Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ever

Liam Neeson has left an indelible mark on cinema, captivating audiences with his versatile performances across a variety of genres. From battling Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and chasing down kidnappers with his "particular set of skills," Neeson's career spans decades and includes a highly anticipated role in the upcoming reboot of The Naked Gun, set to release in August 2025. Here, we delve into his top 10 films, showcasing the depth and breadth of his acting prowess.

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, Liam Neeson delivers a heartfelt performance as a grieving widower helping his stepson navigate young love. Amidst the ensemble cast, Neeson's warmth and tenderness stand out, offering a rare glimpse of his softer side.

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 is a highlight of the polarizing Star Wars prequel trilogy. His commanding presence and mentorship of Obi-Wan Kenobi anchor the film, making his tragic demise all the more impactful. Fans were delighted to see Neeson reprise the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi.

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, alongside a stellar cast including Julia Roberts and Alan Rickman, cements this film as one of his most impactful.

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 contemplative drama Silence, Liam Neeson plays the enigmatic Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who renounces his faith under torture. This role, part of a film that was 25 years in the making, showcases Neeson's ability to convey complex emotional depth.

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 stars as Alfred Kinsey, the pioneering sexologist, in this acclaimed biographical drama. His portrayal of the intelligent and driven Kinsey, against the backdrop of societal taboos, is both compelling and insightful.

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's dual role as Bruce Wayne's mentor and the villainous Ra's al Ghul is pivotal in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. His performance adds layers of complexity to the film, 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 rentable on Amazon and most platforms

In Sam Raimi's cult classic Darkman, Liam Neeson embodies a scientist turned vengeful vigilante. His portrayal of the titular character, who uses synthetic faces to exact revenge, showcases his ability to handle darker, more intense roles.

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 delivers a powerful performance as the titular Scottish clan chief in Rob Roy. His portrayal of the honorable yet fierce leader, alongside strong performances from Jessica Lange and Tim Roth, makes this film a standout in his career.

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 transformed Liam Neeson into a full-fledged action hero. His iconic performance as a father using his "particular set of skills" to rescue his daughter captivated audiences and launched a series of thrilling sequels.

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 widely regarded as his finest work. His nuanced performance, which earned him an Oscar nomination, captures the moral transformation of a man who saves over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

Liam Neeson's future projects are eagerly anticipated, with the most notable being the The Naked Gun reboot, slated for release on August 1, 2025. Other films in the pipeline include thrillers like Cold Storage and Riker's Ghost, action movies 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.

Liam Neeson Movie List

For those interested in exploring Liam Neeson's entire filmography, here is a comprehensive 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)

These are our picks for the best Liam Neeson movies. Did your favorite make the list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more movie lists, check out our guides to the best Keanu Reeves and Ryan Reynolds movies.