From critically acclaimed masterpieces to cult horror and romantic comedy, here are the 10 most sought-after Irish-themed movies Americans want to watch this St. Patrick's Day, according to a new study.
Experts at JeffBet used Ahrefs Keywords Explorer to find the average monthly Google searches in the US for 245 of the most popular movies featuring Ireland or Irish culture as a major theme. These were then ranked to determine which movies Americans want to watch the most this St. Patrick’s Day.
The 2015 drama "Brooklyn," starring Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, took the top spot with 45,130 average searches a month, followed by the 1993 horror film "Leprechaun", with 26,520 searches. Kenneth Branagh’s critically-acclaimed 2021 film "Belfast" placed third, with 16,450 searches per month on average.
“Whether it's through heartwarming tales of love and friendship, gripping historical dramas, or humorous portrayals of Irish life, the ranking shows that people are looking for movies that provide a viewing experience that honors the spirit of Ireland on this festive occasion," said a JeffBet spokesperson on the findings.
Top 10 Irish movies Americans are looking to binge this St. Patrick's Day:
1. Brooklyn (2015)
Saoirse Ronan stars in this romantic drama which receives 45,130 monthly searches on average in the US, making it the most popular Irish movie across the nation. The film follows the journey of a young Irish immigrant named Eilis Lacey, who moves to Brooklyn in the 1950s to pursue a better life. As she navigates homesickness, love, and cultural identity, Eilis finds herself torn between her new American life and her ties to her homeland in Ireland.
2. Leprechaun (1993)
This entertaining comedy horror stars Warwick Davis in the title role and Jennifer Aniston as Tory, who is one of a group of people terrorized by the malevolent leprechaun as he searches for his stolen gold. As the group fights to survive the leprechaun's tricks and violence, they must outsmart the Irish folklore creature before it's too late. The popular St Paddy’s Day movie receives 26,520 searches a month on average.
3. Belfast (2021)
Set in the late 1960s, Kenneth Branagh’s critically acclaimed heartfelt movie follows the story of a young boy named Buddy, whose childhood in Belfast is disrupted by the escalating conflict of The Troubles. This is the perfect movie for those wanting to immerse themselves in Irish history, with its evocative portrayal of one of the country’s most turbulent periods. Kenneth Branagh’s film receives around 16,450 monthly searches on average.
4. The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Several giants of the Irish acting world, Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan, star in this critically acclaimed movie, which received nine nominations at the 95th Academy Awards. Two lifelong friends reach a deadlock when one abruptly ends their relationship, resulting in tragic repercussions for both individuals. On average "The Banshees of Inisherin" receives 9,370 monthly searches.
5. Rat (2000)
This noughties comedy makes for an entertaining St Paddy’s Day watch and fans are searching for the Irish movie 7,100 times per month. After returning home from the pub one evening Hubert, a deliveryman from Dublin, undergoes a startling transformation into a rat, much to the dismay of his family, but they find themselves warming up to their new rodent family member. A ghostwriter persuades them to document their experiences and turn Hubert into a local sensation by writing a book about their extraordinary journey.
6. Michael Collins (1996)
The biographical period drama stars another Irish acting icon, Liam Neeson, as Michael Collins, who was a prominent figure in the Irish independence movement during the early 20th century. As Collins leads the Irish Republican Army in a violent campaign against the British forces, he faces personal and political challenges that shape the course of Irish history. This staple of the Irish film canon is searched for 7,050 times a month in the US.
7. Once (2007)
"Once," starring Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, is a musical romantic drama film that follows the story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant who form a deep connection through their shared love of music in Dublin. As they collaborate on writing and performing songs together, they navigate their complicated personal lives and pursue their dreams in a heartfelt and moving narrative. With 6,110 searches a month," Once" takes the seventh spot in the list.
8. Leap Year (2010)
Amy Adams leads this romantic comedy film about a woman who travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day, following an Irish tradition that allows women to propose on February 29. However, her plans go awry when she encounters a charming innkeeper and finds herself reevaluating her feelings and priorities. "Leap Year" is searched for 3,910 times on average each month.
9. Calvary (2014)
With 3,600 searches per month, the darkly comedic drama set in a small coastal town in Ireland takes the penultimate position in the list. The movie follows a good-natured Irish priest, played by Irish acting giant Brendan Gleeson, who receives a death threat during confession and must grapple with his faith and morality while navigating his troubled parishioners.
10. Shrooms (2007)
Fans of this noughties horror are searching for it 3,410 times per month on average. It centers around a group of American tourists in Ireland who consume hallucinogenic mushrooms while camping in a forest, only to experience terrifying visions and paranoia as they uncover the dark secrets of the woods. As their trip turns into a nightmarish descent into madness, they must confront their inner demons and the sinister forces lurking in the wilderness.
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