Whether you’re looking for a movie to entertain your kids on St. Patrick’s Day or you want celebrate the holiday with a trip down memory lane, we have the perfect list of movies for the whole family to enjoy. Keep reading for our picks of some of the best St. Patrick’s Day movies to enjoy with your family this year. 

‘Darby O’Gill and the Little People’ (1959) 

With a little Irish folklore and fun mixed with a pinch Disney magic, Darby O’Gill and the Little People is a great choice to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day. 

The film revolves around Darby O’Gill, a caretaker of a large estate, who is famous for spouting tales of leprechauns and other mythological creatures. Unbeknownst to those around him, his seemingly nonsensical ramblings aren’t entirely untrue. Darby is on a search for the mythical pot of gold, continually trying to capture a small tribe of leprechauns. There’s only one problem. Darby is adversaries with King Brian, the leader of the leprechauns and the two constantly try to outwit each other. In order to discover the treasure, Darby must outfox the king of the leprechauns. 

The film stars Albert Sharpe as Darby O’Gill, Jimmy O’Dea as King Brian, Janet Munro as Katie O’Gill, and Sean Connery as Michael McBride, Darby’s replacement caretaker. 

Darby O’Gill and the Little People is available on Disney+. 

‘The Secret of Kells’ (2009)

In a celebration of Irish culture and mythology, the Oscar-nominated animated film, The Secret of Kells explores the power of courage and faith when tested by the forces of evil and greed. 

After his home is threatened by a band of brutish Vikings during the 9th century, a young boy named Brendan is forced to muster up the courage to venture into a magical forest in order to complete an illuminated book of mystical legend, The Book of Kells. Along the way, he meets a fairy named Aisling, a mysterious wolf-girl, who helps him throughout his journey. The film stars the voice talents of Evan McGuire, Brendan Gleeson, Christen Mooney, Mick Lally, Michael McGrath, Liam Hourican, Paul Tylak, and Paul Young. 

The Secret of Kells is available to rent on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes, and Amazon Prime. 

‘The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns’ (1999)

Sometimes everything you’re looking for can be found in the least likely of places. Yes, even a magical isle inhabited by leprechauns and fairies. 

American businessman Jack Woods rents a cottage on the magical Emerald Isle, an enchanted place that’s home to magical creatures, like fairies and leprechauns. Jack ends up reluctantly befriending a group of leprechauns while romance blooms between himself and a young Irish woman named Kathleen. Meanwhile, two star-crossed lovers from the leprechaun clan and the fairy clan have reawakened an ancient magical war between the two groups with their love. An oracle known as The Great Banshee warns Jack of “impending doom.” Will Jack be able to resolve the magical feud between fairies and leprechauns, or is the fate of those on Emerald Isle doomed and sealed? 

The Hallmark television film features a star-studded cast, including Randy Quaid, Colm Meaney, Kieran Culkin, Roger Daltrey, Caroline Carver, and Whoopi Goldberg as The Great Banshee.

The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns is available to stream on Tubi. 

‘The Secret of Roan Inish’ (1994)

Based on the novel Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry by Rosalie K. Fry, The Secret of Roan Inish explores Irish mythology and the power of family in this magical tale. 

After her mother passes away and her father falls ill, 10-year-old Fiona moves to a small fishing village to live with her grandparents in Donegal, Ireland. Years earlier, Fiona’s baby brother vanished at sea in a boat-shaped cradle and has been missing ever since. After Fiona learns that one of her ancestors actually married a “Selkie”, a seal that can shed its skin and turn human in Irish folklore, she becomes convinced that her brother is being raised by selkies on the remote, deserted Isle of Roan Inish. She sets out to discover the secret of the isle and bring her brother home safely. The film stars Mick Lally, Eileen Colgen, John Lynch, Jen Courtney, Richard Sheridan, and Cillian Byrne. 

The Secret of Roan Inish is available to rent on iTunes.

‘The Luck of the Irish’

Kyle Johnson has it all. He’s one of the most popular kids at his school and a star athlete on the basketball team. Once Kyle loses his lucky golden coin, however, things begin to take a turn for the worst. He begins to shrink in size and grow pointed ears. His hair color changes from brown to orange. When he comes home, he realizes that his mother has undergone similar changes right down to the thick Irish accent. Kyle knew very little about his ancestry, but the series of odd events revealed that he isn’t only Irish; he’s also half leprechaun! 

In order to return his family and himself to their normal human forms, Kyle must find his lucky golden coin and defeat an evil leprechaun that plans to control his family forever. 

The film stars Ryan Merriman, Glenndon Chatman, Marita Geraghty, Paul Kiernan, and Timothy Omundson. 

The Luck of the Irish is available to stream on Disney+. 

Read more: The Best St. Patrick’s Day Movies to Binge