Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

The Secret of Roan Inish

PG Released Jan 21, 1994 1h 43m Kids & Family Drama List
95% Tomatometer 44 Reviews 87% Audience Score 5,000+ Ratings
Fiona (Jeni Courtney) is a young Irish girl with an unusual family history, including a long-missing baby brother. When she goes to live with her grandparents on the west coast of Ireland, Fiona hears stories about her ancestors, tales that involve mythical creatures called selkies who can shift from seal to human form. After Fiona ends up on the small island of Roan Inish, her family's ancestral home, she believes she may have found her little brother living by the sea. Read More Read Less
Watch on Peacock Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Secret of Roan Inish

Peacock Fandango at Home Prime Video Apple TV

Watch The Secret of Roan Inish with a subscription on Prime Video, rent on Fandango at Home, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Apple TV.

The Secret of Roan Inish

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The Secret of Roan Inish is a gentle fairy tale filled with optimism that's suitable for the whole family.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (44) Critics Reviews
Anne Billson Daily Telegraph (UK) I wish I liked it more, but there's more than whiff of worthy Irish heritage in the air, and the story drifts all over the place. I'm afraid I kept drifting off as well. Nov 27, 2017 Full Review Bruce Diones New Yorker The rhythms are placid and the camerawork (by Haskell Wexler) is simple and unfussy. The film's a charm. May 3, 2013 Full Review Lisa Schwarzbaum Entertainment Weekly Rated: B+ Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Melinda Miller Buffalo News Roan Inish is a beautiful tale of a lovely legend, of love and seals and, instead of giving up your hopes, of giving them a chance to come true. May 11, 2021 Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm ...a story about storytelling, and how folk tales and real life can intermingle. Rated: 3.5/4 Jul 18, 2014 Full Review TV Guide It's family entertainment in the best sense of the term. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 11, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (381) audience reviews
Whitney L This film captures the essence of Irish life alongside it's folklore. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/07/24 Full Review Allison S As an Irish American who grew up watching this movie, it is so ridiculous and Irish. The grandpa literally spends half the movie just telling long stories about his ancestors, and there's a lot of superstition and praying… so it's definitely Irish AF. It's a movie with love to watch and make fun of. I'm sure it's fun to watch in earnest if you didn't grow up with it, but I just can't take seriously grown adults that just fully accept that a small child may be out there but don't look for him because "the sea has taken him". For that alone, it's hilarious. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/06/24 Full Review Mark B Hate to be the bug in the soup but this was not well acted and the dialogue was stilted and pretty poor. It is definitely family friendly from a content standpoint but it does not hold up and doubt it will hold your attention. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/04/24 Full Review Mitch C A "child's tale" that's really better suited for patient adults. Some may find it slow paced and tedious. But the acting is top notch, the Irish cinematography beautiful, and the story a peak into Irish myths. Also, I'm a sucker for celtic music, and the soundtrack does not disappoint. Not sure I would return to it, but I'm glad I watched it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/04/24 Full Review C. Scott A Long and very boring. Stink, Stank, Stunk. I suffered through for my daughter's sake. She wanted to watch it. She was just a child and had no taste yet, so she picked this rotten tomato.. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/28/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie is so beautiful with its setting, Irish myths/legends, and the story perfectly complement each other. It is such a heartwarming story, definitely a must-see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Secret of Roan Inish

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home
Fly Away Home 88% 70% Fly Away Home My Girl 2 27% 46% My Girl 2 Free Willy 71% 50% Free Willy Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home 50% 42% Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home Alaska 17% 44% Alaska Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All Related Movie News
Trailer Bulletin: Little Man Ebert’s Overlooked Film Festival 2005
View All The Secret of Roan Inish photos

The Secret of Roan Inish

The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Fiona (Jeni Courtney) is a young Irish girl with an unusual family history, including a long-missing baby brother. When she goes to live with her grandparents on the west coast of Ireland, Fiona hears stories about her ancestors, tales that involve mythical creatures called selkies who can shift from seal to human form. After Fiona ends up on the small island of Roan Inish, her family's ancestral home, she believes she may have found her little brother living by the sea.
Director
John Sayles
Producer
Maggie Renzi
Screenwriter
John Sayles
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company, Columbia TriStar Home Video
Production Co
Jones Entertainment, Skerry Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 21, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 12, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$82.6K
Runtime
1h 43m
Most Popular at Home Now