Top 16 Must-Watch Cooking Movies for Food Lovers

The concept of Haute Cuisine (high-end cuisine) was introduced by chef Georges Auguste Escoffier in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He elevated humble dishes into sophisticated creations using simple, inexpensive ingredients. Escoffier was also the mastermind behind numerous iconic dishes and made significant contributions to France's rich culinary heritage during this period.

The film Haute Cuisine is inspired by the true story of Danièle Delpeuch, a woman who became the personal chef to French President François Mitterrand.

This renowned cooking movie, directed by Ang Lee, carries a deep humanistic message. It was first released in Taiwan in 1994.

Eat Drink Man Woman beautifully explores the father-daughter relationship. The film centers around a retired head chef, played by Lang Hung, who lives with his three grown daughters. Widowed early in life, he has single-handedly raised his children. As he grows older, his daughters urge him to retire and relax, but driven by his passion for cooking, he continues to prepare elaborate, delicious meals for them daily, turning each meal into a festive gathering.

The God of Cookery is one of the most famous cooking films in Hong Kong, directed by Stephen Chow and Lee Lik-chi. The story follows a chef known as the King of Cookery in Hong Kong, who is arrogant and is betrayed by two trusted disciples, leading to his fall from grace. After losing everything, he finds himself living on the streets, where he meets a talented but unattractive woman named Turkey, who helps him turn his life around.

This film is not only humorous and highly entertaining but also delivers a valuable lesson: “No matter how much natural talent you have, if you don’t put in the effort, you will fail.”

Osen is a heartwarming comedy about Japanese culinary traditions, a must-watch for food lovers. The story revolves around Handa Sen, a restaurant owner who enjoys drinking. As society evolves, so do the tastes in food, putting traditional restaurants at risk.

However, despite these challenges, Handa Sen’s restaurant thrives under her leadership, preserving the authenticity and beauty of traditional dishes. Even if the restaurant were to close one day, the essence and spirit of the food would remain. This film showcases the rich culinary traditions of Japan and highlights the dedication and passion of chefs committed to maintaining and advancing their country’s culinary heritage.

Cook Up a Storm is a cooking film about a young man named Cao Tian Zi, who discovers his natural talent for cooking at an early age. Despite his passion for food, his father dismisses his interest and even tries to stop him from pursuing a career in the culinary world, abandoning him in the process.

However, Tian Zi is taken in by his mentor, Hong Shi, who teaches him the art of cooking. Unfortunately, the restaurant faces difficulties and must relocate. Just then, an international chef, Paul Ahn, challenges Tian Zi to a cooking duel. After an intense competition, the two enemies become close allies, joining forces for a final culinary battle against Tian Zi’s father.

No Reservations is a culinary drama from Hollywood that takes you on a journey through a luxurious American restaurant, where you meet Kate, a talented female chef. Despite her remarkable skills, she begins to lose her passion and sincerity, as she follows the same old routine without any creativity. Everything changes when she meets Nich, a passionate sous-chef, who helps her regain balance, rediscover her love for cooking, and rekindle her trust in life and love, ultimately enhancing her culinary journey.

As the title suggests, Babette’s Feast (1987) is about a lavish meal prepared by the widow Babette in honor of the late pastor’s birthday. From the silence surrounding the meal and the unusual ingredients used to the remarkable transformations that occur with each bite, the magic of the feast creates powerful changes. It unites strained relationships, replacing harsh words with warm embraces and handshakes. Slowly, Babette’s true identity is revealed, and her gentle warmth soothes tensions as the characters come together to enjoy a classic French meal.

The main character in the film is the traditional Japanese ramen, carefully crafted in every detail. What starts as a simple bowl of noodles becomes extraordinary, so much so that you’ll slurp every last drop of soup. This is the work of Tampopo, the owner of a ramen shop, with the help of Goro, a truck driver, and their friends. After watching the film, you'll certainly learn how to appreciate a bowl of ramen with respect. It reveals the elegance and depth of Japanese cuisine, showcasing moments of emotional connection — like a gangster spending his last moments discussing his favorite dish, or a mother cooking a final meal for her family before passing. Truly moving.

Calm, gentle, and refined: these are the three words that best describe Little Forest (2014), a film that paints a simple picture of Ichiko’s peaceful life. Seeking to escape the fast-paced urban life where she struggles to fit in, Ichiko returns to Komori, a rural village in the Tohoku mountains. Living a self-sufficient lifestyle surrounded by nature, she prepares meals from seasonal ingredients, slowly restoring her vitality.

The peace is found in the untouched landscape of vast fields, the simplicity of food preparation with natural ingredients turned into nourishing dishes through the hands of humans, and the meticulousness required for more complex recipes. The film also honors food with its unique preservation techniques, illustrating a deep respect for ingredients. This film is a beautiful portrait of the harmony between people, nature, and cuisine. Be careful, though – watching this may inspire you to leave everything behind and head for the mountains.

This 1995 Hong Kong comedy revolves around an intense cooking competition that culminates in a magnificent Manchu-Han banquet. The film blends humor, absurdity, and genuine entertainment in equal measure.

It’s a visual feast not only for the food lovers but also for the absurd knife-throwing, fire dancing, and over-the-top performances typical of Hong Kong comedies from the 1990s. If you want to know what authentic Hong Kong cuisine tastes like, this is definitely worth a watch.

The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014), directed by Lasse Hallström, is based on the novel by Richard C. Morais. The story follows Hassan Haji, a young man who, after a journey from Mumbai across Europe, arrives with his large Indian family in a small French town. They plan to open a restaurant there, but things become complicated when they find themselves directly across from a prestigious Michelin-starred French restaurant owned by Madame Mallory. The two families quickly become fierce rivals.

The love of food brings not only moments of passion but also unites people from different backgrounds and cultures. What begins as rivalry turns into friendship and then into a deep bond. The subtle and delicate story, showcasing both French and Indian cuisine, will surely captivate you with every flavor and emotion.

Inspired by the book of the same name, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (2009) tells the story of a machine that causes food to fall from the sky. This free food phenomenon saves the town from famine and attracts tourists from all around. Giant hamburgers, colossal ice cream cones, massive donuts, and oversized sausages fall from the sky, providing a feast for the entire town.

However, disaster strikes when the machine starts to think for itself, plotting to drown the world in a never-ending food storm. It's up to Flint, the machine's creator, to stop the disaster and save the world from a food apocalypse.

To determine the new head chef for Woonam Jung, the most prestigious restaurant in South Korea known for its authentic Korean flavors, a fierce competition is set up between two highly skilled chefs. One is Sung Chan (played by Kim Kang Woo), a culinary genius who pours his heart into every dish, while the other is Bong Ju (played by Im Won Hee), a ruthless competitor willing to do anything to win. The challenge is to create a dish using the rare and dangerous fugu fish. Both chefs deliver outstanding dishes, perfect in both flavor and presentation, but disaster strikes when the judges, after tasting Sung Chan's dish, fall unconscious from poisoning.

As Sung Chan stands in shock, Bong Ju grins triumphantly, and the result is that Bong Ju becomes the new heir to Woonam Jung. Five years later, a legendary royal chef's knife is discovered, and a new cooking competition is organized to find the rightful successor to this prized knife. Sung Chan, who had given up cooking after the tragic incident, is persuaded to join the competition by the enthusiastic reporter Jin Su (played by Lee Hana). But with his old rival Bong Ju returning to claim victory at all costs, the stage is set for an intense showdown. Will Bong Ju's underhanded tactics prevail, or will Sung Chan's genuine talent win the day?

Ratatouille is an animated film that follows the adventurous journey of Remy, a rat with a deep passion for cooking, who dreams of becoming a famous chef in the glamorous city of Paris. Despite facing numerous obstacles, Remy finally makes it to Paris. There, he befriends Linguini, the clumsy son of the renowned chef Gusteau, and the head chef of the famous Gusteau’s restaurant. Together, Remy and Linguini form an unexpected partnership, creating unique and delicious dishes that astonish the culinary world.

Julie & Julia is an inspiring film that connects two women from different eras, neither of whom knew the other, yet both share a deep passion for cooking. Julia is a cookbook author, while Julie is a blogger who documents her journey of recreating recipes from Julia’s book. Her blog inspires countless women around the world to discover the joy of cooking and share in their culinary adventures.

The Chef is a lighthearted comedy centered around the world of gastronomy, showcasing the unique charm of French culinary culture. The film explores various aspects of the culinary world, from cooking shows and restaurant critics to kitchen rivalries and the art of creating new recipes. It provides a realistic and humorous portrayal of the pressures and creativity involved in the culinary industry, making it relatable to both food lovers and aspiring chefs.