10 Overrated Liam Neeson Movies You Might Skip

Liam Neeson has built a long career that stretches from historical drama to large scale action and adventure. His name is attached to projects that draw major audiences and that often turn into global box office stories. This list gathers titles that received big attention yet may not be essential for every viewer who is choosing only a handful of his films to watch.

Below you will find key facts on each production including who made it, where it was shot, what it is about, who co stars, and how it performed. The goal is to give you clear details so you can decide what fits your time and interests without guesswork.

‘Taken’ (2008)

This thriller was directed by Pierre Morel with a screenplay by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen. Liam Neeson plays Bryan Mills who races across Paris after his daughter is abducted while on a trip. The cast includes Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen and the film runs under two hours with a tight focus on pursuit and rescue.

Production shot in Paris and in Los Angeles for stateside material. It opened in Europe in 2008 and in the United States in early 2009 through 20th Century Fox and earned more than 200 million worldwide on a modest budget while launching a franchise that led to two sequels.

‘Taken 2’ (2012)

Directed by Olivier Megaton, this follow up moves the story to Istanbul where the family of criminals from the first film seeks revenge. Liam Neeson returns alongside Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen with Rade Serbedzija featured as the chief antagonist.

Principal photography took place in Turkey and France. The film was released globally by 20th Century Fox, carried a PG 13 rating in the United States, and grossed more than 300 million worldwide which made it one of the higher earning action releases of its year.

‘Taken 3’ (2014)

Olivier Megaton directed this third entry that shifts to Los Angeles as Bryan Mills is framed for murder and tries to uncover the truth while staying ahead of the authorities. The cast adds Forest Whitaker along with returning performers Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen.

Filming occurred in California and Georgia with a wide mix of urban locations and highway work. It opened in January in North America through 20th Century Fox and finished with a worldwide total above 300 million while closing the series storyline around the Mills family.

‘Unknown’ (2011)

Directed by Jaume Collet Serra, this Berlin set mystery stars Liam Neeson as Dr Martin Harris who wakes from a coma to find another man claiming his identity. The supporting cast features Diane Kruger, January Jones, Bruno Ganz, and Frank Langella and the screenplay adapts the novel ‘Out of My Head’ by Didier Van Cauwelaert.

The film shot on location across Berlin and at Studio Babelsberg in Potsdam. Warner Bros handled distribution, the release landed in February in the United States, and the global box office topped 100 million while making strong use of real city streets and landmarks.

‘The Commuter’ (2018)

This rail bound thriller was directed by Jaume Collet Serra with Liam Neeson as Michael MacCauley, a former police officer who becomes entangled in a criminal scheme during his daily train ride. The ensemble includes Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Sam Neill, and Elizabeth McGovern.

Production built full scale train interiors in the United Kingdom and staged exteriors to mirror a New York area commuter route. Lionsgate released the film in North America and StudioCanal covered several international territories, and the worldwide box office passed 100 million with a PG 13 rating.

‘Run All Night’ (2015)

Directed by Jaume Collet Serra, this crime drama follows mob hitman Jimmy Conlon as he tries to protect his son after a confrontation with his former boss. The cast lists Joel Kinnaman, Ed Harris, and Common along with supporting players who portray the New York underworld.

Filming took place across New York City with extensive night photography in Brooklyn and Queens. Warner Bros handled distribution with a March release window in North America, the film earned more than 70 million worldwide, and it features a score credited to Tom Holkenborg who is known as Junkie XL.

‘The Grey’ (2011)

Joe Carnahan directed this survival story in which Liam Neeson leads oil company workers after a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness. The group faces exposure and a threat from wolves while moving through harsh terrain, and the cast includes Frank Grillo and Dermot Mulroney.

Production shot in British Columbia where real cold conditions were used to support the survival setting. Open Road Films released it in the United States in January, and the film took in over 75 million worldwide while highlighting practical effects and on location weather.

‘Clash of the Titans’ (2010)

Directed by Louis Leterrier, this effects heavy epic casts Liam Neeson as Zeus with Ralph Fiennes as Hades and Sam Worthington as Perseus. The story presents major figures from Greek mythology and uses large scale creature work and set pieces across land and sea.

The movie filmed in the United Kingdom and on locations including Tenerife with a later conversion to 3D before release. Distributed by Warner Bros, it approached the 500 million mark at the global box office and led directly to a sequel that reunited key cast members.

‘Wrath of the Titans’ (2012)

Jonathan Liebesman directed this sequel with Liam Neeson returning as Zeus alongside Sam Worthington and Ralph Fiennes and with Rosamund Pike taking over as Andromeda. The plot expands the conflict between gods and titans and brings new monsters to the screen with a larger effects footprint.

Shooting took place in the Canary Islands and at British studios with a focus on rugged volcanic landscapes. Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures released the film around the world, worldwide grosses passed 300 million, and the production used extensive stunt work combined with digital environments.

‘Cold Pursuit’ (2019)

Directed by Hans Petter Moland, this English language remake adapts his Norwegian film ‘In Order of Disappearance’. Liam Neeson plays Nels Coxman, a snowplow driver whose life intersects with organized crime after a family tragedy, and the cast includes Tom Bateman and Laura Dern.

Production based itself in Alberta and British Columbia to capture heavy winter conditions and mountain vistas. Lionsgate distributed the film in North America and total grosses exceeded 70 million worldwide, and the screenplay keeps the dark comic tone found in the earlier Norwegian version.

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which titles you would skip.