My Top 10 Saint Patrick’s Day Movies and Specials

    Both Halloween and Christmas seem to have no shortage of Holiday themed movies or specials. Plus, for Valentines, there’s a whole grab bag of romantic movies to choose from, and for Easter, they're countless Biblical movies to watch. So … what about Saint Patrick’s Day, do we have anything to watch for this holiday? 

Despite being a commonly celebrated event, Saint Patrick’s Day arguably has the smallest selection of specials or movies to watch during the event. Still, it’s not without its share of specials to watch. For this post, I’ll be counting down my own personal favorite Movies, TV specials, or episodes that either revolve around the holiday, dive into Irish lore, or at the very least are set in Ireland. They don’t all have to take place on the holiday itself, they just have to offer something that puts me in the mood for Saint Patrick’s Day. So, if you’re looking for something to put on for the Greenest holiday of them all … maybe my list will offer something for you to check out.

#10 "Tough Luck" (Jackie Chan Adventures) (2002) 

“Jackie Chan Adventures” was a unique little show from my childhood that combined martial arts action with global adventures. As for its memorable Saint Patrick’s Day venture, Chan finds himself in the possession of a cursed gem, which will give him bad luck for the rest of his life, if he doesn’t return it back to its tomb in Ireland. As if he didn’t have enough problems, he’s being pursued by some bad guys who want to make some shiny coin off the gem. It’s a mad race through the decorated location of Ireland, with lots of action and hi-jinks along the way. While the premise is similar to a Disney movie I'll be highlighting called “The Luck of the Irish”, there’s one thing that allows this episode to stand apart … the bad luck in this venture is hilariously lethal. The boy in “The Luck of the Irish” had to deal with mild-inconveniences … but Chan has to overcome death-threats that are hitting him at every second, and it leads to some amusing sequences. While the premise is fun enough, it’s also a general treat to look back on a childhood cartoon with an episode set on a holiday.  

#9 "Salem, the Boy" (Sabrina the Teenage Witch) (1999) 

Sabrina was another one of those childhood shows that … I can’t say with a straight face really holds up as anything great, yet I still remember having a lot of fun with it as a kid, and as such, I can’t help but have some hidden nostalgia reserved for it. Sense the show revolved around a family of witches living in a suburban environment, it allowed for more cartoony visuals and bizarre plots that no other family sitcom had. Case in point for this goofy Saint Patrick’s Day episode, it goes all over with a crazy plot, decorative holiday visuals, and a loony assortment of characters. Sabrina’s enchanted cat Salem misses the days in which he used to be human, so for a special holiday wish, she makes a deal with a sneaky Leprechaun to make him human for a day. What she didn’t count on was Salem inhabiting the body of a classmate. Things get even more out of hand when the feline turned human once again attempts to take over the world, resulting in a silly chase scene, and a court case held in ancient Roam. It’s basically what you’d expect from Sabrina, it’s goofy, yet has a charm all its own, and enough fun visuals to make for a simple holiday delight.    

#8 “The Luck of the Irish” (2001) 

In this charming little Disney Channel original, a young Basketball player discovers that his mother is in-fact a Leprechaun, and after loosing a good-luck coin, the boy begins to revert to a Leprechaun himself. Think “Teen Wolf”, but with a Leprechaun instead. However, the situation gets a little more complicated as the family luck is also running out, and thus, the race is on to find the coin, and build some self-confidence along the way. Much like how “Hocus Pocus” is a guilty pleasure for me and the kids of my generation to watch around Halloween, this is that unique Disney offering that has a special nostalgic spot in the hearts of us who watched it as kids. There’s a certain charm to the film that could only come from an early 2000’s Disney channel holiday movie, and the people involved are clearly having fun with it. The effects for the time have actually held up, there’s some credible imagination, the cast has chemistry, it’s directed with a lot of energy, and there are even some laughs to be had. While by no means a mandatory movie to watch, it’ll at least give you something nice to view for the holiday, and may stir up some long-forgotten memories.

 #7 “Leprechaun” (1993) 

Oh yeah … what Saint Patrick Day countdown would be complete without a goofy horror movie. It’s the ridiculously silly, relentlessly stupid … yet highly amusing “Leprechaun”. While I typically aim for quality, I occasionally also enjoy some trashy entertainment, and 1993’s “Leprechaun” is easily one of the greatest terrible movies ever made. It was one of the first horror movies to take a colorful holiday mascot, and turn it into a scary, murdering villain. The movie revolves around a young, and very attractive Jennifer Aniston in her first feature film, as she’s joining a group of painters, who are boarded-up in a house with secret magical gold hidden inside. Soon, she and the group are fighting off a menacing Leprechaun, who’s hell-bent on getting his gold back. Warwick Davis plays the beastly little Leprechaun, and he’s a lot fun to watch … in fact, it’s my favorite character-performance of his career. Obviously, this is only a film I’d recommend to people who enjoy trashy monster movies, but there is a crowd for this kind of genera, as it’s dozens of sequels have certainly illustrated.

#6 “The Leprechauns Christmas Gold” (1981) 

While obviously Christmas is in the title, this holiday special falls into the same camp as “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, in that it can be viewed on more than one specific holiday. Case in point of this special, the story is set on Christmas Eve, but everything else from the visuals, to the music, to the tone and personality of the special get me in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day. 

When a boy accidently unleashes the evil Banshee, he pairs-up with the reclusive King of the Leprechauns to protect their magical gold, and maybe along the way, the King will rediscover the love he has for his people instead of his treasure. Honestly, I wish the Christmas elements were removed entirely, as there’s barely a visual, character, decoration, or fantastical element that puts me in the mood for Christmas. All through the special, we’re looking at Leprechauns, four leaf clovers, green Ireland landscapes, and highlighting all kinds of Irish lore in the vein of Banshee’s, magic gold, and rainbows. Heck, even St. Patrick is present in this special, although he’s definitely more of a fantastical entity, then a representation of the Christian St. Patrick in which the holiday is named after. Regardless, this special is bursting with imagery, and atmosphere that puts me in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day.      

#5 “The Quiet Man” (1952) 

It was praised as one of the biggest hit Romance movies from the 50’s, and to this day is arguably the most famous movie to be set in Ireland. When a Boxer accidentally takes a man’s life in the ring, he sets off to his birth place in Ireland, aims to start a quiet new life, and vows to put fighting behind him forever. The only thing he wasn’t counting on was to fall in love with his beautiful neighbor … who just happens to have an anger prone brother. While “The Quiet Man” has nothing to do with either the holiday, or even Irish legends, it’s still set in Ireland, it looks amazing, and it’s just a nice film to watch during the green season. Other movies like Ron Howards “Far and Away” are a little Irish centered, but this film is just swimming in it. This is one of John Wayne’s best departures from his more commonly associated Western genera, and the story revolving around a romantic relationship with Maureen O’Hara is every bit as charming as it is funny. These are two great legendary actors that have stared in a lot of really good movies together, but I think this was their best. When the movie segues between drama, romance, and comedy, it’s all very genuine, and the Irish setting just creates a warm atmosphere that makes this a worthwhile film to check out.

#4 "The Last Leprechaun" (Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers) (1990)

Back when I was just a little kid in the early 90’s, and grew up with the Disney Channel, and my favorite program by far was “Chip N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers”. They were the small team of animal heroes who could do the job the grown people couldn’t, and in this Irish adventure, the team find themselves aiding the people who are at their eye level. The Rangers crash-land in Ireland and are tricked by Darby Spree, King of the Leprechauns, into helping him rescue his fellow leprechauns from their enslavement of the Banshee. The ever-troublesome Dale meanwhile is struck with a case of gold fiver, which could get him in a lot of trouble. This episode is simply … well … “rich”, with Irish lore. From a Leprechaun who may be the last of his kind, to an enchanted pot of gold hidden at the end of a rainbow, and of course a villainous Banshee as the opposition. Throw in a decent message for kids not to be greedy, along with a terrific statement on how the improbable doesn’t always mean impossible, and this episode makes for a perfect Saint Patrick treat.  

#3 “The Secret of Kells” (2009) 

At a remote medieval outpost, a young boy named Brendan lives in the abbey of Kells, and is determined to finish an ancient book brimming with secret wisdom and powers. One day to seek inspiration, he ventures off into a mystical forest, where enchanted creatures hide. There he meets a girl named Aisling, who’s half fairy and half wolf-child … yeah, wrap your head around that. Together, they go on a personal journey to protect their respected kingdom from an invading army, and determine whether or not enlightenment is the best asset against evil. Much like “The Quiet Man”, this film really has nothing to do with the holiday, but it is rich with Irish Mythology, and boasts this captivating atmosphere. It genuinely makes me feel like I’ve just been whisked away into this enchanting tale of Irish legends and lore. Visually, the film is also quite unique, beautifully drawn, and appropriately features green as the prominent color.  

#2 “Patrick: Brave Shepherd of the Emerald Isle” (1993) 

After all the movies and specials I’ve covered that revolve around Irish legends or just happen to be set in Ireland … it’s about time I have something revolving around the man the holiday was named after. In the early 90’s, “CCC Of America” released a series of nine animated half-hour short-films that revolve around famous Biblical characters, and this was one of their best films, revolving around the story of Saint Patrick. I must say, for a 30 min short, it covers just about everything you need to know about this Saint, and why he was so important to the Irish people. It first centers on his childhood, in which he was a slave in Ireland, but thanks to his faith in Christ, he escapes, and learns to become a priest. Years later, he returns to Ireland to liberate the people from the tyranny of the Druids, and spread the wisdom of Christianity. The specials message is good, the voice acting is decent, and while the animation isn’t exactly high-standards, it is still really pleasant. It’s just a sweet little special to watch, and a perfect one to introduce kids to the legend of Saint Patrick.

Before I reveal my #1 favorite, here are some Honorable Mentions …

“Far and Away” (1992)

Gargoyles: “The Hound of Ulster” (1993)

Futurama: "The Luck of the Fryfish" (2001)

The Real Ghostbusters: "The Scaring of the Green" (1987)

"Homer vs. the Eighteenth Amendment" (The Simpsons) (1997)

#1 “Darby O' Gill and the Little People” (1959) 

    Hands down, the movie that seems to have everything I could want in a Saint Patrick’s Day holiday special.

Walt Disney’s “Darby O'Gill and the Little People” revolves around a gardener named Darby, who meets with a clan of Leprechauns, and forms a friendship with their King Brian. Despite their mutual friendship, the two try to outsmart one another to claim a magical pot of gold. While neither the Saint or the holiday are a part of the picture, there’s just so much in terms of Irish Lore, gorgeous Ireland locations, and some catchy songs, that it just feels like the definitive film to celebrate the event. It’s a very simplistic experience, and the individual highlights are just too good to pass-up on. We have an underground world full of Leprechauns, goofy magical mayhem, a frightening Banshee that haunts our main hero’s, and all kinds of charming little adventures that take place in the beautiful Irish country side. Granted, the film is extremely over the top in its presentation of Irish stereotypes, but it’s conveyed with a sense of charm … like the film knows it’s over the top with the delivery, and wants the viewers to have fun with it. The effects for the time are incredible spectacles, there’s some upbeat musical numbers, the characters are likable, the atmosphere is heavy, and it never fails to put me in a happy mood to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day.

Overall, if you want something to watch for the green holiday, I hope I’ve given you some decent options. 

Thanks for reading my countdown ... and Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!