Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ever

Liam Neeson, a versatile actor known for his roles in action, drama, and even rom-coms, has built an impressive career over the decades. From facing off against Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and chasing down kidnappers with his "particular set of skills," Neeson's filmography is both diverse and impactful. His upcoming role in the The Naked Gun reboot, set for release in August 2025, is highly anticipated. But which of his films truly stand out? Here's our curated list of Liam Neeson's top 10 movies, showcasing his range from scarred superheroes to caring fathers and beyond.

Here are the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, ranked. For a glimpse into his future projects, don't miss our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies.

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: Available to rent on Amazon and most platforms

In Richard Curtis' beloved Christmas-themed rom-com, Love Actually, Liam Neeson shines as a grieving widower who supports his stepson's quest to woo a classmate. This role, amidst a stellar ensemble cast, showcases Neeson's ability to convey warmth and tenderness, offering a refreshing contrast to his often stern on-screen persona.

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: Stream on Disney+ or rent on Amazon and other platforms

Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn anchors Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace. As Obi-Wan's mentor, Qui-Gon serves as the saga's entry-point hero, and Neeson's commanding presence adds gravitas to the Jedi's plight. Despite his character's tragic fate, Neeson reprised the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi, delighting fans once more.

For more on the Star Wars universe, see where The Phantom Menace ranks among the best Star Wars movies or explore the Star Wars timeline.

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: Available to rent on most platforms

Liam Neeson's compelling performance in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins earned him widespread acclaim and several awards. As the leader of Ireland's early 20th-century struggle for independence, Neeson's portrayal is magnetic and impassioned, rounding out a trilogy of historical dramas following Schindler's List and Rob Roy. The film also features strong performances from Julia Roberts, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, and Brendan Gleeson.

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 or rent on Amazon and other platforms

In Silence, Liam Neeson reunited with Martin Scorsese for a second time, following Gangs of New York. The film, a passion project 25 years in the making, follows two 17th-century Jesuit priests on a mission to find their mentor in Edo-era Japan. Neeson plays the enigmatic Cristóvão Ferreira, whose recantation of faith under torture is central to the story. Silence is a reflective and contemplative work, aligning with Scorsese's other introspective films like Kundun.

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: Available to rent on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson stars as Alfred Kinsey in Kinsey, a biographical drama that delves into the life of the pioneering sexologist. Directed by Bill Condon, this film captures Kinsey's intelligent and obsessive nature as he challenges the sexual taboos of his time. Neeson's performance is lauded, and he shares the screen with a talented cast including Laura Linney, John Lithgow, and Peter Sarsgaard.

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: Stream on Max or rent on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson plays a pivotal role in Batman Begins, serving as both mentor and adversary to Bruce Wayne. As the warrior who trains Wayne, only to reveal himself as Ra's al Ghul, Neeson brings both grace and gravitas to the film. His performance is instrumental in launching the Dark Knight Trilogy. For more on the Batman universe, 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 rent on Amazon and most platforms

In Darkman, Liam Neeson portrays a scientist turned vengeful vigilante after a brutal attack leaves him disfigured. Directed by Sam Raimi, this film blends horror with high-stakes adventure, showcasing Neeson's ability to embody a character that is both giddily violent and deeply tragic.

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: Stream on Kanopy and Prime Video or rent on most platforms

Rob Roy may have been overshadowed by Braveheart, but it remains one of Liam Neeson's best starring roles. Playing the Scottish clan chief who battles sadistic nobles in the 18th century, Neeson delivers a passionate performance fueled by fury and fervor. The film also features notable performances from Jessica Lange and Tim Roth, the latter earning an Oscar nomination.

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: Stream on Hulu or rent on other platforms

Taken is a career-defining film for Liam Neeson, transforming him into an action hero in his later years. The tight, impeccably plotted action flick, complete with its iconic phone call scene, reinvigorated Neeson's career and led to a series of intense thrillers and adventures. Despite the lesser sequels, Taken remains a standout in his filmography.

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's pinnacle. Playing German industrialist Oskar Schindler, who saves over 1200 Jewish refugees from the Holocaust, Neeson earned an Oscar nomination. This Steven Spielberg masterpiece, which won Best Picture and 11 other Academy Awards, showcases Neeson's ability to convey both horror and heart.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

Liam Neeson has several exciting projects on the horizon. The most anticipated is 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 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 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 selection of the best Liam Neeson movies! Did your favorite make the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you're interested in more movie lists, explore our guides to the best Keanu Reeves movies and the top Ryan Reynolds movies.