Starting February 1, fans of Liam Neeson can watch a curated selection of his most iconic action films for free on Tubi. This includes the full Taken trilogy and the 2018 thriller The Commuter, marking a major opportunity for viewers to revisit some of Neeson’s memorable roles without a subscription fee.
Tubi has announced that along with Neeson’s films, other notable action titles such as Jason Statham’s The Beekeeper, Channing Tatum’s White House Down, and Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant will also be available. This new lineup highlights the platform’s push toward featuring engaging, high-octane movies accessible without cost, expanding options for action movie enthusiasts.
The Evolution and Popularity of the Taken Series
The Taken series began in 2008 and is largely responsible for establishing Liam Neeson as a major action star. Directed by Pierre Morel and created by Luc Besson, the first film follows retired CIA officer Bryan Mills as he relentlessly pursues his daughter Kim Mills and her best friend after their kidnapping in France. Although the movie only received mixed reviews and holds a 60% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audience response has been strong, with an 85% approval rating from over 250,000 user reviews and a box office earning of $226 million against a $25 million budget.
The success of the original Taken led to two sequels. Taken 2, released in 2012, shows Bryan Mills and his ex-wife being kidnapped by a vengeful antagonist tied to events in the first film. Critical reception for the sequel was low, with just a 22% critics’ score and 52% from users on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, it performed well commercially, earning over $375 million worldwide, making it the highest grossing entry in the franchise.
The third installment, Taken 3, came out in 2015 and faced even harsher reviews due to a perceived drop in creativity and repetitive plot lines. It features Mills being framed for murder, striving to clear his name. It holds only a 13% approval from critics and a 43% audience score, yet it still managed to earn $326 million globally, surpassing the original film’s box office figures. The sustained commercial success emphasizes Neeson’s strong fan base and the series’ lasting appeal despite critical responses.
The Commuter: A Tense Thriller Highlighting Neeson’s Range
Alongside the Taken trilogy, The Commuter (2018) is now also free to stream on Tubi. This film tells the story of an insurance salesman and former police officer, played by Liam Neeson, who becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy during his regular train commute. The plot thickens as he meets a mysterious woman onboard and is forced to unravel a deadly puzzle before it’s too late. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and running 104 minutes, the movie blends action, thriller, and mystery genres.
Although The Commuter received mixed critical reviews, with a 55% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Neeson’s performance stood out as a highlight.
“The Commuter’s cast is better than its workmanlike script — which helps make this reasonably diverting Liam Neeson action thriller worth the price of a matinée ticket or rental, if not a full-price ticket,”
Rotten Tomatoes consensus
The film co-stars Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, and Elizabeth McGovern, and its gripping storyline combined with Neeson’s intense portrayal captivates audiences seeking suspenseful entertainment.
Significance of the Free Streaming Release
The availability of Liam Neeson’s renowned Taken trilogy and The Commuter on a free platform like Tubi widens access to some of the actor’s defining work in the action genre. For those who have long wished to experience Bryan Mills’s adrenaline-fueled missions or follow the nerve-wracking journey of The Commuter’s protagonist without extra cost, this release is timely.
By providing viewers easy access to these classic films, Tubi taps into the enduring popularity of Neeson’s action star persona, potentially attracting new viewers while satisfying longtime fans. This move could inspire more free streaming platforms to acquire notable action franchises and thrillers in the future.
As fans dive into these titles, the availability also offers an invitation to explore Neeson’s career evolution, from his breakout Taken role to more recent performances, highlighting his continued ability to carry tense, high-stakes storylines with powerful intensity.
