A Baker’s Dozen of Great Food Movies

By Gus Mollasis
April 2021

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Years ago at the Sarasota Film Festival, while interviewing Stanley Tucci on the red carpet, I shared with him what his masterpiece Big Night meant to me and my uncle—both casualties of a failed restaurant venture. Tucci stopped in his tracks amid the red carpet chaos, paused, and related to the stranger who connected with his feast of celluloid bliss that combined the perfect ingredients of pathos and comedy. 

For those reasons, Tucci’s Big Night will always be my best and last supper when it comes to fulfilling my cinematic taste buds and savoring satisfying memories. Big Night is a film that’s aged well—like a fine wine over time. But there are others. Here’s my baker’s dozen of great food films that gave me great pleasure and satisfied my appetite at the movies.  

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Ratatouille (2007)

A completely original animated film about a Parisian rat with a passion for great food.  A delight in every way. One of the great films about cooking ever made, Ratatouille’s protagonist Remy has attitude and is obsessed with fine food. When he teams up with an awkward kitchen assistant, they—as the French say—”cook with gas.” The great takeaway? Anyone can cook—if you’re passionate about what you’re cooking and put in hard work to make it art. This rat named Remy is forever ready for his close-up. Cheese!

Waitress (2007)

A heartwarming story about a small-town waitress who creates incredible desserts. Kerri Russell as Jenna will steal your heart as she serves you coffee and dreams of escaping a bad marriage. The way out? Following her heart and baking her way to happiness. A tale that’s not half-baked but perfectly served—not too sweet or tart—like a good pie with lessons to boot. A whimsical film with profound lessons: even when you think you’re baked into a corner or bad situation, there’s a way out.

Chef (2014)

Lighthearted. Passionate. A cooking odyssey that takes Jon Favreau from a 4-star restaurant to cooking on the road. Chef is a charming- tale of famous chef disillusioned by the restaurant business. Lacking the freedom to be all he can be in his kitchen, a road trip is the recipe that brings him and his son into a food truck, selling Cuban sandwiches and other regional dishes while bonding over the menu that comprises their lives. The food shines and Favreau’s real love for cooking shines through the most. A fun movie ride – and the best food you’ll ever be served out of a food truck.

Soul Food (1997)

The dining room table at “Big Mama’s” house is where the food and stories are served. Soul food is a way to bring a family together around a table, overcoming souls who have been ripped apart due to tragedy or betrayal. Layered, comedic yet served with just a smidge of pathos, makes this a film that will stay with you—and make you feel good in your soul.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2012)

A stunning documentary capturing one man’s absolute devotion to food. In each frame you’ll see the passion on display by famed sushi chef Jiro Ono, who was 85 years old when the movie was shot. A lifetime of dedication earned him the title of the greatest sushi chef alive and revolutionized this culinary art with new techniques. Even if you don’t love sushi – you’ll love this film about the man who is a master craftsman.

Babette’s Feast (1987)

A film beyond being about food. It’s about how a great meal can bring people together to overcome anything. The meal in question, while nearly impossible to recreate, adds to the magic of Babette’s Feast.  Here at the table past mistakes, beliefs, and grudges are forgotten as the incredible meal lifts everyone’s spirits. This is the first film from Denmark to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Tampopo (1985)

A Japanese comedy, Tampopo tells the tale of two milkmen who help a struggling noodle house make a better ramen. Amusing. Original. A tip of its noodle to the spaghetti westerns of the 1960s, which greatly influenced this delightful light comedy.

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

Master filmmaker Ang Lee’s simple yet sublime story of family dedicated to dining together. Once a week, a father and his three daughters in Taiwan get together to enjoy a wonderful meal. Masterfully crafted, the carefully orchestrated cooking sequences showcase signature dishes and cooking techniques. Yet in the end, Eat Drink Man Woman’s greatest lesson? Food can be what truly holds a family together.

Lunchbox (2014)

Ritesh Batra’s film will leave many salivating for Indian food. The late Bollywood star Irffan Khan shines in this story that’s a little spicy, a little sweet, and a lot of fun. For those seeking a romantic drama with some zip, it’s the perfect treat to take in at home or in a lunchbox on the road.

Diner (1982)

Barry Levinson’s masterpiece set in Baltimore shines when lifelong buddies meet at the local diner to discuss everything from who is the better crooner “Sinatra or Mathis” to what makes a perfect wife.  Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Steven Guttenberg, Paul Reiser, and Tim Daily shine in their passage to adulthood—where there’s always time to stop at the diner for one more cup of coffee.

Julie & Julia (2009)

To say that Meryl Streep, a three-time Oscar winner and 20-time nominee, knows her way around the movie set is to state the obvious. It’s like saying Julia Child knows where the pots and pans are in her kitchen. In Julie and Julia, Streep uses the finest ingredients in her actor’s pantry to play the famous chef and cookbook writer Julia Child. Charming with a pinch of romance. Amy Adams as an enthusiastic devotee adds extra spice to this tribute to the joys of cooking.

Like Water for Chocolate (1992)

A beautiful Mexican romance: the story of a young woman, Tita, whose food has power to affect whoever consumes it with her particular mood at the time. Passions rise as rose petals are added. A tale of forbidden love, class differences, and how magical recipes can keep two people close. Just as it’s hard to resist fine chocolate—viewers will find it hard to resist this rich feast.

Big Night (1996)

Directorial debut of Stanley Tucci, who also stars with Tony Shalhoub as Italian brothers who open a restaurant in New Jersey. To boost their struggling business, they hatch the idea to bring musical star Louis Prima to the restaurant to promote the authentic and sublime food. The brothers pull out all stops, including baking an incredibly ambitious dish.. A film about the art of food, family and relationships. Homemade entertainment served in one generous helping over one memorable and big night.