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10 must-watch St. Patrick’s Day movies for kids

Celebrate the luck of the Irish with these family-friendly St. Patrick's Day films

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Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. So, why not embrace the legends and mystery of Ireland in honor of the Irish-centered holiday this March by watching family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day movies for kids? The green definitely comes out on St. Patrick’s Day from the bagels to the doughnuts to the cabbage. Kids love when those mischievous leprechauns pay a visit to classrooms and leave behind a bit of a mess. Then there is the luck of the Irish that we all embrace whether or not we’re actually Irish.

This March, join in on all the fun by enjoying some fun Irish-centered movies with the kiddos. We have a list of the best Irish movies to watch with kids in anticipation of March 17 as well as a couple that are earmarked for tweens and teens.

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Top St. Patrick’s Day movies for kids

Family watching a movie together for a family fun night
Evgeny Atamanenko / Shutterstock

If you’re like me and Ireland is on your bucket list, then you already have some wonderful Irish movies in mind to share with your kids. There aren’t as many as you might think, considering the beautiful backdrop of Ireland along with its mysterious history.

So, if you’re looking for great Irish movies to watch for a family movie night in honor of St. Patrick’s Day this March, you don’t need to look for a leprechaun. This pot of gold is filled with Irish movies that will put Ireland on your travel wish list if it’s not already there.

The Quiet Man (1952)

The Quiet Man
129m
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Drama
Stars
John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Victor McLaglen
Directed by
John Ford
Watch on amazon prime video
Take a step back in time with the 1952 classic Irish love story starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. This movie earned an Academy Award for Best Director for John Ford. The film is a must-watch for many reasons, including its inclusion in the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry. The Quiet Man is also on Pluto TV for free.

The Luck of the Irish (2001)

The Luck of the Irish
86m
Genre
Family, TV Movie, Comedy, Adventure
Stars
Ryan Merriman, Henry Gibson, Marita Geraghty
Directed by
Paul Hoen
Watch on disney+
Imagine finding out you are half leprechaun as a teenage basketball player in high school. That’s the premise of this fun Disney Channel original starring Ryan Merriman as the teen. This is a fun fantasy film, perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day movie night.

Waking Ned (1998)

Waking Ned
91m
Genre
Comedy
Stars
Ian Bannen, David Kelly, Fionnula Flanagan
Directed by
Kirk Jones
Watch on amazon prime video
Dying right after finding out you have a winning lottery ticket in your hand is a very Irish thing to do. Everything gets a little crazy when the town, consisting of just over 50 folks, tries to claim the prize. This is a great St. Patrick’s Day watch with older kids and teens.

Finian's Rainbow (1968)

Finian's Rainbow
145m
Genre
Fantasy, Romance, Family
Stars
Fred Astaire, Petula Clark, Tommy Steele
Directed by
Francis Ford Coppola
Watch on amazon prime video
Don’t miss this fun musical-comedy based on a Broadway musical and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The ’60s classic stars Fred Astaire and Petula Clark. Enough said.

Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959)

Darby O'Gill and the Little People
93m
Genre
Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Stars
Albert Sharpe, Janet Munro, Sean Connery
Directed by
Robert Stevenson
Watch on disney+
No St. Patrick’s Day movie list would be complete without this gem. Darby O’Gill and the Little People is a Walt Disney Production from the late ’50s, starring Sean Connery, and it’s all about finding that elusive pot of gold.

Leap Year (2010)

Leap Year
100m
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Stars
Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott
Directed by
Anand Tucker
Watch on amazon prime video
If you’re looking for a rom-com to watch with tweens or teens this March in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Leap Year fits the bill. What’s not to love about a tale of an American woman heading to Ireland on Leap Day to propose to her boyfriend only to find herself falling for a handsome Irishman?

Circle of Friends (1995)

Circle of Friends
103m
Genre
Drama, Romance
Stars
Chris O'Donnell, Minnie Driver, Geraldine O'Rawe
Directed by
Pat O'Connor
Watch on apple tv+
Another perfect pick to watch with tweens and teens is the nostalgic ’90s film set in Ireland in the ’50s. Circle of Friends is also the acting debut of Minnie Driver.

The Commitments (1991)

The Commitments
118m
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Music
Stars
Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball
Directed by
Alan Parker
Watch on amazon prime video
This gem is a must-see with teens 16 plus. It is definitely not for young kids because of the language. The movie, though, is a cult classic, and the soundtrack is absolutely amazing. If you’ve always loved The Commitments and it was the first movie that ignited your love of Ireland, be sure to watch it with your older teen. For younger kids, listen to the soundtrack on Spotify.

A Shine of Rainbows (2009)

A Shine of Rainbows
101m
Genre
Family, Drama
Stars
Connie Nielsen, Aidan Quinn, John Bell
Directed by
Vic Sarin
Watch on apple tv+
Keep a box of tissues handy for this heartwarming film about the journey of a young boy who is adopted and brought to live on a beautiful island off the coast of Ireland.

Riverdance: The Animated Adventure (2021)

Riverdance: The Animated Adventure
86m
Genre
Animation, Fantasy, Music, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars
Pierce Brosnan, Sam Hardy, Hannah Herman Cortes
Directed by
Eamonn Butler, Dave Rosenbaum
Watch on netflix
Wrap up your March Irish movie marathon with a bit of Irish dancing. This animated movie is a fun watch for all ages and will give the kids a window into the iconic theatrical production that showcases Irish dancing.

There is so much to enjoy when it comes to Irish culture — from food to books and music, and yes, movies. Since everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, the month of March is a perfect pick to enjoy a run of Irish movies. These St. Patrick’s Day movies for kids are great for the whole family. There’s even a couple the teens won’t roll their eyes at. Make the evening complete by wearing some green and enjoying some classic Irish desserts.

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