Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ever

Liam Neeson, a versatile actor known for his roles across various genres, has left an indelible mark on cinema with his performances. From battling Batman to training Jedi and leading revolutions, Neeson's career is as diverse as it is impactful. He's also set to star in the upcoming The Naked Gun reboot, slated for release in August 2025. Let's dive into his top 10 movies, showcasing his range from action hero to compassionate father, and everything in between.

Here are the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, ranked. Be sure to also check out our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies to see what's on the horizon.

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 Richard Curtis' beloved Christmas-themed rom-com, Love Actually, Liam Neeson delivers a heartwarming performance as a grieving widower who helps his stepson navigate young love. Amidst an ensemble cast, Neeson's portrayal stands out for its tenderness, offering a glimpse into his softer side, contrasting his more typical roles of stern intensity.

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: Disney+ to stream, or rentable on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace remains a highlight of the prequel trilogy. His commanding presence and dedication to the Jedi cause make him a pivotal character, guiding audiences into the Skywalker saga. Neeson's return in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi further cemented Qui-Gon's legacy.

Explore where The Phantom Menace ranks among the best Star Wars movies or see its place in the Star Wars timeline.

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: Rentable on most platforms

Liam Neeson's portrayal of the Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins earned him critical acclaim and several awards. His magnetic performance in this biographical drama showcases his ability to embody historical figures with passion and depth, rounding out a trilogy of impactful roles after 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, rentable on Amazon and most platforms

In Martin Scorsese's Silence, Liam Neeson plays the enigmatic Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit who renounces his faith under torture. This contemplative film, a passion project for Scorsese, showcases Neeson's ability to delve into complex, morally challenging characters, adding depth to Scorsese's reflective narrative.

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: Rentable on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson's portrayal of Alfred Kinsey in Kinsey is a testament to his ability to tackle challenging roles. Directed by Bill Condon, Neeson embodies the pioneering sexologist with intelligence and intensity, capturing the essence of a man who challenged societal norms to advance scientific understanding.

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: Max to stream, or rentable on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson plays a pivotal role in Batman Begins, training Bruce Wayne as a warrior before revealing himself as the villainous Ra's al Ghul. His performance is crucial to the film's success, adding depth to both the mentor and the antagonist roles, setting the stage for the Dark Knight Trilogy.

Discover where Batman Begins ranks among the best Batman movies and its place in the Batman movie timeline.

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 rentable on Amazon and most platforms

In Darkman, Liam Neeson takes on the role of a vengeful scientist who uses synthetic faces to exact revenge. Directed by Sam Raimi, Neeson's performance blends horror and high-stakes adventure, showcasing his versatility and ability to delve into darker, more intense characters.

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: Kanopy and Prime Video to stream, or rentable on most platforms

Liam Neeson's portrayal of the Scottish clan chief in Rob Roy is a standout performance, delivering both fury and fervor. Despite being overshadowed by Braveheart, Neeson's role in this film remains a testament to his ability to anchor a historical epic with emotional depth and intensity.

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: Hulu, or rentable on other platforms

Taken marked a turning point in Liam Neeson's career, transforming him into a bona fide action hero. The film's tight plot and Neeson's commanding performance, especially in the iconic phone call scene, have cemented Taken as a thrilling classic, spawning sequels and a new wave of action films for Neeson.

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 portrayal of Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List is his career-defining role. Earning an Oscar nomination, Neeson's performance captures the complexity of a man who evolves from a profiteer to a savior, saving over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. This film's impact and Neeson's powerful performance make it his best work.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

For those eager to see what's next for Liam Neeson, the The Naked Gun reboot is set to hit theaters on August 1, 2025. Additionally, Neeson has several other projects in the pipeline, including thrillers like Cold Storage and Riker's Ghost, action films such as The Mongoose and Hotel Tehran, political thriller Charlie Johnson in the Flames, Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky, and a sequel to Run All Night. While most of these films don't have set release dates yet, fans have much to look forward to.

Liam Neeson Movie List

For a comprehensive list of Liam Neeson's films in order of release date, see below:

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 Huner (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)

And that's our curated list of the best Liam Neeson movies! Did your favorite film make the cut? Let us know in the comments.

For more movie lists, explore our guides to the best Keanu Reeves movies and the top Ryan Reynolds movies.