The Best New Irish Movies to Watch This Year

The success of recent movies set in Ireland has made this one of the most interesting film locations to look out for in 2023. When we look at some of the latest Irish movies worth watching, there are some highly varied plots and styles to choose from.

The Wonder – Netflix

Set in rural Ireland in the mid-19th century, The Wonder tells the story of Anna (played by Kíla Lord Cassidy) who has reportedly been fasting for months and has amazed the locals with her constant refusal of food. English nurse Lib (Florence Pugh) is sent to investigate the case and report to a local committee on whether the girl is genuinely able to survive without eating.It’s based on a book of the same name that was written by Emma Donoghue, who also co-wrote the script.  A dramatic and moving story that has been widely praised by critics and viewers, it can be seen on Netflix. Pugh’s performance was particularly widely praised but the actress said that the windy conditions made filming on location in Dublin as well as in County Wicklow extremely tricky at times, and she also mentioned how she ended up being knocked down by a sheep during filming.

Apocalypse Clown – In Cinemas

This imaginative re-working of the apocalypse movie genre sees a troupe of failed clowns cross Ireland following a mysterious solar flare that causes a blackout that disrupts life in the county. Starring David Earl, Amy De Bhrún and Ivan Kaye, it’s a chaotic comedy that sees the clowns meet a variety of weird and wonderful characters as they travel through Ireland.With Irish movies currently enjoying global popularity, it’s no surprise to find that this is encouraging more people to visit the country to see the filming locations or even to start a new life. Those who decide to live here can do so in a variety of ways such as applying for a work visa, investing in the country with a business, or retiring there. A look at the details from an immigration solicitors Ireland service confirms that as more people are immigrated to the island, the harder it can be to complete the legal process. Find specialist Irish services like McGinley Solicitors who know these processes inside out and can help prepare and process your documents can make any move to the island a whole lot smoother (though the same can’t be said for the bumpy roads that are typical of rural Ireland).

The Banshees of Inisherin – HBO Max, Amazon Prime

Although the film is set on the fictional island of Inisherin, the shooting took place on Achill Island as well as some of the Aran Islands. The rugged, remote setting adds greatly to the appeal of this movie, but it’s the performances of Farrell, Gleeson and the rest of the cast that make it so special.This intriguing Irish movie tells the story of old friends Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), whose lives change when Colm decides that he’s going to ignore Pádraic from now on. It was praised by critics and gained nine nominations at the 95th Academy Awards. With many traditional Irish songs featured, it’s a mesmerising trip to Ireland that has been rated as one of the top films of recent years and that can be seen on various streaming platforms. All of these movies are well worth watching, as they tell riveting stories as well as transporting us to a variety of fantastic Irish settings.