Liam Neeson plays Frank in 'The Naked Gun' from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Liam Neeson plays Frank in 'The Naked Gun' from Paramount Pictures. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Actor Liam Neeson has appeared in some of the most popular franchises ever made!

Neeson's resume includes films in such popular franchises as 'Star Wars', 'The Dark Knight' Trilogy, 'The Chronicles of Narnia', 'Men in Black', 'Clash of the Titans', 'Anchorman', 'Lego' and his own popular action series, 'Taken'.

The actor is now adding another popular franchise to that list with his role as Lt. Franks Drebin Jr. in 'The Naked Gun', which opens in theaters on August 1st.

In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 25 movies of Liam Neeson's long and impressive career, including his latest.

Let's begin!


25. 'A Million Ways to Die in the West' (2014)

(L to R) Liam Neeson, Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron in 'A Million Ways to Die in the West'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
(L to R) Liam Neeson, Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron in 'A Million Ways to Die in the West'. Photo: Universal Pictures.

As a cowardly farmer (Seth MacFarlane) begins to fall for the mysterious new woman (Charlize Theron) in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband (Neeson), a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival.

A Million Ways to Die in the West
A Million Ways to Die in the West
"Bring protection."
61
Audience
Release May 30, 2014Runtime 1h 56mBudget $40M

24. 'Men in Black: International' (2019)

The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.

Men in Black: International
Men in Black: International
"The world's not going to save itself."
59
Audience
Release Jun 14, 2019Runtime 1h 55mBudget $110M

23. 'Clash of the Titans' (2010)

Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, Perseus and his warriors will only survive if Perseus accepts his power as a god, defies fate and creates his own destiny.

Clash of the Titans
Clash of the Titans
"The clash begins."
59
Audience
Release Apr 2, 2010Runtime 1h 46mBudget $125M

22. 'The Dead Pool' (1988)

Dirty Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) returns for his final film adventure. Together with his partner Al Quan (Evan C. Kim), he must investigate the systematic murder of actors and musicians. By the time Harry learns that the murders are a part of a sick game to predict the deaths of celebrities before they happen, it may be too late...

The Dead Pool
The Dead Pool
"Dirty Harry just learned a new game."
63
Audience
Release Jul 13, 1988Runtime 1h 31mBudget $20M

21. 'Kingdom of Heaven' (2005)

After his wife dies, a blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) is thrust into royalty, political intrigue and bloody holy wars during the Crusades.

Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven
"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Safeguard the helpless, and do no wrong"
71
Audience
Release May 6, 2005Runtime 2h 24mBudget $130M

20. 'The Commuter' (2018)

(L to R) Vera Farmiga and Liam Neeson in 'The Commuter'. Photo: Lionsgate.
(L to R) Vera Farmiga and Liam Neeson in 'The Commuter'. Photo: Lionsgate.

A businessman (Neeson), on his daily commute home, gets unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy that threatens not only his life but the lives of those around him.

The Commuter
The Commuter
"Lives are on the line"
64
Audience
Release Jan 12, 2018Runtime 1h 44mBudget $30M

19. 'A Walk Among the Tombstones' (2014)

Private investigator Matthew Scudder (Neeson) is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife.

A Walk Among the Tombstones
A Walk Among the Tombstones
"Some people are afraid of all the wrong things."
63
Audience
Release Sep 19, 2014Runtime 1h 54mBudget $28M

18. 'Taken 2' (2012)

In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) and his wife (Famke Janssen) are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter (Maggie Grace).

Taken 2
Taken 2
"First they took his daughter. Now they're coming for him."
64
Audience
Release Oct 4, 2012Runtime 1h 31mBudget $45M

17. 'Run All Night' (2015)

Brooklyn mobster and prolific hit man Jimmy Conlon (Neeson) has seen better days. Longtime best friend of a mob boss (Ed Harris), Jimmy is haunted by the sins of his past—as well as a dogged police detective (Vincent D'Onofrio) who’s been one step behind Jimmy for 30 years. But when Jimmy’s estranged son (Joel Kinnaman) becomes a target, Jimmy must make a choice between the crime family he chose and the real family he abandoned long ago. Now, with nowhere safe to turn, Jimmy has just one night to figure out exactly where his loyalties lie and to see if he can finally make things right.

Grown Ups
Grown Ups
"Boys will be boys. . . some longer than others."
PG-13Comedy
64
Audience
Release Jun 24, 2010Runtime 1h 42mBudget $80M

16. 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues' (2013)

With the 70s behind him, San Diego's top rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), returns to take New York's first 24-hour news channel by storm.

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
"Bigger. Better. Burgundy-er."
PG-13Comedy
61
Audience
Release Dec 18, 2013Runtime 1h 59mBudget $50M

15. 'Non-Stop' (2014)

Liam Neeson in 'Non-Stop'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Liam Neeson in 'Non-Stop'. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Bill Marks (Neeson) is a Federal Air Marshall for whom every day is the same until this one. On this plane ride, he starts receiving text messages from someone claiming to be on the flight and threatening to kill passengers. In a race against the clock, he must identify and stop the killer to save everyone on board.

Non-Stop
Non-Stop
"The hijacking was just the beginning."
68
Audience
Release Feb 28, 2014Runtime 1h 47mBudget $50M

14. 'Taken 3' (2015)

Ex-government operative Bryan Mills (Neeson) finds his life is shattered when he's falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he's pursued by a savvy police inspector (Forest Whitaker), Mills employs his particular set of skills to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice.

Taken 3
Taken 3
"It ends here."
63
Audience
70
Review
Release Jan 9, 2015Runtime 1h 49mBudget $48M

13. 'Gangs of New York' (2002)

In early 1860s New York, Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) is released from prison and returns to the Five Points, seeking revenge against his father's killer, William Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis), a powerful anti-immigrant gang leader. He knows that revenge can only be attained by infiltrating Cutting's inner circle. Vallon's journey becomes a fight for personal survival and to find a place for the Irish people.

Gangs of New York
Gangs of New York
"America was born in the streets."
73
Audience
Release Dec 19, 2002Runtime 2h 48mBudget $100M

12. 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' (2005)

Siblings Lucy (Georgie Henley), Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Susan (Anna Popplewell) and Peter (William Moseley) step through a magical wardrobe and find the land of Narnia. There, they discover a charming, once peaceful kingdom that has been plunged into eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis (Tilda Swinton). Aided by the wise and magnificent lion, Aslan (Neeson), the children lead Narnia into a spectacular, climactic battle to be free of the Witch's glacial powers forever.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
"The beloved masterpiece comes to life."
71
Audience
Release Dec 9, 2005Runtime 2h 23mBudget $180M

11. 'The Grey' (2012)

Following a grueling five-week shift at an Alaskan oil refinery, workers led by sharpshooter John Ottway (Neeson) are flying home for a much-needed vacation. But a brutal storm causes their plane to crash in the frozen wilderness, and only eight men, including Ottway, survive. As they trek southward toward civilization and safety, Ottway and his companions must battle mortal injuries, the icy elements, and a pack of hungry wolves.

The Grey
The Grey
"Live or Die on This Day."
66
Audience
Release Jan 27, 2012Runtime 1h 57mBudget $25M

10. 'The A-Team' (2010)

(L to R) Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson and Bradley Cooper in 'The A-Team'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
(L to R) Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson and Bradley Cooper in 'The A-Team'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

A man who loves when a plan comes together, Col. Hannibal Smith (Neeson) leads a close-knit team of elite operatives and Iraq War veterans. Framed for a crime they didn't commit, Smith and his men, Capt. H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock (Sharlto Copley), Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus (Quinton "Rampage" Jackson), and Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck (Bradley Cooper), break out and go rogue, using their special talents to clear their names and find the perpetrator. Hot on their trail is Capt. Charissa Sosa (Jessica Biel), who was once involved with a member of Smith's team and has sworn to capture them, no matter what it takes.

The A-Team
The A-Team
"There is no plan B."
64
Audience
Release Jun 11, 2010Runtime 1h 57mBudget $110M

9. 'Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace' (1999)

Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), a young slave strong with the Force, is discovered on Tatooine. Meanwhile, the evil Sith have returned, enacting their plot for revenge against the Jedi.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
"Every saga has a beginning."
66
Audience
Release May 19, 1999Runtime 2h 16mBudget $115M

8. 'Excalibur' (1981)

A surreal adaptation of Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" chronicling Arthur Pendragon's (Nigel Terry) conception, his rise to the throne, the search by his Knights of the Round Table for the Holy Grail, and ultimately, his death.

Excalibur
Excalibur
"Forged by a god. Foretold by a wizard. Found by a king."
70
Audience
Release Apr 10, 1981Runtime 2h 21mBudget $11M

7. 'The Lego Movie' (2014)

An ordinary Lego mini-figure (Chris Pratt), mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil Lego tyrant (Will Ferrell) from conquering the universe.

The Lego Movie
The Lego Movie
"The story of a nobody who saved everybody."
74
Audience
Release Feb 7, 2014Runtime 1h 40mBudget $60M

6. 'Darkman' (1990)

Dr. Peyton Westlake (Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love (Frances McDormand).

Darkman
Darkman
"They destroyed everything he had, everything he was. Now, crime has a new enemy and justice has a new face."
64
Audience
Release Aug 24, 1990Runtime 1h 35mBudget $14M

5. 'The Naked Gun' (2025)

(L to R) Eddie Yu plays Detective Park, Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. and Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr. in 'The Naked Gun' from Paramount Pictures.
(L to R) Eddie Yu plays Detective Park, Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr. and Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr. in 'The Naked Gun' from Paramount Pictures.

Only one man has the particular set of skills...to lead Police Squad and save the world! Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. (Neeson) follows in his father's footsteps in 'The Naked Gun', directed by Akiva Schaffer and from producer Seth MacFarlane. Joining the case are cast Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston.

The Naked Gun
The Naked Gun
"The law's reach never stretched this far."
63
Audience
85
Review
Release Aug 1, 2025Runtime 1h 25mBudget $42M

4. 'Batman Begins' (2005)

Driven by tragedy, billionaire Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) dedicates his life to uncovering and defeating the corruption that plagues his home, Gotham City. Unable to work within the system, he instead creates a new identity, a symbol of fear for the criminal underworld - The Batman.

Batman Begins
Batman Begins
"Evil fears the knight."
77
Audience
Release Jun 15, 2005Runtime 2h 20mBudget $150M

3. 'Love Actually' (2003)

Eight very different couples deal with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.

Love Actually
Love Actually
"Love actually is all around."
71
Audience
Release Nov 7, 2003Runtime 2h 15mBudget $40M

2. 'Schindler's List' (1994)

The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler (Neeson) saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.

Schindler's List
Schindler's List
"Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire."
86
Audience
Release Feb 4, 1994Runtime 3h 15mBudget $22M

1. 'Taken' (2009)

Liam Neeson in 'Taken'. Photo: EuropaCorp Distribution.
Liam Neeson in 'Taken'. Photo: EuropaCorp Distribution.

Bryan Mills (Neeson), a former government operative, is trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). After reluctantly agreeing with his ex-wife (Famke Janssen) to let Kim go to Paris on vacation with a friend, his worst nightmare comes true. While on the phone with his daughter shortly after she arrives in Paris, she and her friend are abducted by a gang of human traffickers. Working against the clock, Bryan relies on his extensive training and skills to track down the ruthless gang that abducted her and launch a one-man war to rescue his daughter.

Taken
Taken
"They took his daughter. He'll take their lives."
74
Audience
Release Jan 30, 2009Runtime 1h 34mBudget $25M