The 10 Best Irish Movies to Stream on St. Patrick's Day

Irish movies are great to watch any time of year. The beautiful landscapes of the country and the compelling characters that inhabit these stories have given us quite a few timeless classics that are perfect for celebrating Irish culture.

The best St. Patrick's Day movies offer memorable stories you won’t soon forget, and March is the perfect time to escape into them.

What Are the Best Irish Movies to Watch on Saint Patrick’s Day?

Parades, parties, and wearing green clothes aren’t the only things to do on St. Patrick’s Day. With our easy-to-use holiday movie tool, you can also find a great movie to watch with friends, family, and maybe a pint or two.

Not everyone will agree on which film about the Emerald Isle tops the list, but there is a pot of gold’s worth to pick from. Luckily, we looked at the most popular Irish and St. Patrick’s Day-themed movies to give you some options depending on your rating and genre preference.

Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu offer a variety of films about and set in Ireland. Even Disney+ has an original film, Luck of the Irish, that’s perfect for this holiday! Make sure to also check your cable and local broadcasts to see what’s on in your area.

The Guard

Starring Brendan Gleeson and directed by John Michael McDonagh, The Guard centers on an American FBI agent trying to uncover a corrupt drug ring. You may also like Banshees of Isherin, the latest film the two collaborated on, which is currently streaming on HBOMax (not to mention generating major awards season buzz).

The Commitments

The Commitments is based on the Roddy Doyle novel of the same name and stars Glen Hansard, singer-songwriter for the Irish rock group The Frames. Fans of the band, and any other music lovers, should take a look at this comedy-drama to see what it has to offer.

Michael Collins

Directed by Neil Jordan and starring Liam Neeson as the lead character, Michael Collins takes place during the Irish War of Independence. The film depicts their fight with the British and the moving circumstances surrounding the Irish Republic.

The Crying Game

The Crying Game focuses on a British Soldier being held captive by the IRA. Starring Stephen Rea, Miranda Richardson, and Forest Whitaker, it has received worldwide praise for its deep characterization and subject matter.

Intermission

In Dublin, a man named Jon, played by Cillian Murphy, has just broken off a relationship when he meets a local criminal, played by Colin Farrell. The two team up and plot revenge on the ex’s new lover.

If you enjoy Intermission, you might also like The Wind That Shakes the Barley, which also stars Murphy.

Philomena

Steve Coogan and Judi Dench star in this Oscar-nominated film about a woman in America searching for information about the son she had to give up while in an Irish convent as a young girl. Highly praised by critics and audiences alike, the heartwarming movie contains references to a variety of historical events.

The Secret of Kells

The Secret of Kells is an animated fantasy film in which a young hero must repel a group of Viking raiders. It’s actually loosely based on a true story!

The movie has unique visuals and a timeless plot, but keep in mind that, despite its animated format, some violent scenes might not be suitable for young children.

The Snapper

A movie based on a popular novel, The Snapper is a lighthearted dramedy that centers around the pregnancy, and unknown identity of the father of the child of the family’s eldest daughter. The film also centers on family values as the patriarch of this Catholic family sticks by his daughter’s side, despite all the gossip around town.

The Quiet Man

Starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, the Quiet Man is a 1952 film about an Irish immigrant who returns home from America, where he falls in love with a local woman. Wayne’s character, Sean, must contend with the woman’s brother who tries to keep them apart in this romantic drama. With two Oscars and a variety of other awards to its name, anyone who's interested in Irish cinema should check this one out.

In the Name of The Father

Depicting a time of great trouble in Northern Ireland, In the Name of The Father stars Daniel Day-Lewis as a man caught up in IRA riots occurring in Belfast. He is wrongfully accused of murder, among other charges, after signing a coerced confession.

Directed by Jim Sheridan, the movie sheds light on the true events surrounding the Guildford Four, a group of individuals who were tried and convicted of a terrorist attack only to ultimately be exonerated.

How to Stream the Best Irish Films

There are so many great Irish films, we couldn’t possibly include them all. Other favorites you might enjoy include:

1. Brooklyn : Set in the 1950s, a young Irish immigrant (Saoirse Ronan) travels to America and deals with homesickness, love, and ultimately the choice between her two lands.
2. Boondock Saints 1 and 2 : Irish Catholic MacManus brothers (played by Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flannery) take on the crime-ridden streets of Boston in these action-packed thrillers. Check them out now, as a third installment is said to be in the works.
3. P.S. I Love You : With an all-star cast, featuring Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Harry Connick Jr., and Lisa Kudrow, this love story is full of hope and some laughs along the way.
4. Leap Year : Anna (Amy Adams) intends to act upon an old Irish tradition in which a man must accept a marriage proposal received on leap day. However, a series of setbacks may throw her plan off course.
5. Belfast: Nominated for several awards, this poetic film starring Jamie Dornan follows the story of a working class family in Northern Ireland during the unrest of the 1960s.

No matter which movies you pick and how you plan to watch, you’ll need an Internet provider capable of supporting your streaming needs.

Consider us your lucky charm! You can explore the best St. Patrick’s day movies and discover where to watch them with our holiday movie guide.