Top 10 Liam Neeson Films Ranked

Liam Neeson, the versatile actor known for his roles ranging from battling Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and chasing down kidnappers with his "particular set of skills," is set to star in the upcoming reboot of The Naked Gun, slated for release in August 2025. With an Oscar-nominated career spanning decades, Neeson has seamlessly transitioned between genres, from drama and action to rom-coms and back to action.

But which of Liam Neeson's films stand out as his best? We've carefully selected the top 10 Liam Neeson movies, showcasing his diverse roles as scarred superheroes, caring fathers, a master of the Force, and the relentless pursuer from "Taken."

Here's our ranking of the 10 best Liam Neeson movies. Don't forget to explore our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies to see what exciting projects he has lined up next.

The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies

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10. Love Actually (2003)

Image credit: Universal Pictures

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-themed rom-com, Love Actually. His portrayal of a grieving widower who helps his stepson woo a classmate is one of the film's most touching and heartfelt performances. Known for his stern demeanor, Neeson's display of warmth and tenderness in this role is a delightful surprise.

9. Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Image credit: 20th Century Fox

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

Despite the mixed reception of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace is a standout. 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 struggle. His recent reprisal of the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi series was a welcome return 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 Neil Jordan's Michael Collins earned him widespread acclaim and several acting awards. Playing the titular leader in the early 20th-century Irish struggle for independence, Neeson delivers a magnetic and impassioned performance. This film marks the culmination of a trilogy of historical dramas for Neeson, following Schindler's List and Rob Roy.

7. Silence (2016)

Image credit: Paramount Pictures

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 compelling supporting performance as Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who recants his faith under torture. This film, a passion project 25 years in the making, showcases Neeson's ability to embody complex characters in Scorsese's reflective and contemplative storytelling.

6. Kinsey (2004)

Image credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures

Liam Neeson's portrayal of Alfred Kinsey in the biographical drama Kinsey is both intelligent and obsessive, earning him glowing reviews. Directed by Bill Condon, this film explores Kinsey's groundbreaking work on human sexual behavior, with Neeson delivering a powerful performance alongside co-stars Laura Linney and John Lithgow.

5. Batman Begins (2005)

Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

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 pivotal role in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins as the mentor who trains Bruce Wayne, only to reveal himself as the villainous Ra's al Ghul. Neeson's performance is crucial to the film's success, bringing both grace and gravitas to the Dark Knight Trilogy's inception.

4. Darkman (1990)

Image credit: Universal Pictures

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

In Sam Raimi's Darkman, Liam Neeson plays a scientist turned vigilante who uses synthetic faces to seek revenge. His portrayal of the titular character is both thrilling and darkly humorous, marking a significant transition for Raimi from horror to high-stakes adventure.

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

Though overshadowed by Braveheart, Rob Roy remains one of Liam Neeson's finest performances. As the Scottish clan chief battling sadistic nobles, Neeson's portrayal is fueled by fury and fervor, supported by stellar performances from Jessica Lange and Tim Roth.

2. Taken (2008)

Image credit: EuropaCorp Distribution

Taken is a career-defining film for Liam Neeson, transforming him into a full-fledged action hero. The tightly plotted action flick, complete with its iconic phone call scene, not only reinvigorated Neeson's career but also set the stage for a series of intense thrillers.

1. Schindler’s List (1993)

Image credit: Universal Pictures

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 best film, Schindler's List, won Best Picture and earned Neeson his only Oscar nomination. His portrayal of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust, is both haunting and heartfelt, showcasing Neeson's remarkable talent in Steven Spielberg's masterpiece.

Upcoming Liam Neeson Movies

For those eager to see what's next for Liam Neeson, the most anticipated project is the reboot of The Naked Gun, set to release on August 1, 2025. Neeson also has several other films in the pipeline, including 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.

Liam Neeson Movie List

For a comprehensive list of Liam Neeson's films in order of release date, here's a quick rundown:

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, check out our guides to the best Keanu Reeves movies and the top Ryan Reynolds movies.