Ratatouille

Ratatouille (2007) is a critically acclaimed animated comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Brad Bird (who took over mid-production from Jan Pinkava), the film tells the story of Remy, a rat with an extraordinary sense of taste and smell who dreams of becoming a great chef in Paris. After being separated from his colony, Remy ends up in the kitchen of the once-renowned Gusteau’s restaurant. There, he forms an unlikely alliance with Linguini, a clumsy garbage boy, and secretly helps him cook, hiding under his chef’s hat and controlling his movements like a puppet. The story explores themes of identity, artistic expression, and breaking free of societal expectations. “Anyone can cook,” the film’s recurring mantra, is ultimately a commentary on creativity and perseverance, regardless of origin or status. It’s also a love letter to food—beautifully animated dishes, richly textured kitchen scenes, and meticulous research into culinary craft give the film a level of authenticity rare in animation. Ratatouille was a major box office success, grossing $623.7 million worldwide against a budget of approximately $150 million. It opened at #1 in the U.S. and held strong legs globally, especially in Europe, where its Parisian setting and gourmet themes resonated deeply. Despite concerns that a rat protagonist might turn away audiences, the film proved Pixar’s reputation for storytelling could overcome any premise. Critically, the film received universal acclaim. It holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 96, placing it among the best-reviewed animated films of all time. Critics praised the film's wit, heart, originality, and visual excellence. Brad Bird’s direction was noted for bringing depth and sincerity to an unlikely subject, and Michael Giacchino’s romantic, whimsical score became one of Pixar’s most beloved soundtracks. Ratatouille won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 80th Oscars (2008) and was nominated for five Academy Awards total—including Best Original Screenplay, Best Score, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. It also won the BAFTA and Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature, along with multiple Annie Awards for direction, writing, and design. Its legacy continues to grow. Ratatouille is now considered one of Pixar’s most artistically accomplished films. It inspired a theme park attraction at Disneyland Paris (Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy), endless memes, and even the 2020 viral TikTok musical Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical, a fan-made theatrical project that raised money for COVID relief. More than a story about a cooking rat, Ratatouille is a profound, heartfelt film about finding your passion and pushing past judgment—wrapped in lush visuals, warm humor, and a deep appreciation for craft.