it is set to achieve between $15 million and $17 million over its opening weekend. With a production budget of $42 million, this outcome is a decent start amid dwindling theatrical comedy releases. The film stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the iconic detective originally played by Leslie Nielsen. The ensemble cast includes notable names like Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser, directed by Akiva Schaffer of "Saturday Night Live" fame. Despite its positive start, "The Naked Gun" is not expected to top the box office, as Marvel’s "Fantastic Four: First Steps" is predicted to remain at number one with an anticipated $45 million to $52 million in its second weekend.

The revival of "The Naked Gun" taps into nostalgia while attempting to draw in a new generation of viewers with its humor. Given the declining number of theatrical comedies, this film's release strategy can be seen as both risky and promising. Reviving a franchise like this requires navigating the fine line between honoring the original while also ensuring it feels fresh. If the box office predictions hold, it may signal a resurgence in interest for comedies in theaters, but the competition with superhero films could overshadow its success.

Highlights

The success of this reboot may determine future comedy releases in theaters.