Most of the time, we go to see movies for the story. I’m talking about the latest jaw dropping action scenes with stunning visual effects or the grand romantic gestures that make you question everything you know about love. But one underrated aspect of movies is the portrayal of food. Sometimes, we watch a movie that shows food in such a great way that we can practically taste it.
Whether it’s just shown in a scene or the whole plot point the movie is about, the food we’re gonna talk about in this list will have you craving for something to eat. These are the 15 foods from movies that will make you hungry.
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15. Howl’s Breakfast – Howl’s Moving Castle (2005)
Studio Ghibli is one of the most legendary animation studios of all time. They created such timeless classics that tell stories of fantastical worlds filled with witches, wizards, spirits, and all sorts of magical beings. Most of their movies have top notch animation that perfectly brings their worlds to life. But one thing that people often say about the movie is how good the food looks. Despite being animated and basically hand-drawn, the food in movies like Howl’s Moving Castle looks absolutely delicious. The breakfast scene in which Howl prepares breakfast for his friends stands out because the food looks good enough to eat. Leave it to Hayao Miyazaki to make a moving illustration featuring good ol’ bacon and eggs to have our stomachs rumbling.
14. Timpano – Big Night (1996)
The Timpano is a masterpiece of a dish in its own right. But the way it’s portrayed in the movie Big Night, it just takes its legendary status and elevates it even further. A Timpano is basically a giant wheel of pasta, cheese, and sauces. It’s a smorgasbord of nearly everything great with Italian cuisine. Watch Big Night and witness Primo meticulously assemble this culinary masterpiece and we dare you not to get hungry.
13. Wonka’s Edible Garden – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Can you imagine having a giant garden where everything is edible? And no, I’m not talking about vegetables. I’m talking giant lollipop trees, licorice vines crawling on the ground, and one giant river overflowing with, you guessed it, chocolate syrup. Not only is this scene a feast for the eyes, it’s a reminder that candy can be more than just treats. They represent dreams and imagination. Admit it; even the most jaded of adults will find it hard not wanting to grab a treat or two after seeing this scene.
12. Katz’s Deli Sandwich – When Harry Met Sally (1989)
This isn’t just any old deli sandwich. It’s more than that. Like with most movies on this list, food often plays an integral part of the story and gives us insight into what could possibly be going on with a certain character. If you know this scene from Harry Met Sally, let’s just say that you know how to fake it till you make it. The way Sally absolutely devours this sandwich is equal parts hilarious, satisfying, and even a little uncomfortable (in a good way).
11. Margherita Pizza – Eat Pray Love (2010)
Margherita Pizza might not be a meal that will blow you away with its wild toppings or over the top sensibilities. It’s a pretty simple pizza. So what makes it special? Why does it make the list? Well if you’ve seen Eat Pray Love, you’ll know what this pizza represents. Liz Gilbert is on a solo trip to Rome and has a Margherita Pizza. Just as she eats a slice, she gets that sense of contentment and peace that she was longing for. It reminded her to enjoy the little things. It’s a charming little meal in a scene that perfectly represents the movie as a whole. Things’ll get better and until then, we have to enjoy every moment even if that moment is as simple as eating a slice of pizza.
10. Dumplings – Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Forget the Furious Five and the Dragon Warrior. Want to know the real star of the first Kung Fu Panda movie? It’s those delicious looking dumplings. We know for a fact that Po loves to eat food. But how far is he willing to go for good food? Turns out, he’s willing to become a kung fu master tasked with saving the world. Watching Po fight tooth and nail in a sparring match against Master Shifu just to eat at least one of the dumplings will definitely get anyone hungry.
9. Boeuf Bourguignon – Julie & Julia (2009)
Bouef Bourguignon is more than just a fancy French stew. It shows us how cooking can bring people together and make us feel connected. It also represents the kind of satisfaction you’ll only get after mastering a complex recipe. Julie Powell had the ambitious idea of cooking through Julia Child’s cookbook and winds up getting to know herself a little better while also seeing what she can achieve when she tries.
8. Ned’s Hot Cocoa – The Simpsons Movie (2007)
Ned Flanders sure knows how to whip up a mean hot cocoa. I mean just look at it. That thing is a work of art. No wonder Bart wasn’t immune to its charms. It’s a simple drink for sure but the way Ned goes to such lengths just to make Bart feel better is enough to warm your heart. He even goes a little extra; even bringing out a small blowtorch to toast the marshmallow on top. The best part is you can easily recreate this iconic drink in real life!
7. Big Kahuna Burger – Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is a movie that tells many stories. And one underlying detail that most of those stories have is featuring a good ol’ burger. In this scene from Tarantino’s seminal classic, Jules Winnfield goes on to take a bite out of his eventual victim’s Big Kahuna Burger. The way he tears into the iconic sandwich is foreshadowing how much he’ll eventually tear into the hapless henchmen who wronged their boss. It’s a great scene that anyone who’s seen the film can endlessly quote.
6. Cubanos – Chef (2014)
You may know him more as Tony Stark’s bodyguard/sidekick Happy Hogan in the Iron Man movies but Jon Favreau actually ventured out from making blockbuster films and made this charming indie film about a disillusioned chef who left his prestige behind to focus more on what he is passionate about. In this movie, Favreau stars as Carl Casper who set out to make a successful food truck with his son. Armed with nothing but passion and a little bit of ingenuity, he modified a sandwich that would catapult his business to success: the Cubanos. These Cubanos were more than just a typical sandwich; they reflected Carl’s return to his roots. It’s the perfect way to show just how much Carl loved to cook and he’d rather cook for people who genuinely enjoyed his dishes rather than customers who treat his meals like it’s some sort of status symbol.
5. No Face’s Feast – Spirited Away (2001)
Like we’ve mentioned before, Studio Ghibli really has a way with food. Their skill in both storytelling and animation came together in full swing when they made Spirited Away. In this movie, Chihiro gets separated from her parents and finds herself in a world filled with all sorts of spirits. One of the spirits, No Face, ordered a feast in the ghostly bathhouse to indulge himself in a meal fit for a king. Just looking at the sheer amount of food on display is enough to make any person want to grab a bite of their own.
4. Ram-Don (Jjapaguri) – Parasite (2019)
Parasite is a brilliant movie. There’s no question about it. It’s a darkly comedic social thriller that perfectly shows the disparity between the rich and the poor. It’s filled to the brim with tons of easter eggs, foreshadowing, and metaphors just to prove its point. A great example would be the scene involving the Ram-Don. It’s essentially a combination of Chapagetti and Neoguri, two types of instant noodles. But the rich Park family have a twist on the typical Ram-Don; they add chunks of grade A wagyu beef. It’s a clever twist that turns something that’s meant to be accessible for people who can barely afford to survive into a comfort food for people who are filthy rich. It’s a really good metaphor that gets your mind thinking and your stomach rumbling.
3. Ramen – Tampopo (1985)
Japan loves Ramen. There’s no doubt about that. And it’s clearly evident in the Japanese film Tampopo. This is a very strange and entertaining movie that revolves around a ramen shop. We get to see a bunch of interesting characters live their lives and how each plot thread intersects thanks to the delicious ramen served by the titular Tampopo. It’s a great testament to show how food can bring people together and can be the central point of a very good story.
2. Ratatouille – Ratatouille (2007)
Ratatouille is an inspirational film. This Pixar animated film didn’t rake in awards during the Oscars for no reason. We follow Remy who wants to follow his dream of becoming a renowned chef. The problem? He’s a rat. And we all know that rats aren’t exactly considered the most hygienic species. Despite all the odds against him and a little help from Linguine, Remy manages to achieve his dreams and create a difficult dish that managed to please even the sternest of critics. It’s a heartwarming scene for sure but at the same time, we can’t help but want a taste of Remy’s cooking.
1. Sushi – Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
There’s just something about watching a master practice their craft. Jiro Ono is a 85-year-old sushi master who’s dedicated his life to the art of making sushi. This documentary gives us a glimpse into his mind and the process of what makes his sushi one of the best in the world. As he makes each and every dish, we get some valuable insight into the delicate practice of preparing sushi. And with each customer eating his delicious servings, we can’t help but wonder what they would taste like as well. Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a masterpiece of documentary filmmaking and will no doubt leave you hungry before you even finish the movie.
Bonus: Chocolate – Chocolat (2000)
I know we’ve already talked about sweets in Wonka’s Edible Garden but we have another course here for desserts! It’s impossible not to include the movie Chocolat when talking about movies that will make you hungry or want to eat food. Vianne moves to a charming little French town to start a chocolaterie that wins the hearts of everyone around her, most notably Roux, the leader of a local gypsy community.
