Liam Neeson is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. As he returns to the action genre with his latest movie Blacklight, it is easy to be reminded of so many of his best roles over his long career. And while he is best known these days as an action star, his filmography is filled with a variety of terrific roles in unforgettable movies.
Taking a look at the top-rated movies from Neeson's career on Letterboxd, fans can discover a lot of great projects. From the huge, iconic movies he is known for to some of the little-known gems worth seeking out, these are among Neeson's best work.
The Mission (1986) - 3.58
Given how big of a star Neeson is now, it is interesting to look back on movies from earlier in his career where he plays smaller supporting roles. One such role for Neeson was the acclaimed The Mission, starring Robert De Niro.
De Niro plays a slave hunter who targets a South American tribe only for the Jesuit priests working with the tribe to convert him. When the Spanish colony invades, he becomes one of the tribe's protectors. Neeson plays one of the priests in the gripping and beautiful epic.
The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs (2018) - 3.61
Neeson's career has allowed him to work with some of the biggest and most celebrated filmmakers of all time. The idea of him collaborating with the Coen Brothers on their Western movie The Ballad of Buster Scruggs sounded like a brilliant match.
The anthology movie tells six separate stories all set within the dangerous and unfriendly land of the Old West. Neeson stars in one of the darkest stories in the movie as a traveling showman looking for the next crowd-pleasing attraction. It is the typically darkly funny adventure from the Coens.
Gangs Of New York (2002) - 3.61
Neeson is the kind of actor who can really stand out in any role, no matter how small the size. Such is the case with his role in Martin Scorsese's historical epic, Gangs of New York. Set in New York City in the late 1800s, Leonardo DiCaprio stars as an Irish immigrant seeking revenge on the gang leader (Daniel Day-Lewis) who killed his father years ago.
As DiCaprio's father, Neeson exits the movie early on, but his gravitas is essential for the movie. Along with the violent story and Day-Lewis's extraordinary performance, Gangs of New York is a standout in Scorsese's legendary filmography.
A Monster Calls (2016) - 3.67
As his career has gone on, Neeson has been making more frequent voice acting performances which are perfect considering his iconic and powerful voice. It is put to great use in A Monster Calls which follows a young boy struggling with his mother's illness who summons a monster to help him.
Neeson gives a heartfelt and powerful performance as the monster and the movie itself packs an emotional punch. Along with the fantastical elements, it tells a very relatable and heartbreaking tale of grief.
Breakfast On Pluto (2005) - 3.68
Fans likely know Neeson most from his big blockbusters and Oscar-winning movies, but he has also appeared in a number of great smaller movies that fans might have overlooked. One such movie is the Irish comedy, Breakfast on Pluto.
Set in the 1970s, Cillian Murphy stars as a trans woman who leaves her small Irish town to travel to London in hopes of finding more understanding for her gender identity. Neeson has a supporting role as her father who is also a priest.
The Lego Movie (2014) - 3.75
Neeson hasn't necessarily been known for his comedic roles in the past, but in recent years he has shown a lighter side in some movies. He delivered another voice performance in the wild and entertaining animated The Lego Movie.
Chris Pratt provides the voice of the movie's hero who is accidentally mistaken for the prophesized hero of the Lego world. Neeson is hilarious as one of the villains of the story, Bad Cop / Good Cop.
Husband And Wives (1992) - 3.78
Husbands and Wives is another great example of Neeson standing out in a supporting role as well as showing his skills in a comedy. The Woody Allen movie explored the marriage in the story of a couple who separate, their own struggles dealing with the breakup, and how it affects their friends' relationships.
Neeson has a fun supporting role as the new boyfriend of the recently separated wife. The movie is a sharp, funny, and entertaining comedy about the awkwardness of relationships.
Batman Begins (2005) - 3.79
Neeson has been a part of some huge franchises over his career with one of the biggest being Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. In Batman Begins, Christian Bale takes the role of Bruce Wayne in this origin story of how he became the Caped Crusader. Neeson plays his mentor who also introduces a darker path of vigilantism.
The movie was the grittier and grounded take on the character that the franchise needed at the time. It also helped to launch what many fans see as the definitive cinematic take on the iconic hero.
Silence (2016) - 3.83
More than a decade after Gangs of New York, Neeson reunited with Martin Scorsese for Silence. Similar to his role in The Mission, Neeson plays a Jesuit priest who goes missing while attempting to bring Catholicism to Japan in the 17th century. Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver play fellow priests who set out to find him.
Scorsese tells an epic tale of faith and having beliefs challenged in profound ways. It is a beautiful and moving journey with terrific performances, especially from Garfield in the lead role.
Schindler's List (1993) - 4.42
Neeson cemented his place as a leading man with his starring role in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning Schindler's List. Neeson plays Oskar Schindler, an industrialist in German-occupied Poland during the war who uses his position with the Nazis to save the lives of thousands of Jewish workers.
The movie is a harrowing look at the horror and inhumanity at this time that will no doubt leave a heavy mark on viewers when they see it. Spielberg crafted one of the most acclaimed movies in his iconic career.