Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ranked

Liam Neeson, an actor renowned for his versatility, has graced the screen in numerous roles spanning action, drama, and even romantic comedies. From his iconic fight scenes to heartfelt performances, Neeson has captivated audiences for decades. Here, we've carefully selected the top 10 Liam Neeson movies, showcasing his range from scarred superheroes to dedicated fathers and Jedi masters.

To delve into Liam Neeson's remarkable career, let's explore his 10 best films, ranked. And don't forget to check out our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies to see what's on the horizon for this beloved actor.

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 Richard Curtis' beloved Christmas-themed rom-com, Love Actually, Liam Neeson shines as a grieving widower who supports his stepson's romantic endeavors. This role stands out as it allows audiences to see Neeson's softer side, contrasting his usual 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 anchors the polarizing Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. His commanding presence and mentorship of Obi-Wan Kenobi offer a strong entry point into the saga. Neeson's recent reprisal of the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi further cements his legacy in the franchise.

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 compelling performance as the titular character in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins earned him critical acclaim and several awards. As a leader in Ireland's fight for independence, Neeson's portrayal is both magnetic and impassioned, rounding out a trilogy of impactful historical dramas.

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

Liam Neeson reunites with Martin Scorsese in Silence, playing the enigmatic Jesuit Cristóvão Ferreira. This film, a passion project decades in the making, showcases Neeson's ability to delve into complex, reflective roles, adding depth to Scorsese's contemplative narrative.

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

In Kinsey, directed by Bill Condon, Liam Neeson delivers a lauded performance as the groundbreaking "sexologist" Alfred Kinsey. His portrayal captures the character's intellectual rigor and obsessive nature, making this film a standout in his career.

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 the reinvention of Batman in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. As both mentor and eventual antagonist Ra's al Ghul, Neeson's performance brings gravitas to the film, setting the stage for the Dark Knight Trilogy.

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

Liam Neeson's role as the vengeful scientist in Sam Raimi's Darkman is both thrilling and chilling. His portrayal of the disfigured vigilante showcases a unique blend of horror and high-stakes adventure, marking a significant transition in Raimi's directorial journey.

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

Though released in the same year as Braveheart, Rob Roy remains a compelling film, driven by Liam Neeson's powerful performance as the Scottish clan chief. His portrayal is filled with passion and fury, delivering a memorable character study.

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 icon. This tightly plotted thriller, with its iconic phone call scene, revitalized Neeson's career, showcasing his ability to command intense, edge-of-your-seat narratives.

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 best film, Schindler's List, is a masterpiece that won Best Picture and earned Neeson an Oscar nomination. His portrayal of Oskar Schindler, who saved over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, is both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

Liam Neeson fans have much to look forward to. The most anticipated project is the 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, political thriller Charlie Johnson in the Flames, Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky, and the Run All Night sequel.

Liam Neeson Movie List

For those interested in a comprehensive look at Liam Neeson's filmography, here's a list of his movies in order of release:

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? Let us know in the comments.

For more cinematic journeys, explore our guides to the best Keanu Reeves movies and the top Ryan Reynolds movies.