Happy St. Patrick’s Day! This year, things are quite different than the usual St. Patrick’s Day Festivities. If you’re like me, you are practicing social distancing due to the coronavirus, which means celebrating the holiday at home. Although things feel strange staying at home so much of the time, we’re blessed to live in an age where we have so much technology available to us. To celebrate the holiday tonight, I thought of a few St. Patrick’s Day-themed movies that could be fun to watch while everyone is at home.
5. The Luck of the Irish
Starring: Ryan Merriman, Henry Gibson, Paul Kiernan, Marita Geraghty
Ok, you’re probably thinking, “Why would I want to watch a 2001 Disney Channel Original movie right now?” My question is, why wouldn’t you!? The Luck of the Irish is an unforgettable tale of Kyle, a high school teen who must fight for a gold charm or his family will be controlled by an evil leprechaun. What a brilliant script. They just don’t make movies like this anymore. The Luck of the Irish has it all, leprechauns, basketball, and singing. Back in the day when this movie premiered on Disney Channel, you know it was time to sit down and watch some real cinema.
Available to stream on Disney +
4. Sing Street
Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Aiden Gillen
Everyone knew a musical would make its way onto this list. It was inevitable. I’m incapable of making a list without putting a musical on it somewhere. Sing Street is a coming-of-age film about Conor, a teenager living in Dublin who tries to escape the difficulties of his family life by starting a band to impress the girl he likes. It takes place in Ireland so you’re covered for St. Patrick’s Day. There’s plenty of singing, dancing, and lots of 80s nostalgia.
Available to stream on Vudu
3. The Irishman
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci
The title is pretty self-explanatory as to why it’s the perfect film to watch on St. Patrick’s Day. He’s an Irish man. The Irishman is Martin Scorsese’s latest mafia epic, nominated for 10 Oscars. It follows the story of Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) and his life of organized crime, eventually leading to jobs with Jimmy Hoffa. I get it. You just looked at the runtime on Netflix and you’re freaking out. Yes, it’s a three and a half hour movie. People LOVE to point that out. Guess what? Now is the perfect time to sit down and watch it considering we’ve got nothing but time in the age of “social distancing.”
Available to stream on Netflix
2. Brooklyn
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson
Four-time Oscar nominee (and should be winner) Saoirse Ronan stars in this beautiful romance about Irish immigrant Eilis Lacey who attempts to navigate a new life in 1950s Brooklyn. There she meets Tony (Emory Cohen), a charming Italian plumber who helps make New York feel more like home. When tragedy strikes, Eilis must go back to Ireland and finds herself torn between her old and new life. Which will she choose?
If you’re a fan of romance films, period dramas, or just quality film in general…this needs to be on your watch list.
Available to rent on iTunes and Amazon Prime
1. The Departed
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Walberg
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish there was a movie where Jack Nicholson played a mob boss who is introduced while ‘Gimme Shelter’ by the Rolling Stones played dramatically in the background?” Wow, do I have news for you! This is that movie! The Departed is an intense and twisty thriller that focuses on a cop named Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) who infiltrates the mob. At the same time, a criminal named Collin Sullivan (Matt Damon) makes his way into the South Boston police department. It’s a tangled web full of Boston accents and some Dropkick Murphy’s tunes.
He is not Irish, but Martin Scorsese has given audiences two films worthy of a St. Patrick’s Day watch. Obviously, they are both mafia related because the man has an obsession. It also marks Scorsese’s first and only Oscar win for Best Director. The film makes it to number one on this list because (Leonardo DiCaprio is the star) it is such an intriguing story that ropes audiences in from the very first frame.
Available to rent on iTunes and Amazon Prime
I hope this list gave you some ideas on something festive to watch for the holiday. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day and stay safe, everyone!