Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ever

Liam Neeson has captivated audiences for decades with his versatile performances across genres, from drama to action and even rom-coms. His ability to embody characters from scarred superheroes to caring fathers and Jedi masters has solidified his status as a beloved actor. Here, we've curated a list of the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, showcasing his most memorable roles, from his early career to his action-packed later years.

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

The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies

11 Images

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

Liam Neeson shines in Richard Curtis' beloved Christmas rom-com, Love Actually. Playing a grieving widower, Neeson's portrayal of a tender and supportive stepfather is one of the film's most touching elements. His ability to convey warmth and empathy amidst his typically stern persona makes this role particularly memorable.

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 controversial Star Wars prequel. As Obi-Wan Kenobi's mentor, Qui-Gon's presence is pivotal, and Neeson's commanding performance adds depth to the saga. Despite his character's tragic end, Neeson has reprised the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi, delighting fans with a final glimpse of the wise Jedi.

See where The Phantom Menace ranks on our list of the best Star Wars movies or explore the Star Wars timeline to understand its placement.

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 earned critical acclaim and several awards for his role as the titular character in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins. His portrayal of the Irish revolutionary leader is both magnetic and passionate, culminating in a powerful performance that caps his trilogy of historical dramas following Schindler's List and Rob Roy. The film's strong ensemble, including Julia Roberts and Alan Rickman, further elevates this impactful '90s classic.

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 delivers a haunting performance as Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who renounces his faith under torture. This film marks his second collaboration with Scorsese, following Gangs of New York, and showcases Neeson's ability to handle complex, introspective roles. Silence, a passion project decades in the making, is a contemplative masterpiece that delves deep into themes of faith and perseverance.

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's role as Alfred Kinsey in the biographical drama Kinsey earned him widespread praise. Directed by Bill Condon, the film explores Kinsey's groundbreaking research on human sexuality. Neeson's portrayal captures the character's intelligence and obsession, delivering a compelling performance in a film that also features strong performances from Laura Linney and John Lithgow.

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 crucial role in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins as the mentor-turned-villain Ra's al Ghul. His portrayal adds depth to the story, providing both guidance and a formidable challenge to Bruce Wayne. Neeson's performance is instrumental in the success of the Dark Knight Trilogy, blending grace and gravitas to create a memorable antagonist.

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

Liam Neeson's role as the titular character in Sam Raimi's Darkman showcases his versatility. As a scientist who turns vigilante after a disfiguring accident, Neeson brings a thrilling intensity to the role. The film blends horror and adventure, marking a significant transition for Raimi from his Evil Dead roots.

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 fighting against corrupt nobles. Despite competition from Braveheart, released the same year, Rob Roy stands out with Neeson's fierce and passionate portrayal. The film is bolstered by strong performances from Jessica Lange and Tim Roth, making it one of Neeson's most compelling roles.

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 catapulted Liam Neeson into the action genre with a role that few anticipated would define his later career. As a father using his "particular set of skills" to rescue his daughter, Neeson delivers a gripping performance in one of the most tightly plotted action films ever made. The film's iconic phone call scene and relentless pacing solidified Neeson's status as an action hero, leading to numerous sequels and 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 portrayal of Oskar Schindler in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List is his most acclaimed role. The film, which won Best Picture and numerous other Oscars, showcases Neeson's ability to convey the transformation of a Nazi businessman into a savior of over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. His performance earned him an Oscar nomination, making Schindler's List his crowning achievement.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

Liam Neeson's upcoming projects include the much-anticipated The Naked Gun reboot, set to release on August 1, 2025. Fans can also look forward to thrillers like Cold Storage and Riker's Ghost, action films such as The Mongoose and Hotel Tehran, and political thrillers like Charlie Johnson in the Flames. Other upcoming films include Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky and a sequel to Run All Night.

Liam Neeson Movie List

For those interested in every Liam Neeson movie, here is a comprehensive list 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 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 guide to the best Keanu Reeves movies and the top Ryan Reynolds movies.