Here are five movies from various platforms families may want to consider, as recommended by Ok.com. Because not all are appropriate for younger children, age recommendations are included.
Leprechans, rainbows and mythical creatures abound in Irish tales. Put on your green, grab some corned beef and cabbage and enjoy St. Patrick's Day with some fun Emerald Isle stories. Here are five Irish-themed films for families to consider.
iTunes: 'Song of the Sea'
Based on the Scottish and Irish legend of selkies (mythical creatures that live as seals in the sea but transform into humans on land), "Song of the Sea" tells of young Irish siblings, Conner and his sister Saoirse, who discovers she is a selkie. Their grandmother insists that the children live with her on the mainland, but after only a short time, Conner and Saoirse decide to return to their father and encounter magical characters along the way. Parent Previews calls the adventure story "a work of art from start to finish" and notes the film's "real magic comes from seeing a struggling family start to have empathy for one another and pull together to heal each other's sorrows." The animated film was nominated for an Oscar in 2015. Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 7 and older.
Amazon Video: 'The Secret of Roan Inish'
A young Irish girl believes she has found her missing baby brother living by the sea as a selkie. The Dove Foundation awarded the film its "Family-Approved" seal for all ages. Common Sense Media calls it "a lyrical, quiet movie about a child's faith in miracles," adding that "the folkloric tale is spun in an idyllic setting with great respect for the wonders of animals and nature." Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 7 and older.
Netfilx: 'The Secret of Kells'
In the Irish woods, a man prepares for an attack by the Vikings. His nephew, who has no desire for battle, works secretly as an apprentice to learn the art of calligraphy and is recruited by an illuminator to perform a series of magical tasks from an ancient book. Common Sense Media notes the "magical ethereal quality" but cautions the movie includes "frightening images of red-eyed, snarling wolves and an evil pagan serpent god." Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 8 and older.
iTunes: 'Darby O'Gill and the Little People'
After being fired, Darby slips through a portal into the world of the leprechauns. He accidentally brings the king home and then demands three wishes, which come with unexpected results. The show features a young Sean Connery. Common Sense Media calls the movie a "low-key fantasy" that "will win tweens' hearts." The Dove Foundation awarded the film its "Family-Approved" seal for all ages. Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 7 and older.
Amazon Video: 'Finian's Rainbow'
Mischievous Irishman Finian, played by Fred Astaire, moves with his daughter to the mythical land of Rainbow Valley in the United States to bury a stolen pot of gold that he believes will multiply because of the power of rainbows and the proximity to Fort Knox. The magical leprechaun Og follows the family to retrieve his gold before he and his fellow leprechauns become mortal. Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 8 and older.
Leprechans, rainbows and mythical creatures abound in Irish tales. Put on your green, grab some corned beef and cabbage and enjoy St. Patrick's Day with some fun Emerald Isle stories. Here are five Irish-themed films for families to consider.
iTunes: 'Song of the Sea'
Based on the Scottish and Irish legend of selkies (mythical creatures that live as seals in the sea but transform into humans on land), "Song of the Sea" tells of young Irish siblings, Conner and his sister Saoirse, who discovers she is a selkie. Their grandmother insists that the children live with her on the mainland, but after only a short time, Conner and Saoirse decide to return to their father and encounter magical characters along the way. Parent Previews calls the adventure story "a work of art from start to finish" and notes the film's "real magic comes from seeing a struggling family start to have empathy for one another and pull together to heal each other's sorrows." The animated film was nominated for an Oscar in 2015. Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 7 and older.
Amazon Video: 'The Secret of Roan Inish'
A young Irish girl believes she has found her missing baby brother living by the sea as a selkie. The Dove Foundation awarded the film its "Family-Approved" seal for all ages. Common Sense Media calls it "a lyrical, quiet movie about a child's faith in miracles," adding that "the folkloric tale is spun in an idyllic setting with great respect for the wonders of animals and nature." Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 7 and older.
Netfilx: 'The Secret of Kells'
In the Irish woods, a man prepares for an attack by the Vikings. His nephew, who has no desire for battle, works secretly as an apprentice to learn the art of calligraphy and is recruited by an illuminator to perform a series of magical tasks from an ancient book. Common Sense Media notes the "magical ethereal quality" but cautions the movie includes "frightening images of red-eyed, snarling wolves and an evil pagan serpent god." Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 8 and older.
iTunes: 'Darby O'Gill and the Little People'
After being fired, Darby slips through a portal into the world of the leprechauns. He accidentally brings the king home and then demands three wishes, which come with unexpected results. The show features a young Sean Connery. Common Sense Media calls the movie a "low-key fantasy" that "will win tweens' hearts." The Dove Foundation awarded the film its "Family-Approved" seal for all ages. Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 7 and older.
Amazon Video: 'Finian's Rainbow'
Mischievous Irishman Finian, played by Fred Astaire, moves with his daughter to the mythical land of Rainbow Valley in the United States to bury a stolen pot of gold that he believes will multiply because of the power of rainbows and the proximity to Fort Knox. The magical leprechaun Og follows the family to retrieve his gold before he and his fellow leprechauns become mortal. Ok.com recommends the film for viewers ages 8 and older.