So, you liked FX’s series The Bear. So did everyone. If you want another helping of stressful kitchen drama, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are 5 movies you’ll love if you liked The Bear.
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The Bear, created in 2022 by Christopher Storer, has been nothing short of a phenomenon since its release. Combining comedy and drama with delicious food, the show has proved itself to be the perfect meal for viewers worldwide. The fictional ‘The Beef’ restaurant which award-winning chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) reluctantly takes over, actually isn’t all that fictional. Storer based The Bear’s defining Chicago setting on his good friend Chris Zucchero’s restaurant: the similarly named ‘Mr. Beef’. Much of the series was filmed in Mr. Beef, which adds to its authenticity and sense of place – The Bear is alive with character, brimming with stunning acting, vivid cinematography and a key focus on the importance of place and identity.
This level of brilliance is not often attained. When something is this good, you are always left wanting a second serving. Below are 5 films which will hopefully fulfil your appetite (at least until season 3 arrives).
1. Boiling Point (2021)
Probably the most similar in style and tone to The Bear when compared to the rest of this list, Boiling Point shines through its one-shot film format which ramps up the tension and gives the film a uniquely intimate feel. Stephen Graham as head chef of an upmarket London restaurant is a masterstroke, as he lends his considerable acting talents to the role effortlessly. He is joined by an excellent supporting cast, particularly Vinette Robinson, who would go on to star in the mini-series of the same name. If you especially liked The Bear episodes ‘Review’ (season 1, episode 7) and ‘The Bear’ (season 2, episode 10), then Boiling Point will undoubtedly be a stressful and enjoyable watch.
2. Chef (2014)
If you are looking for something lighter – something more in line with The Bear episode ‘Dogs’ (season 1, episode 4), which eschews the usual stress for something more lighthearted, Chef might be for you. Written, directed and starring Jon Favreau, Chef tells the story of Carl Casper, a high-end head chef who loses his job following a public argument with a respected journalist. What follows is a great road-trip movie, as Carl and his young son open a food truck and travel the States in search of discovery whilst serving delicious food. Sporting some excellent food photography and an emphasis on relationships viewed through the lens of cooking, Chef is worth the watch.
3. Ratatouille (2007)
Ratatouille is a classic from animation giant Pixar’s golden era – you have likely already seen it. Give it another go, as it is truly a marvel of modern cinema. Whilst you may remember it as the movie about rats who cook, it is so much more, exploring the joy of cooking through the wonder and determination of this small chef, who is desperate to follow his passion despite the enormous challenges he faces. Painting a romantic picture of France and its cuisine, Ratatouille is as thematically relevant to any of the other entries on this list. Relevant Bear episodes: ‘System’ (season one, episode one) and ‘Forks’ (season two, episode seven).
4. Big Night (1996)
If you are a fan of the comedic elements of The Bear, this may be the choice for you. Stanley Tucci and Tony Shaloub are two brothers, who are joint owners of a struggling Italian restaurant. In one last bid for success, they host a night of free food. Legendary critic Ebert in his glowing review called Big Night ‘one of the great food movies […] It is about food not as a subject but as a language’. In some ways the two brothers relationship bears a close resemblance to that of Carmy and Ritchie (The Bear’s de-facto manager and Carmy’s “cousin”). Thematically similar episodes include ‘Braciole’ (season one, episode eight) and ‘The Bear’ (season two, episode ten).
5. Eat, Drink, Man, Woman (1994)
‘Fishes’ (season two, episode six) is one of the best episodes of the show, and of 2023 as a whole. The tension of a family meal is the episode’s focus, the food acting as an a point of familiar reunion which serves a harbinger of friction and argument. Ang Lee’s Eat, Drink, Man, Woman is a family drama first, however its numerous family feasts serve as narrative anchor points (as they do in everyday life). Despite life events from ill-health to marriages, a Sunday meal with the family is sometimes all it takes to restore normality and clarity. The Bear’s example of a family meal, whilst tonally different, is similar in its representation of these events – food is the bond that holds the family together, even when the event itself is not an enjoyable one.
That’s 5 films that you’ll love if you liked The Bear. Let us know using the social links if you enjoyed our recommendations.
