Liam Neeson, an actor with a remarkable career spanning various genres, has left an indelible mark on cinema. From battling Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and employing a "particular set of skills" to chase down kidnappers, Neeson's versatility is unmatched. With an upcoming role in the *The Naked Gun* reboot set for August 2025, fans eagerly anticipate his next move. Here, we delve into the top 10 Liam Neeson movies, showcasing his range from action-packed thrillers to poignant dramas.

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The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies

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10. Love Actually (2003)

Image credit: Universal PicturesDirector: 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's role in Richard Curtis' holiday classic Love Actually showcases his softer side. As a grieving widower guiding his stepson through young love, Neeson brings warmth and tenderness to a film known for its ensemble cast. His performance stands out, highlighting his ability to convey deep emotion amidst his more common action roles.

9. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Image credit: 20th Century FoxDirector: 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 Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace is a standout in the prequel trilogy. As Obi-Wan Kenobi's mentor, Qui-Gon serves as a bridge to the Skywalker saga, with Neeson's commanding presence lending gravitas to the film. His return in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi series was a nostalgic treat for fans.

8. Michael Collins (1996)

Image credit: Warner Bros.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 performance in Michael Collins earned him widespread acclaim and several awards. Playing the titular Irish revolutionary, Neeson's magnetic and impassioned portrayal cements his place among historical dramas. Co-starring with Julia Roberts, Aidan Quinn, and Alan Rickman, this film showcases Neeson's ability to embody complex historical figures.

7. Silence (2016)

Image credit: Paramount PicturesDirector: 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 plays the enigmatic Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who recants his faith under torture. This role, in a film that took 25 years to come to fruition, showcases Neeson's ability to handle complex, contemplative characters. His collaboration with Scorsese adds another layer to his diverse filmography.

6. Kinsey (2004)

Image credit: Fox Searchlight PicturesDirector: 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 portrayal of Alfred Kinsey in Kinsey is both intelligent and obsessive, capturing the essence of the famed sexologist. Directed by Bill Condon, this biographical drama highlights Neeson's ability to delve into the psyche of historical figures, earning him glowing reviews and further cementing his status in the genre.

5. Batman Begins (2005)

Image credit: Warner Bros. PicturesDirector: 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 success. As both mentor and antagonist to Bruce Wayne, Neeson's performance adds depth and intrigue to Christopher Nolan's reboot of the Batman franchise. His presence is crucial in setting the tone for the acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy.

4. Darkman (1990)

Image credit: Universal PicturesDirector: 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 Sam Raimi's Darkman, Liam Neeson plays a disfigured scientist seeking revenge. His portrayal of the titular character blends horror with high-stakes adventure, showcasing his versatility in genre films. This role marked a significant transition for Raimi and solidified Neeson's place in action cinema.

3. Rob Roy (1995)

Image credit: MGM/UA Distribution Co.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

Liam Neeson's titular role in Rob Roy is a standout, despite competing with Braveheart in the same year. His portrayal of the Scottish clan chief battling sadistic nobles is fueled by fury and fervor, delivering a powerful performance alongside Jessica Lange and Tim Roth, who received an Oscar nomination for his role.

2. Taken (2008)

Image credit: EuropaCorp DistributionDirector: 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 is a career-defining film for Liam Neeson, transforming him into an action hero. The film's tight plotting and memorable phone call scene have become iconic, leading to a series of sequels and cementing Neeson's status as a formidable lead in action thrillers.

1. Schindler's List (1993)

Image credit: Universal PicturesDirector: 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 performance in Schindler's List is his most acclaimed, earning him an Oscar nomination. Playing Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, Neeson's portrayal is both haunting and heartfelt. This Steven Spielberg masterpiece won Best Picture and remains Neeson's finest work.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

Liam Neeson's future projects are highly anticipated. The The Naked Gun reboot, set to release on August 1, 2025, is a major highlight. Other films in development 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

Here's a comprehensive list of Liam Neeson's movies in chronological order:

• 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 I - 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 II - 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 IX - 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)

What is the best Liam Neeson movie?

• Taken
• Schindler's List
• Rob Roy
• Darkman
• Batman Begins
• Kinsey
• Silence
• Michael Collins
• The Phantom Menace
• Love Actually
• Something else (let us know in the comments!)

And that's our selection of the best Liam Neeson movies! Did your favorite make the list? Let us know in the comments and share your thoughts on his diverse and impressive career.

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