Every Leprechaun Movie, Ranked Worst To Best

The Leprechaun movies fit into a special niche in the horror genre where a movie can be both a ridiculous spectacle and a terrifying sight. Even under this consideration, the franchise’s many installments are all over the map in terms of quality. The Leprechaun movies are clearly not trying to do anything innovative or sophisticated, so many of the would-be criticisms seem redundant to point out. They’re all absurd horror films that take a rambunctious fairy tale creature and turn it into a murderous fiend trying to reclaim his gold. Extreme kills and Warwick Davis’ gleeful performance as the bloodthirsty Leprechaun helps the fun movies work far better than they should.

There are many horror films that have capitalized on the appeal of turning an innocent holiday of celebration into the background for a grisly monster movie. The Leprechaun franchise has dominated the St. Patrick’s Day theme since the series debut in the 1990s. None of them were critical hits but nevertheless, there have been eight films in the Leprechaun series with the latest one released in 2018. With a new Leprechaun reboot on the horizon, there is still hope that the franchise will continue to make sequels well into the foreseeable future. Until then, here’s how every Leprechaun movie ranks from worst to best.

8

Leprechaun: Origins (2014)

Directed By Zach Lipovsky

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

01226163_poster_w780.jpg

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Leprechaun: Origins

R

Horror

Release Date

August 22, 2014

Runtime

90 minutes

Director

Zach Lipovsky

Writers

Harris Wilkinson

Producers

Cami Winikoff, Marc Bienstock, Mark Amin, Michael J. Luisi

Cast

See All

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Andrew Dunbar

    Ben

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Stephanie Bennett

    Sophie

  • Headshot Of Melissa Roxburgh

    Melissa Roxburgh

    Jeni

  • Headshot Of Brendan Fletcher

    Brendan Fletcher

    David

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Leprechaun: Origins attempts to reboot the horror franchise and move it away from the more playful style of mischief that Warwick Davis brought to the Leprechaun role. Leprechaun: Origins stars Dylan Postl as the Leprechaun and approaches the creature like a rabid beast rather than a rambunctious character. The 2014 Leprechaun movie dives deep into the lore of Leprechauns and even has a Wicker Man quality in which a town traditionally sacrifices people to the monster.

FACT: Leprechaun: Origins has a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

It ultimately misses the mark and feels like any generic monster movie, which is a very disappointing direction for any reboot. Leprechaun: Origins stands out as one of the worst Leprechaun movies for its departure from the series’ established blend of horror and humor. The absence of Warwick Davis’s iconic performance is impossible to ignre, and the Origins’ attempt at a serious horror narrative falls flat, failing to capture the quirky essence that endeared the original movies to audiences.

Overall, this Leprechaun movie is often viewed as a misstep, lacking the charm and entertainment value that fans associate with the franchise.​

The cast, including Stephanie Bennett and Teach Grant, deliver competent performances, but they struggle against a script that offers little in terms of character development or engaging dialogue. Overall, this Leprechaun movie is often viewed as a misstep, lacking the charm and entertainment value that fans associate with the franchise.​

7

Leprechaun In The Hood (2000)

Directed By Rob Spera

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Leprechaun in the Hood (2000) - Poster - Warwick Davis

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Leprechaun in the Hood

R

Comedy

Horror

Release Date

March 28, 2000

Runtime

90 minutes

Director

Rob Spera

Writers

Rob Spera, Doug Hall, Mark Jones, Jon Huffman, Alan Reynolds, William Wells

Sequel(s)

Leprechaun 6: Back 2 tha Hood

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Warwick Davis In The Los Angeles TV Series Premiere Of `Willow`

    Warwick Davis

    Leprechaun

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Ice-T

    Mack Daddy

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Anthony Montgomery

    Postmaster P.

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Rashaan Nall

    Stray Bullet

Franchise(s)

Leprechaun

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Many were unsure where the murderous Leprechaun could go after conquering outer space, but naturally, the answer was the hip-hop recording industry. Leprechaun in the Hood has a bizarre premise that sees a bunch of struggling recording artists stumble upon the Leprechaun and his gold. It’s an idea that shouldn’t work but manages to be surprisingly entertaining, showing that the Leprechaun can rap just as well as he can kill.

A composite image of Warwick Davis leering at the camera as the Leprechaun in the Leprechaun film series

Related

Leprechaun Reboot: Confirmation & Everything We Know

The classic slasher franchise Leprechaun is officially being rebooted again by Lionsgate, and here’s what we know about the upcoming horror film.

Posts

The tongue-in-cheek early 2000s horror movie is, regrettably, full of outdated stereotypes, but the Leprechaun has a one-liner for every situation. Despite its shortcomings, Leprechaun in the Hood has garnered a cult following for its sheer audacity and unique setting, standing out as one of the more unconventional Leprechaun movies.​

Leprechaun in the Hood is often seen as a bold but flawed experiment, attempting to rejuvenate the series by embracing a different cultural backdrop. Warwick Davis returns as the leprechaun, delivering his trademark blend of menace and dark humor, which remains a highlight. The cast also features notable appearances by Ice-T as Mack Daddy, a ruthless music producer, and Anthony Montgomery as Postmaster P, one of the protagonists.

6

Leprechaun Returns (2018)

Directed By Steven Kostanski

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Leprechaun Returns (2018) - Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Leprechaun Returns

R

Comedy

Fantasy

Horror

Release Date

December 11, 2018

Runtime

92 minutes

Director

Steven Kostanski

Writers

Mark Jones, Suzanne Keilly

Franchise(s)

Leprechaun

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Taylor Spreitler

    Taylor Spreitler

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Pepi Sonuga

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Sai Bennett

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Linden Porco

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

The 2018 entry in the Leprechaun franchise is a legacy sequel that chooses to ignore all the previous sequels before it, directly continuing the original film’s story 25 years later. Leprechaun Returns centers around the daughter of Jennifer Aniston’s character from the first film, who, along with a group of sorority sisters, inadvertently end up on the Leprechaun’s radar.

There’s a level of redemptive joy in Leprechaun Returns to see some familiar faces from the first movie. The Leprechaun at least has his trademark dark sense of humor back although Warwick Davis’ absence is felt throughout. 2018’s Leprechaun Returns is a nostalgic nod to fans of the original 1993 movie, bringing back characters like Ozzie, played by Mark Holton.

However, the recasting of the leprechaun, now portrayed by Linden Porco, received mixed reactions. Porco delivers a commendable performance, but the shadow of Davis’s iconic portrayal looms large. The new cast, including Taylor Spreitler as Lila and Pepi Sonuga as Katie, bring fresh energy to the series. The Leprechaun Returns’ practical effects and creative kills are reminiscent of the franchise’s early days, with director Steven Kostanski offering a blend of gore and humor that long-time fans of the franchise mostly appreciate.

5

Leprechaun 2 (1994)

Directed By Rodman Flender

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Leprechaun 2 (1994) - Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Leprechaun 2

R

Comedy

Horror

Release Date

April 8, 1994

Runtime

85 minutes

Director

Rodman Flender

Writers

Alfredo Septién, Turi Meyer

Sequel(s)

Leprechaun 3, Leprechaun 4: In Space, Leprechaun in the Hood, Leprechaun 6: Back 2 tha Hood

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Warwick Davis In The Los Angeles TV Series Premiere Of `Willow`

    Warwick Davis

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Charlie Heath

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Shevonne Durkin

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Sandy Baron

Franchise(s)

Leprechaun

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

1994’s Leprechaun 2 mixes things up for the franchise as the Leprechaun is out to settle a 1000-year-old vendetta to get a bride. The Leprechaun sequel transplants the conniving killer to Los Angeles. Although there are some wonderfully absurd deaths, it ultimately feels like a step backward. The circumstances behind the Leprechaun’s arrangement for his bride aren’t convincing but the new motivation angle is more compelling than the usual hunt for gold.

No characters really stand out beyond the Leprechaun in the direct sequel, but Leprechaun 2 still has a lot of fun with the Leprechaun’s growing powers. Compared to the original Leprechaun movie, Leprechaun 2 attempts to broaden the scope of the story but falls short in execution in some ways.

Warwick Davis reprises his role, infusing the leprechaun with his signature blend of menace and dark humor, which remains the highlight of the 1994 film. The cast includes Charlie Heath as Cody and Shevonne Durkin as Bridget, the leprechaun’s intended bride. While Leprechaun 2 doesn’t quite capture the charm of its predecessor, it offers enough gore and dark humor to satisfy fans of the franchise, solidifying its place as a staple of ’90s horror sequels.

4

Leprechaun 4: In Space (1996)

Directed By Brian Trenchard-Smith

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Leprechaun 4_ In Space (1997) - Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Leprechaun 4: In Space

R

Comedy

Fantasy

Horror

Sci-Fi

Release Date

February 25, 1997

Runtime

95 minutes

Director

Brian Trenchard-Smith

Writers

Dennis A. Pratt

Sequel(s)

Leprechaun in the Hood, Leprechaun 6: Back 2 tha Hood

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Warwick Davis In The Los Angeles TV Series Premiere Of `Willow`

    Warwick Davis

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Brent Jasmer

  • Headshot Of Jessica Collins

    Jessica Collins

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Rebekah Carlton

Franchise(s)

Leprechaun

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

There was a beloved tradition in the 1990s to move horror franchises into space, like what the Friday the 13th franchise did with Jason X. Even given the trend, Leprechaun 4: In Space is definitely one of the most ridiculous examples. The sequel is by no means good and features a borderline nonsensical plot where the Leprechaun wants to marry a space princess so he can become the king of her planet.

However, the film is so bad that it’s actually hard not to enjoy it. The sequel is full of gratuitous parodies of other sci-fi classics and is the only film in the series where the Leprechaun wields a lightsaber. Compared to earlier Leprechaun movies, Leprechaun 4: In Space takes the series to new, absurd heights, further pushing the boundaries of the franchise. However, while some fans appreciate the outrageous setting, Leprechaun 4 often feels disconnected from the core of the wider franchise.

Warwick Davis delivers another memorable performance as the leprechaun, though the space setting and sci-fi elements overshadow his usual charm. The supporting cast includes Jessica Collins as the alien princess and a variety of lesser-known actors as members of the space crew. The 1994 movie’s special effects are laughably dated, but they contribute to its low-budget charm, making it an odd, yet entertaining, entry in the Leprechaun series.

3

Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha’ Hood (2003)

Directed By Steven Ayromlooi

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Leprechaun 6_ Back 2 tha Hood (2003) - Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Leprechaun 6: Back 2 tha Hood

R

Comedy

Fantasy

Horror

Release Date

December 30, 2003

Runtime

90 minutes

Director

Steven Ayromlooi

Writers

Steven Ayromlooi

Franchise(s)

Leprechaun

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Warwick Davis In The Los Angeles TV Series Premiere Of `Willow`

    Warwick Davis

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Tangi Miller

  • Headshot Of Laz Alonso In The 2024 Astra TV Awards

    Laz Alonso

  • Headshot Of Page Kennedy

    Page Kennedy

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Directed by Steven Ayromlooi, 2003’s Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha’ Hood is an unhinged Leprechaun sequel but somehow manages to be a satisfying morality tale. The film involves the Leprechaun’s gold getting into the hands of a youth center where many of the people use these riches to follow their unfulfilled dreams. The characters in this sequel actually connect very well, making the audience root for them to succeed unlike in other Leprechaun films.

Back 2 Tha’ Hood knows exactly what kind of movie it is and has some of the most satisfying and ridiculous deaths in the franchise as a result while also surprisingly expressing a greater message. Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha’ Hood continues the trend of absurdity and dark comedy established by Leprechaun in the Hood, but it lacks the same level of memorable charm.

An image of Chucky from Child's Play and Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street

Related

10 Horror Villains Who Will Kill You With Their Comedy

Horror villains that are evil but also funny in some way can be very entertaining, from Chucky The Killer Doll to the original Ghostface killers.

Posts

Warwick Davis returns as the leprechaun, bringing his familiar mix of villainy and comic flair, though the setting and tone feel more recycled than fresh. The 2003 movie stars a relatively unknown cast, including Laz Alonso, Tangi Miller, and Sherrie Jackson. While Davis still delivers his usual performance, the Leprechaun: Back 2 Tha’ Hood suffers from a weaker script, and the setting, while fun, doesn’t feel as inspired as in the previous film. Despite this, Back 2 Tha’ Hood remains an entertaining and campy chapter in the Leprechaun franchise for fans who appreciate its B-movie sensibilities.

2

Leprechaun (1993)

Directed By Mark Jones

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Leprechaun

R

Horror

Fantasy

Comedy

3/10

Release Date

January 8, 1993

Runtime

92 minutes

Director

Mark Jones

Writers

Mark Jones

Sequel(s)

Leprechaun: Origins

Cast

See All

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Robert Hy Gorman

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Mark Holton

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

The original film that started it all, Leprechaun uses the brilliant idea of taking St. Patrick’s Day and the playful character of a Leprechaun and making it into a slasher star. The first film is more restrained in terms of violence and gore than the others. As a result, the Leprechaun was held back by many established rules. Warwick Davis’ performance is the heart and soul of the film and was an exceptional choice for the part.

Leprechaun also featured Jennifer Aniston in her first theatrical role, forever linking her entire acting career to the tiny green menace. As the first movie in the Leprechaun, Leprechaun set the tone for the bizarre blend of horror and humor that would define the sequels that followed. Warwick Davis’s portrayal of the leprechaun was instantly memorable, with his high-pitched voice, wicked sense of humor, and distinctive look becoming iconic.

The supporting cast includes Jennifer Aniston as protagonist Tory, alongside the likes of Ken Olandt and Mark Holton. While the film doesn’t take itself too seriously and is low-budget, it perfectly captures the campy spirit of the genre. It remains one of the best movies in the Leprechaun franchise, striking a balance between scares and laughs that is hard to replicate in later installments.

1

Leprechaun 3 (1995)

Directed By Brian Trenchard-Smith

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Success!

Leprechaun 3 (1995) - Poster

Your Rating

close

10 stars

9 stars

8 stars

7 stars

6 stars

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Rate Now

0/10

Leave a Review

Your comment has not been saved

Leprechaun 3

R

Comedy

Fantasy

Horror

Release Date

June 27, 1995

Runtime

93 minutes

Director

Brian Trenchard-Smith

Writers

David DuBos

Sequel(s)

Leprechaun 4: In Space, Leprechaun in the Hood, Leprechaun 6: Back 2 tha Hood

Cast

See All

  • Headshot Of Warwick Davis In The Los Angeles TV Series Premiere Of `Willow`

    Warwick Davis

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    John Gatins

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Lee Armstrong

  • Cast Placeholder Image

    Caroline Williams

Franchise(s)

Leprechaun

Powered by

Expand
Collapse

Leprechaun 3 is the best Leprechaun movie so far. It cuts the Leprechaun loose in the vice-filled Las Vegas where he goes on his most extreme killing spree in the entire series. Leprechaun 3 is exactly the right kind of outrageous in the horror genre. The murder set pieces feature robots, inflating people, and other impressive effects that often feel like scenes from a Nightmare on Elm Street movie.

Leprechaun 3 is the most purely enjoyable movie in the Leprechaun series and still manages to be scary throughout. After the third film, the Leprechaun movies started to reach diminishing returns and their quality began to noticeably taper over time. Compared to Leprechaun and Leprechaun 2, 1995’s Leprechaun 3 amps up the comedy and absurdity, making it one of the more entertaining entries in the franchise.

While Leprechaun 3 doesn’t push the boundaries of horror, it remains a fan favorite Leprechaun movie for its sheer entertainment value, memorable one-liners, and over-the-top kills.

Warwick Davis once again delivers a charismatic and menacing performance as the leprechaun, blending his sharp wit and malice into an unforgettable villain. The cast includes John Gatins as Scott, who finds himself caught in the chaos, and Lee Armstrong as Tammy, a casino waitress who becomes one of his allies. The Las Vegas setting of Leprechaun 3 offers a fun and vibrant backdrop, contributing to the bombastic plot. While Leprechaun 3 doesn’t push the boundaries of horror, it remains a fan favorite Leprechaun movie for its sheer entertainment value, memorable one-liners, and over-the-top kills.