The Pink Panther Movies in Order: Prepare yourself for Cato as you listen to some Henry Mancini, since that’s the gist of the Pink Panther movies in order. The films center on a series of comedies and mysteries starring Inspector Jacques Clouseau, a French police officer who is hopelessly stupid, has a genius for resting his hands in the incorrect spot, and has a knack for mispronouncing English words. The first picture in the series, The Pink Panther, was released in 1963 and immediately became a huge hit. Peter Sellers is universally credited as the actor who created the role of Inspector Clouseau. Blake Edwards helmed and wrote most of the films, while Henry Mancini provided the scores.
The first film in the series derives its name from a pink diamond that has enormous size and value. The diamond is called the “Pink Panther” because the flaw at its center, when viewed closely, is said to resemble a leaping pink panther. n A Shot in the Dark, a very funny story about how Clouseau solves a murder case, Sellers really hits his stride. This one introduced Herbert Lom as Inspector Dreyfus, whose nerves were getting worse, and Burt Kwouk as Cato, Clouseau’s houseboy rival. Since Sellers and Edwards had a rocky relationship, they put Clouseau on hold for more than 10 years, until a trio of comedies in the mid-1970s brought the character back to the top of the box office and, dare we say, the culture? The phrase was used for all the subsequent films in the series, even when the jewel did not figure in the plot. The jewel ultimately appeared in six of the 11 films.
So if you want enjoy hilarious series of disguises, climaxing in a wonderfully mounted sequence then watch all The Pink Panther Movies in Order as follow.
How to Watch The Pink Panther in Order Movies
Original The Pink Panther Series
1. The Pink Panther (1963)
Meet Inspector Clouseau – the bumbling French detective whose career is one misstep after another. Showcasing the comic genius of Peter Sellers, The Pink Panther is the sidesplitting film that launched one of the greatest comedy series of all time.
In the first installment in The Pink Panther franchise, follows inspector Jacques Clouseau as he travels from Rome to Cortina d’Ampezzo to catch a notorious jewel thief known as “The Phantom” before he is able to steal a priceless diamond known as “The Pink Panther”.
2. A Shot in the Dark (1964)
GASPINGLY HILARIOUS! “Like the Marx Brothers or W.C. Fields, Peter Sellers is the real thing” decrees Newsweek, and as the witless Inspector Clouseau, he proves it again and again in this riotous film of “continuous laughs” (Boxoffice) that’ll leave you tickled pink!
The French have a word for a man like Clouseau: idiot! Across Paris, baffled citizens want to know if the Inspector is in hot pursuit of a criminal …. or just in love with one! This time Inspector Clouseau is accidentally assigned to track a gorgeous, high-profile murder suspect (Elke Sommer), who is connected to several Parisian murders by circumstantial evidence. Believing her to be innocent when all clues indicate otherwise, Clouseau captures his suspect and releases her several times, to the dismay of Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Herbert Lom), but the plot here is arguably beside the point. But as the body count grows higher, and the parlormaid’s criminal record grows longer, Clouseau realizes he’ll have to find the “real” culprit quickly – or his career will be finit!
Of all the Pink Panther movies, this is the one that fires on all pistons, with Edwards and Sellers in peak form, servicing a traditional farce that brought out the best in their inspired collaboration.
3. Inspector Clouseau (1968)
For only this “Pink Panther” series film, the talented Alan Arkin quite successfully assumes the role of Inspector Clouseau usually played by Peter Sellers.
The world’s favorite Pink Panther super-sleuth is back and at it again in this outrageous comedy caper, starring Alan Arkin as the beloved but brainless Inspector Clouseau. When a nation’s in trouble, criminal masterminds don’t stand a chance against the French detective with a knack for reckless investigation. Tension is building at Number Ten Downing Street when it’s discovered that the money stolen in the Great Train Robbery is merely operating capital for a bigger criminal plan. Never to fear, Clouseau is here! The bumbling detective sets out on a clumsy crusade to catch the crooks. But the case takes a riotous twist when Clouseau’s face is seen masquerading from Swiss bank to Swiss bank for the heist of the century. Will Clouseau manage to save the day, or will the case of mistaken identity end his crime fighting forever?
Unlike the previous instalments in the film series, Blake Edwards was not the director, nor did Henry Mancini write the film’s score, and the title role was not portrayed by Peter Sellers.
4. The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)
The comic genius of Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers meet again in The Return of the Pink Panther.
The “Pink Panther” Diamond is stolen once again from Lugash and a white glove is left making everybody think that the famous jewel thief “The Phantom” has stolen it. This surprises everybody as it was thought that the Phantom was retired. It also surprises the Phantom (AKA Sir Charles Lytton) himself as he didn’t do it. He sets out from the south of France to Lugash find the diamond and to clear his name as pressure comes from the Lugash authorities to give back the diamond. Meanwhile, infamous French detective Inspector Jacques Clouseau is called in to find the diamond and he immediately goes to the South Of France to check up on Sir Charles. Claudine, Charles’ wife, discovers this and leads Clouseau on a false trail and, as normal, Clouseau, with his clueless methods and Cato, his oriental manservant, cause mayhem as they try to find the diamond.
Meanwhile, Clouseau pushes his boss, Chief Inspector Dreyfus too far and as the story proceeds, Dreyfus makes attempts to murder Clouseau and get him out of his life forever… It’s non-stop laughs in this timeless comedy masterpiece, hailed as the funniest in The Pink Panther series.
5. The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)
Although A Shot in the Dark is often cited as the best of the Pink Panther comedies starring Peter Sellers, the fifth film in the series–The Pink Panther Strikes Back–is a close runner-up.
Peter Sellers is “in top form” (Cue) in this zany adventure that finds the accident-prone Inspector Clouseau using some of his most outlandish disguises ever. With “ferociously funny karate encounters” (Time) with the enigmatic Cato (Burt Kwouk) and dangerous intrigue with a sexy Russian spy (Lesley-Anne Down), this hysterical comedy will strike your funny bone! Driven over the edge by the maddeningly incompetent Clouseau, former Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) commandeers a doomsday device and threatens to destroy the world. His only demand? Clouseau’s death! But thanks to his nemesis’ dumb luck, the assassins hired to kill him can’t seem to finish the job – although Clouseau may do it himself by tripping over his own two feet! For good ol’ fashioned slapstick comedy, they don’t get much funnier than this.
6. Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978)
Bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) is at it again…for the fifth time. This time he’s pitted against Douvier (Robert Webber), a business tycoon who runs an international narcotics ring. Douvier decides that his “dumped” mistress, Simone (Dyan Cannon), knows far too much about his illegal enterprises and arranges for her demise. When Clouseau stumbles on the scene and accidentally saves Simone’s life, she becomes his grateful accomplice. On his way to a rendezvous with Douvier, Clouseau is mugged by a transvestite, who makes off with his clothes in his car. The transvestite is the one who drives into Douvier’s trap and gets blown away! Clouseau is pronounced dead. Attending his own memorial service, disguised as a priest, is Clouseau…and he’s far from finished.
Some of the physical gags are amazingly elaborate, and it’s still a riot to hear Sellers perfecting (or is that murdering?) his hilarious French accent, but while it’s adequately enjoyable this movie makes you long for the glory days of the Pink Panther franchise.
7. Trail of the Pink Panther (1982)
Seventh in blake Edwards’ pink panther series. This sequel finds Chief Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) being summoned to the country of Lugash to investigate another robbery of the eponymous diamond.
The Pink Panther diamond is stolen once again from Lugash and the authorities call in Chief Inspector Clouseau from France. His plane disappears en-route. This time, famous French TV reporter Marie Jouvet sets out to solve the mystery and starts to interview everybody connected to Clouseau. Each interviewee Dreyfus, Sir Charles & Lady Lytton (an ex-wife of Clouseau), George Lytton, Hercule Lajoy (assistant in “A Shot In The Dark”), and Cato tell of their run-ins with Clouseau. She is also kidnapped by mobster Bruno Langlois who doesn’t want Clouseau found but she continues and finds Clouseau Sr., Clouseau’s father.
Is Clouseau alive or is he dead? Each interview has not-yet-seen or famous clips from the previous movies (since Peter Sellers has sadly passed away) as Marie continues to get a honest view or impression of the great French detective…
8. Curse of the Pink Panther (1983)
Who better to find a missing bumbling detective than another bumbling detective? Director Blake Edwards ignites a powder keg of laughter in this “delightful” (Box office) caper involving a most inefficient search for France’s most inept detective – using the bluntest instruments possible! Featuring David Niven (in his final screen performance) Robert Wagner Herbert Lom Ted Wass and a hilarious cameo by Roger Moore Curse of the Pink Panther overflows with “unadulterated fun” and “naughtiness” (Los Angeles Times)! With Clouseau still missing the French president orders Clouseau’s archrival the dangerously deranged Dreyfus (Lom) – to find him. Having no such intentions Dreyfus ingeniously hires the world’s worst detective New York Police Department’s not-so-finest Clifton Sleigh (Wass) to ensure that Clouseau is never located. But it’s beginning to look like his foolproof plan could end up making him look like the fool!
9. Son of the Pink Panther (1993)
An Arabian princess is kidnapped, and it’s up to Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Lom) to save her. Fortunately, there’s no Clouseau around to plague him this time! But when a klutzy local cop with the unfortunate name of Jacques (Benigni) is assigned to help him, he manages to run Dreyfus over and blow him up – all on his first day on the job. Soon Dreyfus begins to fear that if Clouseau has a long-lost son, he would be a lot like this!
The Pink Panther Reboot series
1. The Pink Panther (2006)
In this modern remake of the beloved 1964 comedy classic, Steve Martin re-invents the role of Inspector Clouseau, a man with limited deductive powers, a frightening command of the English language and a downright dangerous investigative approach. A world-famous soccer coach has been murdered, his stunning Pink Panther diamond has been stolen, and his popstar girlfriend (Beyonce Knowles) is a key suspect. Clouseau and his partner, Ponton (Jean Reno), must unmask the murderer and keep their boss, Dreyfus (Kevin Kline), from taking credit for the victory, all without bringing the French legal system to a screeching halt.
2. The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Steve Martin reprises his role as the bumblingly incompetent Inspector Clouseau, scourge of the underworld, in this sequel directed by Harald Zwart. The Pink Panther 2, the sequel to the 2006 worldwide hit, stars Steve Martin as he reprises the role of intrepid-if-bumbling French police detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther Diamond, Chief Inspector Dreyfus is forced to assign Clouseau to a team of international detectives and experts charged with catching the thief and retrieving the stolen artifacts. Martin is joined by his co-stars Jean Reno and Emily Mortimer. The story is set in Paris and Rome.
How many The Pink Panther Movies are there?
The Pink Panther film series consists of a total of ELEVEN (11) movies, primarily focusing on comedy-mystery films featuring an inept French police detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. The franchise began with the release of the classic film The Pink Panther in 1963.
All The Pink Panther Movies in Order of Release Date
Here is the list of The Pink Panther films in order, they were released.
Original series
1. The Pink Panther — March 18, 1964
2. A Shot in the Dark — June 23, 1964
3. Inspector Clouseau — May 28, 1968
4. The Return of the Pink Panther — May 21, 1975
5. The Pink Panther Strikes Again — December 15, 1976
6. Revenge of the Pink Panther — July 20, 1978
7. Trail of the Pink Panther — December 17, 1982
8. Curse of the Pink Panther — August 12, 1983
9. Son of the Pink Panther — August 27, 1993
Reboot series
1. The Pink Panther — February 10, 2006
2. The Pink Panther 2 — February 6, 2009
Where to Watch The Pink Panther Movies?
You are able to stream The Pink Panther films by renting or purchasing on Amazon Prime because it is pretty much solely available to watch on Amazon Prime, you may be able to Rent and buy on Vudu and Apple TV.
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