Many movie-goers (myself included) can’t sit down to catch a flick without one or more treats at the ready. Popcorn and boxes of candy are popular options at the theater, with concession stands upping their game and offering a broader range of gourmet creations. However, there are scores of cinematic treats where food isn’t just playing a supporting role—they’re the star of the show.

Are you in the mood for a movie? If so, consider the titles on this list, just a taste of the films featuring snacks, bakery goods, and candy.

The Baker: Titular character Pappi (Ron Perlman) finds his adorable daughter threatened by gangsters. As you might expect from a film starring Perlman, Harvey Keitel, and other rough-and-tumble actors, things do not go smoothly, and there’s as much blood flying around as there is flour—IMDB’s one-word content guidance under “violence and gore” is “severe” in case you’re squeamish. Streaming on Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+

Chocolat: The cast is as delicious as the candies in this sweet Oscar-winning movie—Juliette Binoche leads the way as chocolatier Vianne, with castmates including Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Johnny Depp, and other notable thespians. The shop shakes up the conservative French town, and more than one villager finds their lives transformed by the delicacies. Streaming on Paramount+, MGM+, Prime Video

Snack Shack: In the early 1990s, two best pals are given the enviable job of running the concessions counter at the local public pool. Because they’re teen boys, shenanigans ensue, but along with the naughty escapades (it is rated R, after all), they and their fellow kids up end up swallowing as many life lessons as they do Doritos. Streaming on Apple TV, Prime Video, MGM+

Making pretzels is in Justin Spannuth’s blood—literally. The COO of Unique Snacks is the latest in a long, long line of Spannuths to take up the craft of pretzel making. While he learned the trade from all the pretzel-making members of his family before him, he’s currently preparing the next generation to carry on the salty legacy. Here, he shares his story, in his own words.

When Sawyer Hemsley and Jason McGowan set out to create the perfect chocolate chip cookie, they were not aware that their quest (obsession?) would lead to them co-founding Crumbl, one of the fastest-growing dessert chains in the U.S. The brand is known for its generously proportioned, fresh-baked cookies, but it has grown to include in its sugary empire brownies, decadent desserts, and other sweet treats. Here, Hemsley shares his story.

Starting off
Cookies were definitely the love language of my household. My mom is a phenomenal baker, and I grew up with the aroma of fresh chocolate chip cookies constantly filling the kitchen. Those early memories of a warm, homemade treat weren’t just about the food; they were about the experience of sharing something special with family. That DNA of "warm and fresh" is exactly what we want to help bring to life for Crumbl fans.

In the years leading up to Crumbl, I was a student at Utah State University. I was focused on my studies, but I always had an entrepreneurial itch. I was constantly thinking about how to create a brand that didn't just sell a product, but created a repeatable, high-quality experience. I was young, ambitious, and ready to build something, though I didn't know yet that a cookie would be the catalyst.

Men on a mission
It truly was a "quest." Jason and I weren’t professional bakers, so we approached it like a science experiment. We spent thousands of dollars on ingredients and tried countless iterations. We would bake two batches, take them to gas stations or grocery stores, and ask random strangers: "Which one do you like better, A or B?" We tested everything from the type of flour to the chill time and the specific chocolate chip. That "A/B testing" mindset is how we landed on the Milk Chocolate Chip recipe that started it all. We didn't launch until the public told us it was perfect.

The first Crumbl
The Logan shop was unique because we wanted to strip away the mystery of baking. Most bakeries have a back-of-house where the magic happens, but we wanted people to see the cracked eggs, the bags of flour, and the cookies being balled right in front of them.

What made it special was the open-kitchen concept. We wanted the customers to be part of the process. Also, at the time, we only served one thing: the Milk Chocolate Chip cookie. This transparency not only created an engaging, sensory experience, but also gave people a look into the quality and care that goes into each Crumbl cookie.

Scaling up success
Three things from Logan became the "Crumbl Standard" as we went national:

• The Open Kitchen: This creates trust and a sensory experience (the smell is our best marketing).
• The Tech-First Approach: From the beginning, we leaned into tech to make ordering seamless.
• The Pink Box: We knew the packaging had to be as iconic as the cookie. It was designed to be "photo worthy" before that was even a common business strategy. The pink box is truly recognizable from across the street.

Lessons learned and next steps
We learned early on that we have to listen to our "Crumbl Crew" (the franchise partners and bakers) because they are the boots on the ground. Any extra insights I get from them now, and could get earlier on too, are incredibly valuable. They’re a key part to delivering what our Crumbl fans want and love.

We are continuing to grow internationally and excited to share our love of cookies and desserts to more people around the world. We are also bringing to life new innovations and iterations of what Crumbl fans have been loving lately. I can’t share more than that, but you can be sure it’ll be delicious.

My biggest piece of advice is to start with the why and focus on the who. Don’t just try to sell a product; create a moment for your customer. We tested our way to success by being willing to hear "this cookie isn't good enough" until we got it right. If you’re passionate and obsessed with the details, the "empire" part will follow the quality. SF&WB