You've stuffed the turkey. You've given thanks. You've set the table. But you don't want to watch football.

Well guess what, mes amis? You don't have to! It's quite possible to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving with a French film. After all, the French love their food, and that's one thing we can get behind this season.... and every season. Whether you are exhausted from the festivities and want to take a little trip to Burgundy from the comfort of your own living room, or you need some ideas for your menu in the coming weeks, here are our top 8 ideas for something French to watch to celebrate this delicious holiday.

Haute Cuisine/Les saveurs du Palais (2012)

The most well - rounded of all the suggestions on our list. It has everything: story, an illuminating perspective on the art of elevated cuisine, belly laughs, and bonus: It's a true story, based on Danièle Hortense Laborie, a chef and culinary teacher who one day came to find that she had been referred as the personal chef of French President François Mitterand. You will most definitely learn something from this masterpiece. Yum.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime

Back to Burgundy/Ce Qui Nous Lie

I don't know about you, but wine is as important to us on Thanksgiving as the big bird, so a film on the subject is imperative. A perfect option that combines family squabbles and the joys of wine that can bring them together, renowned Cédric Klapisch directs an intimate picture of community, remembering where you come from, what's important in life, and of course, the enchanting business of wine in the French region of Burgundy.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime

Kings of Pastry (2009)

With this culinary documentary following contestants of the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, (MOF), France's most prestigious pastry prize, you'll get a winning combination of high pressured suspense, and undeniable eye-gasms, brought upon by the magical combinations of pastry cream, caramel, egg yolks and choux. Seeing the film through to the end is like a good first date. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll drool, and you will be obsessed.

 

Available on Fandor, or a Fandor subscription with Amazon

Chef’s Table: France (2016-)

Leave it to Netflix to really amp up the production value of the culinary game in one of their first original documentary series. Jiro Dreams of Sushi creator David Gelb knows how to capture the ambition, obsessive, artistic, and all around tortured soul of a chef, and Chef's Table is no different. In 2016, Netflix released the spin-off, Chef's Table France, because the food there, as you may or may not know, is just. that. good. Each episode follows a different personal chef. Watch it all month long for some ideas that you can bring to life on Thanksgiving day.

Available to stream on Netflix

Le Chef/Comme un chef (2012)

Jacky is self taught with a talent for flavor, but has no connections or luck. Star chef Alexandre Lagarde (the great Jean Reno) is entrapped in tyrannical CEOs of his restaurant group and is feeling stuck. The pair of them make an unbeatable new combination.

The Los Angeles Times declares that Le Chef is "an amusing soufflé of a comedy that pokes fun at foodies while honoring the art of those who cook for them." We'd like to add that it's a fun-filled and light-hearted comedy about the spectacle of cuisine and the enjoyment of food, and is perfect for getting into the spirit of your family festivities to come.

Available to stream on Amazon with Cohen Media Subscription

Nailed it! France/C'est du gâteau! (2019-)

Baking isn't just for the professionals! For the reality lovers, we had to include this baking competition series showcasing three people trying to make elaborate cakes found on the internet for a $10,000 prize. Trust us, you'll feel better about that botched pecan pie after you watch some of these concoctions.

Available to stream on Netflix

Honorable mentions that are English: Okay, these are not French productions, but they are set in France, and celebrate the utter delight cooking can bring to each and every one of us:

Chocolat (2000)

A classic, just like chocolate itself. Juliette Binoche is an anomaly that rocks a rural and traditional French village upside down. Cobble streets, small town charm, chocolate that has magical relationship properties, and Johnny Depp is a gypsy. What more do you need after your third helping?

Available to stream on Netflix

Ratatouille 

You'd be hardpressed to find a movie more adorable than Ratatouille. If you haven't had the pleasure, the movie's hero, Remy the rat, has been blessed with a refined palette and wouldn't be caught dead eating the garbage that's perfectly acceptable for his family in the suburbs of Paris. Pixar nails the romance of the architecture of the famous city just as much as any Godard (Breathless, A Woman is a Woman, Contempt) or Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Amelie). Put it on for the kids so that you can get the house ready before your mother in law's arrival...

Available to rent on Youtube Movies

You may also enjoy: 

The Updated Ultimate List of all French Films on Netflix

The Five French Films to Watch on TV5MONDE this November

What's playing near you?

 

- Nicole Mathieu