Films about Food allow audiences to dream about their favorite dishes. They might even learn a new thing or two. Some movies about food are intimately nostalgic, while others interpret our relationship with cooking and preparing meals in a new creative light.

No matter where they may fall on the spectrum, however, these films indulge audiences time and again with culinary delights. So, whether you love cooking, baking, or just eating the leftovers, here are some of the best foodie films to feast your eyes on.

Updated on August 19th, 2023 by Amanda Minchin: This article has been updated with additional content to keep the discussion fresh and relevant with even more information and new entries.

10 Julie & Julia (2009)

Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia
Columbia Pictures

“I was 32 when I started cooking. Up until then, I just ate." Who else can relate to food and TV icon Julia Child's epic quote? In Julie & Julia, Child's story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book. This 2009 hit, though separated by time and space, shows both women are at loose ends. However, they soon discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness, and, of course, butter, anything is possible.

Child was an American cooking teacher, author and TV personality recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public as well as her subsequent TV programs — the most notable of which was The French Chef, which premiered in 1963. Nora Ephron's screenplay is based on two books: My Life in France (Child's autobiography) and a memoir by Powell, Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen. Powell's book was based on her blog The Julie/Julia Project, where she documented her daily experiences cooking each of the 524 recipes in Child's iconic cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The film is the first major motion picture based on a blog.

9 Waitress (2007)

The Movie Cast of Waitress
Fox Searchlight Pictures

Nothing like a good bake-off to get the taste buds watering! Waitress stars Keri Russell in the titular role. Russell plays an unhappily married waitress with a knack for baking deliciously puny treats. Her plans to skip town (and her abusive husband) by winning a pie-baking contest go horribly awry after she finds out she's pregnant, and, of course, falls for the new MD. As if small town life wasn't hard enough!

Director and Writer Adrienne Shelly also co-starred in the film alongside Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Sisto, and Cheryl Hines. Waitress would go on to become a Tony award-nominated musical with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles. Bareilles would even go on to star in the production. Shelly would not be able to enjoy her success, having passed away shortly after filming wrapped. Those looking to rifle through some pages can also check it out in book form.

8 Ratatouille (2007)

The Rats of Ratatouille
Disney

Ratatouille is a modern Disney classic! In it, a rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great French chef despite his family's wishes — and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. When fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris, he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero. Despite the apparent dangers of being in the kitchen of a fine French restaurant, Remy's passion for cooking soon sets into motion a hilarious and exciting rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down.

Such a unique foundation for a story, even for a groundbreaking studio like Pixar! In addition to showcasing some truly delectable eats, Ratatouille went on to gross over $623 million at the box office amidst widespread critical acclaim. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature and was even nominated for Best Original Screenplay. This is a Pixar gem that ranks with the studio's finest, without a doubt.

7 Babette’s Feast (1987)

Kristiansen_Movin_Petersen_Babette_Feast_1987_Nordisk
Via Nordisk Films

Babette's Feast takes place in a Danish village during the late 19th century. In it, a strict religious community takes in a French refugee from the Franco-Prussian War. The refugee, Babette, is taken on as a servant to the late pastor's daughters. After winning the lottery, Babette wants to repay the daughters for their kindness and offers to cook a French meal for them and their friends on the 100th anniversary of their father's birth. The ensuing feast proves to be an eye-opening experience for everyone involved.

The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. It became the first Danish film to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. In 2019, it was announced that acclaimed Sideways and The Descendants filmmaker Alexander Payne would direct a remake of this timeless classic.

6 Chef (2014)

Leguizamo, Cannavale, Favreau, and Choi in 2014's Chef
Via Open Road Films

Jon Favreau returns to form with this intimate effort that went on to spawn its own Netflix series. In Chef, Carl Casper—whose name's alliteration is perhaps a nod to the superhero films Favreau has also directed — is an acclaimed chef with a family life that seems to decay. Those frustrations boil over, resulting in a raucous public confrontation against a restaurant critic who panned the cooking that his boss ordered him to do against his own instincts.

With his career now ruined, Carl's ex-wife offers an unorthodox solution in Miami: Refit an old food truck to offer quality cooking on his own terms. Now, with his young son and an old colleague in tow, Carl takes a working trip across America with the truck to rediscover his gastronomic passion. Favreau wanted to go back to basics and to create a film about cooking. He went on to write the script after directing several big-budget films. Food truck owner and chef Roy Choi served as a co-producer and oversaw the food prepared for the film. The end result was well received by critics and grossed $46 million against a production budget of just $11 million.

Related: What's on the Menu? The 10 Best Culinary Movie Moments

5 Big Night (1996)

Anthony_Shalhoub_Driver_Big_Night_1996_Samuel_Goldwyn
Via The Samuel Goldwyn Company

You can never go wrong with Italian! Big Night brings audiences back to New Jersey in the 1950s where two immigrant brothers (played by Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub) run an Italian restaurant. Business, however, isn't going so well. Another Italian restaurant run by their rival (Ian Holm) is out-competing them.

In a final effort to save the restaurant, the brothers plan to put on a special evening of truly incredible food. Co-written by Tucci, the film was met with largely positive reviews and grossed $14 million worldwide. It was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and went on to inspire a lifelong love of all tings culinary for Tucci.

4 Sausage Party (2016)

The Phallic Food of Sausage Party
Sony Pictures Releasing 

Sausage Party is the type of film that, once you've seen it, lives rent-free in the recesses of its audience. This movie begs the question - what would happen if food knew what happened after it leaves the safe confines of the grocery store? That thought alone is nothing short of horrifying. This unique take on food could of course only come from the minds of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and company. Rogen of course, voices a hot dog named Frank, alongside favorites James Franco, Jonah Hill, and Michael Cera.

The film was originally clocked at an NC-17 rating, but was later dropped to a measly R. This raunchy venture is definitely meant for adults... as if the still featuring a hot dog and bun weren't enough of an indication. It's also near impossible to unsee the literal food orgy at its climax. Said The News Tribune, "There is no one out there making comedies quite like Rogen and Goldberg. They are putting their definitive stamp on the modern American comedy one decency-smashing double entendre at a time.” That being said, this film should be commended for becoming the highest-grossing R-rated animated film at the time.

3 Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Magnolia Pictures

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is an unforgettable take on the role of family in the restaurant world. The film follows 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono who dreams up culinary creations one slice at a time while tucked away in the confines of his restaurant in a Tokyo subway. His son, meanwhile, bears the weight and responsibility of eventually taking on the restaurant as his father's heir.

This touching story was highly coveted come awards season that year. A truly epic culinary documentary mixes incredible stories about food with the people that produce it in the most extraordinary of ways. Jiro Dreams of Sushi manages to weave together a tale of father and son and the role their chosen professions and cuisines have in their lives. The use of food as a creative means is on full display throughout.

2 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Paramount Pictures

Not to be confused with the borderline creepy 2005 remake, 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory featured the incomparable Gene Wilder as the titular Wonka. Wonka stages a contest, hiding Golden Tickets in his delectable chocolate bars. Those lucky enough to snag one are given an unforgettable tour of his, shall we say, unconventional factory full of fun and wacky culinary creations. This epic journey would go down in history for generations of TV re-runs to come.

Based on Roald Dahl's children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dahl notoriously disliked the picture due to its changing of his script (which was not in keeping with general screenplay format) and was against the casting of Wilder for the main role. Still, it's hard to argue with the result.

1 The Menu (2022)

Taylor-Joy and Fiennes in The Menu
Searchlight Pictures

Horror films about food and where it comes from are nothing new... Take Fresh or Soylent Green for example. Films like The Menu, however, stick out due to their ability to create a visceral reaction in the minds of their audience. This modern cult classic premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and has received rave reviews ever since.

Besides an impressive cast with far too many big names to count (including Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, Nicholas Hoult, and John Leguizamo, again), this black horror comedy is a satirical commentary on social status, artistry, commerce, and food culture. Fiennes is absolutely phenomenal as an exclusive head chef to a rather pretentious dinner crowd. That's about as much as can be divulged without spoiling the plot. Be sure to save their appetite for the main course!