Detective movies are an intriguing non-ending world. Talking of this world, the pink panther movies emerge as the brightest stars. Pink Panther, an America-based media franchise, is known for its comic and suspense-filled plots. The main protagonist and all-time favorite, Inspector Jacques Clouseau played by multiple stars, is all films’ keynote. Not only movies, but you can also find books, exciting games, comics, and animated series inspired by the pink panther.
Kickstarting the film series with “The pink panther” in 1963, the mysterious world has come so far. Let us have a glance at all the pink panther masterpieces in order.
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All Pink Panther Movies in Release Order
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The Pink Panther
Director: Blake Edwards
Writers: Maurice Richlin, Blake Edwards
Stars: David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Romance
Release date: March 18, 1964
The first ever movie of the comedy-mystery series is the pink panther. It introduces us to the main protagonist, inspector Jacques Clouseau trying hard to stop a theft. Returning to the roots, Maharajah gifted his little princess Dala a diamond. Unfortunately, the pink jewel has a flaw in the shape of the panther, hence the name “pink panther.” So naturally, everyone has their eyes on the rare gemstone as it is beautiful and the world’s biggest diamond.
After the death of the Maharajah, the precious gem was declared the government’s property. Princess manages a narrow escape to a ski resort but unfortunately catches the eye of an anonymous jewel thief, the Phantom( notorious jewel thief Sir Charles Lytton). Living a secret life, he aspires to steal the gem, as does his nephew George. However, Clouseau is ready to risk it all to stop the biggest heist.
This movie may or may not be the humor you are looking for. Nonetheless, there is no denying that the classic had great comic elements with a good cast. Moreover, it is delivered well for hearty and eye-pleasing shots.
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A Shot in the Dark
Director: Blake Edwards
Writers: Blake Edwards, William Peter Blatty, Harry Kurnitz
Stars: Peter Sellers, Elke Sommer, George Sanders
Genres: Comedy, Mystery
Release date: July 23, 1965
Set in the country home of a millionaire, Benjamin Ballon, his maid Maria is accused of murdering her lover. Once again, Inspector Clouseau is given the charge of the case, not much to the delight of his senior Commissioner Dreyfus. As the investigation begins, more murders pursue the footsteps of the accused maid. Despite her significant presence around all the murder mysteries, Clouseau is convinced she is innocent. Determined to unleash the truth, the inspector takes some hard blows of confusion in the Ballon household.
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With Black Edwards taking the editorial position and Peter Sellers making a mark through his previous performance, this movie delivered better than the previous one. The comic timing is just as great as the bumbling Sellers.
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Inspector Clouseau
Director: Bud Yorkin
Writers: Blake Edwards, Maurice Richlin, Tom Waldman
Stars: Alan Arkin, Frank Finlay, Delia Boccardo
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Release date: July 19, 1968
The third installment of the pink panther series has its star in the face of Inspector Clouseau. Our beloved detective hero is called upon by the British Prime Minister to stop the growing number of robberies. The cop never has it easy as he falls into the trap of kidnappers who wear masks and continues to rob. False accusations, drugs, seduction, and whatnot. Inspector Clouseau lands himself in trouble, getting arrested and almost killed.
The first disaster, in terms of the box office collection of the pink panther series, was Inspector Clouseau. But is it really that bad? The answer is subjective. If you are a true Peter Sellers fan, disappointment will surely come. But Alan Arkin did pretty well, if not as well as Sellers. Keeping aside the mindless criticism and comparison drawn, it is a mediocre movie for a casual watch.
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The Return of the Pink Panther
Director: Blake Edwards
Writers: Frank Waldman, Blake Edwards
Stars: Peter Sellers, Christopher Plummer, Catherine Schell
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Release date: May 21, 1975
The demoted inspector Clouseau (based on incidents from the old movie – a shot in the dark) is again called upon. Chief Inspector Dreyfus despises him and is forced to reinstate Clouseau to his old position. But the position comes with a responsibility. The shah requests assistance from Clouseau to find the thief who has stolen “the pink panther,” as he has done it once before. Suspecting it to be the phantom, the inspector gets a major jolt when his anticipation goes wrong.
To begin with, this movie is one of the finest panther sequels. The plot is strong, the humor is on point, and marking Peter Sellers’s return in inspector Clouseau’s role added back the glamour.
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The Pink Panther Strikes Again
Director: Blake Edwards
Writers: Frank Waldman, Blake Edwards
Stars: Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Lesley-Anne Down
Genres: Comedy, Crime
Release date: December 15, 1976
Based on the events of the pink panther’s return, Charles Dreyfus is released three years later from the mental hospital. However, a furious Charles wants to end the chapter of Clouseau forever. To execute his malicious plan, he builds a team of top criminals. He hires a scientist to develop a weapon that holds power to destroy the world.
He threatens world leaders to hand over his enemies for world peace. A total of 26 best assassins from different countries are all coming for Inspector Clouseau, and attempts to kill him all go in vain. At the same time, Clouseau looks for Dreyfus to prevent further damage.
The movie has an enjoyable run, fulfilling expectations. You can watch it over again after years without getting bored or the humor running outdated. Even the simplest plots were executed well to make it a comic masterpiece.
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Revenge of the Pink Panther
Director: Blake Edwards
Writers: Frank Waldman, Blake Edwards, Ron Clark
Stars: Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Release date: July 19, 1978
Philippe Douvier, a crime boss looked down upon, tries to put some respect to his name. To prove his worth, he decides to do something that grabs attention- killing inspector Clouseau. Clouseau, a person who is hard to kill, is dead”, is the thought that everyone has when a dead body is found in Clouseau’s car. Dreyfus is so relieved and over the seventh cloud. When everybody thinks the inspector is dead, Clouseau takes advantage of the misconception and goes undercover to discover what made him a target again.
Funny, slapstick, great action, and a decent plot carried this film well. It may not get you rolling on the floor laughing, but the occasional moments are good enough.
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Trail of the Pink Panther
Director: Blake Edwards
Writers: Blake Edwards, Frank Waldman, Tom Waldman
Stars: Peter Sellers, David Niven, Herbert Lom
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Release date: December 17, 1982
The country of Lugash calls upon chief inspector Clouseau to find the pink panther diamond that has been stolen again. Despite Dreyfus’ protest, he is appointed and begins the interrogation. On his way to Lugash, his flight mysteriously disappears, creating a buzz. A television reporter Marie Jouvet, assigned to cover the incident, begins her journey to find the missing inspector. She starts questioning close associates of Clouseau, his father, boss, and even Europe thief Sir Charles Lytton.
After the untimely demise of Peter Sellers, the movie seems a decent attempt to keep the series going. However, the film has similar pros and cons. As a tribute to Peter Sellers, his limited shots were insufficient to build a connection. However, the attempt to do so was fair, with some funny moments.
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Curse of the Pink Panther
Director: Blake Edwards
Writers: Blake Edwards, Geoffrey Edwards
Stars: David Niven, Robert Wagner, Herbert Lom
Genres: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Release date: August 12, 1983
When beloved inspector Clouseau goes missing on his way to Lugash to complete the mission of finding “the pink panther,” Dreyfus hires a new unskilful cop Clifton Sleigh to see him. On his way to France, the new cop keeps inviting and dodging troubles. In the meantime, he meets people related to Clouseau. It is then that Sleigh has an encounter with the jewel thief Charles Lytton and his nephew George. Chaos follows Sleigh just as the missing counterpart Clouseau.
Trying to find a performance of Sellers, unfortunately not possible. But if you try to find Sellers sparingly, the movie is a light comedy and watchable. A few characters seem a little bland, and it is undoubtedly not as funny as the old classics, but not too bad either. It is a delight to watch throughout without any peak humor.
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Son of the Pink Panther
Director: Blake Edwards
Writers: Maurice Richlin, Blake Edwards, Madeline Sunshine
Stars: Roberto Benigni, Herbert Lom, Claudia Cardinale
Genres: Comedy, Crime
Release date: August 27, 1993
After the princess of Lugash, Yasmin, is kidnapped by Hans Zarba, commissioner Charles Dreyfus laces up his boots for the rescue mission. On arriving in Nice, France, he runs into a clumsy police officer Jacques Gambrelli, who is assisting him with the case. Jacques is getting on the nerves of Dreyfus just like his old rival Late Inspector Clouseau, and why not, after all, he is Clouseau’s son. To the disbelief of Dreyfus, his real identity as Jacques is revealed to him. Meanwhile, he feels a spark with Maria, Jacques’ mother, while Jacques is on a mission to rescue Yasmin to revive his father’s legacy.
This movie was the closure of the original series. Talking about numbers is a better way to bid adieu to the legacy built. However, the vibrance, a bit of humor, and inputs by Blake Edwards and Roberto Benigni make it a decent ending. Neither too much nor too less.
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The Pink Panther
Director: Shawn Levy
Writers: Len Blum, Steve Martin, Michael Saltzman
Stars: Steve Martin, Kevin Kline, Jean Reno
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Release date: February 10, 2006
Pink Panther has had its ups and downs but has also received love around the globe. The reboot series itself is an example of the same. The first movie released in this reboot series was the Pink Panther, released in 2006. This American comedy-mystery film’s storyline is sufficient for enjoyable purposes. The story centers around detective Clouseau, who is assigned to find the murderer of a football team’s coach. This murder is somehow connected to the disappearance of a ring with a diamond pink panther. All those, the show’s storyline seems pretty basic, but the execution of the movie has made a significant difference. This movie is top-notch in quality, with loads of comedy and fun.
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The Pink Panther 2
Director: Harald Zwart
Writers: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, Steve Martin
Stars: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Mystery
Release date: February 6, 2009
The pink Panther of 2009 is another masterpiece by 20 Century Studios. This is the movie where the story went international and included much fun. Another film is about inspector Clouseau and his beef with the pink panther, where he must assemble an international team of detectives for a significant purpose.
This time the thief behind the theft has stolen historical artifacts and must be caught before it’s too late. This movie has won many hearts and is counted as one of the best pink Panther movies. The efforts given in making this movie are quite visible because you thoroughly enjoy the movie’s runtime. Suppose you’re looking for a film with family and some incredible thrill. In that case, this comedy detective movie is for you.
