Martin McDonagh has a weird way of making you laugh while your heart is breaking. If you've been putting it off because you heard it's "the finger movie," you're missing out on one of the most beautiful, haunting, and deeply human stories put to film in the last decade. But since the 2023 awards season dust has long since settled, finding exactly where to watch The Banshees of Inisherin depends entirely on which subscriptions you're currently paying for or how much you're willing to shell out for a digital rental.
It's not just a movie about a feud. It’s a breakup movie. Only the couple is two platonic best friends on a remote island off the coast of Ireland in 1923. Pádraic (Colin Farrell) is "nice." Colm (Brendan Gleeson) is bored. And then things get messy. Really messy.
The Best Streaming Options for The Banshees of Inisherin
Right now, your easiest path to Inisherin is through Hulu or Disney+. Because the film was produced by Searchlight Pictures (which sits under the massive Disney umbrella), it has a permanent home on these platforms in the United States. If you have the Disney Bundle, you can basically just search for it on either app and start watching.
It’s worth noting that if you’re outside the US, the licensing is almost exclusively through Disney+ under the "Star" banner. In the UK, Ireland, and Canada, that's your go-to spot. There was a brief window where it popped up on HBO Max (now Max) due to some legacy licensing deals, but those days are gone. Don't waste your time scrolling through Netflix or Amazon Prime Video expecting it to be "free" with your prime membership. It isn't there.
Honestly, the 4K stream on Disney+ is surprisingly high quality. The cinematography by Ben Davis—who also shot Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri—is a huge part of the experience. You want to see those Atlantic cliffs in the highest bitrate possible.
Renting or Buying: Digital Storefronts
Maybe you don't want another monthly bill. Fair enough. You can find where to watch The Banshees of Inisherin by heading over to the usual digital retailers.
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- Apple TV (iTunes): Usually the best bet for the highest video quality and "Extras." They often include behind-the-scenes featurettes that explain how they got that miniature donkey, Jenny, to behave so well.
- Amazon Prime Video: You can buy or rent it here. Rentals usually give you 48 hours to finish once you hit play.
- Google Play / YouTube Movies: Reliable, though the interface for the extras is non-existent.
- Vudu (Fandango at Home): Often has sales where you can snag the 4K digital copy for about $7.99 to $9.99.
Buying it for ten bucks is actually a decent move. It's the kind of film that reveals more on the second or third watch. The first time, you're shocked by the violence. The second time, you realize Colm might actually be the villain—or perhaps the only sane person on the island.
Why the Location Matters (and Where They Actually Filmed)
When people search for where to watch The Banshees of Inisherin, they sometimes aren't just looking for a streaming link. They're looking for the place. The movie looks like a fairytale, but it was filmed on Inis Mór (the largest of the Aran Islands) and Achill Island in County Mayo, Ireland.
The production team actually built Pádraic’s house from scratch at a spot called Gort na gCapall on Inis Mór. They didn't just find a cottage; they built one to match the specific, lonely vibe McDonagh wanted. If you ever visit, don't look for the pub (JJ Devine’s). It was a set built specifically for the film on Achill Island, though the views at Keem Bay are very much real and just as breathtaking as they look on screen.
The "Nice" Problem: What the Movie Is Actually About
You might think you’re settling in for a lighthearted Irish comedy. You aren't.
The core of the film is a disagreement about legacy versus kindness. Colm decides he doesn't want to talk to Pádraic anymore because Pádraic is "dull." He wants to spend his remaining years composing music—something that will outlast him. Pádraic argues that being nice is what matters.
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"But you liked me yesterday," Pádraic says. It’s a line that breaks your heart because we’ve all been there. We’ve all been the person who realized a friendship was lopsided.
The film uses the Irish Civil War, which is literally happening across the water (you can see the smoke and hear the cannons), as a metaphor for the petty, self-destructive fight between these two men. It’s brilliant. It’s dark. It’s why the movie cleaned up at the BAFTAs and got nine Oscar nominations.
Technical Specs for the Best Viewing Experience
If you’re a cinephile, don’t just watch this on your phone.
- Audio: The score by Carter Burwell is subtle but essential. It uses celesta and harp to create a "fable" sound. Use decent speakers or headphones.
- Subtitles: Even if you speak English, the accents (especially Kerry Condon’s and Barry Keoghan’s) are thick. No shame in turning on the subs for the first twenty minutes until your ears adjust to the rhythm of the dialogue.
- Color: Make sure your TV isn't in "Vivid" mode. The movie uses a specific palette of greens, greys, and the vibrant red of Pádraic’s sweater. "Filmmaker Mode" is your friend here.
Common Misconceptions About Streaming Availability
There’s a lot of bad info out there. No, it isn't on Peacock. No, it isn't on Paramount+.
Because it’s a Searchlight film, it’s tethered to the Disney ecosystem. Occasionally, it might show up on a premium cable channel like HBO or Showtime for a month-long run, but those windows are increasingly rare in 2026. The most consistent way to view it is the Hulu/Disney+ integration.
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Physical Media: The Last Bastion
If you're worried about movies disappearing from streaming (it happens!), you can still get The Banshees of Inisherin on Blu-ray. Sadly, a native 4K physical disc wasn't widely released in all territories, which is a crime against cinematography. However, the standard Blu-ray looks fantastic because the source material is so clean.
Owning the disc means you never have to worry about "digital rights management" or a streaming service pulling the title to save on tax write-offs. Plus, the cover art is great.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your viewing of The Banshees of Inisherin, follow this sequence:
- Check your current subscriptions: Open the Disney+ or Hulu app first to see if it’s included in your tier.
- Opt for the 4K Digital Purchase: If you don't subscribe to the above, buying the film on Apple TV for $14.99 (or less on sale) is the best value for long-term access.
- Prepare for the tone: Set aside two hours when you're prepared for a "dark comedy." It is much darker than the trailers suggest.
- Watch the "Making Of" featurette: After the credits roll, look for the short documentary on the filming locations. It provides incredible context on how they moved those cameras across the rugged Irish terrain.
- Pair it with In Bruges: If you finish and love the chemistry between Farrell and Gleeson, watch Martin McDonagh’s first film, In Bruges. It’s the same duo, same director, but with more guns and a faster pace.
Finding where to watch The Banshees of Inisherin is simple once you know which studio owns the keys. Turn off the lights, grab a drink (maybe a Guinness?), and get ready for a story that stays with you long after the final shot of the coastline.