Liam Neeson's cinematic journey is nothing short of remarkable, showcasing his versatility across genres from drama to action, and even dipping into rom-coms. With an extensive career, we've narrowed down the actor's most impactful roles to the top 10 Liam Neeson movies, featuring everything from scarred superheroes to caring fathers and Jedi masters.
Here are the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, ranked. Don't forget to check out our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies for a glimpse into his future projects.
The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies
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10. Love Actually (2003)
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Director: Richard Curtis | Writer: Richard Curtis | Stars: Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Laura Linney | Release Date: November 14, 2003 | Where to watch: Rent on Amazon and most platforms
In the ensemble cast of Richard Curtis' beloved Christmas rom-com, Love Actually, Liam Neeson shines as a grieving widower. His portrayal of a man helping his stepson navigate young love is touching and heartfelt, providing a glimpse into Neeson's softer side amidst his often gruff persona.
9. Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Image credit: 20th Century Fox
Director: George Lucas | Writer: George Lucas | Stars: Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Jake Lloyd | Release Date: May 19, 1999 | Review: IGN's The Phantom Menace review | Where to watch: Stream on Disney+, or rent on Amazon and most platforms
Despite the mixed reception of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn stands out in The Phantom Menace. As a mentor to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon's role is pivotal, and Neeson's commanding presence adds depth to the Jedi narrative. His recent reprisal in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi series further cements his legacy within the Star Wars universe.
8. Michael Collins (1996)
Image credit: Warner Bros.
Director: Neil Jordan | Writer: Neil Jordan | Stars: Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman | Release Date: October 11, 1996 | Where to watch: Rent on most platforms
Liam Neeson's performance in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins earned him widespread acclaim and several awards. Playing the titular leader in Ireland's fight for independence, Neeson's portrayal is both magnetic and passionate, rounding off a trilogy of impactful historical dramas following Schindler's List and Rob Roy.
7. Silence (2016)
Image credit: Paramount Pictures
Director: Martin Scorsese | Writer: Martin Scorsese, Jay Cocks | Stars: Adam Driver, Andrew Garfield, Tadanobu Asano | Release Date: December 23, 2016 | Review: IGN's Silence review | Where to watch: Stream on Kanopy, rent on Amazon and most platforms
Collaborating with Martin Scorsese for the second time, Liam Neeson delivers a compelling performance in Silence. As the Jesuit Cristóvão Ferreira, his role is central to the film's exploration of faith and perseverance in 17th-century Japan. This contemplative work, a passion project of Scorsese, showcases Neeson's ability to embody complex characters.
6. Kinsey (2004)
Image credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Director: Bill Condon | Writer: Bill Condon | Stars: Laura Linney, Chris O'Donnell, John Lithgow | Release Date: November 12, 2004 | Review: IGN's Kinsey review | Where to watch: Rent on Amazon and most platforms
In Kinsey, Liam Neeson takes on the role of the pioneering sexologist Alfred Kinsey. Directed by Bill Condon, Neeson's portrayal captures the intelligence and obsession of a man challenging societal norms. The film, co-starring Laura Linney and John Lithgow, received glowing reviews and further solidified Neeson's reputation in biographical dramas.
5. Batman Begins (2005)
Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Christopher Nolan | Writer: Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer | Stars: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Katie Holmes | Release Date: June 15, 2005 | Review: IGN's Batman Begins review | Where to watch: Stream on Max, or rent on Amazon and most platforms
Liam Neeson plays a crucial role in the reinvention of Batman in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. As the mentor who trains Bruce Wayne, only to reveal himself as the villainous Ra's al Ghul, Neeson's performance is both formidable and nuanced, setting the stage for the acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy.
4. Darkman (1990)
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Director: Sam Raimi | Writer: Chuck Pfarrer, Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, and more | Stars: Frances McDormand, Colin Friels, Larry Drake | Release Date: August 24, 1990 | Review: IGN's Darkman review | Where to watch: Stream on AMC+ Apple TV Channel, or rent on Amazon and most platforms
In Sam Raimi's Darkman, Liam Neeson embodies a vengeful scientist turned vigilante. His performance as the titular character, who uses synthetic faces to exact revenge, is both thrilling and darkly humorous, marking a significant transition for Raimi from horror to action-adventure.
3. Rob Roy (1995)
Image credit: MGM/UA Distribution Co.
Director: Michael Caton-Jones | Writer: Alan Sharp | Stars: Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tim Roth | Release Date: April 7, 1995 | Where to watch: Stream on Kanopy and Prime Video, or rent on most platforms
Though released in the same year as Braveheart, Rob Roy stands out as one of Liam Neeson's finest roles. Playing the Scottish clan chief, Neeson delivers a powerful performance, supported by stellar co-stars Jessica Lange and Tim Roth. The film is a gripping tale of honor and rebellion in 18th-century Scotland.
2. Taken (2008)
Image credit: EuropaCorp Distribution
Director: Pierre Morel | Writer: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen | Stars: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Leland Orser | Release Date: February 27, 2008 | Review: IGN's Taken review | Where to watch: Stream on Hulu, or rent on other platforms
Taken catapulted Liam Neeson into the realm of action stardom. This tightly plotted thriller showcases Neeson's ability to command the screen as a determined father on a mission to rescue his daughter. The film's iconic phone call scene and subsequent sequels solidified Neeson's status as an action hero.
1. Schindler’s List (1993)
Image credit: Universal Pictures
Director: Steven Spielberg | Writer: Steven Zaillian | Stars: Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall | Release Date: December 15, 1993 | Review: IGN's Schindler's List review | Where to watch: Stream on Netflix, or rent on Amazon and most platforms
Liam Neeson's performance in Schindler's List is his crowning achievement. Playing Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, Neeson's portrayal earned him an Oscar nomination. This Steven Spielberg masterpiece, which won Best Picture, showcases Neeson's ability to convey both the horror and humanity of his character.
Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies
Liam Neeson's future projects are eagerly anticipated, with the most notable being the reboot of The Naked Gun, set for release on August 1, 2025. Other upcoming films include thrillers like Cold Storage and Riker's Ghost, action movies such as The Mongoose and Hotel Tehran, and political thrillers like Charlie Johnson in the Flames. Fans can also look forward to Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky and a sequel to Run All Night.
Liam Neeson Movie List
For those interested in Liam Neeson's complete filmography, here is a list of his movies in order of release date:
- Christiana (1981)
- Excalibur (1981)
- Krull (1983)
- The Bounty (1984)
- Lamb (1985)
- The Innocent (1985)
- The Mission (1986)
- Duet for One (1986)
- Suspect (1987)
- A Prayer for the Dying (1987)
- Satisfaction (1988)
- High Spirits (1988)
- The Dead Pool (1988)
- The Good Mother (1988)
- Next of Kin (1989)
- Darkman (1990)
- The Big Man (1990)
- Under Suspicion (1991)
- Shining Through (1992)
- Husbands and Wives (1992)
- Leap of Faith (1992)
- Ethan Frome (1993)
- Ruby Cairo (1993)
- Schindler's List (1993)
- Nell (1994)
- Rob Roy (1995)
- Before and After (1996)
- Michael Collins (1996)
- Everest (1998)
- Les Misérables (1998)
- Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (1999)
- The Haunting (1999)
- Gun Shy (2000)
- The Endurance (2000)
- K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
- Gangs of New York (2002)
- Star Wars: Episode 2 - Attack of the Clones (2002)
- Love Actually (2003)
- Coral Reef Adventure (2003)
- Kinsey (2004)
- Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
- Batman Begins (2005)
- Breakfast on Pluto (2005)
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
- Home (2006)
- Seraphim Falls (2007)
- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
- The Other Man (2008)
- Taken (2008)
- Five Minutes of Heaven (2009)
- Ponyo (2009)
- After.Life (2009)
- Chloe (2009)
- Clash of the Titans (2010)
- The A-Team (2010)
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
- The Next Three Days (2010)
- The Wildest Dream (2010)
- Unknown (2011)
- The Grey (2012)
- Wrath of the Titans (2012)
- Battleship (2012)
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
- Taken 2 (2012)
- Third Person (2013)
- Khumba (2013)
- Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)
- The Nut Job (2014)
- The Lego Movie (2014)
- The Prophet (2014)
- Non-Stop (2014)
- A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014)
- A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)
- Love Thy Nature (2014)
- Road (2014)
- Taken 3 (2014)
- Run All Night (2015)
- Ted 2 (2015)
- A Christmas Star (2015)
- Operation Chromite (2016)
- A Monster Calls (2016)
- Silence (2016)
- The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (2017)
- Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House (2017)
- Daddy's Home 2 (2017)
- The Commuter (2018)
- The Last Horsemen of New York (2018)
- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018)
- Widows (2018)
- Cold Pursuit (2019)
- Men in Black: International (2019)
- Ordinary Love (2019)
- Star Wars: Episode 9 - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
- Made in Italy (2020)
- Honest Thief (2020)
- The Hunter (2020)
- The Marksman (2021)
- The Ice Road (2021)
- Blacklight (2022)
- Memory (2022)
- Marlowe (2022)
- Retribution (2023)
- In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2023)
- Wildcat (2023)
- Absolution (2024)
- The Naked Gun (Releasing 2025)
- Cold Storage (TBD)
- Hotel Tehran (TBD)
- 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank (TBD)
- The Mongoose (TBD)
- Charlie Johnson in the Flames (TBD)
- The Riker's Ghost (TBD)
- Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky (TBD)
What is the best Liam Neeson movie?
- Taken
- Schindler's List
- Rob Roy
- Darkman
- Batman Begins
- Kinsey
- Silence
- Michael Collins
- The Phantom Menace
- Love Actually
- Something else (let us know in the comments!)
And that's our pick of the best Liam Neeson movies! Did your favorite film make the cut? Or can we expect a man with a "particular set of skills" to knock at our door? Let us know in the comments.
Looking for more movie lists? Take a look at our guide to the best Keanu Reeves movies as well as the top Ryan Reynolds movies.
