Liam Neeson, the versatile actor known for his commanding presence on screen, has taken on a myriad of roles, from battling Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and using his "particular set of skills" to chase down kidnappers. His career has spanned decades, showcasing his ability to seamlessly transition between genres, including drama, action, and rom-coms. With an Oscar nomination under his belt, Neeson's filmography is rich with memorable performances. Here's our curated list of his top 10 films, featuring iconic characters like scarred superheroes, caring fathers, and Jedi masters.
The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies
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10. Love Actually (2003)
In Richard Curtis' beloved Christmas rom-com, Love Actually, Liam Neeson shines as a grieving widower who helps his stepson navigate young love. Known for his stern demeanor in action films, Neeson's tender performance here highlights his versatility and warmth, adding depth to this ensemble cast.
9. Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Despite the mixed reception of the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn remains a standout. As Obi-Wan's mentor, Qui-Gon serves as the anchor of The Phantom Menace, his tragic end leaving a lasting impact. Neeson's recent reprisal of the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi reaffirmed his connection to the beloved character.
8. Michael Collins (1996)
Liam Neeson's portrayal of the titular Irish revolutionary in Michael Collins earned him critical acclaim and several awards. His compelling performance captures the fervor and passion of Collins, contributing to a powerful historical drama alongside an ensemble cast including Julia Roberts and Alan Rickman.
7. Silence (2016)
In Martin Scorsese's contemplative masterpiece Silence, Liam Neeson delivers a haunting performance as Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who renounces his faith under duress. This role, part of a film that was a 25-year passion project for Scorsese, showcases Neeson's ability to delve into complex, morally ambiguous characters.
6. Kinsey (2004)
Liam Neeson's portrayal of Alfred Kinsey in the biographical drama Kinsey is both intelligent and intense. Directed by Bill Condon, the film delves into Kinsey's revolutionary research on human sexuality, with Neeson's performance capturing the scientist's dedication and obsession, earning widespread critical praise.
5. Batman Begins (2005)
In Christopher Nolan's groundbreaking Batman Begins, Liam Neeson plays a pivotal role as both mentor and adversary to Bruce Wayne. His portrayal of Ra's al Ghul adds depth and menace to the film, helping to launch the acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy with a performance that combines grace and intensity.
4. Darkman (1990)
Liam Neeson's role as the titular character in Sam Raimi's Darkman showcases his ability to embrace darker, more violent roles. As a disfigured scientist seeking revenge, Neeson's performance blends horror and high-stakes adventure, marking a significant departure from his earlier work.
3. Rob Roy (1995)
In the historical drama Rob Roy, Liam Neeson delivers a powerful performance as the Scottish clan chief, navigating the treacherous landscape of 18th-century Scotland. His portrayal, alongside stellar performances from Jessica Lange and Tim Roth, makes Rob Roy a compelling and emotionally resonant film.
2. Taken (2008)
Taken catapulted Liam Neeson into action stardom, showcasing his ability to command the screen as a relentless father on a mission. The film's tight plotting and iconic phone call scene solidified Neeson's status as an action hero, sparking a new phase in his career with sequels and numerous thrillers to follow.
1. Schindler’s List (1993)
Liam Neeson's career-defining role in Schindler's List earned him an Oscar nomination and remains his most acclaimed performance. As Oskar Schindler, Neeson brilliantly portrays the transformation of a Nazi businessman into a savior of over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, anchoring Steven Spielberg's Best Picture-winning masterpiece.
Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies
Liam Neeson's future projects include the highly anticipated The Naked Gun reboot, set for 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 a sequel to Run All Night. Stay tuned for more exciting roles from this versatile actor.
Liam Neeson Movie List
For fans interested in every Liam Neeson movie, here's 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 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 there you have it—our curated list of the best Liam Neeson movies! Did your favorite make the list? Let us know in the comments. For more film lists, check out our guides to the best Keanu Reeves and Ryan Reynolds movies.
