Liam Neeson has been a dynamic presence in cinema for decades, known for his versatility across genres—from battling Batman to training Jedi, leading revolutions, and using his "particular set of skills" to chase down kidnappers. With an upcoming role in the The Naked Gun reboot set for August 2025, Neeson continues to captivate audiences. Here, we explore his top 10 films, showcasing his range from scarred superheroes to caring fathers, and the iconic master of the Force.

Here are the 10 best Liam Neeson movies, ranked. Be sure to also 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)

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's beloved Christmas-themed rom-com, Love Actually, where he plays a grieving widower helping his stepson pursue a classmate. Neeson's performance brings a tender warmth to the film, contrasting his often stern demeanor and showcasing his range as an actor.

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: Disney+ to stream, or rentable on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson's portrayal of Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn in The Phantom Menace anchors the film, despite the polarizing nature of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. His commanding presence and mentorship to Obi-Wan Kenobi make Qui-Gon a pivotal figure in the Skywalker Saga. Neeson recently reprised the role in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi, adding to the character's legacy.

See where The Phantom Menace ranks on our list of the best Star Wars movies or explore the Star Wars timeline to understand its place in the saga.

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: Rentable on most platforms

Liam Neeson's portrayal of the titular character in Neil Jordan's Michael Collins earned him critical acclaim and several awards. As a leader in the Irish struggle for independence, Neeson delivers a magnetic and impassioned performance, rounding off a trilogy of historical dramas that includes Schindler's List and Rob Roy. Co-starring Julia Roberts, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman, and Brendan Gleeson, this impactful '90s film is a testament to Neeson's dramatic prowess.

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, rentable on Amazon and most platforms

In Silence, Liam Neeson collaborates with Martin Scorsese for the second time, delivering a powerful supporting performance as the Jesuit Cristóvão Ferreira. This film, set in 17th-century Japan, explores themes of faith and perseverance. Neeson's enigmatic portrayal adds depth to this contemplative work, which was a passion project 25 years in the making for Scorsese.

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: Rentable on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson stars as the controversial "sexologist" Alfred Kinsey in Kinsey, directed by Bill Condon. Neeson's nuanced performance captures Kinsey's intelligence and obsession with understanding human sexuality, challenging the norms of his time. This biographical drama, lauded by critics, also features strong performances by 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: Max to stream, or rentable on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson plays a crucial role in Batman Begins, training Bruce Wayne in the ways of vengeance before revealing himself as the villainous Ra's al Ghul. His performance is instrumental in setting the tone for Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, showcasing both mentorship and menace. See where Batman Begins ranks on our list of the best Batman movies and its place in 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 rentable on Amazon and most platforms

Liam Neeson stars as the vengeful scientist in Sam Raimi's Darkman. Left deformed and near death, Neeson's character uses synthetic faces to exact revenge. His performance blends horror with high-stakes adventure, marking a significant transition for Raimi from his Evil Dead roots to a new genre.

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: Kanopy and Prime Video to stream, or rentable on most platforms

Though overshadowed by Braveheart, Rob Roy remains one of Liam Neeson's finest starring roles. As the Scottish clan chief battling sadistic nobles, Neeson's performance is fueled by fury and fervor. Alongside Jessica Lange and an Oscar-nominated Tim Roth, Rob Roy is a rousing character-driven drama.

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: Hulu, or rentable on other platforms

Taken catapulted Liam Neeson into the action hero spotlight. This tight, impeccably plotted thriller showcases Neeson's commanding presence as a father with a "particular set of skills" on a mission to rescue his daughter. The film's memorable phone call scene and Neeson's intense performance revitalized his career and spawned a series of sequels, cementing his status as an action icon.

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 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 delivers a performance filled with horror and heart. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this masterpiece is a testament to Neeson's profound acting ability.

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

Here's a comprehensive list of Liam Neeson's films 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 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.