Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ever

Liam Neeson, the versatile actor known for his compelling performances across genres, has left an indelible mark on cinema with roles ranging from superheroes to caring fathers and Jedi masters. His career spans from battling Batman to leading revolutions and using his "particular set of skills" in action thrillers. With an Oscar nomination under his belt and a starring role in the upcoming *The Naked Gun* reboot set for August 2025, Neeson continues to captivate audiences. Here, we delve into what we believe are the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, showcasing his remarkable range and enduring appeal.

Interested in what's next for Liam Neeson? Be sure to check out our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies to stay updated on 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: Available to rent on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson shines in Richard Curtis's beloved Christmas-themed rom-com, Love Actually. As a grieving widower, Neeson's portrayal of a man helping his stepson navigate young love is both tender and heartwarming. This role offers a glimpse into Neeson's softer side, contrasting his more familiar tough-guy 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

Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn anchors the divisive Star Wars prequel. As Obi-Wan Kenobi's mentor, Qui-Gon's journey into the Force offers a compelling entry into the saga. Neeson's commanding presence and recent reprisal in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi series underscore his lasting impact on the franchise.

Explore where The Phantom Menace ranks among the best Star Wars movies or 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: Available to rent on most platforms

Neeson's powerful performance as Irish revolutionary Michael Collins earned him widespread acclaim and several awards. This film, following Schindler's List and Rob Roy, showcases Neeson's ability to lead historical dramas with passion and intensity, supported by a stellar cast including Julia Roberts and Alan Rickman.

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

In Martin Scorsese's Silence, Neeson delivers a haunting performance as Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who renounces his faith under torture. This contemplative film, a passion project for Scorsese, highlights Neeson's ability to convey complex emotional and moral dilemmas.

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: Available to rent on Amazon and most platforms

Neeson's portrayal of Alfred Kinsey in Kinsey is both intelligent and obsessive, capturing the essence of the pioneering sexologist. Directed by Bill Condon, this biographical drama earned Neeson critical acclaim and showcases his ability to delve into complex characters.

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 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 intensity to the film, setting the stage for the acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy. See where it 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 rent on Amazon and most platforms

In Darkman, Neeson embodies a vengeful scientist turned vigilante, showcasing his ability to handle both action and horror elements. This film marks a significant transition for director Sam Raimi and highlights Neeson's versatility in genre 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: Stream on Kanopy and Prime Video or rent on most platforms

Though overshadowed by Braveheart, Rob Roy remains a standout in Neeson's career. His portrayal of the Scottish clan chief is both fierce and heartfelt, supported by strong performances from Jessica Lange and Tim Roth, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role.

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 Neeson into action hero status with its gripping narrative and iconic phone call scene. This film not only revitalized his career but also set the stage for a series of intense thrillers, showcasing his ability to command the screen in high-stakes scenarios.

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 as Oskar Schindler in Schindler's List is his career-defining role. This Steven Spielberg masterpiece, which won Best Picture and earned Neeson an Oscar nomination, showcases his ability to convey both the horror and humanity of the Holocaust, making it a profound cinematic experience.

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 films in the pipeline 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. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting projects.

Liam Neeson Movie List

For a comprehensive list of Liam Neeson's films in order of release, check out our detailed catalog:

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.