Liam Neeson, an actor known for his versatility and commanding presence, has graced the screen in a variety of roles, from battling Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and using his "particular set of skills" to chase down kidnappers. With an Oscar nomination under his belt and a career spanning decades, Neeson has starred in everything from drama and action to rom-coms. As we look forward to his upcoming role in the The Naked Gun reboot, set for release in August 2025, let's dive into his top 10 films that showcase his remarkable talent.
Here are the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, ranked. Don't forget to check out our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies for a glimpse into his future projects.
The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies
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10. Love Actually (2003)
In Richard Curtis' beloved Christmas-themed rom-com, Love Actually, Liam Neeson delivers a heartfelt performance as a grieving widower who supports his stepson's romantic endeavors. Known for his stern demeanor, Neeson's portrayal of warmth and tenderness stands out, making it a memorable part of the film.
9. Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace is a standout in the polarizing prequel trilogy. As Obi-Wan's mentor, Qui-Gon serves as the entry point into the Skywalker Saga, and Neeson's commanding presence adds depth to the Jedi's plight. Despite his tragic end, Neeson reprised the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi, delighting fans once more.
8. Michael Collins (1996)
Liam Neeson's portrayal of the titular character in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins earned him critical acclaim and several acting awards. Playing a leader in Ireland's early 20th-century struggle for independence, Neeson's magnetic and impassioned performance is a highlight of this impactful film, which also stars Julia Roberts, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, and Brendan Gleeson.
7. Silence (2016)
In Martin Scorsese's Silence, Liam Neeson delivers a compelling performance as Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who recants his faith under torture. This reflective and contemplative film, a passion project 25 years in the making, showcases Neeson's ability to embody complex characters in Scorsese's masterful storytelling.
6. Kinsey (2004)
Liam Neeson stars as Alfred Kinsey in Kinsey, a biographical drama directed by Bill Condon. Neeson's portrayal of the pioneering sexologist, who challenged the anti-sex propaganda of his time, is both intelligent and obsessive, earning him glowing reviews and showcasing his ability to delve into complex historical figures.
5. Batman Begins (2005)
Liam Neeson plays a pivotal role in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, training Bruce Wayne before revealing himself as the villainous Ra's al Ghul. Neeson's performance is crucial to the film's success, bringing both mentorship and menace to the Dark Knight Trilogy's inception.
4. Darkman (1990)
In Sam Raimi's Darkman, Liam Neeson plays a scientist turned vigilante, using his gruesome transformation to seek revenge. Neeson's portrayal of the violent yet sympathetic hero marks a thrilling transition for Raimi from horror to high-stakes adventure.
3. Rob Roy (1995)
In Rob Roy, Liam Neeson delivers a powerful performance as the Scottish clan chief battling sadistic nobles. Though released the same year as Braveheart, Neeson's portrayal stands out, fueled by fury and fervor, and supported by stellar performances from Jessica Lange and Tim Roth.
2. Taken (2008)
Taken is a career-defining moment for Liam Neeson, transforming him into an action hero. The film's tight plot and Neeson's commanding performance, especially in the iconic phone call scene, have made it a classic in the action genre, despite the less successful sequels that followed.
1. Schindler’s List (1993)
Liam Neeson's best film, Schindler's List, won Best Picture and earned Neeson his only Oscar nomination. Playing Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, Neeson's performance is both haunting and heartfelt, cementing his place in cinematic history.
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 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 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 pick of the best Liam Neeson movies! Did your favorite film make the cut? 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.
