Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ranked

Liam Neeson, a versatile actor known for his compelling performances across various genres, has starred in numerous iconic films over his decades-long career. From battling Batman and training Jedi to leading revolutions and showcasing his "particular set of skills" in action-packed thrillers, Neeson has captivated audiences worldwide. His upcoming role in the "The Naked Gun" reboot, set for release in August 2025, is highly anticipated. Here, we delve into the top 10 Liam Neeson movies, ranked, celebrating his remarkable journey through cinema.

The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies

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10. 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 this beloved Christmas-themed rom-com, Liam Neeson plays a grieving widower who supports his stepson's romantic pursuits. Neeson's tender performance adds depth to the film, showcasing a side of his acting that contrasts with his more familiar stern roles.

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" is a standout, providing a strong anchor for the film. His commanding presence and the character's tragic end left a lasting impact, which he reprised in the "Obi-Wan Kenobi" series on Disney+.

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

Neeson's role as the titular Irish revolutionary in "Michael Collins" earned him widespread acclaim and several awards. His passionate performance anchors this historical drama, which follows Collins' pivotal role in the fight for Irish independence.

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 "Silence," Neeson's role as the enigmatic Cristóvão Ferreira adds a profound layer to this contemplative film about Jesuit priests in 17th-century Japan. His performance is central to Martin Scorsese's reflective exploration of faith and doubt.

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

Neeson delivers a compelling performance as Alfred Kinsey, the pioneering sexologist, in this biographical drama. His portrayal captures the complexity and determination of Kinsey's groundbreaking research, earning the film critical praise.

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's role as Ra's al Ghul in "Batman Begins" is pivotal to the film's narrative. His mentorship and eventual betrayal of Bruce Wayne set the stage for the Dark Knight Trilogy, showcasing Neeson's versatility as both ally and adversary.

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," Neeson plays a disfigured scientist seeking vengeance, blending horror with high-stakes adventure. His portrayal of the titular character is a testament to his ability to delve into complex, darker roles.

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

"Rob Roy" showcases Neeson's commanding presence as the titular Scottish clan chief. His performance, alongside Jessica Lange and Tim Roth, brings depth and intensity to this historical epic, which received critical acclaim despite competing with "Braveheart" in the same year.

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" revitalized Neeson's career, transforming him into an action icon. His intense performance as a father with a "particular set of skills" hunting down his kidnapped daughter remains iconic, propelling him into a series of action-packed roles.

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 portrayal of Oskar Schindler in "Schindler's List" is widely regarded as his finest work. His nuanced performance in this Steven Spielberg masterpiece, which won Best Picture and earned Neeson an Oscar nomination, captures the transformation of a Nazi businessman into a savior of Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

Liam Neeson's future projects include the much-anticipated "The Naked Gun" reboot, set to premiere 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," 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 projects are yet to have confirmed release dates, fans can look forward to more of Neeson's dynamic performances.

Liam Neeson Movie List

Here is a comprehensive list of Liam Neeson's 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)

And that's our curated list of the best Liam Neeson movies! Did your favorite make the cut? Let us know in the comments. For more cinematic journeys, explore our lists of the best Keanu Reeves movies and the top Ryan Reynolds movies.