Last Updated on Jan 28, 2025 by James W
Usually, food movies feature a white-coated, white male chef who learns an important lesson from a girl. It is unfortunate that these movies are often awful (remember Burnt played by Bradley Cooper? Or the disgusting Aaron Eckhart-led adaptation of Anthony Bourdain’s kitchen tale?). Then there are all kinds of food-related features available all over the world once you move past those films. These are the movies to turn to when you are craving something actually decent to watch, whether they are nostalgic (Ratatouille, Willy Wonka) or creative (Tampopo, Like Water for Chocolate).
If you love food more than anything in this world, this post is everything you need at the moment. Just get a reliable and fast internet connection like Spectrum and enjoy these amazing movies and shows with your food partners and friends.
The Founder
There is no better way to learn about McDonald’s storied history than by watching The Founder, a documentary that explores the company’s history. Ray Kroc, played by Michael Keaton, goes from a small hamburger restaurant to a national brand, cutting out the original owners. One man’s ambition and greed can lead to tremendous success, but it can also alienate others. The Founder explores this paradox in a profound and often hilarious way.
Chefs Table
The Chefs table series on Netflix showcases the stories of renowned chefs from around the globe. This series is so compelling because of its beautiful cinematography and stories of how the chefs came to love food and learn to cook, as well as their hardships and triumphs. In each episode, the subjects vary widely, so you will find yourself noting down places you should visit if you ever find yourself traveling. Food lovers will love this series!
Ratatouille
An animated film about a rat living in Paris might not seem like a film about cooking, but Ratatouille surprises everyone with its celebration of the art of cooking. In a famous restaurant in Paris, Remy, a rat obsessed with good food, works with a clumsy kitchen assistant to prepare delicious food. As well as educating the viewer on great food, Ratatouille conveys an important message to anyone who is afraid of cooking: anyone can cook.
Big Night
While Babette’s Feast featured a delicious French meal, Big Night features an equally delicious Italian dish. In addition to its exquisite feast offerings, you can expect to find comedy, drama, and romance in Big Night. New Jersey’s coast is home to a restaurant run by two brothers from an immigrant family. Their business struggles to grow despite serving authentic Italian food. No, do not worry; it is not a sad movie. It is a sweet and pure story, and you will love it!
A Bug’s Life
What do you think of A Bug’s Life? Does it appear on this list? As appealing as the ramen bowls and bacon strips in Ghibli films and the glistening ratatouille in Ratatouille are, the food in A Bug’s Life-beige pebbles Flik gathers every day-isn’t as appetizing as it would be in Ghibli films. It’s safe to say that food, or at least oppressive and exploitative food systems, is an important theme in A Bug’s Life. There is a hierarchy in Bug’s Life; grasshoppers are reliant on ants to feed while keeping them afraid. There are echoes of that in American food systems, which force migrant workforces, particularly undocumented ones, into thankless and unforgiving work. The same goes for Flik and his fellow ants, who are promised protection by Hopper’s band of grasshoppers without realizing, until deep into the movie, that they have been trapped in a system that is based on exploitation. Believe it or not, A Bug’s Life is actually a loose remake of Seven Samurai. In the end, it’s a film about how much food we need and how hard it can be to get it.
Salt Fat Acid Heat
Samin Nosrat shows viewers the four elements of good cooking based on her book of the same name. You might have guessed that the series consists of only four episodes, each exploring a different element. Our favorite part about Samin’s show is her interactions with restaurant chefs, home cooks, and artisans around the world, which helps viewers gain a deeper understanding of kitchen fundamentals. The book demystifies the art of making great meals, and you will think, “That’s something I can do.”
Wrapping Up
That brings us to the end of this food post. We hope you enjoyed it thoroughly. Did you? let us know in the comments which movie did you end up watching. Also, if you have any questions or suggestions, drop them down in the comments section, too. We will get back to you soon.
Happy streaming and Bon appetite!
