'Belfast', 'Leprechaun' and 10 other films to watch for St. Patrick’s Day

If you are not heading to a parade or other public gathering, you can still celebrate St. Patrick’s Day from the comfort of your own couch.
St. Patrick’s Day, which is on Thursday, March 17, often conjures up images of shamrocks, leprechauns, wearing green, festive libations, and other cultural traditions associated with the patron saint of Ireland.
For those interested in enjoying films centered around the country, or people of Irish ancestry, you are in luck. Binging a marathon of Irish movies has never been easier and is a perfect way to celebrate the Emerald Isle. So raise a pint of Guinness or Irish coffee, and take in the cinematic splendor of these Irish favorites.
P.S. I Love You (2007)
This romantic tearjerker finds Oscar winner Hilary Swank traveling on a journey from New York City to Ireland after her husband (Gerard Butler) dies and leaves her a string of messages arranged prior to his passing. The star-studded cast also includes Lisa Kudrow, Harry Connick Jr., Kathy Bates, Gina Gershon and Jeffrey Morgan.
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)
Taking place between 1919 - 1923, during the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War, the film centers on two brothers who join the Irish Republican Army to fight against British forces. “Batman Begins” actor Cillian Murphy stars as one of the brothers.

Intermission (2003)
Colin Farrell leads a troop of renowned Irish actors, including Cillian Murphy, Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire), and Colin Meaney (The Commitments), through interconnected storylines in this black comedy crime caper set in Dublin, Ireland.
The Boondock Saints (1999)
This action thriller stars Sean Patrick Flanery and “The Walking Dead” actor Norman Reedus as two Irish American brothers who become vigilantes as they go up against Boston mobsters. Willem Dafoe co-stars as the FBI agent assigned to the case.
In the Name of the Father (1993)
Daniel Day Lewis stars in this biographical drama about an Irishman’s fight to overturn his wrongful conviction for an IRA bombing in 1974. Nominated for 7 Oscars, the film was directed by Jim Sheridan and co-stars Emma Thompson.
Brooklyn (2015)
Set in the 1950s, Saoirse Ronan plays an Irish woman who moves to New York to find work and start a new life in the foreign land. After falling in love, she finds herself torn between the two countries.
Belfast (2021)
Currently nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, “Belfast” tells the story of a working class family through the eyes of a nine-year-old in 1969. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the film co-stars Judi Dench, Jamie Dornan, Caitrona Balfe, and newcomer Jude Hill as the young boy.
‘71 (2015)
The historical action film tells the fictional story of a British soldier who gets accidentally left behind by his troop during a riot on the streets of Belfast in 1971. “Unbroken” actor Jack O’Connell stars as the soldier.
The Crying Game (1992)
Stephen Rea stars as a member of the Irish Republican Army, Fergus, who forms an unlikely bond with Jody (Forest Whitaker), a British soldier in his custody. After accidentally having a hand in Jody’s death, Fergus winds up starting a relationship with the soldier’s girlfriend (Jaye Davidson). Nominated for 6 Oscars, writer/director Neil Jordan won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Hunger (2008)
The historical drama stars Michael Fassbender as Bobby Sands, a member of the Irish Republican Army who led a hunger strike while in a Northern Ireland prison in 1981. The movie marks the feature film directorial debut of Steve McQueen, who would go on to work with Fassbender again on “Shame” and “12 Years a Slave.”
Wild Mountain Thyme (2020)
Emily Blunt portrays an Irish woman who is in love with her childhood neighbor, played by Jamie Dornan. When he fails to make a move, she winds up being wooed by Dornan’s American cousin, played by Jon Hamm. Who will she choose?
Leprechaun (1993)
Jennifer Aniston made her film debut in this horror classic about an evil leprechaun named Lubdan, who stalks anyone he believes has taken his gold. While it may not have been a critical success, the film has spawned an entire franchise with multiple sequels frightening audiences for nearly three decades.
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