The Ones For The Whole Family
Ratatouille (but also all the magical Disney food moments)
The 2007 Ratatouille might be the most famous animated feature about cooking. Named after the eponymous very French dish, it is the story of Remy a Parisian rat whose strange dream is to be the chef of a high-end restaurant. He finds his way in the kitchen – despite being a feared or despised rodent – where he will make his dream come true thanks to his talent and the help of a young cook. Ratatouille is for sure Disney’s number 1 food-movie movie, but might not be the only one or most mouthwatering one of the bunch. Let’s not forget the studio of the mouse gave us wonderful and epic food scenes that made us want to eat pies decorated by birds in Snow White, or a cake baked by fairies in Sleeping Beauty, or to be a guest at lavish buffets in Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast.
Spirited Away (and other Studio Ghibli mezmerizing food scenes)
Just like Ratatouille, Spirited Away, is Ghibli’s clear winner of food depiction with all the weird food making and people turned into food! The 2001 Japanese animated feature, by the maestro Hayao Miyazaki is the story of 10-year-old Chihiro. She is moving with her family to a new home and has to adjust to her new life. After an unfortunate event, she will make a great discovery and embark on a strange voyage full of spiritual beings and food!
Fun fact: Spirited Away is considered one of the greatest films ever made, it did not only won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature (also being the only foreign film to win this category) but it is one of the most financially successful Japanese films of all time worldwide.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
This 2005 fantasy-musical remake of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was aptly directed by Tim Burton and starred Johnny Depp. The story is closer to the events happening in the original novel by Roald Dahl than the one from the 1971 film with the addition of new original songs and a score by Burton’s longtime collaborator, Danny Elfman. The film follows prize winners Charlie and four other children on an exclusive tour of the eccentric Charlie’s magical chocolate factory.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
The 2009 animated film is a surreal one also based on a children’s book by Judi and Ron Barrett. The movie is about an unsuccessful scientist who tries to invent various random gadgets. His latest goal is to create a machine that will turn water into food… For better or worse his invention worked and it starts a “food rain.”
Okko’s Inn
This 2018 Japanese animated feature by Kitarô Kôsaka is based on a series of books and manga of the same name. It follows a young girl named Okko after a traumatizing car accident. She lost her parents and has to stay at her grandmother’s Inn in the countryside. She is dealing with her emotions all while helping her grandmother, but she will make an unusual friend and discover a passion for making traditional meals. Tackling a few deep themes, Okko’s Inn might not be a true food-focused movie, but it features some delicious moments as the young girl will try to make the best dishes for the hosts.
Leave a comment about your favorite foodie film.
