25 Best St. Patrick's Day Movies That Capture the Heart of Ireland

Saoirse Ronan gives a fantastic performance in this heartfelt drama about Eilis Lacey, a young Irish woman who moves to New York in the 1950s. Torn between her new life in America and the home she left behind, she faces a difficult choice that will change everything. With stunning cinematography and a deeply emotional story, Brooklyn is a must-watch.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman star as Irish immigrants who arrive in America with big dreams—but end up struggling to make ends meet in Boston instead of heading straight to Oklahoma as planned. Their journey is full of challenges, adventure, and romance. This is an exciting historical drama with plenty of heart!

Set on a remote Irish island, this darkly funny and deeply emotional film follows two lifelong friends—until one suddenly decides to end the friendship without explanation. Starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson, it’s a beautifully shot, thought-provoking story about loneliness, pride, and the meaning of connection.

This romantic drama follows a grieving young woman (Hilary Swank) who discovers a series of letters left behind by her late husband. As she follows his words through Ireland, she finds healing in unexpected ways. With its moving story and gorgeous Irish scenery, this film is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Get the tissues ready!

This gripping historical drama starring Cillian Murphy takes place during the Irish War of Independence. It follows two brothers who end up on opposite sides of the conflict, testing their loyalty to both their cause and each other. A powerful and intense watch, it captures a pivotal time in Irish history.

This beautiful film tells the story of a quiet and neglected girl who spends the summer with distant Irish relatives. Under their roof, she experiences true care and belonging for the first time. Thoughtful and deeply moving, The Quiet Girl is a powerful film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

You don't want to mess with this crew of Irish bad guys! They'll make sure you face the consequences, that's for sure. When one man sees himself in this sort of trouble, he decides to flee the scene, bringing his father along with him. You'll let out some laughs while also rooting for the main character.

Actor Daniel Day-Lewis won his first of three Oscars for this film. He portrays Christy Brown, a known Irish painter who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This is an authentic story of the events that went down in the artist's life.

These two Irish brothers can't be stopped. In fact, they'll do anything they can to uncover the schemes of Boston's criminals, no matter how dangerous it can be!

Mike Clarke is a fighter pilot in the 1940s who makes a pretty silly bet with the nephew of mobster Al Capone. He loses, seeing him stranded in a remote Irish village. He thinks he is doomed, but he eventually meets a woman named Maggie, who completely changes the trajectory of his life.

Emily Blunt and Jamie Dornan star as the residents of two neighboring Irish farms in this movie based on the play Outside Mullingar by John Patrick Shanley.

Colin Farrell was bound to make more than one appearance on this list. In this romantic flick, he plays a fisherman who accidentally catches a woman in his fishing net. This might be the most strange way for a romance to begin, but it makes for an interesting watch!

Meryl Streep plays the eldest of five sisters who live together in a small house in Ireland in 1936. The beautiful scenery paired with the women's tales of love and loss make this film worth a watch!

Fans of dark comedy will get a kick out of this movie about an Irish priest who receives a death threat from a mysterious parishioner, and has one week to figure out if it's real.

Nominated for seven (!!!) Oscars, Belfast tells of the story of a young boy's childhood against the backdrop of Catholic and Protestant conflicts in 1969.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Irish pubs all over Ireland in this documentary that serves as a tribute to the country's greatest cultural institution.

Kids and adults alike will delight in this animated film that has everything a family could hope for on St. Patrick's Day: magic, fantasy, and a few lessons in Celtic mythology.

This gripping film is based on based on Frank McCourt's Pulitzer Prize-winning autobiography by the same name, about an American boy who moves to Limerick, Ireland.

Full disclosure: There's not much about this movie that's really Irish except for the gorgeous setting. But it's still a fun watch if you're spending St. Patrick's Day with your friends.

"Mad" Mary (Seána Kerslake) has been labeled undateable after a brief stint in prison—but she needs to find someone to bring to her best friend's wedding. The charming dramedy will have everyone laughing!