Liam Neeson has featured prominently in various movie franchises throughout his career, including some unexpected hits and notable disappointments. Among these, his recent involvement with The Naked Gun franchise, stepping into a role originally held by Leslie Nielsen, exemplifies his diverse choices. However, his major impact lies in franchises where he reprised characters multiple times, defining his career through both iconic and lesser-known roles.
Clash of the Titans: Ambitious Yet Underwhelming Greek Mythology Series
Beginning in 2010, Liam Neeson took on the role of Zeus, the head of the Greek gods, in the Clash of the Titans franchise. He appeared in two films, including the 2012 sequel Wrath of the Titans, portraying a god disappointed by mankind’s disrespect. Despite its mythological foundation and substantial budget, the series failed to meet expectations.
The first film managed modest box office success, but the sequel struggled financially, barely recovering its costs and effectively ending the franchise. Critics dismissed both movies, with Wrath of the Titans scoring just 26% on Rotten Tomatoes and receiving low audience approval at 49%. Neeson’s performance was harshly critiqued, leading to a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Supporting Actor, marking the franchise as one of his significant letdowns.
The Ice Road: A Modest Action Franchise Thriving on Streaming
In 2021, Neeson starred as Mike McCann, an Iraq War veteran turned ice road trucker tasked with a daring rescue, in The Ice Road. The story, echoing 1953’s The Wages of Fear, focused on themes of trauma and survival. Although its theatrical release yielded only $7.5 million, streaming on Netflix revitalized interest, transforming it into a surprise hit and boosting demand for a sequel.
The follow-up, Ice Road: Vengeance, released exclusively on Netflix in 2025, continued Mike’s story as he confronted survivor’s guilt following his brother’s death. While these films did not impress critics, their streaming popularity underlines Neeson’s sustained appeal in action roles, offering a solid, if unremarkable, addition to his franchise portfolio.
The Nut Job: A Villainous Voice in an Animated Series
Leveraging his distinctive voice, Liam Neeson contributed to the animated Nut Job franchise, voicing the sly antagonist Raccoon in the 2014 original. Raccoon’s character, a manipulative con-artist who exiles the hero Surly from the park and threatens the animal community, added considerable fun and depth to the storyline.
Despite an intriguing setup suggesting Raccoon’s vengeful return, the 2017 sequel Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature sidelined Neeson, featuring new villains and relegating his role to deleted DVD scenes. While his voice work lent charm to the first film, the sequel’s failure to maintain that momentum limited the franchise’s potential and left fans disappointed by the absence of his character.
Star Wars: Pioneering Jedi Role and Continued Presence
In 1999, Liam Neeson captured global attention by portraying Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. This significant role marked his early ventures into action cinema, depicting the wise Jedi who falls to Darth Maul but whose legacy continues. Neeson’s involvement extended through multiple Star Wars projects, enhancing his association with this legendary saga.
Beyond The Phantom Menace, Neeson’s character returned as a Force Ghost in subsequent prequels. He lent his voice to appearances in The Clone Wars animated series, made a cameo in The Rise of Skywalker, and participated in both the Obi-Wan Kenobi live-action series and Tales of the Jedi. His recurring presence helped sustain the depth and continuity of the Star Wars lore.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Bringing Aslan’s Legendary Voice to Life
Liam Neeson voiced the majestic lion Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy, including The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Aslan, the talking lion crowned King of Beasts and symbolic of Jesus Christ in C.S. Lewis’s novels, was central to the franchise’s narrative and thematic core.
The trilogy achieved strong financial success, grossing $1.5 billion against a $560 million budget, primarily driven by the first film. Although the third installment’s decline in quality and revenue halted the series, Narnia remains one of the more beloved franchises featuring Neeson’s voice work, cherished for its rich fantasy and spiritual symbolism.
Taken: Defining Action Stardom and Massive Box Office Success
The Taken franchise stands as Liam Neeson’s most lucrative and defining series, showcasing him as Bryan Mills, a former Green Beret and CIA agent. The original 2008 film delivered a gripping story of a father rescuing his kidnapped daughter from a human trafficking ring, blending intense action with emotional stakes. Neeson’s portrayal became iconic, setting a high bar for action thrillers.
Though critics and Neeson himself acknowledged the formulaic nature of the sequels, the trilogy collectively earned $932.4 million on a modest $118 million budget. This immense popularity also spawned a television adaptation, though Neeson did not participate. Taken solidified his reputation as a leading action star, influencing the genre significantly.
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy: A Villainous Yet Memorable Presence
In the acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy, Neeson portrayed Ra’s al Ghul, an antagonist seeking to dismantle Gotham City’s corrupt elite. His character perished in Batman Begins (2005), but narrative flashbacks and connections to his daughter allowed him to reappear across the series’ installments. This role linked Neeson to one of the highest-grossing and critically acclaimed comic book franchises.
The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises both surpassed $1 billion worldwide, elevating superhero films to new artistic heights. Neeson’s portrayal of Ra’s al Ghul added complexity and gravitas, marking his involvement in a franchise that admirably balanced blockbuster appeal with cinematic depth.
The LEGO Movie: A Surprisingly Profound Animated Role
The LEGO Movie franchise offered Neeson a unique voice acting opportunity as Good Cop/Bad Cop, a character blending humor with emotional layers across two films (2014 and 2019). Far from a simple comedic role, the character’s arc, including a tragic backstory involving his parents and conflicted loyalties, brought unexpected depth to the narrative.
The first film earned critical acclaim and commercial success, with $470 million in box office receipts and nominations for an Oscar and a Golden Globe. Although the sequel experienced a significant drop with $200 million in revenue and reduced focus on Neeson’s role, the franchise remains a standout in his career for combining wit, heart, and inventive storytelling.
Overall, Liam Neeson Movie Franchises reveal a career marked by significant highs in action and voice roles, intertwined with some ventures that failed to resonate. His presence in varied genres and projects maintains his status as a versatile and enduring figure in Hollywood cinema. As he continues to choose roles across different franchises, audiences can expect both familiar intensity and occasional surprises.
