From Revenge to Redemption: The 10 Best Liam Neeson Movies You Shouldn’t Miss -

When you hear Liam Neeson’s name, one word probably pops into your mind: Taken.

And while that movie turned him into a late-career action star, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

With a voice that commands attention and a screen presence that balances grit with gravitas, Liam Neeson has built one of the most interesting and diverse filmographies in Hollywood.

From intense thrillers to emotional dramas, Neeson has done it all, and he’s still going strong.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering his work, this list of the top 10 Liam Neeson movies highlights the roles that defined him and the performances that still hit hard.

Let’s dive in.

1. Schindler’s List (1993)

This isn’t just one of Neeson’s best films, it’s one of the most important movies ever made. In Schindler’s List, Neeson plays Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saves over 1,000 Jews during the Holocaust. His performance is quiet, powerful, and unforgettable. The film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Steven Spielberg, and remains required viewing for film lovers.

🎬 Why it matters: Neeson earned his first (and only) Oscar nomination here, cementing his reputation as a serious dramatic actor.

2. Taken (2008)

You know the line: “I will find you, and I will kill you.” That single scene launched a new phase in Neeson’s career and made Taken a pop culture phenomenon. As former CIA operative Bryan Mills, Neeson brings a lethal mix of emotion and precision that instantly connects with audiences.

🎬 Why it matters: At 56, Neeson became an unexpected action icon, and the Taken franchise was born.

3. The Grey (2011)

The Grey is not your average survival thriller. Stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash, Neeson leads a group of oil workers as they’re hunted by wolves, and haunted by their own mortality. It’s brutal, bleak, and oddly philosophical.

🎬 Why it matters: It’s one of Neeson’s most emotionally raw performances, showing both his physical toughness and existential depth.

4. Michael Collins (1996)

In this political biopic, Neeson plays Irish revolutionary leader Michael Collins, who led the fight for Ireland’s independence in the early 20th century. The film showcases Neeson’s deep connection to his Irish roots and his ability to carry large-scale historical dramas.

🎬 Why it matters: It won the Golden Lion at Venice and gave Neeson another Golden Globe nomination.

5. The Phantom Menace (1999)

Say what you want about Star Wars: Episode I, but Liam Neeson’s turn as Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn brought wisdom and warmth to a film that desperately needed it. He made a mark on an entire generation of sci-fi fans.

🎬 Why it matters: Even critics of the prequels agree Neeson’s performance was one of the highlights.

6. Love Actually (2003)

Yes, Liam Neeson can do rom-coms too. In Love Actually, he plays a recent widower helping his stepson navigate first love. The storyline is sweet, grounded, and gives Neeson a rare chance to play a tender, romantic character.

🎬 Why it matters: It’s a holiday classic and a reminder of Neeson’s emotional range.

7. A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)

If you liked Taken but want something darker and more noir, this is your movie. Neeson plays an unlicensed private detective tracking down a pair of serial kidnappers in New York. It’s gritty, slow-burning, and full of tension.

🎬 Why it matters: This film showed that Neeson’s post-Taken thrillers could still pack psychological depth.

8. Non-Stop (2014)

Set entirely on a transatlantic flight, Neeson plays an air marshal trying to stop a hijacking, while being framed for it himself. It’s tense, twisty, and a great popcorn thriller.

🎬 Why it matters: It cemented Neeson’s place as the go-to star for high-concept action thrillers and proved he could carry a film even in a single, confined setting.

9. Batman Begins (2005)

Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins rebooted the superhero genre, and Neeson was a big part of that success. As Ra’s al Ghul, he mentors Bruce Wayne, then becomes his adversary. It’s a complex, layered performance in a film that changed the game.

🎬 Why it matters: Neeson brought gravitas to a villain role, elevating the entire film.

10. Cold Pursuit (2019)

Think Taken meets Fargo. In Cold Pursuit, Neeson plays a snowplow driver out for revenge after drug dealers murder his son. But this one’s different; it has a dark, almost absurdist sense of humor.

🎬 Why it matters: It plays with the revenge-movie formula Neeson helped popularize, and turns it on its head.

New Addition: The Naked Gun (2025 Reboot)

Right in time for summer laughs, The Naked Gun reboot hit theaters on August 1, 2025, with Liam Neeson taking on the role of Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., son of Leslie Nielsen’s iconic detective.

Directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane, this film embraces over-the-top slapstick and visual gags in the spirit of the original trilogy.

The film debuted with a solid North American opening of $17 million and earned strong reviews (over 90% on Rotten Tomatoes) and audience approval (A– CinemaScore).

Why We Still Watch Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson’s career defies easy labels. He’s done Shakespeare. He’s voiced animated lions. He’s trained Jedi and battled wolves.

But through all these roles, one thing stays constant: a quiet intensity that draws you in, no matter the genre.

His movies continue to do well with American audiences because they hit the sweet spot, action-packed yet emotional, entertaining yet thoughtful. In a cinematic landscape often dominated by CGI-heavy franchises, Neeson’s grounded presence is a breath of fresh air.

And let’s be honest, no one delivers a threat quite like him.