Our team compiled the best food movies and here is what they came up with
Netflix caters as much to kids as it does to adults. It may surprise the youthful crowd or their parents that the kid category and profiles that there are more present beyond preschool diversions. There’s a surprising amount of quality films to appease the little ones who want to enjoy the streaming service for themselves. For the kids out there, here are ten best kids movies on Netflix.
Here are the 18 best food movies to check out on the streaming service.
1. Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
Rated PG, $37 million box office, This Taiwanese film directed by Ang Lee tells the story of a retired chef who, every Sunday, cooks a lavish dinner for his three grown-up daughters. As their personal lives change, the meals become a way for them to connect and communicate. The movie was appreciated for its intricate storytelling, and its exploration of family dynamics through food.
2. Chef (2014)
Rated R, $45 million box office, This indie film stars and was directed by Jon Favreau as a chef who loses his job at a prominent restaurant and starts a food truck in an effort to reclaim his artistic promise and family. The movie was appreciated for its charismatic performances, comedic and relatable story.
3. The Lunchbox (2013)
Rated PG, $4.5 million box office, A mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to an older man in the dusk of his life as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. The movie was appreciated for its heartwarming story and perfect blend of Indian culture and food.
4. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
Rated PG, $4.9 million box office, This documentary film follows the story of Jiro Ono, an 85-year-old sushi master and his world-renowned restaurant. The movie was appreciated for its beautiful imagery, and its portrayal of the dedication and passion that goes into making the perfect sushi.
5. Julie & Julia (2009)
Rated PG-13, $94 million box office, Starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, this film tells the story of Julia Child, a chef and television personality who introduced French cuisine to America, and Julie Powell, a struggling writer who decides to cook all of the recipes from Child’s book in one year. The movie was appreciated for its star-studded performances, and its celebration of the joy of cooking.
6. Big Night (1996)
Rated R, $5 million box office, Directed by Campbell Scott and Stanley Tucci, this film tells the story of two brothers, who run a failing Italian restaurant and decides to put on a big night to try to save their business. The movie was appreciated for its charming performances, and its depiction of the struggles of the restaurant industry.
7. The 100-Foot Journey (2014)
Rated PG, $104 million box office, This movie directed by Lasse Hallström, tells the story of an Indian family who moves to France and opens a restaurant opposite a Michelin-starred French restaurant, owned by Helen Mirren. The movie was appreciated for its blend of Indian and French cuisines, and its heartwarming story of family, culture, and the love of food.
8. Soul Kitchen (2009)
Rated R, $3.6 million box office, This German comedy film tells the story of a restaurateur and his soul food restaurant, and the various characters and conflicts that come through the doors. The movie was appreciated for its humor, and its portrayal of the ups and downs of running a restaurant.
9. Tampopo (1985)
Rated NR, $3.3 million box office, This Japanese film, often referred to as the “ramen western,” tells the story of a truck driver who helps a widow and her son run their ramen shop. The movie was appreciated for its unique blend of genres, and its celebration of the art of noodle-making.
10. The Babette’s Feast (1987)
Rated G, $5.9 million box office, A French film directed by Gabriel Axel, it tells the story of two sisters who live in a small, pious village in 19th-century Denmark, whose lives are transformed by a refugee, Babette, who comes to work for them as a housekeeper. The movie was appreciated for its portrayal of the joy of sharing a meal and its celebration of the art of cooking.
11. Tortilla Soup (2001)
Rated PG, $2 million box office, This Mexican-American film directed by Maria Ripoll, is a loose adaptation of Ang Lee’s “Eat Drink Man Woman” set in the East LA neighborhood of Echo Park. Starring Hector Elizondo, it tells the story of Martin, a retired chef and a single father who cooks elaborate meals for his three daughters while they try to find love. The movie was appreciated for its portrayal of a warm, loving and passionate family, with food at the center of it.
12. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
Rated PG, $243 million box office, This animated film tells the story of a scientist who invents a machine that turns water into food, creating a food storm in his town. The movie was appreciated for its inventive animation, clever humor, and its celebration of the love of food.
13. The Chef (2012)
Rated R, $2.8 million box office, This French film directed by Daniel Cohen, stars Jean Reno as a chef who loses his job at a fancy restaurant and starts a food truck to regain his passion for cooking and his connection with his son. The movie was appreciated for its heartfelt performances, and its exploration of the relationship between food and family.
14. Chocolat (2000)
Rated PG-13, $152 million box office, This film directed by Lasse Hallström, stars Juliette Binoche as a mysterious chocolatier who opens a chocolate shop in a small French village and shakes things up with her unconventional confections and free spirit. The movie was appreciated for its stunning visuals, charming performances, and its celebration of the sensual pleasures of chocolate.
15. Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
Rated R, $9 million box office, This Mexican film directed by Alfonso Arau, tells the story of a young woman whose cooking is imbued with so much emotion that it has an almost magical effect on those who eat it. The movie was appreciated for its magical realism, passion and emotion portrayed through food, and the strong cultural influences of Mexican cuisine.
16. Burnt (2015)
Rated R, $27 million box office, This film stars Bradley Cooper as a chef who once had it all – and lost it. He now sets out to regain his culinary reputation by opening a new restaurant and assembling a team of talented cooks. The movie was appreciated for its passionate depiction of the cut-throat nature of the restaurant industry, and Cooper’s convincing performance as a chef.
17. No Reservations (2007)
Rated PG, $92 million box office, A romantic comedy directed by Scott Hicks, it stars Catherine Zeta-Jones as a master chef whose life is thrown into disarray when her sister dies and she becomes the guardian of her young niece. The movie was appreciated for its charming performances, and its depiction of the balancing act between career and family.
18. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Rated R, $172 million box office, This film directed by Wes Anderson, tells the story of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel and his protégé, and their adventures. The movie was appreciated for its distinctive visual style, and its celebration of the glamour and traditions of old-world European hotels and their food.
Food movies have always been a staple in the world of cinema, each one offering a unique perspective on the art of cooking, the culture surrounding it, and the emotions it evokes. From Pixar’s “Ratatouille” to indie hit “Chef”, these movies have captured the hearts of audiences and continue to be enjoyed by food lovers everywhere. Each movie showcases diverse cuisine, culture and storytelling, each with its own unique flavor, humor, and heart. These 15 movies are a must-watch for anyone who loves food, cinema, and the stories they can tell.