A leprechaun pops out from the end of a rainbow. It’s time to embrace the green energy of St. Patrick’s Day.
Whether you have Irish roots or just want an excuse to turn your holiday into a full-on event with plenty of entertainment, these movies will get you into the spirit of Irish holidays.
Here are 12 Irish movies to watch this St. Patrick’s Day.
“Darby Orgill and the Little People”
Topping the list is this 1959 leprechaun-themed film directed by Robert Stevenson. The film follows Darby (Albert Sharpe), who has just been fired from his job, and accidentally falls through a portal into the land of the Little People. There, he convinces the Leprechaun King (Jimmy O’Dea) to take him home with a promise or curse of three wishes.
“P.S. I love you.”
Hilary Swank stars in this heartwarming 2007 romantic comedy as she navigates life in Ireland with the help of her late husband (Gerard Butler) after his death.
‘one time’
This 2007 film was the inspiration for the Broadway musical of the same name, about a musical romance between a street musician (Glenn Hansard) and a Czech immigrant (Marketa Irglová) on the streets of Dublin, Ireland.
“Brooklyn”
This list would be incomplete without Saoirse Ronan’s movies. In her 2015 romance thriller film, she stars as an Irish-American woman who immigrates to New York in the 1950s and struggles with her immigrant status and the loss of her hometown.
“Ondine”
The 2009 film stars Colin Farrell as a recovering alcoholic fisherman who lives with his daughter (Alison Barrie) off the coast of Ireland. While fishing, he pulls a nearly drowned young woman named Ondine (Alicia Buffreda) into his net, until he realizes that she might not be the best for his life. She will bring him good luck.
“Wild Mountain Time”
Set in Ireland, Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan play neighbors, and perhaps lovers, trying to figure out what it means to follow their dreams. This 2020 film of his is based on John Patrick Shanley’s play ‘Outside Mullingar’.
“The wind that shakes the wheat”
Set during the Irish War of Independence in the early 1920s, this 2006 film follows two brothers, Damian (Cillian Murphy) and Teddy (Padric Delaney), who are at odds during the conflict.
“The Luck of the Irish”
For family-friendly options, look no further than this 2001 Disney film starring Ryan Merriman as a teenage basketball star who must save his family from the clutches of an evil leprechaun.
“Calvary”
Brendan Gleeson plays an Irish priest in this 2014 thriller. A priest struggles with his small community after receiving anonymous death threats from unknown parishioners.
“Older than Ireland”
Aimed at documentary buffs, this 2015 film explores Irish history through the lens of 30 Irish centenarians. Explore their journey from birth to the country’s independence and life in modern-day Ireland.
“Veronica Guerin”
This 2003 film, based on a true story, stars Cate Blanchett as Veronica Guerin, an investigative reporter for an Irish newspaper who uncovers Ireland’s underground drug trade.
“The Banshee of Inisherin”
The 2022 award-winning film is set on a fictional island off the coast of Ireland. The film follows two lifelong friends (Colin Farrell and Brendon Gleeson) as they navigate life and its conflicts after one of them suddenly abandons their friendship. The film also stars Barry Keoghan.
This article originally appeared on TODAY.com
