Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ranked

Liam Neeson has had an illustrious career, taking on diverse roles from battling Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and using his "particular set of skills" to chase down kidnappers. Now, with an upcoming role in the The Naked Gun reboot set for release in August 2025, Neeson continues to showcase his versatility. From drama to action, and even rom-coms, Neeson's filmography is rich and varied. Let's dive into the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, featuring everything from scarred superheroes to caring fathers and Jedi masters.

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

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' Christmas-themed rom-com, Love Actually, Liam Neeson shines as part of a larger ensemble. His portrayal of a grieving widower helping his stepson woo a classmate is both tender and heartwarming. Neeson, known for his stern and gruff demeanor, showcases a softer side that adds depth to the film.

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 most platforms

Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace stands out, even amidst the polarizing Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. As Obi-Wan's mentor, Qui-Gon serves as our hero into the Skywalker Saga, bringing a commanding presence to the film. Despite his tragic end, Neeson's recent reprisal of the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi was a welcome return.

For more on the Star Wars universe, see where The Phantom Menace ranks on our list of the best Star Wars movies or check out 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 performance as the titular character in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins earned him critical acclaim and several acting awards. Playing a key figure in Ireland's early 20th-century struggle for independence, Neeson's portrayal is magnetic and impassioned, cementing his role in a trilogy of historical dramas alongside Schindler's List and Rob Roy. The film also stars 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 most platforms

Liam Neeson's second collaboration with Martin Scorsese, after Gangs of New York, Silence delves into the journey of two 17th-century Jesuit priests to Japan in search of their missing mentor. Neeson's role as the enigmatic Cristóvão Ferreira, who recants his faith under torture, is central to the film's narrative. Silence reflects Scorsese's contemplative style, and was a passion project 25 years in the making.

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 returned to biographical drama with Kinsey, portraying the famous "sexologist" Alfred Kinsey. Directed by Bill Condon, Neeson's performance captures the intelligence and obsessive nature of Kinsey, who challenged the sexual norms of his time through scientific research. The film also stars 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, training Bruce Wayne to become an instrument of vengeance before revealing himself as Ra's al Ghul, the leader of the League of Shadows. Neeson's performance is crucial to the film's success, bringing both mentorship and menace to the character. For more on the Caped Crusader, 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 Sam Raimi's Darkman, Liam Neeson embodies a scientist turned vigilante after a brutal attack leaves him disfigured. His performance as the titular character blends horror with high-stakes adventure, marking a 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: Stream on Kanopy and Prime Video or rent on most platforms

Though released the same year as Braveheart, Rob Roy remains a standout film in Liam Neeson's career. His portrayal of the Scottish clan chief, battling sadistic nobles, is fueled by fury and fervor. The film also features strong performances by 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 marked a significant turning point in Liam Neeson's career, transforming him into an action hero. The film's tight plot and memorable phone call scene solidified Neeson's status as a formidable lead in action thrillers, despite the lesser sequels that followed.

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 finest work, Schindler's List, earned him an Oscar nomination and the film itself won Best Picture. As Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saves over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, Neeson delivers a performance filled with both horror and heart in this Steven Spielberg masterpiece.

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 films in the pipeline include thrillers like Cold Storage and Riker's Ghost, action movies such as The Mongoose and Hotel Tehran, and political thrillers like Charlie Johnson in the Flames. Fans can also look forward to Ice Road 2: Road to the Sky and a sequel to Run All Night.

Liam Neeson Movie List

For a complete list of Liam Neeson's films in chronological order, check out:

• 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 list? 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.