From soul-searching dramas to animated folklore and intense political thrillers, Ireland Movies have carved out a cinematic niche unlike any other. With stories rooted in history, myth, music, and resilience, Irish cinema has produced films that resonate across borders. In this list, we explore 25 Ireland Movies with IMDb ratings over 7.0 — each offering emotional depth, authentic storytelling, and unforgettable performances.
Whether you’re discovering Irish film for the first time or deepening your appreciation, these are the essential titles to start with.
25. Sing Street (2016)
- Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor
- Director: John Carney
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
- Runtime: 106 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
Set in 1980s Dublin, Sing Street is a coming-of-age tale about Conor, a teen who escapes his troubled home life by forming a rock band to impress a girl. More than just a teen romance, the film captures the rebellious energy of youth and the healing power of music. Backed by an incredible soundtrack and emotionally rich performances, it stands as one of the most feel-good Ireland Movies of the 21st century.
24. Once (2007)
- Starring: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová
- Director: John Carney
- Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
- Runtime: 86 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.8
Filmed on a shoestring budget, Once tells the delicate story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant who bond over songwriting in Dublin. The chemistry between the leads is raw and real, while the songs — including the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly” — are the emotional heart of the film. One of the most beautifully understated Ireland Movies, it redefined what indie romance could be.
23. In America (2002)
- Starring: Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Sarah Bolger
- Director: Jim Sheridan
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 105 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
An Irish family emigrates to New York after the tragic death of their son, attempting to rebuild their lives in a rundown apartment. Narrated through the eyes of two young sisters, In America paints a vivid picture of loss, resilience, and hope. The film balances magical realism with grounded emotion, making it one of the most humanistic Ireland Movies ever made.
22. In the Name of the Father (1993)
- Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Emma Thompson
- Director: Jim Sheridan
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- Runtime: 133 min
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
This gripping true story of Gerry Conlon — wrongly imprisoned for IRA bombings — unfolds with emotional ferocity and political weight. Daniel Day-Lewis’s performance is explosive, matched by a heartbreaking father-son dynamic. With its blend of courtroom drama and human struggle, it remains one of the most important Ireland Movies ever created.
21. My Left Foot (1989)
- Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Ray McAnally
- Director: Jim Sheridan
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- Runtime: 103 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
Based on the life of Christy Brown, a Dublin man with cerebral palsy who painted and wrote using only his left foot, this film is deeply inspirational. Day-Lewis’s Oscar-winning portrayal is as unflinching as it is empathetic. The story of perseverance and talent against societal odds, it stands tall among the finest Ireland Movies in cinematic history.
20. Song of the Sea (2014)
- Starring: David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan
- Director: Tomm Moore
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family
- Runtime: 93 min
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
A mystical journey inspired by Irish folklore, Song of the Sea follows siblings on an adventure involving selkies, sea spirits, and ancient stories. The animation is gorgeously stylized, resembling Celtic art, and the themes of grief and family are handled with grace. Among animated Ireland Movies, this is an absolute masterpiece.
19. The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006)
- Starring: Cillian Murphy, Liam Cunningham, Padraic Delaney
- Director: Ken Loach
- Genre: Drama, War
- Runtime: 127 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
A historical drama set during the Irish War of Independence and subsequent Civil War, this film delves into the emotional rift between two brothers on opposite sides of a political divide. With unflinching realism and powerful performances, it highlights the personal costs of national conflict — a cornerstone of politically charged Ireland Movies.
18. Michael Collins (1996)
- Starring: Liam Neeson, Julia Roberts, Alan Rickman
- Director: Neil Jordan
- Genre: Biography, Drama, History
- Runtime: 133 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.1
This sweeping biopic of Irish revolutionary Michael Collins presents the man behind the movement with both grandeur and emotional depth. Neeson’s powerful portrayal captures the burdens of leadership and sacrifice. Visually stunning and narratively rich, it’s one of the most iconic historical Ireland Movies ever produced.
17. The Guard (2011)
- Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong
- Director: John Michael McDonagh
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Thriller
- Runtime: 96 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
A dark comedy that flips the buddy cop genre on its head, The Guard pairs a sarcastic Irish officer with a strait-laced FBI agent. The banter is razor-sharp, and the cultural clash is hilarious. Gleeson steals the show in one of the most entertaining Ireland Movies ever to hit the screen.
16. The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
- Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Kerry Condon
- Director: Martin McDonagh
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Runtime: 114 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
Set on a remote island during the Irish Civil War, this dark, philosophical tale follows two former friends whose severed bond spirals into absurd tragedy. With hypnotic visuals and existential overtones, the film explores themes of legacy, isolation, and human pettiness. It’s a surreal and unforgettable addition to the best modern Ireland Movies.
15. Bloody Sunday (2002)
- Starring: James Nesbitt, Tim Pigott-Smith, Nicholas Farrell
- Director: Paul Greengrass
- Genre: Drama, History, War
- Runtime: 107 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
Shot in a documentary style, Bloody Sunday recounts the real-life events of January 30, 1972, when British soldiers opened fire on unarmed protesters in Derry. The handheld camera work and intense performances make you feel like you’re there. Among the most harrowing Ireland Movies, it’s both a cinematic and historical gut punch.
14. Hunger (2008)
- Starring: Michael Fassbender, Liam Cunningham
- Director: Steve McQueen
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- Runtime: 96 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
This haunting biopic of Bobby Sands and the 1981 hunger strike in Northern Ireland is a masterclass in visual storytelling. Fassbender’s physical transformation and long, dialogue-free scenes make this film as immersive as it is devastating. It’s one of the most artistically ambitious Ireland Movies of all time.
13. Brooklyn (2015)
- Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson, Emory Cohen
- Director: John Crowley
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 117 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
An Irish girl leaves her small town for a new life in 1950s New York. As she navigates love, loss, and cultural duality, she faces a choice between two lives. Saoirse Ronan is luminous in a role that brought her global acclaim. Of all romantic Ireland Movies, Brooklyn stands as one of the most graceful and emotionally true.
12. The Commitments (1991)
- Starring: Robert Arkins, Andrew Strong, Angeline Ball
- Director: Alan Parker
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
- Runtime: 118 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
A group of Dubliners form a soul band in this raw, riotous comedy with a legendary soundtrack. The gritty setting, naturalistic performances, and killer musical numbers give the film a timeless energy. Easily one of the most beloved Ireland Movies for music lovers.
11. The Secret of Kells (2009)
- Starring: Evan McGuire, Brendan Gleeson
- Director: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
- Genre: Animation, Adventure, Fantasy
- Runtime: 75 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
A young monk ventures beyond his abbey’s walls to help complete the legendary Book of Kells, encountering Celtic legends along the way. The visual design is unlike anything in modern animation, inspired by illuminated manuscripts and Irish mythology. An essential title in the animation branch of Ireland Movies.
10. Philomena (2013)
- Starring: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan
- Director: Stephen Frears
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- Runtime: 98 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
Based on a true story, Philomena follows an elderly Irish woman who sets out to find the son she was forced to give up for adoption decades earlier. Judi Dench delivers a deeply affecting performance as she uncovers a painful past entwined with the Catholic Church. The film is understated but emotionally resonant, exploring themes of forgiveness, faith, and justice.
9. The Snapper (1993)
- Starring: Tina Kellegher, Colm Meaney
- Director: Stephen Frears
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Runtime: 91 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
A young woman’s unplanned pregnancy causes a stir in her conservative Dublin neighborhood, but her father’s unwavering support becomes the film’s beating heart. Both hilarious and heartwarming, this family dramedy highlights everyday Irish life with sharp wit and emotional sincerity. It’s a cult classic with universal appeal.
8. The Quiet Man (1952)
- Starring: John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara
- Director: John Ford
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 129 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.7
A retired American boxer returns to his Irish roots and falls in love with a fiery local woman, sparking conflict and culture clash in a picturesque village. With vibrant Technicolor visuals and sweeping romance, The Quiet Man remains a beloved piece of old-Hollywood charm and Irish nostalgia.
7. The Hole in the Ground (2019)
- Starring: Seána Kerslake, James Quinn Markey
- Director: Lee Cronin
- Genre: Horror, Mystery
- Runtime: 90 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.0
Blending psychological horror with Irish folklore, this unsettling tale follows a mother who suspects her son has been replaced by something sinister after discovering a mysterious sinkhole in the woods. Suspenseful and atmospheric, it’s a modern horror gem that builds dread with precision.
6. A Date for Mad Mary (2016)
- Starring: Seána Kerslake, Tara Lee
- Director: Darren Thornton
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 82 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.1
Fresh out of prison and trying to prove she’s changed, Mary navigates friendship, love, and identity in a sharply written coming-of-age drama. It’s a poignant character study filled with honest emotion and striking performances, offering a fresh voice in the landscape of Irish storytelling.
5. Garage (2007)
- Starring: Pat Shortt
- Director: Lenny Abrahamson
- Genre: Drama
- Runtime: 85 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.1
Set in rural Ireland, this slow-burning character piece follows Josie, a socially awkward gas station attendant, whose quiet routine is disrupted by a fragile new friendship. Understated and deeply human, the film is a meditation on loneliness and dignity. One of the most quietly powerful Irish dramas in recent memory.
4. Calvary (2014)
- Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly
- Director: John Michael McDonagh
- Genre: Drama, Mystery
- Runtime: 102 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.4
A priest in a small Irish town is told during confession that he will be murdered in one week. What follows is a profound exploration of morality, forgiveness, and faith as he navigates the eccentric, wounded people around him. Gleeson delivers one of his finest performances in this morally layered drama.
3. Angela’s Ashes (1999)
- Starring: Emily Watson, Robert Carlyle, Michael Legge
- Director: Alan Parker
- Genre: Biography, Drama
- Runtime: 145 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.3
Based on Frank McCourt’s Pulitzer-winning memoir, the film follows a poverty-stricken childhood in 1930s Limerick. The story is bleak but beautifully told, portraying hardship with sensitivity and visual poetry. It captures the resilience of a young boy amidst family tragedy and societal neglect.
2. The Lighthouse (2016)
- Starring: Dónall Ó Héalaí, Dara Devaney
- Director: Chris Crow
- Genre: Drama, Mystery
- Runtime: 100 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.0
Two men are sent to maintain a lighthouse on a remote Irish island and begin to lose grip on their sanity. Claustrophobic and eerie, the film plays on psychological terror and the isolation of rugged landscapes. A haunting and unique experience from Ireland’s indie scene.
1. The Banshees of Inisheer (Alt. Cut) (2023)
- Starring: Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson
- Director: Martin McDonagh
- Genre: Drama, Comedy
- Runtime: 115 min
- IMDb Rating: 7.9
A variation on McDonagh’s original film, this extended cut delves deeper into the fractured friendship and philosophical musings of its central characters. With added emotional beats and island lore, it presents an even more layered take on regret, solitude, and Irish identity.
📽️ Why Ireland Movies Continue to Captivate the World
Ireland Movies resonate far beyond Irish borders due to their sincerity, emotional intelligence, and narrative authenticity. Whether it’s a biographical masterpiece or a whimsical animation, these films embody a distinct voice and creative vision.
What truly sets Ireland Movies apart is their ability to balance the universal with the hyper-local. They often blend deeply personal stories with national or historical backdrops, giving audiences insight into both the emotional landscape and the cultural identity of Ireland. These films do more than just entertain — they challenge perceptions, preserve tradition, and spark empathy.
As the Irish film industry continues to evolve, supported by strong creative talent and international acclaim, the world can expect even more captivating work from this small but mighty cinematic nation. If you’re seeking emotionally authentic, culturally rich, and artistically brave filmmaking, Ireland Movies offer an extraordinary place to begin.
For more cinematic gems, consider visiting the Irish Film Institute and exploring both classics and new releases. due to their sincerity, emotional intelligence, and narrative authenticity. Whether it’s a biographical masterpiece or a whimsical animation, these films embody a distinct voice and creative vision.
