# Leprechaun (film)
*Leprechaun* is a 1993 American horror-comedy film written and directed by Mark Jones, starring [Warwick Davis](https://www.edgepedia.org/warwick-davis) as a murderous leprechaun who hunts down the farmer who stole his gold. Produced by Trimark Pictures for under $1 million, it opened in United States theaters on 8 January 1993 and became the first entry of an eight-film horror franchise.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN) • [2](https://www.slashfilm.com/1411296/leprechaun-writer-director-mark-jones-exclusive-interview-jennifer-aniston/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | 8 January 1993, wide; Los Angeles and New York openings on the same date[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN) |
| Credits | Written and directed by Mark Jones; produced by Jeffrey B. Mallian; filmed 28 October to December 1991 in Los Angeles[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN) |
| Cast | Warwick Davis (the Leprechaun), Jennifer Aniston (Tory Reding), Ken Olandt (Nathan), Mark Holton (Ozzie), John Sanderford (J.D. Redding)[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN) • [3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leprechaun) |
| Format | R rating; 92 minutes; Ultra-Stereo sound; Eastman color negative; Panavision camera and lenses[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN) |
| Budget and gross | Final cost reported at less than $1 million; US box office reported as $8.6 million by SlashFilm and $9.2 million by Rotten Tomatoes[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN) • [2](https://www.slashfilm.com/1411296/leprechaun-writer-director-mark-jones-exclusive-interview-jennifer-aniston/) • [3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leprechaun) |
| Reception | 35% Tomatometer (17 reviews) and 33% Popcornmeter (25,000+ ratings) on Rotten Tomatoes[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leprechaun) |
| Franchise | Started an eight-film series; the first film was one of only two entries released in theaters[4](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/peacock/the-leprechaun-movies-may-be-the-most-entertainingly-terrible-horror-franchise-stream-them-all-on-peacock) |
## Spoilers
### Plot
The film opens in Ireland, where farmer Daniel O'Grady (Shay Duffin) steals 100 gold coins from a leprechaun and returns home to [North Dakota](https://www.edgepedia.org/north-dakota). He locks the creature in a crate held at bay by a four-leaf clover, but ten years later, J.D. Redding (John Sanderford) and his daughter Tory ([Jennifer Aniston](https://www.edgepedia.org/jennifer-aniston)) rent O'Grady's property for the summer. When the leprechaun is accidentally released, it goes on a murderous rampage to reclaim its gold.[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leprechaun) The character, later named Lubdan the [Leprechaun](https://www.edgepedia.org/leprechaun), kills anyone who hinders his search, using magical powers to trick, terrorize, and kill.[5](https://www.peacocktv.com/blog/watch-every-leprechaun-movie-in-order-streaming-on-peacock) • [6](https://lionsgatelimited.com/products/leprechaun-4k-steelbook%C2%AE-corrected)
### Franchise legacy
The film's theatrical performance led Trimark to commission a sequel: *Leprechaun 2* (1994), written by Turi Meyer and Al Septien and directed by [Rodman Flender](https://www.edgepedia.org/rodman-flender), again with Davis in the title role.[5](https://www.peacocktv.com/blog/watch-every-leprechaun-movie-in-order-streaming-on-peacock) *Leprechaun 3* (1995), conceived as "Leprechaun in Las Vegas," was the first entry released straight to video.[5](https://www.peacocktv.com/blog/watch-every-leprechaun-movie-in-order-streaming-on-peacock) In total the series comprises eight films, of which only the first and its sequel received theatrical releases; later entries took the character to Los Angeles, outer space, and the Hood films.[4](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/peacock/the-leprechaun-movies-may-be-the-most-entertainingly-terrible-horror-franchise-stream-them-all-on-peacock)
Davis starred in the first six films. The two attempts to continue without him fared poorly with critics: the 2014 reboot *[Leprechaun: Origins](https://www.edgepedia.org/leprechaun-origins)* sits at 0% on the Tomatometer, and the 2018 *Leprechaun Returns*, a direct sequel to the 1993 film that discards the intervening entries, managed 38%.[10](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/leprechaun-series-ranked-bad-to-worst/) • [11](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/leprechaun-movies-ranked-warwick-davis/)
The title role also marked Jennifer Aniston's first feature film appearance, released before her starring role on *Friends*; director Jones told [Entertainment Weekly](https://www.edgepedia.org/entertainment-weekly) in 2014 that the actress later assured him she did not mind the film and had been misquoted in the past.[12](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/warwick-davis-recalls-jennifer-aniston-intense-reaction-to-his-leprechaun-costume-knowing-shed-be-a-big-star-one-day) • [13](https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/367510/horror-history-leprechaun-unleashed-its-tiny-terror-in-1993/)
**Reboot in development.** Lionsgate is developing a new *Leprechaun* film with writers Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, produced by Oren Koules and Miles Koules of the *Saw* films through Koulest Productions; as of late 2026 the project remains in development with no release date.[14](https://www.movieinsider.com/m21839/leprechaun) • [9](https://comicbook.com/horror/news/cult-horror-classic-leprechaun-is-getting-a-reboot-from-the-saw-team-new-details-released/)
## Development and production
On 19 November 1990, *Variety* named *Leprechaun* one of four $2–7 million projects intended to expand Moviestore Entertainment's motion picture production. In August 1991 the property was acquired by Vidmark Entertainment, a direct-to-video distribution company; the company had since been rechristened Trimark Pictures to reflect founder Mark Amin's desire to produce low-budget theatrical features.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN)
**Directorial debut.** Mark Jones, a television writer whose credits included [Hanna-Barbera](https://www.edgepedia.org/hanna-barbera) cartoons such as *Scooby's Laff-A-Lympics* and *[Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels](https://www.edgepedia.org/captain-caveman-and-the-teen-angels)* as well as live-action work on *The A-Team* and *Riptide*, wanted to move into directing and sold Trimark on his vision.[2](https://www.slashfilm.com/1411296/leprechaun-writer-director-mark-jones-exclusive-interview-jennifer-aniston/) He later recalled the inspiration: "The Lucky Charms commercials had the cute little leprechaun advertising cereal. I said, 'We can turn this into something evil.'"[7](https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-bizarre-story-of-how-a-kids-horror-movie-became-leprechaun/)
**Tone.** Jones said he did not want a straight-ahead horror film; the first draft he sold Trimark was very horrific with no personality in the leprechaun, and he pushed for comedy-horror rather than a straight slasher.[8](https://secondtrack.org/commentary/leprechaun-1993) • [7](https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-bizarre-story-of-how-a-kids-horror-movie-became-leprechaun/) Filming began 28 October 1991 in Los Angeles and principal photography concluded in December 1991, with release originally planned for March 1992.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN)
**Marketing and release.** The 18 September 1992 wide release was delayed to avoid competition with several other horror films opening that fall. Trimark built a $4.5 million advertising campaign that included promotional tie-ins with Domino's Pizza, Subway Sandwiches, professional sports teams, and a Leprechaun comic book distributed at theater chains including Cineplex Odeon, General Cinema, AMC, Mann, and [United Artists](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-artists).[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN) The film reached theaters on 8 January 1993.[1](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN)
## Box office and reception
Released over the second weekend of January, the film earned $8.6 million at the United States box office against its $1 million budget, which SlashFilm characterized as a modest hit for Trimark; Rotten Tomatoes lists gross US receipts of $9.2 million, and ComicBook.com cites $8.5 million.[2](https://www.slashfilm.com/1411296/leprechaun-writer-director-mark-jones-exclusive-interview-jennifer-aniston/) • [3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leprechaun) • [9](https://comicbook.com/horror/news/cult-horror-classic-leprechaun-is-getting-a-reboot-from-the-saw-team-new-details-released/) The discrepancy among these published figures is unresolved across trade and aggregate sources.
Critics were largely negative: the film holds 35% on the Tomatometer from 17 reviews and 33% on the Popcornmeter from more than 25,000 audience ratings.[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leprechaun) Reviewers have described it as comical and playful rather than frightening; Common Sense Media's review noted it "has long aggravated critics, but has pleased horror hounds over the years with its playful attitude."[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leprechaun) Despite the critical reception, the film has attained a cult following, particularly among horror fans who appreciate its comedic tone.[9](https://comicbook.com/horror/news/cult-horror-classic-leprechaun-is-getting-a-reboot-from-the-saw-team-new-details-released/)
## References
1. [Leprechaun (1993), AFI Catalog of Feature Films](https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59584-LEPRECHAUN)
2. [Leprechaun's Mark Jones On Creating An Unlikely Franchise & Directing Pre-Fame Jennifer Aniston, SlashFilm](https://www.slashfilm.com/1411296/leprechaun-writer-director-mark-jones-exclusive-interview-jennifer-aniston/)
3. [Leprechaun, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/leprechaun)
4. [The 'Leprechaun' movies may be the most entertainingly terrible horror franchise, Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/peacock/the-leprechaun-movies-may-be-the-most-entertainingly-terrible-horror-franchise-stream-them-all-on-peacock)
5. [This St. Patrick's Day, Watch Every Leprechaun Movie in Order on Peacock](https://www.peacocktv.com/blog/watch-every-leprechaun-movie-in-order-streaming-on-peacock)
6. [Leprechaun 4K Steelbook, Lionsgate Limited](https://lionsgatelimited.com/products/leprechaun-4k-steelbook%C2%AE-corrected)
7. [The Bizarre Story of How a Kids' Horror Movie Became 'Leprechaun', Vice](https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-bizarre-story-of-how-a-kids-horror-movie-became-leprechaun/)
8. [Leprechaun (1993) Commentary Transcript: Mark Jones, Gabe Bartalos, SecondTrack](https://secondtrack.org/commentary/leprechaun-1993)
9. [Cult Horror Classic Leprechaun Is Getting a Reboot From The Saw Team, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/horror/news/cult-horror-classic-leprechaun-is-getting-a-reboot-from-the-saw-team-new-details-released/)
10. [The Leprechaun Series Ranked Bad to Worst, Rotten Tomatoes](https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/leprechaun-series-ranked-bad-to-worst/)
11. [Ranking All 8 Movies in the Leprechaun Franchise, ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/leprechaun-movies-ranked-warwick-davis/)
12. [Warwick Davis Recalls Jennifer Aniston's 'Intense' Reaction To His Leprechaun Costume, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/warwick-davis-recalls-jennifer-aniston-intense-reaction-to-his-leprechaun-costume-knowing-shed-be-a-big-star-one-day)
13. [Horror History: LEPRECHAUN Unleashed Its Tiny Terror in 1993, Dread Central](https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/367510/horror-history-leprechaun-unleashed-its-tiny-terror-in-1993/)
14. [Everything You Need to Know About Leprechaun Movie (Development), Movie Insider](https://www.movieinsider.com/m21839/leprechaun)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Franchise and series entries as standalone works › Horror and slasher series film entries › 1990s releases*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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