Here is a rundown of films about food.
Features
Babette's Feast (1987)
A literate and lovely-to-look-at film that compels us to meditate upon the needs of the flesh and the gifts of the spirit.
Big Night (1996)
A small-scaled film that holds within its embrace some substantive observations on creativity, the American Dream, sibling differences, and getting ahead.
The Cakemaker (2018)
A subtle, unexpected love story steeped in pain.
Chef (2014)
An appealing comedy about food, career transitions, and the bonding between a busy father and his 10-year-old son.
Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
A superb interweaving of the motifs of food and the search for love.
Fast Food Nation (2006)
A bold muckraking movie that attacks the fast-food industry, corporate malfeasance, workplace safety, and the plight of Mexican immigrants and working class people.
The Happy Poet (2013)
A laid-back green entrepreneur capitalizes on patience and perseverance in his quest to operate a successful organic food cart.
The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)
An enchanting movie about family solidarity and the soulful dimensions of cooking.
Julie and Julia (2009)
A charming film that celebrates both culinary creativity and the spiritual practice of enthusiasm.
Last Holiday (2006)
An appealing morality play in which Queen Latifah demonstrates a warm embrace of life with just the right mixture of humor and humanity.
Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
Celebrates in most unusual and impressive ways both the magic and the mystery of love.
The Lunchbox (2013)
An extraordinary Indian movie about love, loss, and yearning.
Mid-August Lunch (2008)
A thoroughly delightful Italian film about a nurturing man who finds his caregiving responsibilities greatly expanded during a summer holiday.
Mostly Martha (2001)
A highly original German drama about the startling transformation of a talented but lonely chef.
Pieces of April (2000)
A complex story revolving around a Thanksgiving dinner that draws out our mixed feelings about families, nasty grievances, and moments of gratitude.
Pig (2021)
A touching meditation on grief and a critique of the high-end restaurant scene.
Soul Kitchen (2010)
A funky comedy about an oddball restaurant owner in Hamburg whose creativity and perseverance are tested by unending setbacks.
Sweet Bean (2015)
A heart-affecting Japanese drama about the marvels of cooking, the wonders of nature, and the spiritual legacy of a wise old woman.
Today’s Special (2010)
A delightful drama about an aspiring chef who is lifted by the wisdom and craft of an Indian mentor, a Zorba the Greek-like character.
Tortilla Soup (2001)
A delightful film about a Latino veteran chef, his three daughters, and their very different recipes for love.
Waitress (2007)
A romantic comedy that draws us into the intimate lives of rural folk as they struggle to find their small share of happiness.
What's Cooking? (2000)
How four Los Angeles households — African American, Latino, Jewish, and Asian — celebrate Thanksgiving and struggle with the forces challenging family solidarity.
Woman on Top (2000)
A romantic comedy about a Brazilian chef who tries to find a new life in San Francisco as the host of a television show.
Documentaries
American Meat (2013)
A hopeful and enlightening documentary on the baby steps being taken to offer alternatives to big industry farming.
At the Fork (2016)
An examination of the ethical choices being made on behalf of animals raised for food.
The Biggest Little Farm (2019)
The hopeful story of a natural farm built on biodiversity and a recognition of interconnections, impermanence, and transformation.
City of Gold (2016)
An impressive documentary about a Pulitzer-Prize-winning food critic who loves Los Angeles and its diversity of restaurants.
Deli Man (2015)
A delightful and informative documentary on delis, Jewish food, and the tricks of the trade.
Dive! Living off America's Waste (2011)
An illuminating documentary about dumpster divers fighting food waste.
Food, Inc (2009)
A bracing and disturbing documentary about the industrialization of farming and the growing power of the unregulated food industry.
Honeyland (2019)
A heart-stirring eco-documentary about a nurturing female beekeeper in Macedonia.
How to Cook Your Life (2008)
A playful and enlightening documentary featuring Zen master and accomplished cook Edward Espe Brown with nourishing tips on food and paying attention.
In Defense of Food (2008)
A documentary that aims to change the way you think about the foods you eat.
Julia (2021)
A tribute to Julia Child's enthusiasm and her inimitable love of cooking.
Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story (2016)
A spunky and edifying documentary on the epidemic of food waste in America.
Kings of Pastry (2022)
An immensely entertaining documentary about pastry chefs competing for entry into a prestigious fraternity in France.
Our Daily Bread (2006)
A thought-provoking documentary that gives us new appreciation of the time and hard labor behind the creation, packaging, and delivery of our food.
A Place at the Table (2013)
A documentary about the shocking extent of hunger in America, affecting 1 in 4 children.
A River of Waste: The Hazardous Truth about Factory Farms (2009)
A troubling documentary about the catastrophic damages being done by the egregious practices of factory farms.
Seed: The Untold Story (2016)
A boldly creative and ethically robust documentary about protecting the food supply.
Super Size Me (2004)
The revolutionary documentary that examines the link between the junk food industry and the obesity epidemic in America.
The Trip (2011)
A wonderful mockumentary that is a hoot from start to finish.
The Trip to Greece (2020)
our chance to go on the road again with two middle-aged comedians who can put a funny spin on most everything.
The Trip to Spain (2017)
A hilarious journey with two middle-agers savoring the pleasures of Spain.
The Truffle Hunters (2002)
An absolutely charming cinematic romp with elders and their dogs hunting for a rare delicacy.
Wa-Shoku: Beyond Sushi (2015)
A detailed documentary on sushi's growing popularity.