If You Liked the Movie “The Bear”, There Is Another Movie You Should Definitely Watch.
While it was far from the first series to attempt a kitchen-themed drama, Bear’s recipe was quite unique: a focus on characters, a willingness to experiment with storytelling style, and a deep knowledge of a world most people know little about made it an ambitious and ultimately successful series.
The stories of Carmi, Richie, and Sydney may have ended with Season 5, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy another dose of slowly escalating kitchen tension, unfolding in or around a fine-dining restaurant. If you’ve watched (and re-watched) The Bear and all the other shows offering similar pleasures , there’s one you should watch right now: 2021’s Boiling Point .
Boiling Point also explores the culture of working in a high-pressure kitchen.
Before Carmi opened the doors of Chicago’s The Original Beef in the first episode of The Bear , chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) had a stint at London’s Jones & Sons—and if your favorite part of The Bear was chaos and chefs screaming at each other, prepare for a similar adventure. Boiling Point (which was spun off into a TV series a few years later) is shot in one take: a single 90-minute scene of mounting tension, where everything that could possibly go wrong for the hard-drinking, emotionally unstable chef and his stressed-out staff does go wrong.
Boiling Point is based on the same professional kitchen culture as The Bear , offering a dynamic reminiscent of the show’s early seasons. Andy is a disaster: he secretly drinks on the job, his personal life is a mess, and he’s deeply in debt. The staff at Jones & Sons is top-notch, but they all suffer from Andy’s unpredictable mood and its inevitable consequences. The restaurant has just received a downgrade in its health rating, the evening is overcrowded, and there are constant clashes of personalities. All of this leads to an explosive climax with truly powerful emotional impact.
Another reason fans of The Bear will love Boiling Point is the film’s focus on food culture. Many food dramas treat cooking and service as mere set dressing, but this film, like The Bear , understands that what goes into the food and service is as important to the plot as anything else. Bottom line: you won’t find a film closer in tone and impact than the acclaimed Hulu series. Bonus: Stephen Graham—now best known for his incredible role in Adolescence —is one of the best under-the-radar actors working today, and he gives it his all in the lead role. Watch Boiling Point on The Roku Channel , Kanopy , or Tubi , or rent it on Prime Video .
More movies like The Bear
Still craving culinary dramas? Good news: restaurants provide endless fodder for conflict, and there are plenty of films to choose from if you’re looking for that “Bear” vibe.
Big Night (1996)
The film “The Bear” truly captured the hard work, stress, and constant chaos involved in turning a restaurant into a successful establishment. “Big Night” is precisely that. Set in the 1950s, the film follows the efforts of two Italian immigrants (played by Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub) as they search for a miracle to save their failing restaurant on the Jersey Shore. American cuisine was often dismissed at the time, adding tension to the chaos as they attempt to pull off one “Big Night” to pay off their debts and make their restaurant famous. “Big Night” is available to watch on Paramount Plus or rent on Prime Video .
Burnt (2015)
Think “The Bear” is just a dreamy combination of tormented creativity and Carmen Berzatto’s stunning failure? Then you’ll love “Burnt.” Like Carmi, Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) was once a brilliant chef, but his addictions and mental health issues cost him everything (though he’s still damn good in a chef’s uniform). He returns to London with a new sobriety and a sense of humility, determined to salvage his career and reform. The film features the pursuit of a Michelin star, and Jones is a charming, broken genius in the same vein as our beloved Carmi. Watch “Burnt” on Kanopy , Plex , or Prime Video , or rent it on Fandango .
Hunger (2023)
Few people ever know what it’s like to be among the best in the world at anything, and that’s what made Carmi, Sydney, and Marcus such compelling characters. If you’re interested in that, watch Hunger . This Thai film follows Aoi (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying), who works as a cook at a struggling family restaurant. Aoi is far better than her current circumstances allow, and soon she’s invited to intern with a legendary chef at an exclusive restaurant called Hunger. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, but unfortunately, it comes with a deeply toxic work environment. Watch Hunger onNetflix .
Shiva Baby (2021)
If your favorite episode of The Bear was the second season’s “Pisces,” which depicts a particularly chaotic Christmas dinner at the Berzatto house, then you’ll love “Shiva Baby.” While food plays a major role in the plot, it’s not set in a restaurant and none of the characters are chefs. The film also has a “crazy relatives” vibe, as senior Danielle (Rachel Sennott) returns home to mourn her family. Among the company are her ex-boyfriend, a wealthy benefactor, and an extended family that knows no boundaries. It’s hilarious, but it has a dark, emotional core that, like the best episodes of The Bear , grounds everything in reality. “Shiva Baby” is available to stream on Kanopy or Hoopla , or rent on Prime Video .
Menu (2022)
One of the reasons “The Bear” stands out is how it simultaneously acknowledges how strange, intense, and iconic haute cuisine can be, while simultaneously celebrating the mad geniuses and unhinged personalities who make these dinners so memorable. “Menu” also explores this dichotomy, albeit in a far more terrifying way: at a private island restaurant run by celebrity chef Julian Slowik, a group of influential foodies and celebrities gather for a dinner that grows increasingly terrifying with each course, gradually descending into madness that leads to culinary perfection. Watch “Menu” on Fubo or rent it on Prime Video .