When it comes to action movie stars of the 21st century, few actors have become as recognizable and synonymous with the genre as Liam Neeson.

While not initially an action star, with his earliest breakout roles being the likes of war dramas such as Michael Collins and Schindler’s List, the later years of his career have seen him revitalized as the old but capable action movie star.

He has played the leading role in countless action movies, especially films where he kicks serious ass and takes zero names while doing so. Few actors of his age have been able to surmount such a legacy in the physicality-based action genre so well, which has made his time in the spotlight all the more special.

Neeson shows absolutely no signs of stopping on his streak of action movie roles, with it feeling as though there will be a new action film featuring him in the starring role released every year from now until the end of time.

Even outside his most recognizable and well-known roles and films, he has made his mark on a number of exciting action films throughout his filmography.

15‘Memory’ (2022)

Directed by Martin Campbell

In Memory, Neeson plays the role of Alex, an assassin-for-hire who has always been the go-to person for getting things done in the criminal underground. His situation changes after he refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization, causing him to be on the run from his former employers and the FBI.

While Alex has the skill and talent to be three steps ahead of anyone he’s going up against, he’s also struggling with chronic severe memory loss, so his greatest threat to his survival has become himself.
Memory is the greatest example of how, even when a film goes out of its way to limit the capabilities of Neeson’s character, he will still find a way to kick as much ass as possible in the name of justice. Neeson works perfectly under the direction of director Martin Campbell as another classic legendary ass kicker who won’t give up until the final bell tolls.

14‘The Ice Road’ (2021)

Directed by Jonathan Hensleigh

In The Ice Road, Liam Neeson plays the role of Mike McCann, a down-on-his-luck trucker who has been bouncing between gigs with his medically afflicted brother, Gurty.

They soon get the opportunity to prove themselves in a last-minute impossible rescue mission where they must deliver the necessary equipment over a frozen ocean in order to save a group of trapped miners.

The mission soon proves itself to be even more dangerous than expected, as they face off against the harsh conditions of the road, as well as possible sabotage from within.

The Ice Road combines a lot of the greatest attributes of Neeson’s modern-day roles, playing a harsh yet capable blue-collar worker who goes through the worst of it for the sake of his family.

This film features numerous different ways that Neeson lets his screen presence shine, evolving from the tight-knit handling of harsh weather conditions up until he has to deal with hand-to-hand combat while driving his own truck.

The Ice Road

PG-13

Release DateJune 24, 2021
DirectorJonathan Hensleigh
CastLiam Neeson , Holt McCallany , Laurence Fishburne , Matt McCoy , Amber Midthunder , Martin Sensmeier
Runtime103

13‘Honest Thief’ (2020)

Directed by Mark Williams

In Honest Thief, Liam Neeson plays the role of Tom Dolan, a notorious bank robber who has stolen over $14 million throughout his career but is willing to give it all back for a chance at a new life of love.

However, in his attempts to turn himself in and give back all the money he’s stolen, a duo of corrupt police officers plan to steal the money for themselves, creating a massive target on their backs they never could have prepared for.

A major recurring theme in the characters that Neeson plays is their hardened past, yet a commitment to betterment in the present and motivated by higher moral values.

These aspects are brought out to their fullest in Honest Thief, which transforms into a dangerous game of cat and mouse as Neeson does all in his power to make those who have wronged him go through a living hell.

12‘Gun Shy’ (2000)

Directed by Erik Blakeney

In Gun Shy, Liam Neeson plays the role of a legendary undercover agent who has recently been dealing with complications in his work following a massive screw-up during his last mission. Now that he’s on the verge of a nervous breakdown, he has to attempt to balance his current undercover operation with his new unstable therapy group and nurse Judy (played by Sandra Bullock) in order to make it through the day.

Being a romantic comedy of the early 2000s and well before Neeson’s career shift into action, Gun Shy is much more focused on a lens of dark comedy and character chemistry throughout the cast. However, the film still makes sure to give Neeson a number of great badass moments, as he is still a legendary agent at the end of the day, and his presence comes through in the form of his amazing undercover skills.