Liam Neeson, an Oscar-nominated actor known for his versatility and commanding presence, has graced the screen in a variety of roles across genres. From battling Batman and training Jedi to leading revolutions and starring in action-packed thrillers, Neeson's career spans decades of memorable performances. Here, we dive into the 10 best Liam Neeson movies of all time, highlighting his most impactful roles from superheroes to caring fathers and beyond.
Interested in staying updated on Liam Neeson's future projects? Be sure to check out our list of upcoming Liam Neeson movies to see what exciting roles await him.
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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 shines in Richard Curtis' beloved Christmas rom-com, Love Actually, as a grieving widower who helps his stepson navigate young love. This role showcases Neeson's ability to convey warmth and tenderness, contrasting his more familiar stern demeanor and making it a standout in the film.
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 The Phantom Menace anchors the film amidst the polarizing Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. As Obi-Wan Kenobi's mentor, Qui-Gon's noble presence and tragic end leave a lasting impact. Neeson's recent return as Qui-Gon in Disney+'s Obi-Wan Kenobi series further cements his character's legacy.
Explore where The Phantom Menace ranks among the best Star Wars movies or its place in the Star Wars timeline.
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 compelling performance as the titular character in Michael Collins earned him critical acclaim and several acting awards. His portrayal of the Irish revolutionary leader in the early 20th century is both magnetic and passionate, complementing his previous work in historical dramas like Schindler's List and Rob Roy.
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 Silence, Liam Neeson reunites with Martin Scorsese to portray the enigmatic Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who renounces his faith under torture. This role adds depth to the film's exploration of faith and resilience, marking it as a reflective and contemplative work in Scorsese's oeuvre.
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 the biographical drama Kinsey is both intelligent and obsessive, earning him widespread praise. Directed by Bill Condon, this film delves into Kinsey's revolutionary work on human sexuality, showcasing Neeson's ability to embody complex historical figures.
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 plays a pivotal role in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins as Ra's al Ghul, initially mentoring Bruce Wayne before revealing himself as his adversary. Neeson's performance is crucial in setting the tone for the Dark Knight Trilogy, balancing mentorship and menace with grace.
See where Batman Begins ranks among the best Batman movies and its place in the Batman movie timeline.
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 delivers a thrilling performance as a disfigured scientist seeking revenge. This role marks a transition for Raimi from horror to action-adventure, with Neeson's portrayal of the vengeful vigilante being both intense and engaging.
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 portrayal of the Scottish clan chief in Rob Roy is one of his most compelling performances. Despite being overshadowed by Braveheart, Rob Roy stands out for its character-driven narrative and Neeson's powerful depiction of honor and resilience.
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 revitalized Liam Neeson's career, transforming him into an action hero with its tight plot and memorable scenes. Neeson's performance as a determined father using his "particular set of skills" to rescue his daughter is both intense and iconic, setting the stage for numerous thrillers to follow.
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 finest role comes in Schindler's List, where he plays Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saves over 1200 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. This performance earned Neeson an Oscar nomination and remains a testament to his ability to portray characters of profound moral complexity.
Liam Neeson's future looks bright with several projects on the horizon. The most anticipated is the reboot of The Naked Gun, 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, and the political thriller 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.
For those interested in Liam Neeson's complete filmography, here is a comprehensive list of his movies in order of release date:
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? Or can we expect a man with a "particular set of skills" to knock at our door? Let us know in the comments.
Looking for more movie lists? Take a look at our guide to the best Keanu Reeves movies as well as the top Ryan Reynolds movies.
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