Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ever

Liam Neeson, a versatile actor known for his roles across various genres, has captivated audiences with his performances in action, drama, and even romantic comedies. From battling Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and using his "particular set of skills" to chase down kidnappers, Neeson's career spans decades and showcases his incredible range. With an upcoming role in the The Naked Gun reboot set for release in August 2025, fans eagerly anticipate his next move. Here, we rank the top 10 Liam Neeson movies, highlighting his most memorable roles from scarred superheroes to caring fathers and beyond.

Here are the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, ranked. Be sure to also check out our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies for a glimpse into his future projects.

The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies

11 Images10. Love Actually (2003)

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 heartfelt performance as a grieving widower. His mission to help his stepson woo a classmate showcases Neeson's warmth and tenderness, a refreshing contrast to his more familiar stern demeanor.

9. Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (1999)

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 The Phantom Menace anchors the film with his commanding presence. As Obi-Wan's mentor, Qui-Gon introduces audiences to the Force and the Jedi's plight. Despite his tragic end, Neeson's recent reprisal of the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi delighted fans.

See where The Phantom Menace ranks on our list of the best Star Wars movies or check out the Star Wars timeline to see where it fits.

8. Michael Collins (1996)

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 titular character in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins earned him critical acclaim and several awards. Playing a leader in Ireland's early 20th-century struggle for independence, Neeson's magnetic and impassioned performance is a highlight of his career, following his roles in Schindler's List and Rob Roy.

7. Silence (2016)

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 Jesuit Cristóvão Ferreira, whose recantation of faith under torture is central to the film's narrative. This reflective and contemplative work, a passion project 25 years in the making, showcases Neeson's ability to delve into complex characters.

6. Kinsey (2004)

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 in Kinsey, a biographical drama that explores the life of the pioneering sexologist. Directed by Bill Condon, Neeson's portrayal captures Kinsey's intelligence and obsession, earning him glowing reviews and showcasing his ability to tackle challenging roles.

5. Batman Begins (2005)

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 as the mentor who trains Bruce Wayne, only to reveal himself as the villainous Ra's al Ghul. His performance adds depth and gravitas to the film, helping to launch Christopher Nolan's acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy.

See where Batman Begins ranks on our list of the best Batman movies or how it fits into the Batman movie timeline.

4. Darkman (1990)

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 plays a scientist turned vigilante who uses synthetic faces to exact revenge. This film marks a thrilling transition for director Sam Raimi, blending horror with high-stakes adventure, and Neeson's performance is both giddily violent and deeply engaging.

3. Rob Roy (1995)

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

In Rob Roy, Liam Neeson delivers a powerful performance as the Scottish clan chief battling sadistic nobles. Though overshadowed by Braveheart, Rob Roy remains a compelling character study, with Neeson's portrayal fueled by fury and fervor.

2. Taken (2008)

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 an action hero, with his role as a determined father on a mission to rescue his daughter becoming iconic. The film's tight plot and memorable phone call scene propelled Neeson into a new phase of his career, leading to numerous action thrillers.

1. Schindler’s List (1993)

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 career-defining role. Playing Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, Neeson's portrayal earned him an Oscar nomination and remains a testament to his acting prowess.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

Liam Neeson's future projects include the highly anticipated The Naked Gun reboot, set to 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, the 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 a comprehensive list of Liam Neeson's films in order of release date, check out our full Liam Neeson movie list:

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)

And that's our selection of the best Liam Neeson movies! Did your favorite make the list? 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.