Movies About Ireland On Netflix

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont and starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. During his time at the prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates—including an older inmate named Red (Freeman)—for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope. With the help of his friends, he is eventually able to gain his freedom. The film received critical acclaim and was a box-office success, grossing over $58 million against its $25 million budget. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Robbins) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Darabont), and won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Diane Keaton
Rated R

The Godfather is a 1972 crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo's novel of the same name. It stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino as the leaders of the Corleone family, a powerful mafia family in New York City. The story follows their rise to power and eventual fall due to the family's internal rivalries and external pressures. The film highlights themes of loyalty, family, crime, and the struggle between good and evil. As the patriarch of the Corleone family, Vito Corleone (Brando) struggles to maintain control and protect his family while dealing with the threats of rival gangs. Meanwhile, his son, Michael (Pacino), reluctantly enters the family business, eventually taking control as the family's new leader. His rise to power is complicated by conflicting loyalties, dangerous enemies, and the law. The Godfather is considered to be one of the greatest films ever made and has been highly influential in American cinema.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Rated R

Saving Private Ryan follows a group of World War II U.S. soldiers led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks). After learning that three of the four Ryan brothers have been killed in action, the Army decides to send Captain Miller and his team on a mission to find the fourth brother, Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), and send him home. The team embarks on a dangerous mission across enemy lines to locate Private Ryan, and along the way, they encounter fierce resistance from Nazi forces. In the end, Captain Miller and his men are successful in their mission, but not without making the ultimate sacrifice. The film powerfully portrays the brutalities of war and pays homage to those who gave their lives in service to their country.

From Bryan Singer, starring Kevin Spacey, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Stephen Baldwin
Rated R

The Usual Suspects is a 1995 neo-noir crime thriller film written by Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Bryan Singer. The film follows the interrogation of Roger "Verbal" Kint, a small-time con man, who is one of only two survivors of a massacre and fire aboard a ship docked in the San Pedro Harbor. Through flashbacks, Verbal recounts an event for the investigating officers that he claims led to the massacre aboard the ship. Verbal's story centers around an enigmatic crime lord known as Keyser Söze. Five criminals, whom Verbal had been working with, are asked by Söze to perform a job. However, they soon discover they have been set up to take the fall for a much larger criminal enterprise. In the end, Verbal reveals that Söze is in fact a mysterious criminal mastermind whose identity is kept a secret, and that his own survival was due to his loyalty to Söze. The film ends with Verbal being released and the police officers realizing the truth of his story.

From Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, starring Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur
Rated R

The Lives of Others is a 2006 German drama film directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. Set in East Berlin in 1984, the film follows the life of Stasi captain Gerd Wiesler as he investigates the private life of playwright Georg Dreyman and his lover, the actress Christa-Maria Sieland. The film follows Wiesler as he comes to see the human cost of the government's oppressive surveillance tactics, and begins to question his own role in the oppressive regime. Ultimately, he works to protect and defend the couple, and discovers what it means to be truly free. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006, and received critical praise for its accurate portrayal of life in East Germany under the Stasi.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

Shutter Island is a psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film follows US Marshall Teddy Daniels, who is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a hospital located on Shutter Island. As Teddy and his partner, Chuck, investigate the island, they uncover a sinister plot involving the hospital's corrupt staff and the mysterious patient. Teddy is eventually forced to confront his own demons as he discovers the shocking truth of what is going on there. The film is filled with mind-bending twists and surprises as Teddy attempts to get to the bottom of the conspiracy.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciarán Hinds, Martin Stringer
Rated R

"There Will Be Blood" (2007) is a drama film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as an oil prospector in the early 20th century. In the film, Daniel Plainview is an ambitious and ruthless oil man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. This ambition leads him to a small California town, where he clashes with local preacher Eli Sunday, who has plans of his own for the oil-rich land. As the two men battle for control, Plainview ruthlessly pursues all his dreams of wealth and power, while Eli attempts to protect his community from Plainview's machinations. In the end, their rivalry leads to a violent and tragic outcome, as Plainview's ambition and greed leads him to a place of darkness and despair.

From Guy Ritchie, starring Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, Stephen Graham, Vinnie Jones
Rated R

Snatch is a crime comedy film directed by Guy Ritchie and released in 2000. The film follows a group of London-based hustlers, who are dragged into a world of match fixing, jewel heists, and organized crime. It stars an ensemble cast that includes Brad Pitt, Benicio del Toro, Vinnie Jones, and Jason Statham. The story follows Turkish (Jason Statham), an unlicensed boxing promoter who becomes involved in a wide range of criminal activities, after being hired to transport a stolen diamond. Along the way, he and his accomplices encounter rival mobsters, unexpected difficulties, and a mysterious safe-cracker named Bullet Tooth Tony (Vinnie Jones). Snatch is a fast-paced film with an array of colorful characters, witty dialogue, and plenty of action.

From Gavin O'Connor, starring Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Morrison
Rated PG-13

Warrior is a sports drama directed by Gavin O'Connor and starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, and Nick Nolte. The story follows two estranged brothers, Tommy (Hardy) and Brendan (Edgerton), who for very different reasons, enter an MMA tournament in a bid to win the grand prize. As the tournament progresses, Tommy and Brendan must face each other in the ultimate fight. Along the way, they must confront their past, their family, and each other in order to find a way to redemption. Through their struggles, the brothers discover the true meaning of family and the importance of forgiveness.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Fargo is a neo-noir black comedy film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen in 1996. The film stars Frances McDormand as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief investigating a series of homicides, including that of a desperate car dealer who hired two criminals to kidnap his wife in order to extort a hefty ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. As the film progresses, it is revealed that the criminals are being manipulated by an unseen mastermind with a darker agenda. With its signature dark humor, unexpected plot twists, and memorable characters, Fargo has been hailed as a modern classic.

From Brian De Palma, starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Charles Martin Smith
Rated R

The Untouchables is a 1987 American crime drama directed by Brian De Palma and starring Kevin Costner, Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, and Sean Connery. The film follows the efforts of government agent Eliot Ness (Costner) to bring down notorious Chicago mobster Al Capone (De Niro). Aided by a team of incorruptible law enforcers and the legendary Irish-American cop Jim Malone (Connery), Ness must use every legal means at his disposal to take down Capone and rid the city of his corrupting influence. The Untouchables is an intense, action-packed drama that showcases the struggle between good and evil, as well as a complex examination of the costs and rewards of justice.

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a psychological horror film released in 1990 and directed by Rob Reiner. It stars James Caan as novelist Paul Sheldon and Kathy Bates as his 'Number One Fan', Annie Wilkes. After a car accident, Paul is rescued and nursed back to health by Annie, a nurse who is also his 'Number One Fan'. She keeps him captive in her remote home and forces him to write a new novel featuring his most famous character, Misery Chastain. As Paul desperately attempts to escape, Annie's true psychotic nature is gradually revealed. The movie is a suspenseful and psychological thriller, and it was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Actress (Bates) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From James Mangold, starring Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Ben Foster, Logan Lerman
Rated R

3:10 to Yuma is a 2007 American western action film directed by James Mangold and starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Set in the late 19th century, the film follows a struggling rancher, Dan Evans (Bale), who is hired to transport an arrested outlaw, Ben Wade (Crowe), to the town of Contention to board the 3:10 to Yuma. Along the way, Evans and Wade form an uneasy alliance as the former attempts to protect his family from the latter's gang of outlaws and prove his worth to his family. With intense action sequences, this modern spin on the classic western genre is a thrilling ride with a satisfying conclusion.

From Peter Mullan, starring Eileen Walsh, Dorothy Duffy, Nora-Jane Noone, Anne-Marie Duff
Rated R

The Magdalene Sisters is a 2002 drama film directed by Peter Mullan, set in 1964 in Ireland. It tells the story of three teenage girls, Margaret, Bernadette, and Rose, who are sent to the Magdalene Asylum, a convent run by nuns, for different perceived transgressions against the Catholic Church. The film follows their struggle for survival and eventual escape from the oppressive and cruel environment. Along the way, the girls learn about the importance of friendship, self-worth, and defiance of authority. Despite the nuns' efforts to keep the girls in line, the trio come together to ultimately seek justice for themselves and other women in the asylum.

From Mike Newell, starring Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby
Rated R

Donnie Brasco is a 1997 crime drama film directed by Mike Newell and starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp. The film is based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an FBI agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in New York City during the 1970s. Donnie Brasco is a deep cover agent who earns the trust of mobster Lefty Ruggiero (Pacino), while trying to keep his true identity a secret. As Donnie's relationship with Lefty develops, he finds himself torn between his loyalty to the FBI and the friendship he has forged with Lefty. As the FBI begins to close in on the Bonanno crime family, the stakes for Donnie become incredibly high, and he must make an impossible choice between duty and loyalty. In the end, Donnie is forced to make a heartbreaking decision for the sake of justice.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Lucie Mannheim, Godfrey Tearle
Rated Approved

The 39 Steps is a 1935 British thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. It is based on the 1915 novel of the same name by John Buchan and stars Robert Donat and Madeleine Carroll. The movie follows Richard Hannay, a Canadian visitor to London, who finds himself trying to solve a mysterious murder that has links to a spy ring known as the 39 Steps. He is framed for the crime and must evade the police and the spies, who are hunting him down. Hannay eventually manages to uncover the mystery and bring the spies to justice. Along the way, he meets and falls in love with Pamela, a beautiful woman who helps him in his journey. The 39 Steps is a classic Hitchcock film, full of suspense and intrigue.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly
Rated PG-13

The Aviator is a 2004 biographical drama directed by Martin Scorsese and written by John Logan. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as the aviation pioneer and film producer Howard Hughes, and follows his life from the late 1920s to the 1940s. The film chronicles Hughes' early career as a film producer, his eccentric lifestyle, his relationship with movie star Katharine Hepburn, and his battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The film also covers his involvement in the aviation industry and his struggle to build the world's largest airplane, the Hughes H-4 Hercules. The Aviator received critical acclaim upon release, and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for DiCaprio. It won five of the awards, including Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. The film also won several other awards, including three Golden Globes, four Critics' Choice Awards, and four British Academy Film Awards.

From John Hillcoat, starring Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce, Jason Clarke
Rated R

From Antoine Fuqua, starring Mark Wahlberg, Michael Peña, Rhona Mitra, Danny Glover
Rated R