Running a restaurant can be a pressure cooker of its own. Long hours, high stakes, and a constant drive for perfection make it a world full of stress, tension, and unexpected twists. It’s no wonder that the chaos of the kitchen makes for such compelling storytelling in horror films. In fact, the line between art and reality can often blur—chefs face real-life nightmares every day, from ruthless critics to toxic workplaces.
These 13 scary movies for foodies dive deep into the dark side of the culinary world. Whether it’s a mad chef with sinister plans, a haunted restaurant that reflects real-world pressures, or even cannibalistic cravings that get too real, each film explores the horror that lurks in and around the kitchen.
Life imitating art? Or art reflecting the brutal realities of the restaurant world? You be the judge. Just be sure to watch with the lights on—and maybe a cocktail in hand.
The Feast (2021)
Annes Elwy as Cadi. Image courtesy of IFC Films.
Set on a remote Welsh estate, this film follows a private chef hired to cook for a wealthy family. But the meal prep takes a sinister turn when supernatural forces start to interfere. With its eerie setting and building tension, it’s perfect for those who enjoy a mix of culinary skill and spooky vibes.
Bitter Feast (2010)
In Bitter Feast, a chef turns the heat on a food critic, making every dish a fight for survival. c/o … [+]
After a food critic’s harsh reviews destroy his career, a celebrity chef seeks revenge. He kidnaps the critic and forces him to cook under brutal conditions. The film explores the tense relationship between chefs and critics in a chilling way that’s both fascinating and terrifying.
Watch on: Tubi (free with ads) or available for rent on Amazon Prime Video
The Menu (2022)
The Menu delivers suspense with a twist as diners gather for an unforgettable evening hosted by a … [+]
A group of wealthy diners arrives at an exclusive restaurant on a remote island. But the celebrity chef has a dark agenda. This dark comedy-horror takes sharp jabs at elitism in the food world, serving up satire and suspense in equal measure.It’s ideal for anyone who loves their horror with a side of humor.
Watch on: Max (formerly HBO Max)
The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)
Passion and revenge are served up at an opulent restaurant in this visually arresting art-house … [+]
This art-house film is a cocktail of passion, crime, and revenge, all inside a lavish restaurant. It’s not your typical horror, but its shocking final feast is unforgettable. If you love both food and the macabre, this one’s worth a watch.
Watch on: The Criterion Channel or available for rent on Amazon Prime Video
House of Spoils (2024)
Ariana DeBose stars as a chef opening her first restaurant in a haunted estate.
In this Amazon Prime featurel, Ariana DeBose plays a chef opening her first restaurant—inside a haunted estate. The film doesn’t just bring ghosts; it delves into the challenges of restaurant life, from toxic work culture to personal struggles in the kitchen. If you like ambition with a side of scares, this one’s for you.
Watch on: Prime Video
Red Dragon (2002)
Hannibal Lecter brings his twisted gourmet tastes back in Red Dragon, a culinary horror classic.
Hannibal Lecter returns in this prequel to The Silence of the Lambs. The refined yet terrifying cannibal gourmet adds a sophisticated edge to this psychological thriller. If you enjoy dark dining, this one delivers.
Watch on: Netflix or available for rent on Amazon Prime Video
Raw (2016)
Raw tells the story of a young woman’s awakening to her own darker cravings after a simple hazing … [+]
In this French-Belgian horror, a vegetarian student’s hazing ritual involves eating raw meat. Soon, she develops a taste for human flesh. Set in a veterinary school, the film dives into cravings and transformation, making it a extreme horror movie lover’s choice for those who can handle intense body horror.
Watch on: Netflix
Delicatessen (1991)
A dystopian tale where food scarcity drives the plot, Delicatessen mixes dark comedy with survival … [+]
In a post-apocalyptic world, a landlord/butcher feeds his tenants with “special dishes.” This French film mixes dark humor with surreal horror, making it a bizarre but must-see choice for foodies.
Watch on: The Criterion Channel
Piggy (Cerdita) (2022)
In Piggy, a bullied teenager finds herself caught in a grisly revenge plot centered around her … [+]
Set in a butcher shop, this Spanish-French film combines body horror and revenge. It follows Sara, a bullied teen dealing with terror close to home. With themes of cruelty and retribution, this movie is a fresh take on horror for food lovers.
Watch on: Hulu
Chef’s Special (2008)
Chef’s Special dishes up dark comedy as a chef juggles the chaos of his professional and personal … [+]
While more of a dark comedy, this film still has its share of intensity. It follows a chef juggling a high-pressure kitchen with personal chaos. It’s a glimpse into the madness of culinary life, but with a twist of dark humor.
Watch on: Tubi (free with ads)
Gravy (2015)
Halloween horror hits a Mexican restaurant in Gravy, where cannibals turn staff into reluctant chefs … [+]
Cannibals take over a Mexican restaurant on Halloween night, forcing the staff to create a grotesque feast. The film blends gore, absurdity, and dark humor, making it perfect for foodies who appreciate horror with a campy twist.
Watch on: Peacock
The Platform (2019)
A prison with a unique food system leads to desperation and horror in the social thriller The … [+]
This Spanish sci-fi horror is set in a vertical prison where food is delivered via a descending platform. Abundance at the top, scarcity below. It’s a brutal, thought-provoking story about hunger, survival, and class divides that will make you pause—especially if you enjoy horror with a deeper message.
Watch on: Netflix
Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
This dark comedy-horror about a suburban realtor who becomes a zombie has plenty of gruesome food … [+]
While this last pick isn’t a movie…this series quirky Nexflix series about a suburban realtor who turns into a zombie is still a fit for foodies. Packed with gruesome food humor and satire, it’s for those who like their horror served with a heaping dose of comedy.
Watch on: Netflix
MORES FROM FORBES
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