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If you’re looking for laughs this holiday season, Los Angeles has a local classic you need to revisit. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) has recently been crowned the best comedy of all time in Variety’s list of 100 greatest comedies. Directed by David Zucker and starring the late Leslie Nielsen, the film perfected slapstick, absurdist humor, and pun-heavy wit. And it’s all set against an exaggeratedly chaotic Los Angeles.
From bumbling cops to outrageous civic spectacles, the city itself becomes part of the joke. Every chase, parade mishap, and public event showcases L.A.’s unique personality, making the backdrop as memorable as Nielsen’s Lt. Frank Drebin.
It’s the perfect viewing for Angelenos who are looking for a classic comfort watch from the best comedy movies canon.
The Naked Gun tops a list of comedy classics
Released in 1988, The Naked Gun immediately set a new bar for spoof films. Its humor is relentless: quick puns, visual gags, sight gags, and slapstick collide in a carefully orchestrated chaos that rewards repeat viewings. The film’s influence is everywhere today — from Austin Powers to 21 Jump Street — proving that Zucker’s formula for parody and satire is timeless.
While The Naked Gun sits proudly at number one, Variety’s list also celebrates a wide range of comedy masterpieces. Honorable mentions include Bridget Jones’s Diary, Bridesmaids, Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator.
L.A. as the perfect playground for comedy
Paramount
The Naked Gun turns Los Angeles into a stage for absurdity. Key scenes were shot at Los Angeles City Hall (the queen’s reception), the Park Plaza Hotel (villain’s office ), and Dodger Stadium (the climactic baseball showdown). A memorable date-night gag unfolds at the old Vagabond Cinema on Wilshire Blvd., now the Hayworth Theatre.
These real L.A. filming locations make the comedy hit differently for locals. It’s both a parody and a love letter to the quirks, chaos, and charm of the City of Angels. And a prime example of why it’s one of the best comedy movies ever set in Los Angeles.
🍿 Looking for more movies to catch in theaters across L.A.? Explore the latest screenings and showtimes here.