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Trailer

The Secret of Roan Inish

1994Movie1 h 43 minPG

72
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.4Metacritic80–Rotten Tomatoes95%86%

An awe-inspiring, slow-burning adventure movie about family and fantasy, with standout cinematography and world-building.

Good for family movie night · friends night · kids

Skip it if you want fast pacing

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for brutality, laughs or scares.

Movies with

Story

Between land and sea there is a place where myths are real.

Ten-year-old Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents in a small fishing village in Donegal, Ireland. She soon learns the local legend that an ancestor of hers married a Selkie – a seal who can turn into a human. Years earlier, her baby brother was washed out to sea and never seen again, so when Fiona spies a naked little boy on the abandoned Isle of Roan Inish, she is compelled to investigate.

Feels like

  • Celtic Folklore
  • Magical Realism
  • Enchanting Family Story
  • Evocative Period Piece
  • Coming-of-Age Journey
  • Visually Poetic
  • Gentle Mystery
  • Nostalgic & Wistful
  • Nature & Myth

Cast

8 of 8

Crew

Directed by
John Sayles
Written by
John Sayles, Rosalie K. Fry
Produced by
Maggie Renzi, Sarah Green
Music by
Mason Daring

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

May 14, 1994 · 1 h 43 min · PG

Released
May 14, 1994
Runtime
1 h 43 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
Adventure, Fantasy, Family, Drama
Original language
English
Also spoken
Irish
Made in
Ireland, United States
Budget
$6 million
Box office
$6 million
Available in
30 countries

Tropes

Have a Gay Old Time, Real Life Writes the Plot, The City vs. the Country +9

  • Have a Gay Old Time
  • Real Life Writes the Plot
  • The City vs. the Country
  • Despair Event Horizon
  • What Happened to the Mouse?
  • Raised by Grandparents
  • Walking Shirtless Scene
  • Parental Neglect
  • Scenery Porn
  • Voluntary Shapeshifting
  • Hypocritical Humor
  • Raised by Wolves

12 of 34 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream The Secret of Roan Inish?"

Questions about The Secret of Roan Inish

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Secret of Roan Inish?

The RokuKanopyHooplaPlexStarzTubi TV

In the United States, The Secret of Roan Inish streams on Starz, and it is free with ads on The Roku, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 20 other countries.

Is The Secret of Roan Inish worth watching?

72
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 72 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 95%, and Metacritic 80).

Is The Secret of Roan Inish okay for kids?

PG

Yes: it's rated PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Will I feel good after watching The Secret of Roan Inish?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 7 of 10 for hopefulness and 7 for wholesome.

What tropes does The Secret of Roan Inish use?

Have a Gay Old TimeReal Life Writes the PlotThe City vs. the CountryDespair Event HorizonWhat Happened to the Mouse?Raised by GrandparentsWalking Shirtless SceneParental NeglectScenery PornVoluntary ShapeshiftingHypocritical HumorRaised by Wolvesand 22 more

TV Tropes lists 34 tropes for it, including Have a Gay Old Time, Real Life Writes the Plot, and The City vs. the Country.