20 Delicious Foodie Movies to Binge Before Thanksgiving (With Easy Recipe Ideas & Where to Stream)

Hey everybody, Thanksgiving week is coming up. I’ve already gained five pounds just thinking of how much I’m going to eat. As many of you know, I’m a big movie lover and I love to eat. So I thought I’d combine both of them into a cool blog post of some foodie movies and some potential recipes, movie night ideas, and where to watch.

1. Ratatouille (2007)

A rat named Remy dreams of becoming a chef in Paris and secretly teams up with a shy kitchen worker to create magic in a Michelin-level restaurant.

Where to watch (U.S., Nov 2025): Disney+ and fuboTV.

Why it’s perfect now: Family-friendly, cozy, and a sweet reminder that “anyone can cook” (even if your stuffing comes from a box, but please don't).

Movie-night menu idea: Sheet-pan ratatouille: sliced eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes tossed with olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Roast until soft and caramelized; serve with crusty bread and good olive oil.

2. Big Night (1996)

Two Italian brothers risk everything on one extravagant feast—centered around a legendary baked pasta timpano—to save their failing New Jersey restaurant.

Where to watch: Hulu, Paramount+, and fuboTV (also on some premium add-on channels).

Why watch: It’s basically a love letter to Italian food and the power of gathering around one table.

Movie-night menu idea: Skip the timpano and serve “Italian Sunday dinner”: big bowl of spaghetti with slow-simmered tomato sauce, a green salad, and store-bought tiramisu. Personally, I'm a spicy marinara guy, forget the salad, and give me BREAD!

3. Julie & Julia (2009)

Half the movie follows Julia Child discovering French cuisine in 1950s Paris; the other half follows a stressed-out blogger cooking every recipe from Julia’s cookbook.

Where to watch: Hulu; also available for free on Kanopy through some libraries.

Why watch: Perfect for anyone who has decided to take on “just one little cooking project” and then realized they’re in way over their head.

Movie-night menu idea: Simplified boeuf bourguignon: beef chunks braised in red wine with onions, carrots, and mushrooms, served over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.

4. Chef (2014)

After a public meltdown, a burned-out chef starts a Cuban sandwich food truck and road-trips across the country with his son, rediscovering joy in cooking.

Where to watch: Free on Tubi; also available via Starz and other services.

Why watch: It’s pure comfort: grilled cheese, Cubanos, and second chances.

Movie-night menu idea: Press Cuban-style sandwiches: roast pork (or deli pork), ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard on buttered bread, toasted in a skillet or panini press. Serve with plantain chips.

5. Babette’s Feast (1987)

A mysterious French housekeeper in a strict Danish village spends her lottery winnings on one lavish multi-course dinner that transforms the community.

Where to watch: Max (formerly HBO Max), Criterion Channel, and Hulu (via certain bundles).

Why watch: Slow, gentle, and stunning—perfect for a quiet night when you want to remember how sacred a shared meal can feel.

Movie-night menu idea: Roast chicken with crispy skin, buttery potatoes, and green beans almondine. Add a bottle of good wine and sit at the table a little longer than usual.

6. Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

A widowed master chef in Taipei cooks elaborate Sunday dinners for his three grown daughters as everyone navigates love, career choices, and big life changes.

Where to watch: Free on Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, Pluto TV, and similar ad-supported platforms.

Why watch: The opening cooking sequence alone will make you want to call your family and ask what you should bring for dinner.

Movie-night menu idea: DIY “family-style feast”: dumplings, stir-fried veggies, rice, and garlicky greens, whether homemade or ordered from your favorite local spot.

7. Tampopo (1985)

A wild, funny “ramen Western” where a truck driver helps a woman transform her ramen shop, intercut with quirky vignettes about food and desire.

Where to watch: Max (HBO) and Criterion Channel; also available on Kanopy.

Why watch: It’s weird in the best way and will make you crave noodles immediately.

Movie-night menu idea: Ramen bar night: instant or fresh noodles plus broth, then let everyone add soft-boiled eggs, green onions, leftover meats, chili oil, and veggies.

8. Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)

A hypnotic documentary about 85-year-old sushi master Jiro Ono and his relentless pursuit of perfection in a tiny, legendary Tokyo restaurant.

Where to watch: Streaming on Prime Video (including some add-on channels), fuboTV, AMC+ and others; free with ads on The Roku Channel and Vudu/Fandango’s free section.

Why watch: Inspiring if you geek out on craft, repetition, and mastery.

Movie-night menu idea: Order sushi from a local spot and pair with miso soup, edamame, and green tea—no need to become Jiro in one night.

9. Chocolat (2000)

A single mother opens a chocolate shop in a conservative French village during Lent; her truffles and hot cocoa start to thaw the townspeople’s rigid hearts.

Where to watch: Hulu, Paramount+, MGM+ (and via fuboTV, Philo, and related channels).

Why watch: Cozy, romantic, and full of chocolate—what more do you want in November?

Movie-night menu idea: Hot chocolate bar with dark hot cocoa, whipped cream, marshmallows, cinnamon, chili powder, and a plate of assorted chocolates.

10. Like Water for Chocolate (1992)

In this magical-realism classic, a young woman’s emotions flow straight into the food she cooks—affecting everyone who eats it.

Where to watch: Max (HBO) in the U.S., with rental options on Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu.

Why watch: Perfect if you like your romance with a side of magic and a lot of intense feelings around the dinner table.

Movie-night menu idea: Chicken with a simple, mole-inspired sauce: simmer a store-bought mole or cocoa-and-chile sauce and serve over roast chicken with rice and a bright citrus salad.

11. The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

An Indian family opens a restaurant across from a Michelin-starred French place in rural France, triggering rivalry, romance, and fusion cuisine.

Where to watch: Not currently on a major U.S. subscription service; available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu/Fandango.

Why watch: A feel-good story about crossing cultures through food.

Movie-night menu idea: Serve an “Indo-French” mash-up: garlic naan, a simple chickpea or lentil curry, plus a cheese board with French cheeses and baguette.

12. The Lunchbox (2013)

A mis-delivered lunchbox in Mumbai’s famous dabbawala system sparks a tender letter exchange between a lonely office worker and a housewife.

Where to watch: Rent or buy on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu/Fandango.

Why watch: Quiet, romantic, and all about the comfort of a packed lunch made just for you.

Movie-night menu idea: Create “tiffin-style” plates: curry or lentils, rice, a cucumber salad, and naan or roti, served in little bowls or containers.

13. The Taste of Things (2023)

A lush French period romance about a chef and the cook he lives and works with, packed with slow, sensual cooking sequences and lingering meals.

Where to watch: Streaming on Hulu and AMC+ in the U.S., with digital purchase/rental options.

Why watch: If you love slow cinema, French food, and long, luxurious cooking scenes, this is your pre-Thanksgiving mood.

Movie-night menu idea: A simple pot-au-feu-style stew: simmer beef or root vegetables with onions, carrots, and herbs until meltingly tender; serve with crusty bread and salted butter.

14. No Reservations (2007)

A perfectionist New York chef’s life flips when she becomes guardian to her niece and has to share her kitchen with a free-spirited sous chef.

Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, and other digital platforms.

Why watch: For fans of restaurant romance, kitchen tension, and a happy ending.

Movie-night menu idea: Pan-seared salmon (or another quick fish) with lemon-butter sauce, plus a simple risotto or herb-y orzo.

15. Burnt (2015)

Bradley Cooper plays a once-disgraced chef trying to claw his way back to three-Michelin-star status, complete with screaming, tweezers, and immaculate plates.

Where to watch: Free on Tubi; also available to rent or buy on services like Apple TV.

Why watch: Great if you loved The Bear and want more high-pressure kitchen drama.

Movie-night menu idea: “Fancy” burgers: brioche buns, good-quality beef patties, melty cheese, caramelized onions, and oven fries with a quick mayo + garlic + lemon “aioli.”

16. Soul Food (1997)

A Chicago family’s weekly Sunday dinners, led by matriarch “Big Mama,” hold everyone together—until illness and conflict threaten the tradition.

Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+ and free with ads on Tubi; also available to rent or buy on major platforms.

Why watch: It’s basically Thanksgiving energy all year: big plates, family drama, and love under all the noise.

Movie-night menu idea: Soul food Sunday: fried or baked chicken, mac and cheese, greens, cornbread, and sweet tea. Make it a potluck if you’ve got a crowd.

17. Always Be My Maybe (2019)

Childhood best friends Sasha (now a celebrity chef) and Marcus reconnect in San Francisco and try to figure out if they belong in each other’s lives again.

Where to watch: Netflix (including ad-supported plan).

Why watch: A modern rom-com with lots of restaurant scenes, Asian American comfort food, and one unforgettable Keanu cameo.

Movie-night menu idea: Order from your favorite local Asian restaurant—or mix a few. Add an easy dessert like mochi or ice cream sandwiches.

18. Pieces of April (2003)

April, the “black sheep” of her family, attempts to host Thanksgiving in her tiny New York apartment with a malfunctioning oven, unpredictable neighbors, and a mother battling illness.

Where to watch: Streaming on services like fuboTV, MGM+, Criterion Channel, Philo, and MUBI; also available to rent or buy digitally.

Why watch: For anyone who has ever tried to pull off a holiday meal in a too-small kitchen with not-quite-enough time.

Movie-night menu idea: Roast a turkey breast (faster, smaller, less stressful), plus stovetop stuffing, roasted veggies, and a store-bought pie.

19. Home for the Holidays (1995)

After losing her job and having a truly chaotic week, Claudia goes home for Thanksgiving to deal with her wildly dysfunctional family.

Where to watch: Paramount+, MGM+, Philo, and fuboTV; also available to rent or buy on Amazon, Apple TV, and Vudu.

Why watch: It makes almost everyone’s family look normal, and that’s its own kind of comfort.

Movie-night menu idea: Classic Thanksgiving plate: turkey (or rotisserie chicken), mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce from the can (no shame).

20. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973 TV Special)

Not technically a feature film, but essential: Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang throw together a chaotic kid-style Thanksgiving with toast, popcorn, pretzels, and jelly beans.

Where to watch: Exclusively on Apple TV+ (with periodic free streaming windows for non-subscribers).

Why watch: Pure nostalgia, short and sweet, and ideal for family nights.

Movie-night menu idea: Recreate Snoopy’s menu: toast strips, popcorn, pretzel sticks, jelly beans, and ice cream sundaes. Silly and perfect. We own a beagle, so Snoopy has a special place in our heart.

Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving,

Steve