Chances are you haven’t seen all the films in the Leprechaun series, and that’s okay. We’re going to run through them all, break down how the franchise came to be, and highlight some of the most memorable characters along the way. Because this series? It’s absolutely ridiculous, and that’s exactly why it works.
Leprechaun was originally conceived by Mark Jones as a straightforward horror film. No humor. No excessive gore. But once its lead actor started injecting personality and comedy into the role, reshoots added more gore and leaned into that tone. The result? Something very different and way more memorable.
What followed was unexpected:
Is it high art? Of course not. Is it wildly entertaining? Absolutely.
Usually, we’d start with the villain. But here, the actor matters more. Warwick Davis brought:
that defined the entire series.
Despite constant changes in writers and direction, he remained the franchise’s backbone for most entries.
Two others took on the role:
Porco works because he understands what made the original version fun: the gleeful, wisecracking chaos.
Most films follow the same simple idea:
It’s based on Irish folklore:
And even if you do? Expect a monkey’s paw situation.
He’s not just a killer, he’s a performer.
It shouldn’t work. But somehow… it does.
The original introduces:
It ends with the leprechaun being defeated by a four-leaf clover, fittingly.
A strange twist: the leprechaun wants a wife. Set in Los Angeles, it follows Cody trying to save his girlfriend, who is tied to a centuries-old deal.
Straight-to-video and set in Las Vegas. This one leans hard into:
The main character even starts turning into a leprechaun.
Yes. Space. The leprechaun tries to marry an alien princess while space marines get involved.
Set in Compton with a full hip-hop angle. Features Ice-T as Mack Daddy Onassis.
This is one of the most memorable entries in the entire franchise.
A direct sequel to the previous film, but without its main characters.
Though it does have a few entertaining moments.
A reboot funded by WWE Studios.
Strips away everything that made the series fun.
Result? A dull, lifeless entry that misses the point entirely.
A direct sequel to the original, ignoring most of the series (à la Halloween).
Director Darren Lynn Bousman has expressed interest in making a new Leprechaun film. Meanwhile, Lionsgate has reportedly been exploring new pitches since 2022. With legacy sequels still trending, it’s very possible the franchise returns again.
The Leprechaun franchise shouldn’t work. But it does because it knows exactly what it is:
At the end of the day, these are not “good” movies. But they absolutely hit that sweet spot of entertainment when you’re in the mood for something chaotic and unforgettable.
WTF You Need to Know is one of several ongoing series on the JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel, and you can see two episodes of the show below. To see more, head over to YouTube – and subscribe to the channel while you’re there!