Ray Liotta was one of those rare actors who could command the screen with a single look. Whether he was playing a charming outlaw, a conflicted cop, or a grieving father, Liotta brought an unmistakable intensity and edge to every role. Best known for his iconic turn as Henry Hill in Goodfellas, his filmography is filled with unforgettable performances that showcased his range and raw talent. From gritty crime dramas to emotional character pieces, here are the top 10 Ray Liotta movies that capture the very best of his remarkable career.
1. Goodfellas (1990)
IMdb Rating: 8.7/10
Goodfellas , that’s a story about Henry Hill. Ray Liotta plays him. Henry was a real guy, started small in Brooklyn, then got deep into the mob life.
The film shows how fast money and danger go hand in hand. It’s wild, sometimes funny, sometimes scary. You see what it’s like to be in with the wrong crowd, even when you think you’re on top.
Martin Scorsese directed this one. He knows how to tell a story. The movie feels real because it is real—based on true events. That makes it hit harder.
Ray Liotta? He nails it. His Henry is smooth, smart, but also scared deep down. You watch him rise, fall, and try to survive. Feels like riding a fast train with no brakes.
People still talk about this film. Great acting, sharp writing, lines you don’t forget. When it came out, critics loved it. Still holds up today. Got six Oscar nods, won one for Joe Pesci. He played Tommy, and man, he could scare you with a smile.
It didn’t break records at the box office, made about $47 million back then. But now? It’s a classic. One of those films folks say you have to see.
Fun thing: Before filming, Liotta met the real Henry Hill. Watched how he talked, walked, acted. That’s why his role feels so real.
This movie pulls you in. Ray’s voice guides you through everything. You feel like you’re right there with him, living every twist and turn.
Want to watch it? You can stream Goodfellas on Max. Or rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or YouTube.
If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor. This was the role that made Ray Liotta somebody you couldn’t ignore. After watching, you’ll get why.
2. Blow (2001)
IMdb Rating: 7.5/10
Blow is a story about dreams, choices, and the cost of chasing the wrong kind of success. Ray Liotta plays Fred Jung, the father of George Jung, a real-life guy who went from having nothing to becoming one of the biggest drug smugglers in U.S. history.
Ray’s role isn’t long, but it hits deep. He plays a dad who tries to do right by his son, even when that son is making bad moves. You can feel the love and pain in every scene he’s in. That’s just how Ray was—he brought heart to every part he played.
George’s life is wild. Johnny Depp plays him, and he shows how easy it is to get sucked into the flashy side of crime. Big money, fast cars, big houses—it all looks fun at first. But then the cracks start showing. The joy fades. The danger grows. And everything starts to fall apart.
This movie isn’t just about drugs or crime. It’s about family. It’s about trying to hold on when everything’s slipping away. Ray’s scenes with Depp are some of the strongest parts of the film. You see a father who never stops caring, even when he’s hurting inside.
Critics didn’t all agree on the movie, but a lot of people felt something watching it. It made more than $83 million when it came out and has grown into a favorite for many over time.
There’s one line from Ray that still sticks with folks: “Sometimes you’re flush and sometimes you’re bust, and when you’re up, it’s never as good as it seems, and when you’re down, you never think you’ll be up again.” That moment feels like truth wrapped in simple words.
You can watch Blow today on Max, or rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or YouTube.
Even though Ray isn’t the main star here, his performance stays with you. It shows how much depth he had as an actor. How he could say so much with just a look or a quiet line.
If you haven’t seen this one, give it a shot. It’s not just another crime film. It’s a story about love, loss, and what really matters in life. And Ray Liotta? He makes it real.
3. The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)
IMdb Rating: 7.3/10
The Place Beyond the Pines is a story that hits deep. It’s not just one tale—it’s three, all connected like roots under the earth. Ray Liotta plays Deluca, a hard-nosed cop who doesn’t flinch when things get ugly. He’s not on screen much, but when he shows up, you feel it. Like thunder before a storm.
His role? A detective with sharp eyes and a colder heart. You can tell he’s used to getting his way, even if it ain’t the right way. Ray brings that edge he was known for—quiet power, hidden danger. Just watching him walk into a room makes your stomach tighten.
The movie starts with Luke (Ryan Gosling), a motorcycle rider who learns he’s a father. That news changes everything. He wants to do right by his son, so he turns to robbing banks. Then comes Avery (Bradley Cooper), a young cop caught in the mess after one of those robberies goes sideways. The last part jumps ahead in time, showing how both men’s choices shape their sons’ lives. It’s about blood, legacy, and trying to outrun the past.
This film sticks with you. It’s heavy, not in a loud way, but like a stone in your pocket. It asks questions about doing what’s right, being a parent, and whether one bad choice can echo through years. Ray’s part may be short, but it matters. His character shows how easy it is to wear a badge and lose your way.
Critics said good things when it came out. They liked how bold it was, how real. It made around $47 million worldwide. Some folks still say it’s one of the best movies from the 2010s that didn’t get enough attention.
Ray once said he loved roles like Deluca. He liked playing men with shadows inside them. Said it gave him space to dig deeper as an actor.
You can watch The Place Beyond the Pines on Netflix or rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or YouTube.
It won’t make you smile, but it will make you think. And Ray Liotta, even in a small role, leaves big footprints. That’s just who he was—one of those actors who could say more with silence than most say with a speech.
4. Marriage Story (2019)
IMdb Rating: 7.9/10
Even though Ray Liotta isn’t in Marriage Story , it’s still a film worth talking about. It’s one of those stories that digs deep into the heart, showing how love can change, break, and still leave marks.
The movie follows Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson), a couple who once fit like two pieces of a puzzle but now find themselves pulling apart. They care for each other, but life pulled them in different directions. Big fights, quiet tears, messy papers — all of it plays out with real pain and sometimes, strange kindness. Their son sits in the middle of it all, trying to make sense of what grown-ups can’t fix.
This is not a loud drama. It’s more like a slow burn. You see how small choices grow into big wounds. But you also see flashes of the good times — the laughs, the looks, the moments that made them fall in love in the first place.
People say this film feels true. Like something you or someone you know might live through. The acting? Strong. Scarlett and Adam give everything they’ve got. Laura Dern plays a sharp lawyer and won an Oscar for it — well deserved, too.
It didn’t bring in huge money at theaters, only around $2.3 million, but that’s not always what matters. Sometimes it’s about how a film makes you feel. And this one? It sticks with you.
Critics called it one of the most honest movies about divorce ever made. Some said it hurt to watch, but in a way that made you think, made you feel.
Fun thing: Adam Driver shared that he used old memories from his own childhood to help him cry in some scenes. That kind of truth shows on screen.
You can stream Marriage Story right now on Netflix. No need to wait. Just hit play and let it take you somewhere real.
Even without Ray Liotta, this film has soul. It reminds us that love and pain often walk the same path — and sometimes, we all need to find our own way forward.
5. Killing Them Softly (2012)
IMdb Rating: 6.2/10
Killing Them Softly is one of those crime stories that digs deeper than guns and money. Ray Liotta plays Markie Trattman, a low-level gangster who runs shady card games. He once pulled a trick—staged a robbery on his own game—to get some easy cash. People in the mob never forget things like that. So when the same game gets hit again, all eyes turn to him. Whether he did it or not? Nobody really cares.
Ray brings life to Markie like only he can. Sweaty, nervous, always looking over his shoulder. You feel his fear rise with every question, every stare. You don’t cheer for him, but you sure do feel for him.
The movie isn’t just about a robbery gone wrong. It’s about power, control, and how even in crime, there’s a kind of order. Brad Pitt plays Jackie, a cold hitman called in to fix the mess. The story moves slow at times, but tension builds like thunder rolling in. And when it breaks—look out.
Ray’s scenes are some of the strongest. One moment in particular hits hard—a brutal attack that leaves you tense in your seat. It shows what happens when you’re no longer the guy with the upper hand.
This film is for folks who like their crime dramas raw and real. Not flashy. Not loud. But deep. Ray doesn’t play the tough mob boss here. He plays the guy who used to be somebody, now just trying to survive.
It didn’t make big bucks—only around $37 million worldwide. Reviews were mixed when it came out. Some missed the point. Others saw right away how strong the acting was. Over time, more people have come to respect it.
Fun thing: The movie comes from a 1974 book called Cogan’s Trade . They moved the story forward to fit the 2008 financial crash. Adds another layer, if you pay attention.
You can catch Killing Them Softly on Amazon Prime Video. Or rent it on Apple TV or YouTube.
Ray may not be top billing, but his role stays with you. He makes you remember that real acting isn’t about being loud or cool—it’s about truth, even when you’re playing a man afraid to look behind him.
If you like movies that make you think as much as they make you feel, this one’s worth your time.
6. Field of Dreams (1989)
IMdb Rating: 7.5/10
Field of Dreams is one of those movies that feels like a whisper from the past. Ray Liotta plays Shoeless Joe Jackson, a baseball legend who got caught in a scandal and lost everything. But in this film, he gets a second chance to play the game he loved more than anything.
Ray brings a soft kind of magic to the role. He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it lands like a home run ball—quiet, sure, and true. You see it in his eyes, how much the game means to him. Like it’s part of his soul.
The story follows Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), a farmer who hears a voice while walking through his cornfield: “If you build it, he will come.” So he takes a big risk. He tears up his crops and builds a baseball field right there in the dirt. And then—something strange happens. Ghosts start showing up. Old players from long ago, stepping out of the mist like dreams made real. Shoeless Joe is the first. They play ball under the lights, night after night.
It sounds wild, maybe even silly. But it’s not just about baseball. It’s about hope. About chasing dreams that don’t make sense to anyone else. About fixing old wounds and believing in something bigger than yourself.
That’s why Field of Dreams is worth watching. It makes you feel something deep. Ray Liotta gives Shoeless Joe a quiet power. You don’t forget him once he’s on screen.
This movie hit it big at the box office—over $84 million back then. Got three Oscar nods, too, including Best Picture. Critics and folks at home both fell for it. Still holds up as one of the greatest sports films ever made.
Fun thing: Before filming, Ray had never played baseball seriously. But he worked hard to get it right. Learned to swing right-handed for the part—even though the real Shoeless Joe was a lefty.
You can watch Field of Dreams today on Peacock or rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or YouTube.
Liotta’s part isn’t flashy, but it’s full of heart. He makes you believe that even broken lives can find peace on a diamond in the middle of nowhere. That’s the kind of actor he was—able to speak without words, able to move you with just a look.
If you’ve never seen this one, give it a try. It might surprise you. Make you smile. Maybe even bring a tear. But most of all—it’ll remind you why we still tell stories about dreams.
7. Cop Land (1997)
IMdb Rating: 6.9/10
Cop Land is not your usual cop movie. Ray Liotta plays Gary “Figgsy” Figgis, a man who wears a badge but carries a heavy heart. He’s not the clean-cut hero you see on TV. No. Figgsy drinks too much. He hides from his past. But inside all that pain, there’s still a spark of good. A wish to make things right.
Ray brings that mix of guilt and hope like only he can. You watch him wrestle with fear, with regret. You don’t always know what he’ll do next—and that’s what makes him real. Makes him stick.
The story takes place in a small town in New Jersey where a bunch of New York cops live off-duty. It’s supposed to be quiet. But secrets run deep. Sylvester Stallone plays Freddy, the sheriff who’s kept his head down for too long. When a young cop goes missing and the truth starts to crack open, Freddy decides to stand up. And in the middle of it all is Figgsy—drunk, broken, but maybe still brave enough to help.
This film is more than crime. It’s about courage. About doing the right thing when everyone else looks away. Ray gives one of his strongest roles here. His pain feels true. His choices feel hard. And when he finally steps up? You feel it.
It didn’t blow up at the box office, but it made over $63 million worldwide. Critics said it was raw, honest, and not like most action films. Over time, more people came to respect it. Even noticed how Stallone gave a performance most never saw coming.
Fun fact: Ray almost passed on the role. Didn’t think he fit. But director James Mangold told him he could play Figgsy his own way. That freedom shows. You don’t see an actor pretending. You see a man trying to find his way back.
You can stream Cop Land on Max or rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or YouTube.
Ray’s part here isn’t flashy. It’s not loud. But it’s full of life, full of struggle. It reminds you that even broken men can choose to do something right. That’s why this film hits so deep. Why it stays with you long after the screen fades to black.
8. Narc (2002)
IMdb Rating: 7.1/10
Narc is not the kind of movie you just watch. It grabs you by the collar and drags you into a cold, hard world where trust is rare and pain runs deep. Ray Liotta plays Henry Oak, a detective who’s lost more than most. His partner was killed, and now he’s chasing ghosts through the city’s darkest corners. He’s angry, loud, and always on edge—like a storm that never ends.
Ray doesn’t just play Henry. He becomes him. You see it in his eyes, in the way he walks. This isn’t a man looking for justice. This is a man trying to outrun his own grief. He’s a mess, but there’s truth in his mess. And that makes him real.
The story follows Nick Tellis (Jason Patric), a former undercover cop who thought he was done with the streets. But he gets pulled back in to help solve the murder. He teams up with Henry, and together they dive headfirst into a case full of lies, secrets, and people who don’t want the truth to come out—not even their own.
Things get ugly fast. Trust fades. Lines blur. You start to wonder who the real enemy is. That tension? It never lets go. From the first scene to the last, this film feels like holding your breath.
If you like crime stories that feel raw and real, Narc is for you. No flash. No easy answers. Just two men trying to find meaning in a world that keeps throwing punches. Ray Liotta gives one of the strongest performances of his life here. He shows how far someone will go for a friend—and how that love can turn into something dangerous.
It didn’t make big money when it came out, but critics noticed. They saw what Ray brought to the screen. Saw how deep he went. He got award nods for it, and a lot of folks still say this was one of his finest hours.
Fun thing: To play Henry, Ray packed on over 20 pounds. He also worked with the director to shape who Henry really was. That extra work shows. Every choice feels right.
You can stream Narc today on Paramount+, or rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or YouTube.
I hadn’t seen this one until later in life. Wish I’d found it sooner. There’s something about watching Ray Liotta lose himself in a role that reminds you why he mattered so much. His energy. His honesty. His fire.
If you haven’t watched Narc , do yourself a favor. Sit down with it. Let it punch you in the gut. You won’t forget it. And you won’t forget Ray.
9. No Sudden Move (2021)
IMdb Rating: 6.4/10
No Sudden Move is a crime film that moves like smoke—quiet, smooth, and hard to catch. Ray Liotta plays Frank Capelli, a mob boss with a smile that hides more than it shows. He’s got power, but he uses whispers instead of shouts. You don’t see him much, but when he walks into a scene, you lean in. You listen. Because even though he talks low, what he says carries weight.
The story kicks off in 1950s Detroit, where a few small-time crooks are hired for what sounds like an easy job: grab a man, hold his family, get a paper. That’s it. But nothing’s ever that simple. The job goes sideways fast. What starts as a quick hit drags them into something huge—car companies, secret deals, and mob ties that run deeper than they can handle. Everyone lies. No one’s safe.
This is the kind of movie that makes you think as much as it entertains. It’s smart. Twists come out of nowhere. Trust no one. Watch everyone. Ray’s role might not be the loudest, but it’s one of the creepiest. You feel how deep his reach goes. How he pulls strings without lifting a finger.
If you like crime stories that play chess instead of checkers, No Sudden Move is for you. The cast is stacked—Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, Brendan Fraser—all bringing their best. And Ray Liotta? He leaves his mark, like always.
Critics gave it good words when it came out. Said it had style, brains, and knew how to tell a story. Didn’t play in many theaters, but folks caught it on streaming. It made noise, even if it didn’t scream for attention.
Fun fact: This was one of Ray’s last roles before he left us. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, who knows how to make crime thrillers feel fresh. Think Ocean’s Eleven , but darker, tighter.
You can stream No Sudden Move on Max. Just hit play and let the game begin.
Ray Liotta doesn’t take up the whole screen here. But when he’s there, you remember why he mattered. Why he was trusted to play men who hid daggers behind their backs—and never blinked while using them.
Give this one a watch. It’ll keep you guessing. And it’ll remind you of a man who could say more with silence than most actors say with a speech.
10. Kill the Messenger (2014)
IMdb Rating: 6.8/10
Kill the Messenger is one of those films that stays with you long after it’s over. Ray Liotta plays John Cullen, a man with secrets buried deep in his bones. He used to work for the CIA—or at least, that’s what he says. His part isn’t long, but every second counts. When he shows up on screen, you lean in. You don’t know if he’s there to help or to warn. Or maybe both.
Ray gives him that quiet kind of danger. The kind that doesn’t shout. It just is . You can feel the weight behind his words. Like he’s seen things most people wouldn’t believe—and wishes he hadn’t.
The story is based on real life. Gary Webb (played by Jeremy Renner) was a reporter who dug too deep. He found out something big—how drugs were being smuggled into poor neighborhoods, and how powerful people might have known. He wrote about it. Thought truth would matter. Thought people would care. But instead of praise, he got attacks. Lies. A broken career. And worse.
This movie makes you think. Makes you mad. Shows how truth can be twisted when it gets in the way of power. Ray’s role? Small, but sharp like a blade hidden in a coat. His character knows more than he lets on. That’s what makes him scary. Not loud. Just knowing .
It didn’t make much money when it came out—around $6 million. But critics liked it. Said it was honest. Brave. Some even said it was underrated. People are still finding it now, years later, and realizing how much it matters.
Fun fact: Gary Webb’s real articles came out in 1996. They shook the country. But the truth came at a cost. This film helps keep his story alive.
You can stream Kill the Messenger on Starz or rent it on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or YouTube.
I watched this one late one night, not expecting much. Left me thinking for hours. Ray Liotta’s part stuck with me. Short, but strong. Reminded me how much he could do with so little. He didn’t need flashy lines. Just gave us truth in silence.
If you haven’t seen it, give it a shot. It’s not a happy film. But it’s a true one. And Ray Liotta, even in a few scenes, leaves footprints you won’t forget.
Ray Liotta gave us so many unforgettable performances—whether he was playing a kind-hearted dad, a feared mobster, or a broken-down cop, he always brought something real to the screen. These 10 movies show just how talented and versatile he was. If you’ve seen some of them before, maybe it’s time for a rewatch. And if there are a few you haven’t checked out yet, you’re in for a treat.
We’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite Ray Liotta movie? Did we miss one you think should’ve made the list? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’re all fans here, and your picks matter too.
