Top 10 Liam Neeson Movies & IMDB Scores
Liam Neeson, a titan of the silver screen, has left an indelible mark on Hollywood with his commanding presence and versatile acting chops. With a career spanning several decades, Neeson has seamlessly transitioned between action-packed thrillers and poignant dramas, solidifying his place among the finest actors of his generation.
Below, you can find the top Liam Neeson movies of all time, ranked by their scores on IMDB.
1. Schindler’s List - 1993 - 9
Steven Spielberg's haunting masterpiece, Schindler's List, is a cinematic tour de force that won Oscars for best film, director, and screenplay. The film chronicles the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.
Liam Neeson delivers a stirring portrayal of Schindler, imbuing the character with quiet charisma and moral complexity. His performance perfectly captures the essence of a man striving to save as many people as he can in the face of unspeakable evil. Accordingly, Schindler’s List is considered one of the very best movies by Liam Neeson.
2. Batman Begins - 2005 - 8.2
In Christopher Nolan's gritty reboot of the Batman franchise, Batman Begins, Liam Neeson plays Henri Ducard, a mysterious mentor to the titular hero who is later revealed to be Ra's al Ghul, the villain plotting to destroy Gotham.
As Ducard, Neeson displays a profound and disturbing menace as he serves as both teacher and adversary to Bruce Wayne, who, throughout the film, undergoes his transformation into the Dark Knight. Neeson's performance helped elevate Ra's al Ghul far beyond the typical villain archetype.
3. Taken - 2008 - 7.7
Taken catapulted Liam Neeson into the action hero stratosphere and helped cement his status as a bona fide action star.
In this adrenaline-fueled thriller, Neeson plays Bryan Mills, a retired CIA operative who embarks on a relentless quest to rescue his kidnapped daughter from human traffickers. Neeson’s portrayal of Mills is equal parts stoic and ferocious, as he employs his ‘particular set of skills’ to dispatch his daughter’s captors with a ruthless, merciless efficiency.
Neeson's now infamous line, "I will find you. And I will kill you," is among the most memorable movie lines of all time, and accordingly, Taken is widely considered among the best Liam Neeson movies.
4. Love Actually - 2004 - 7.6
In the ensemble romantic comedy Love Actually, Liam Neeson delivers a heartfelt performance as Daniel, a grieving widower struggling to connect with his stepson in the wake of his wife's death. Neeson portrays Daniel's emotional journey with sensitivity and nuance and brings an emotional depth to his characters that others in the film lacked. Amidst the film's myriad love stories, Neeson's portrayal stands out as a poignant exploration of loss, love, and the enduring bonds of family.
5. Gangs of New York - 2002 - 7.5
Martin Scorsese's epic historical drama Gangs of New York showcases Liam Neeson in a supporting role as "Priest" Vallon, leader of the Irish immigrant gang, the Dead Rabbits. The film depicts the brutal rivalry between Irish and nativist gangs in 18th-century New York City and features an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis.
While Neeson's screen time is limited, his presence looms large over the film. His character's death sets in motion the central conflict between the rival gangs, and Neeson's commanding performance adds considerable weight to the film's themes of vengeance and redemption.
6. The Mission - 1986 - 7.4
In Roland Joffé's sweeping historical drama The Mission, Liam Neeson portrays Fielding, a mercenary turned Jesuit priest who becomes embroiled in a conflict between Spanish colonists and indigenous peoples in 18th-century South America.
The story follows the plight of Father Gabriel and Mendoza, a former slave trader turned Jesuit, as they strive to protect the Guaraní people from Portuguese and Spanish colonial forces. The film delves into themes of faith, colonialism, cultural clash, and the struggle for justice and redemption.
Neeson stars alongside Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons, and he offers an understated yet powerful performance that shows a man grappling with questions of faith, morality, and colonialism set in a stunningly beautiful yet unforgiving landscape.
7. Les Misérables - 1998 - 7.4)
Liam Neeson delivers a compelling performance as Jean Valjean in the 1998 adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel Les Misérables. The film follows the lives of Valjean, an ex-convict seeking redemption, and Inspector Javert, a man dedicated to enforcing the law. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, the two men's lives intertwine amidst revolution and social upheaval.
As the noble convict seeking redemption in post-revolutionary France, Neeson balanced strength with vulnerability, capturing the character's internal struggle with grace and empathy amidst severe economic hardship and social unrest.
8. Kingdom of Heaven - 2005 - 7.3
Ridley Scott's epic historical drama Kingdom Of Heaven features Liam Neeson in a supporting role as Godfrey de Ibelin, a noble knight who mentors the film's protagonist, Balian of Ibelin (Orlando Bloom). The film depicts the epic journey of Balian, a blacksmith turned crusader who seeks to defend Jerusalem against overwhelming odds during the Third Crusade.
Neeson embodies his character with the ideals of chivalry and honour in a tumultuous era of religious conflict. Though his screen time is limited, Neeson’s performance adds considerable depth to the film’s themes of faith, warfare, and the struggle for Jerusalem.
9. The Next Three Days - 2010 - 7.3
The Next Three Days follows John Brennan (Russell Crowe), a desperate man who resorts to extreme measures to free his wrongfully convicted wife from prison. Racing against time and eluding the law, he plunges into a world of deception and danger, determined to secure her freedom at any cost.
In this tense thriller, Liam Neeson makes a brief yet memorable appearance as Damon Pennington, a seasoned ex-convict who offers advice to the protagonist, John Brennan, as he plans the daring prison break to free his wrongfully incarcerated wife. Neeson’s trademark intensity infuses the character with an aura of danger and intrigue.
10. Michael Collins - 1996 - 7.1
Neil Jordan's biographical drama Michael Collins chronicles the life of an Irish revolutionary leader who played a pivotal role in Ireland's fight for independence from British rule in the early 20th century. Neeson's performance as the titular Collins captured the revolutionary's charisma, strategic brilliance, and unwavering commitment to the cause.
The film delves into Collins' complex relationships with figures like Éamon de Valera and Kitty Kiernan while showcasing his daring tactics in the Irish War of Independence. As tensions escalate and betrayals loom, Collins navigates political turmoil, culminating in the Anglo-Irish Treaty and tragic consequences, cementing his legacy as a towering figure in Irish history.
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