Leprechaun (film series)
A horror comedy series about a murderous leprechaun protecting his gold.
The Leprechaun series is an American horror comedy franchise made up of eight movies. It started with *Leprechaun* in 1993. The story follows a vicious, murderous leprechaun who will do anything to keep or get back his gold. Warwick Davis played the leprechaun in all but two films: *Leprechaun: Origins* (2014) featured Dylan Postl, and *Leprechaun Returns* (2018) had Linden Porco in the role. Every year on St. Patrick's Day, Syfy airs all the movies in the series.
The first two films were released in theaters. After *Leprechaun 2* didn't do well at the box office, Vidmark put out the rest of the sequels straight to video.
*Leprechaun* (1993) starts in 1983, when Daniel O'Grady captures the leprechaun in Ireland, takes his gold, and brings it home to North Dakota. The leprechaun follows him. O'Grady injures the creature and seals it in a crate with a four-leaf clover, but has a stroke before killing it. Ten years later, Tory Redding and her friends accidentally free the leprechaun, who goes on a killing spree for his gold. Alex and Ozzie had found the gold. Alex defeats the leprechaun by shooting a four-leaf clover down its throat with a slingshot, and Nathan blows up the well the leprechaun falls into.
In *Leprechaun 2* (1994), set a thousand years after a failed attempt to claim a bride, the leprechaun hunts for a new wife in modern-day Los Angeles. He kidnaps Bridget, a teenager descended from his original choice, and terrorizes her boyfriend Cody, who took one of his gold coins. Cody saves Bridget by impaling the leprechaun with a wrought iron spike, one of the few things that can hurt him.
*Leprechaun 3* (1995) begins with the leprechaun turned into a statue by a magical medallion and sold to a Las Vegas pawn shop. When the clerk removes the medallion, the leprechaun returns to life, kills him, and rampages through Vegas looking for a wish-granting coin that keeps changing hands. College student Scott McCoy and his girlfriend Tammy Larsen defeat him by blasting his gold with a flamethrower, causing the gold to vanish and the leprechaun to burst into flames.
*Leprechaun 4: In Space* (1997) takes place in the future. The leprechaun kidnaps and woos an alien princess named Zarina. After marines rescue her and blow him up, the leprechaun is reborn on their ship, bursting out of a man named Kowalski's groin. He hunts for his stolen bride and gold, killin
- Number of films
- 8
- First film
- Leprechaun (1993)
- Primary actor
- Warwick Davis (six films)
- Other actors
- Dylan Postl (2014), Linden Porco (2018)
- Genre
- Horror comedy
- Notable cast member
- Jennifer Aniston (first film)
- Annual TV event
- All films played on Syfy on St. Patrick's Day
Lore & Background
The series began with *Leprechaun* (1993), in which Daniel O'Grady captures the Leprechaun in Ireland, takes his gold, and smuggles it to North Dakota. The Leprechaun is sealed in a crate but accidentally released ten years later by Tory Redding and her friends, leading to a killing spree. The Leprechaun is defeated when a four-leaf clover is shot down his throat and he falls into a well. The second film, *Leprechaun 2* (1994), follows the Leprechaun seeking a bride in Los Angeles, while *Leprechaun 3* (1995) sees him rampaging through Las Vegas after being sold to a pawn shop. *Leprechaun 4: In Space* (1997) takes place in the future, where the Leprechaun abducts an alien princess and is eventually ejected into space.
Reader's Guide
The Leprechaun series is significant as a long-running horror comedy franchise that blends supernatural horror with dark humor. The first two films were theatrically released, but after the disappointing gross of *Leprechaun 2*, subsequent sequels were released direct-to-video, reflecting a shift in distribution strategy. The series is notable for featuring Warwick Davis in the title role for six films, with the character portrayed by WWE wrestler Dylan Postl in the 2014 reboot and Linden Porco in the 2018 sequel. The franchise has a cult following and is annually celebrated on Syfy on St. Patrick's Day. Its legacy includes launching the film career of Jennifer Aniston, who starred in the original film. The series also attempted a crossover with the Candyman franchise, though it was never realized.
Did You Know?
- Warwick Davis plays the Leprechaun in every film except *Leprechaun: Origins* (2014) and *Leprechaun Returns* (2018).
- All Leprechaun films are played on Syfy on St. Patrick's Day.
- The first two films were theatrically released; subsequent sequels went direct-to-video after *Leprechaun 2* underperformed.
- A crossover film with the Candyman series, *Candyman vs. Leprechaun*, was in development but stalled after Tony Todd refused to participate.
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