St. Patrick’s Day Movies
Oh St. Patrick’s Day. A holiday that I don’t understand at all. But I will wear my green every year. And this year I may even watch a St. Paddy’s themed movie. If you want to partake, here are 17 films you can watch to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. You’ll notice that most of these films really don’t have anything to do with the holiday itself are really more just about Ireland. Take it or leave it.
Leprechaun - Shane recommending a horror movie? Yeah this is a good time to see that I’m throwing some films out, but I actually haven’t seen most of them. Sometimes I won’t include movies on a list if I haven’t seen them, but this is not one of those lists. Originally meant to play as a classic horror slasher, this film morphed into more of a horror comedy to the titular performance of Warwick Davis. The film has become a cult classic and is also known for being the first major role of Jennifer Aniston. You can stream it on Peacock and if you love it you can find a way to watch its 7 sequels including ‘Leprechaun 4: In Space’ & ‘Leprechaun: Back 2 da Hood.’
The Luck of the Irish - Let’s watch a Disney Channel Movie! A classic DCOM of the early 2000s, this film stars Ryan Merriman as a high school basketball player who learns that his family’s Irish heritage includes trash of Leprechauns. Some of the characters in this movie include Reilly O’Reilly and Seamus McTiernan, so it’s just peak Irish. Stream it on Disney+.
The Boondock Saints - One of the all-time cult classic films and a staple of the vigilante subgenre, this film actually does partially take place on St. Patrick’s Day. It follows a pair of Irish twin brothers, played by Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flannery, who kill two members of the Russian mob and then go on a vigilante killing spree. They are pursued by an FBI agent (Willem Dafoe) and just continue to find themselves getting pulled in deeper and deeper. Stream it on Peacock, Prime, or free on Tubi.
The Secret of Kells - The next three films are an unofficial trilogy, all focused on Irish folklore and made by Tomm Moore. All three films were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, starting with this 2009 film. Focused on the writing of the Book of Kells in the early 9th century, it features the voices of Ewan McGregor and Brendan Gleeson. Rent it on the usual digital platforms (YouTube, Prime, Google, Apple, etc.).
Song of the Sea - This 2014 film focuses on a young boy who learns his is a selkie, a mythological creature that can shapeshift from a person to a seal. Set in the ‘80s, the film was released in English, but also has an Irish & Gaelic version. Brendan Gleeson voices the character of Conor in both the English & Irish versions. Rent it on the usual digital platforms.
Wolfwalkers - And finally from Moore is this 2020 film about a young girl apprenticing as a hunter who befriends a member of a tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves. The two leads are played by the young actresses Honor Kneafsey & Eva Whittaker, with Sean Bean & Simon McBurney also appearing. Stream it on Apple TV.
Kneecap - A 2024 dramedy, this film focuses on the Irish hip-hop group, Kneecap, who play themselves in a semiautobiographical film. The six-time BAFTA nominated film is spoken almost entirely in Irish, making it one of the most popular films in this language. I’m not at all familiar with the band, but quite enjoyed the film which can be streamed on Netflix.
The Fugitive - Based on the ‘60s TV series, this film follows Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) who is being framed for the murder of his wife. He goes on the run to find the real killer while being pursued by several agents, led by Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones). Jones won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and the reason the film made this list is because one of the pivotal moments of the film happens during the Chicago St. Patrick’s Parade. Rent it on the usual streaming platforms.
Luck - An animated film focused on the unluckiest person alive (Eva Noblezada), who must team up with a talking black cat (Simon Pegg) to try and change her luck. She encounters several mystical creatures on her adventure, including leprechauns, so that plus the whole luck thing make it eligible enough to talk about here. The film was produced remotely during COVID and also features the vocal talents of Jane Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg, Flula Borg, and Lil Rel Howery. Stream it on Apple TV.
Darby O’Gill and the Little People - Starring Albert Sharpe as the titular O’Gill, this film focuses on an estate caretaker in Ireland who spends his days trying to catch the local leprechauns. Irish people are probably offended by my list right now. The film also stars Janet Munro and a pre-Bond Sean Connery. You can stream it on Disney+.
The Banshees of Inisherin - One of the most well written films of all-time! Yeah, I love this movie and it’s one I’ll use any excuse to talk about. This film from Martin McDonagh is set on a fictional island off the coast of Ireland and features the quarter of Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon, and Barry Keoghan, all of who were Oscar-nominated for their performances. It’s a great film about friendship, or the lack thereof, and can be streamed on Paramount+.
Michael Collins - A 1996 biographical film, it stars Liam Neeson as the Irish revolutionary, Michael Collins. Collins was the Director of Intelligence of the IRA and I won’t pretend to be a history buff (I’m a movie guy, not a history guy), but it seems as though he was crucially important to the modern history of Ireland. Rent it on the usual streaming platforms.
Belfast - Well. It just donned at me that this movie takes place in Northern Ireland. Which is not Ireland. And probably doesn’t feature any connection to this holiday. But it’s a good movie and it’s worth watching. It’s about a young boy growing up in Northern Ireland, a semiautobiographical film for writer/director Kenneth Branagh. Stream it free on Prime.
Brooklyn - A romantic period drama about a young Irish woman who migrates to Brooklyn and is pulled back to her home after establishing her life in the US, forced to decide where to continue her future. It received Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actress for its lead Saoirse Ronan. Rent it on the usual streaming platforms.
Far and Away - Nothing screams Ireland like Tom Cruise. One of he and Nicole Kidman’s several ‘90s team ups was this 1992 film where they play Irish immigrants who take part in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1893. It was directed by Ron Howard and can be rented on the usual platforms.
Finian’s Rainbow - A 1968 musical fantasy from Francis Ford Coppola, this film follows an Irish father and daughter who steal a leprechaun’s gold and move to the American South. Starring Fred Astaire & Petula Clark, its based on the musical of the same name. The film can be rented on the usual streaming platforms.
The Irishman - It’s got Irish in the name. Good enough for me. Martin Scorsese’s 2019 gangster film starring De Niro, Pacino, & Pesci can be streamed on Netflix!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day dear reader & as always, happy watching!
