Seeing Naked Gun Made Me Realize How Badly We Need More Comedy Movies In Theaters Again

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Initially, the notion of a follow-up to “The Naked Gun” on paper appears dreadful and seemingly a desperate attempt at utilizing an old intellectual property. However, in practice, director Akiva Schaffer, a seasoned veteran with Lonely Island, showcases his exceptional comedic skills, creating a laugh-out-loud standalone film that maintains the spirit of “The Naked Gun.” Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson are undeniably hilarious in their leading roles. Furthermore, like other 2020 comedy gems such as “Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar,” “Bottoms,” “Barbie, Friendship,” and especially “Hundreds of Beavers,” “The Naked Gun” underscores the significance of keen visual aesthetics in creating exceptional comedic cinema.

Watching “The Naked Gun” at the cinema had just one drawback – it made me realize that I’ve seldom laughed along with a crowd of strangers in theatres during the 2020s as much as I’d like. So, let’s encourage filmmakers, especially those who specialize in comedy, to bring more movies to cinemas!

Where Did The Theatrical Comedy Movie Go?

In the latter part of the 2010s, there was a noticeable dip in the popularity of comedies on the big screen due to major film actors such as Adam Sandler switching to more financially rewarding contracts with streaming platforms. However, even up until 2019, films like Jumanji: The Next Level, The Upside, A Madea Family Funeral, Good Boys, and Hustlers continued to rake in substantial earnings at the cinema. Regrettably, the main reason for this change is the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past, the year 2020 was expected to showcase a diverse lineup of major cinematic comedies, such as “The King of Staten Island,” “Coming 2 America,” “Bill & Ted Face The Music,” “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” and “The Man From Toronto.” However, with the closure of movie theaters, studios recognized an opening to join the seemingly invincible streaming trend. High-budget films like “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Black Widow,” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” were postponed indefinitely; on the other hand, lighter comedies such as “Coming 2 America,” “My Spy,” and “The Lovebirds” were considered less vital and either sold to streaming services or made available for premium video on demand.

Despite some difficulties in the box office for comedies during the late 2010s, audiences continued to show interest, as demonstrated by the success of “Girls’ Trip” in 2017. However, the issue seems to be with what film studios consider worthy of a theatrical release. In 2020, comedies were often sent to streaming platforms instead, and this trend persists among major streamers and studios. For example, “Fire Island” and “Summer of ’69” ended up on Hulu, despite receiving positive reviews, while “Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain,” a Universal title, was housed on Peacock.

Large film production companies have provided limited opportunities for comedy films to showcase their worth at the cinema, leading a new group of movie enthusiasts to miss out on creating unique, nostalgic experiences that only comedies can provide.

We Need More Silly Comedies In Theaters!

Among my most cherished moviegoing moments is attending the sold-out press screening of “This is the End” back in June 2013. At that time in my life, there was still an element of novelty and risk in watching R-rated films on the big screen. But what truly made this experience unforgettable was the infectious laughter that echoed through the theater for its entire duration.

For about 90 minutes, a diverse group of people from across Texas found common ground in appreciating Danny McBride’s comedic delivery. We may have been strangers when we walked into that auditorium, but we left as companions, bound together by our shared love for hilarious cinema.

Experiencing movies communally has a unique charm: it binds us with our neighbors, reinforcing the idea that despite our differences, we share more similarities than not. Watching the obscure indie film “Hundreds of Beavers” in early 2024, for instance, was a shared adventure with fellow risk-takers who discovered this hidden gem. We were all bewildered and delighted by this slice of retro-comic filmmaking that seemed almost impossible in today’s world. Moreover, on the day I watched “Beavers“, I was going through a tough time mentally. The live-action antics of the Looney Tunes characters and the animated beaver cast provided a much-needed burst of joy at a crucial moment.

Few other genres can match the enjoyment and memorable experiences that come from watching comedy features together with others. Watching new comedies on Hulu alone during a weekday afternoon doesn’t create the same lasting memories as witnessing it in a crowded theater where everyone is fully engrossed in the larger-than-life, zany visuals. The theatrical experience not only enhances the appeal of comedy films but also makes them feel more like traditional movies.

Streaming platforms often churn out movies, especially comedies, with dialogues that seem forced and predictable, possibly designed for casual viewing or as background noise. However, when you step into a theater, your focus is solely on the big screen. To truly satirize and mock these films effectively, they need to be visually stunning and sharply written like “The Naked Gun” was – combining action, detective Noir elements with hilarious asides that make it stand out from the pack. It’s crucial for a comedy movie to have a cinematic feel, something that streaming-centric productions often struggle to achieve. In essence, if you want to skewer these films properly, they need to look and feel like they were made for the big screen, not just the small one in your pocket.

Watching comedy films in the cinema has countless advantages, and it’s high time for this trend to turn into a regular weekly event at nearby movie theaters everywhere. Let’s hope that classics like “The Naked Gun” and future comedies such as “Good Fortune,” “Freaky Friday,” and even “Anaconda” will kickstart a new era of cinema comedy. Just like Frank Drebin Jr., we could all use a break from overindulging in spicy hot dogs!

The Naked Gun is now playing in theaters.

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2025-08-04 18:58