The 32 Best Irish Movies to Watch on St. Patrick's Day

For some, St. Patrick’s Day might mean a few drinks at the local pub. Others might cue up some Irish tunes or whip up a meal from Ireland. But once you’ve downed all the hot whiskey and apple cakes, you'll probably need a little time to unwind. And what better way to do this than by watching the best Irish movies?

Thanks to streaming services like Max and Prime Video, there are many entertaining options, ranging from charming rom-coms (like Once) to insightful documentaries about Ireland’s history (ahem, The Irish Pub). To spare you the trouble of sifting through hundreds of titles, I've selected the best of the best, including the Oscar-nominated comedy-drama, The Banshees of Inisherin, and Lindsay Lohan's charming Netflix rom-com, Irish Wish. Keep reading for 32 of the best Irish movies you can stream on St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.

1. The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

• Director: Martin McDonagh
• Cast: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 114 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96% | IMDb 7.7/10
• Genre: Tragicomedy

By the looks of the trailer, one would assume that this movie is quirky and humorous, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. Set during the end of the Irish Civil War, the tragicomedy follows Pádraic, a man who struggles to accept that his lifelong friendship with his neighbor, Colm, is falling apart. With such strong performances and hard-hitting themes, we can see why it scored nine Oscar nominations.

McDonagh told Backstage, "[I was] just trying to capture the sadness of a breakup. I don’t usually write directly from personal pain—I was going through something not dissimilar in a romantic way—but I knew it would be about a platonic relationship between two guys. So the very first thing was to capture sadness."

2. The Irish Pub (2013)

• Director: Alex Fegan
• Cast: Liam Aherne, Willie Aherne, Bobby Blackwell
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 76 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100% | IMDb 7.4/10
• Genre: Music Documentary

Grab a pint of Guinness and take a virtual trip to the Emerald Isle with Alex Fegan’s documentary, which dives into the history of Irish pub culture through interviews with pub owners and patrons. Each pub has its own, fascinating story, and it's impossible to not be drawn in by the charming people.

3. Belfast (2021)

• Director: Kenneth Branagh
• Cast: Caitríona Balfe, Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciarán Hinds
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 86% | IMDb 7.2/10
• Genre: Coming-of-Age Drama

This poignant coming-of-age tale follows the everyday life of 9-year-old Buddy and his working-class family in Belfast, Northern Ireland, during the late ’60s—at the beginning of The Troubles. The film, which tackles important themes like tolerance and family, boasts a beautiful soundtrack and a stellar cast.

While discussing the film's message, star Ciarán Hinds told Screenrant, "I believe Ken [Branagh] has made, you could say it's a parochial story, but in fact, it's an everyman story. Because families everywhere are under pressure, young boys growing up."

4. Cardboard Gangsters (2017)

• Director: Mark O'Connor
• Cast: John Connors, Fionn Walton, Kierston Wareing
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 6.4/10
• Genre: Crime

Raw and authentic, this crime film follows a group of young, small-time drug dealers as they try to get into the big leagues of the drug trade in Darndale and make more money. Unfortunately, these wannabe gangsters get more than they bargained for. The movie thoughtfully addresses toxic masculinity, brotherhood and revenge.

5. Michael Collins (1996)

• Director: Neil Jordan
• Cast: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 132 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 78% | IMDb 7.1/10
• Genre: Biopic, Historical Drama

Allow us to introduce Michael Collins, an Irish revolutionary, soldier and politician who led the Irish Republican Army and played a key role in helping his nation gain independence from Britain. Neeson shines as the Irish leader in Neil Jordan’s captivating biopic, which was nominated for two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe.

Neeson previously admitted that Michael Collins reignited his spark when it came to acting. He told Hotpress, "I thought there wouldn't be a high after Schindler's List. In fact, I thought about just giving up. Well, any script I read after Schindler’s List was like, 'Aw f***, what’s the point?' And then the light started to shine at the end of the tunnel, as regards Michael Collins becoming a possibility. And then it became a reality.."

6. Darby O’Gill And The Little People (1959) 

• Director: Robert Stevenson
• Cast: Albert Sharpe, Janet Munro, Sean Connery, Jimmy O'Dea
• Rating: G
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100% | IMDb 7.1/10
• Genre: Fantasy Adventure

If you're up for some magic and adventure, then you'll appreciate this fun fantasy about an old storyteller trying to secure a pot of gold. His biggest obstacle? A 21-inch leprechaun and trickster named King Brian. Prepare for all the laughs.

7. Flora and Son (2023)

• Director: John Carney
• Cast: Eve Hewson, Jack Reynor, Orén Kinlan
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 93% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Musical Comedy Drama

Flora is a single mom with a big problem: regardless of her efforts, her rebellious son can't seem to stay out of trouble. Fortunately, though, not all hope is lost. When she stumbles upon an old guitar, Flora teams up with an L.A.-based guitar teacher and learns to play, finding her voice and bonding with her kid along the way.

8. Sing Street (2016)

• Director: John Carney
• Cast: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Maria Doyle Kennedy
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 7.9/10
• Genre: Musical Comedy Drama

In '80s Dublin, a teen named Conor moves to a new school and struggles to adjust. But things start to look up when he spots the girl of his dreams. Determined to win her heart, he enlists the help of a few pals and forms a new band. Will his plan work?

Regarding the film's "happy" ending, Carney told The Verge, "I sort of hope the scene at the end would look a little like a fantasy sequence. You’re supposed to wonder where the reality ends and the pop video begins. But people are actually taking it very seriously, and people are presuming it’s fully real, which is interesting. That wasn’t the intention."

9. Ordinary Love (2019)

• Director: Lisa Barros D'Sa, Glenn Leyburn
• Cast: Lesley Manville, Liam Neeson
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 92 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 93% | IMDb 6.6/10
• Genre: Romantic Drama

Following several years of marriage, Joan and Tom's relationship is put to the test when Joan is suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer. Aside from Manville and Neeson's effortless chemistry, Ordinary Love raises important questions about mortality, grief, fear and survivor's guilt.

10. Wild Mountain Thyme (2020)

• Director: John Patrick Shanley
• Cast: Emily Blunt, Jamie Dornan, Jon Hamm
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 25% | IMDb 5.7/10
• Genre: Romantic Comedy

We love a star-studded, guilty pleasure rom-com about star-crossed lovers. In this case, a farmer named Rosemary falls for her neighbor and childhood friend, Anthony, a misfit farmer who doesn't seem to reciprocate her feelings. However, his feelings change when he learns that his dad plans to sell the family's farm.

11. Hunger (2008) 

• Director: Steve McQueen
• Cast: Michael Fassbender, Liam Cunningham
• Rating: TV-MA
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 86% | IMDb 6.6/10
• Genre: Drama

Here's your opportunity to get insight into the 1981 IRA Hunger Strike at Maze Prison in Northern Ireland. Steve McQueen's first feature film details the events that led up to the strike and its aftermath, while also shedding light on the final weeks of Bobby Sands, an Irish Republican Army activist who led the strike. It's powerful and moving, though not for the faint of heart.

12. Philomena (2013)

• Director: Stephen Frears
• Cast: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Michelle Fairley
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91% | IMDb 7.6/10
• Genre: Comedy Drama

Inspired by true events, the Oscar-nominated drama film tells the story of a London-based journalist who agrees to help an Irish woman named Philomena Lee, who was forced to give up her child for adoption after being sent to a convent by her father. Both Dench and Coogan deliver stellar performances in this touching drama, which tackles issues like teen pregnancy and social disparity.

13. Once (2007) 

• Director: John Carney
• Cast: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 97% | IMDb 7.8/10
• Genre: Musical Romance

When a struggling musician has a chance encounter with a working mom in Dublin, they start to bond over their past experiences and fall in love. Directed by John Carney, the Oscar-winning musical drama boasts a charming cast, a poetic backdrop and catchy tunes, like "Falling Slowly." (FYI, Bob Dylan loved this film so much that he invited the two leads to join him on his world tour.)

14. The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2007) 

• Director: Ken Loach
• Cast: Cillian Murphy, Liam Cunningham, Pádraic Delaney
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 127 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 90% | IMDb 7.5/10
• Genre: Drama

Set during the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War, this compelling drama follows Damien and Teddy, two County Cork brothers who join the Irish Republican Army to fight against the British. Rebecca O'Brien, who produced the film, revealed that the purpose of the film was to explore this dark period in Irish history. She said, “It's about the civil war in microcosm...It's not seeking that sort of biographical accuracy, but rather, will express the themes of the period. This is the core of the later Troubles, which is why it's so fascinating to make.”

15. The Magdalene Sisters (2002) 

• Director: Peter Mullan
• Cast: Geraldine McEwan, Anne-Marie Duff, Nora Jane Noone
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91% | IMDb 7.7/10
• Genre: Documentary

Set in 1964, this eye-opening drama revolves around three teenage girls who endure harsh treatment after being sent to Catholic-run Magdalene asylums (secret institutions that were designed to house "fallen women"). Fair warning, it's not the easiest watch, due to the horrific abuse the women have to endure, but the film does a phenomenal job of shedding light on the history of Catholicism in Ireland.

16. Nocebo (2022)

• Director: Lorcan Finnegan
• Cast: Eva Green, Mark Strong, Chai Fonacier
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 74% | IMDb 5.8/10
• Genre: Drama, Thriller

If you're a fan of haunting psychological thrillers, then this Filipino-Irish film will do the trick. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, Nocebo tells the story of Christine, a children's fashion designer who starts to suffer from a mysterious illness. However, a new nanny who claims to have supernatural powers arrives, and when she tries to help Christine, a disturbing secret is revealed.

17. My Left Foot (1989)

• Director: Jim Sheridan
• Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 98% | IMDb 7.8/10
• Genre: Comedy Drama

Based on Christy Brown's 1954 memoir, My Left Foot centers on the Dublin native as he grows up with cerebral palsy, having control of just his left foot. Despite his condition and being born into a poor family, Christy is determined to make it as an artist and writer. The film earned an impressive five Oscar nominations, thanks to strong performances and positive messages about mental health.

18. Waking Ned Devine (1998)

• Director: Kirk Jones
• Cast: Ian Bannen, David Kelly, Fionnula Flanagan
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 84% | IMDb 7.3/10
• Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy

In a charming little Irish village, Ned Devine passes away shortly after he wins the lottery. After the news of his big win gets out, three of the townspeople join forces and scheme to get the prize money for themselves. With so many comedic twists and compelling oddball characters, Waking Ned is required viewing for fans of Bill Forsyth's Comfort and Joy.

19.  In The Name Of The Father (1993)

• Director: Jim Sheridan
• Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson, Pete Postlethwaite
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 133 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 8.1/10
• Genre: Thriller

Inspired by the true story of Gerry Conlon and the Guildford Four, the film follows a young man who gets wrongly convicted of bombing two pubs in London, which killed four British soldiers and a civilian. Following its release, In The Name Of The Father became the second highest-grossing film in Ireland and got nominated for a whopping seven Academy Awards.

20. Bad Day for the Cut (2017)

• Director: Chris Baugh
• Cast: Nigel O'Neill, Susan Lynch, Józef Pawlowski
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 69 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 92% | IMDb 6.5/10
• Genre: Crime Thriller

Donal, an Irish farmer, is shocked to wake up one morning and discover that his mother has been killed. When he sees the murderer drive away, he embarks on a mission to get revenge. Although this edge-of-your-seat crime thriller is pretty intense, it includes some funny moments to lighten the overall tone.

21. Intermission (2003)

• Director: John Crowley
• Cast: Cillian Murphy, Colm Meaney, Colin Farrell
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 73% | IMDb 6.8/10
• Genre: Crime Comedy

Think Love Actually, but with an Irish setting and an edgy twist. After John, a Dublin resident, breaks up with his girlfriend, she pursues a romantic relationship with an older, successful banker. But John has second thoughts about their split and decides to get revenge on the banker by robbing his bank, with the help of his pal, Lehiff. Unfortunately for them, a local detective might be onto their plans.

22. The Snapper (1993)

• Director: Stephen Frears
• Cast: Colm Meaney, Tina Kellegher, Ruth McCabe
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 97% | IMDb 7.3/10
• Genre: Comedy Drama

Sharon Curley, a 20-year-old Irish woman who lives at home with her Catholic family, becomes the talk of the town when she gets pregnant. Even more chaos ensues, however, when the identity of the father comes to light. Aside from tackling the ups and downs of an unplanned pregnancy, the charming comedy also explores complicated parent-child dynamics.

23. The Van (1996)

• Director: Stephen Frears
• Cast: Colm Meaney, Donal O'Kelly
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 105 mnutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 40% | IMDb 6.7/10
• Genre: Comedy Drama

Based on Roddy Doyle's novel of the same title, The Van follows Brendan, a young man who joins forces with his best friend, Larry, to launch a restaurant on wheels after getting laid off. The business starts off successfully, but over time, their work dynamic puts a strain on their friendship.

24. Leap Year (2010)

• Director: Anand Tucker
• Cast: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 24% | IMDb 6.4/10
• Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama

After four years of dating, Anna Brady decides to follow an Irish tradition and surprise her boyfriend, Jeremy, by traveling to Dublin and proposing to him on Leap Day. During her journey, however, she deals with many bizarre setbacks and crosses paths with the charming Declan—an Irishman who just might be her soulmate.

25. The Last Right (2019)

• Director: Aoife Crehan
• Cast: Michiel Huisman, Naimh Algar, Samuel Bottomley
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 69% | IMDb 6.5/10
• Genre: Comedy Drama

In this bittersweet comedy, a New Yorker named Daniel wakes up on his flight to Ireland and discovers that an elderly passenger has died in the seat next to him. He's even more surprised to learn that the man listed him as his next of kin, leaving him in charge of the corpse of a stranger. When Daniel decides to drive the deceased passenger across Ireland, it turns into a chaotic road trip that involves his autistic brother and a young mortician.

26. The Luck of the Irish (2001)

• Director: Paul Hoen
• Cast: Paul Kiernan, Timothy Omundson, Ryan Merriman
• Rating: G
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 52% | IMDb 6.1/10
• Genre: Fantasy Comedy

This classic DCOM, which blends humor and fantasy elements with Irish culture, revolves around Kyle Johnson, a 15-year-old basketball star who loses his lucky pot-of-gold charm and learns that he's part human, part leprechaun. To prevent the thief from gaining control of all the leprechauns, Kyle must track him down and defeat him.

27. Gold (2014)

• Director: Niall Heery
• Cast: Maisie Williams, James Nesbitt, David Wilmot, Kerry Condon
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 67% | IMDb 6.1/10
• Genre: Comedy Drama

At the request of his dying father, Ray returns to his hometown to reunite with his estranged wife and daughter after 12 years. He gets the surprise of a lifetime, however, when he sees that they've built a new life with his former high school teacher.

28. The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)

• Director: John Sayles
• Cast: Mick Lally, Eileen Colgan, John Lynch
• Rating: NR
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 7.4/10
• Genre: Fantasy Adventure

After being sent to live with her grandparents in a small Irish village, 10-year-old Fiona starts to investigate a local legend about her ancestor getting married to a Selkie (or a seal who can turn into a human). She also suspects that her baby brother, who was washed away at sea as a baby, is still alive and being raised by the sea creatures.

29. Rosie (2018)

• Director: Paddy Breathnach
• Cast: Sarah Greene, Moe Dunford, Ellie O'Halloran
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Romance, Drama

In this sobering drama, a hard-working mother strives to protect her children and maintain a solid family unit when they suddenly become homeless. The film, which marks director Paddy Breathnach's feature film debut, tackles social injustice and offers an eye-opening look at the Dublin housing crisis.

30. Evelyn (2002)

• Director: Bruce Beresford
• Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Aidan Quinn, Alan Bates
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 65% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Family Drama

Based on the true story of Desmond Doyle, Evelyn tells the story of 9-year-old Evelyn, a young girl who's sent to live in a church-run orphanage when her mother leaves her drunk and irresponsible father. She's forced to live under harsh conditions, but not all hope is lost, because her dad is determined to clean up his act and regain custody of his kids.

• Director: Janeen Damian
• Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Brad Krevoy. Ed Speleers, Alexander Vlahos, Ayesha Curry
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 42% | IMDb 5.2/10
• Genre: Romantic Comedy

Lohan is charming as ever as Maddie, a book editor who harbors a secret crush on her boss and best-selling author, Paul. Unfortunately for her, Paul falls head over heels for her best friend, Emma, and the two get engaged. With the help of an ancient stone in Ireland, Maddie wishes for true love—only to wake up the next day as Paul's bride. Former PureWow Editor Karelle McKay wrote in her review, "With its tender moments, romance clichés and a solid performance by the ensemble cast, this movie is perfect if you’re looking for a fun rom-com to watch on a casual movie night."

• Director: John Michael McDonagh
• Cast: Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong and Liam Cunningham
• Rating: R
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 94% | IMDb 7.3/10
• Genre: Comedy Thriller

If you're into buddy cop films that revolve around an unlikely pair, then you'll appreciate The Guard. Set in west Ireland, the movie follows Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a bold and unconventional Irish cop who teams up with Wendell Everett, a straight-laced American FBI agent, to crack down on Irish drug trafficking and investigate police corruption. Fun fact: The Guard was a huge box office hit and is considered the most successful independent Irish film of all time.

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