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12 Movies like The Menu for Fans of Satirical Horrors

Movies like The Menu

The Menu is a dark and suspenseful tale of a bunch of rich people who embark on a luxury fine dining experience. This initially harmless premise gone wrong is a trope that remains interesting over the years, and why we have brought you a list of 12 movies like The Menu. This dinner is hosted at a very expensive and isolated restaurant called Hawthorne, which itself is located on a remote island.

Guests at the dinner are taken through a series of courses, bookended by that become increasingly unsettling as the evening continues. It starts to become clear that Slowik’s intentions are quite sinister as more secrets about each of the guests get revealed. Movies like The Menu are a satirical depiction of class warfare, social commentary and humor that will either make your appetite shrivel or make you more thankful for the food on your plate. For fans looking for such movies, have a look at this list of 12 movies like The Menu below.

List of Movies like The Menu

1. Get Out (2017)

Now that Chris Washington and his girlfriend, Rose Armitage, have reached the meet-the-parents milestone of their relationship, she invites him for a weekend getaway to her family house. Similar to movies like The Menu, this film is a perfect example of guests put in life threatening situations.

At first, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behaviour as nervous attempts to deal with their interracial relationship but as the weekend progresses, it turns into something much more sinister. The film touches upon themes of racism, privilege, and the exploitation of black bodies, making it a provocative commentary on the current political and social climate. Get Out has been widely acclaimed and a standout cultural moment and horror of the modern era.

Fan of Anya Taylor-Joy? Also Read: Shows like Queen’s Gambit

2. The Platform (2019)

This is a culinary-centered horror thriller as seen in movies like The Menu. This film, directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, takes place in a vertical prison where prisoners are fed via a platform that descends from the top to the bottom delivering food to each floor. The higher the floor, the better the food, so the prisoners on the lower floors have to struggle to get enough to eat.

As the platform descends, food becomes increasingly scarce and the prisoners on each floor grow more desperate and violent in their attempts to get enough to eat. This leads to conflict and violence among the prisoners as they compete for resources. The Platform delves into themes of social inequality, class struggle, and the effects of unequal distribution of resources. The story raises thought-provoking questions about human nature and the lengths people will go to survive in extreme circumstances.

3. Triangle of Sadness (2022)

If there was ever a movie that gave ‘eat the rich’ vibes as seen in movies like The Menu, then Triangle of Sadness is definitely one. The story is about a group of luxury cruise passengers who survive a pirate attack and manage to escape to an island. Marooned, the characters face physical and emotional challenges as they try their best to adapt to their new reality.

The film also touches on themes of power, survival, class, gender, and privilege, as the characters are forced to confront their own biases and preconceptions in the face of adversity. Ultimately, the film is a thought-provoking examination of the human condition and our innate ability to adapt and survive.

4. Boiling Point (2021)

Boiling Point is a film set in a hectic London restaurant called “Jones & Sons.” It follows the events of a busy night on the weekend before Christmas, as the restaurant is overbooked. The main character, head chef Andy Jones, is grappling with personal problems and the challenges of running a busy establishment. 

The film is shot in a single-take style and provides an in-depth look at the characters’ personal lives and the difficulties they face while working in the high-stakes restaurant industry. Overall, movies like The Menu and Boiling Point highlight the challenges and hardships faced by those working in the food service industry.

5. Fresh (2022)

Fresh, is about Noa who falls into the clutches of a man named Steve. Exhausted by even the thought of using a dating app again, let alone going on another dull date. What starts as a cute first encounter at a grocery store soon turns out to be her worst nightmare.

While Fresh is more ‘just eat people’ than ‘eat the rich’ compared to movies like The Menu, the horrors of modern dating are seen through the eyes of a young woman who must rely on her wits, and the help of her friend Mollie to escape from her new boyfriend. One of the best horror movies in 2022, Fresh is for the horror fan who has seen everything and doesn’t think that they can be surprised.

Also Read: Movies About Cults

6. Ready or Not (2019)

In movies like The Menu, wealthy families are synonymous with problems and marrying into one is no exception as Grace soon finds out.  Ready or Not is a dark comedy/horror movie about a young woman named Grace, played by Samara Weaving, who marries into a wealthy and eccentric family. On her wedding night, Grace learns that the family has a dark and twisted tradition in which they play a deadly game of hide-and-seek with the newest member of their family.

The movie creates a confusing atmosphere right away since Grace doesn’t know if she can even trust her new husband. Ready Or Not will appeal to fans of The Menu as both films feature characters who are brought somewhere strange all because of the person whom they love. In both cases, a regular dinner or wedding turns into something worse than the main characters could ever have imagined.

7. The Feast (2021)

Similar to movies like The Menu, The Feast is a film about a dinner party gone wrong. One of the best horror movies of 2021 that didn’t get the attention that it deserved. Set in Wales, the film follows a wealthy family who hosts a dinner party at their estate in the Welsh mountains.

The Feast is as surprising as The Menu and has an extremely dark ending as the characters are not who they seem to be. The movie itself is set in a beautiful area and the characters will haunt audiences after they have finished watching. This movie will particularly appeal to horror fans who want a film with an ending that they absolutely won’t guess.

8. You’re Next (2011)

As with movies like The Menu, the main characters assume that they’re going to have a fun gathering. In You’re Next, the Davison family gathers at their isolated vacation home for a reunion, but their celebration is cut short when a group of masked attackers break in and begin a killing spree. As the family members are picked off one by one, they soon realize that one of their own, Erin, has a secret past and skills that make her the only hope for survival.

The film is a fast-paced, bloody thriller that blends traditional horror with unexpected twists and turns proving that in the horror genre, even a family gathering can lead to a terrifying battle for survival. The movie has everything that slasher fans look for, and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

9. Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022)

Nothing is more fragile than a group of best friends who pretend to like one another, even more so when one of them ends up dead. A fresh take on friends partying in a house in the country, Bodies Bodies Bodies is a party game horror that examines whether a social group even really likes each other.

As one person dies and they scramble to figure out who did it, the characters are plunged into a night of backstabbings, escalating paranoia and violence. Similar to other gathering-gone-wrong movies like The Menu, Bodies Bodies Bodies turns a regular party into a fight to survive. Both movies maintain a sense of humor and have a lot to say about people with money and privilege.

10. The Invitation (2022)

As it is in movies like The Menu, The Invitation asks what a young woman would do if she found herself in a more dangerous situation than she could have ever anticipated. Lauded as one of the best 2022 horror movies, this is a story about a woman named Evie, who finds out she has a second cousin named Oliver through a DNA testing website. Oliver is from England and Evie is invited for a wedding which doubles as a chance to meet a family she never knew about.

Throughout the story, Evie experiences strange occurrences in the mansion and begins to uncover dark secrets about the family’s past. As she delves deeper, she realizes that she may have made a fatal mistake by accepting the invitation and could very much well be in grave danger.

11. Silent Night (2021)

Both a compelling horror film about a gathering similar to movies like The Menu and a sadder than most look at a family celebrating Christmas, Silent Night revolves around a married couple, Nell and Simon, who host a yearly Christmas dinner for their former school friends and their spouses. However, this Christmas is special because of an impending environmental disaster that is about to hit Britain and the government has issued suicide pills for a quick death.

Silent Night imagines a world on the verge of ending, and characters who have accepted their fate, and gather around to say goodbye to each other. A deadly gas attack has hit England, which sets up a tense and chilling environment. Watching the family try their best to deal with impending deaths is quite moving.

12. All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2006)

Several slasher movies like The Menu are about parties, fame, and the social hierarchy present in high school. All The Boys Love Mandy Lane sees the titular character, a shy and attractive girl named Mandy Lane going to a pool party on a remote ranch. At first, the party is a success, but as the weekend goes on, the group begins to die one by one.

All The Boys Love Mandy Lane has a twist ending and the characters have no idea what is really going on, just like Margot attending a fancy restaurant meal in The Menu. With countless films that have the same cliches and that wrap up in a similar way, it’s nice to see a film that takes another approach.

Fan of Ralph Fiennes? Also Read: Movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel

Honourable Mentions

Some extra helpings of movies like The Menu that didn’t make the list, but you might enjoy nonetheless:

1.      Would You Rather

2.      Parasite

3.      We Are What We Are

4.      Midsommar

5.      Sorry To Bother You

When Lost aired over a decade ago, its successful narrative created a pop culture impact and changed the landscape of television. If you are a fan and want to watch shows like Lost then you can have a look at this list we made just for you.

Lost

The hugely successful television series Lost aired in 2004. The premise, as we know, deals with a group of people surviving a commercial passenger plane crash on a remote island. The show masterfully explores supernatural and sci-fi elements on this mysterious south Pacific island. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTu8iDynwNc

The use of cliffhangers at the end of each episode of Lost kept the viewers on the edge of their seats, desperately craving for the next episode to come. Even though it's a large ensemble cast, most of the characters receive a justifiable personal arch. Lost was inspired by the movie Castaway and became one of the most expensive pilots to be shot at the time! Lost continues to be appreciated for its originality in storytelling and dynamic character arcs. 

List of TV Shows Like Lost

  1. The Leftovers
  2. Manifest
  3. Lost Room
  4. Twin Peaks
  5. The Prisoners
  6. Battlestar Galactica
  7. The New People
  8. Flight 29 Down
  9. Fringe
  10. Alcatraz
  11. Under the Dome
  12. Dark

1. The Leftovers (2014)

IMDB ratings: 8.3/10

Cast: Carrie Coon, Justin Theroux, Amy Brenneman and Margaret Qualley

Creator: Damon Lindelof and Tom Perrotta

The director of Lost, Damon Lindel also created a supernatural drama series called The Leftovers. The show begins 3 years after an unexplainable global event called ‘Sudden Departure’  where almost 2 per cent of the population, nearly 140 million people, disappear. The Leftovers isn't about WHY people are gone, it's about how the ones who remain dealt with their loss, people often try to comfort themselves with dreams, angels, gods, or even death.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLT3YUALJno&t=8s

The Leftovers will leave you with so many questions but beyond words, you have to feel it and savour its unanswered questions to find peace. The Leftovers is an incredible television series that starts incredibly well but loses its way by the series's end. I have to say though, Carrie Coon has brilliant moments in the end. The Leftovers is so weird, fragmented and nonsensical at times that it reminds me of Lost. If you are looking for shows like Lost, I recommend that you give The Leftovers a try.

2. Manifest  (2018) 

IMDB ratings: 7.1/10

Cast: Melissa Roxburgh, Josh Dallas and J.R. Ramirez 

Creator: Jeff Rake


The Manifest is a supernatural drama show about a bunch of people who discover that they lost 5 years of their lives when they landed in New York after their aeroplane faced severe turbulence. All the people on the plane were presumed to be dead. Now, these people have to find a way to adjust themselves to a new life around their loved ones. Mild spoiler! They learn their loved ones and the rest of society is not as they left it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1hNAIzkQWY

I found that the show’s premise was very intriguing and the actors give a very convincing performance. The narrative details of the show, however, in my opinion, are a bit sloppy and inconsistent. The writers surely have room for improvement but their concept is incredibly thrilling. Every episode of Manifest keeps you on your toes. Manifest has completed 3 seasons up until now and continues to be on air. Manifest is a pretty good choice if you want to watch TV shows like Lost.

3. Lost Room (2006)

IMDB ratings: 8.1/10

Cast: Peter Krause, Julianna Margulies and Peter Jacobson

Creator: Christopher Leone, Laura Harkcom

This lesser-known show The Lost Room is an American Sci-fi television miniseries which only had 3 episodes of 90 mins each and no follow-up seasons. The show was based on a very unique idea where the room in question (known as the ‘Lost Room’) and the objects in the said room had supernatural powers. This strange room is set in a 1960s motel along the iconic U.S. Route 66. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfWrECLnFYU

One day the protagonist (Peter Krause) Joe Miller’s daughter disappears inside the room. Joe, with the help of objects present in the room, tries to find his daughter Anna (Elle Fanning). The story of Lost Room was intensely engaging. I found the direction and the actor’s performances to be absolutely brilliant. It baffles me that the creators did not return to make another short season within the same concept. If you have been searching for TV series like Lost then I can assure you that Lost Room will be worth a watch.

4. Twins Peaks (1990) 

IMDB ratings: 8.8/10

Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn and David Lynch

Creator: David Lynch

David Lynch, the well-known director of weird and captivating films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet created an iconic show called Twin Peaks. It is a hauntingly eccentric show about the investigation of the mysterious murder of a small-town homecoming queen named Laura Palmer. Believe me, as odd as the show may seem at first, you will grow to love it, after all, it is considered to be one of the best mystery shows ever created. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwn9ou_nf-I

With the mysteries, the supernatural elements and the list of bizarre characters, Twin Peaks has it all. In my opinion, the cinematography of the show was truly ahead of its time. Kyle’s Dale Cooper was especially entertaining. Twin Peaks’ experimental formula of the satirical soap opera is extremely unsettling yet rewarding to watch, I must warn you, it’s not for the faint-hearted!  If you are in search of TV shows like Lost then Twin Peaks won’t disappoint you.

The Prisoners (1967)

IMDB ratings: 8.5/10

Cast: Patrick McGoohan, Angelo Muscat and Geroge Markstien

Creator: Patrick McGoohan


The Prisoner centres around an unnamed British agent (Patrick McGoohan) who tries to flee his country after abruptly quitting his high-ranking government job. He is abducted and held captive in a strange ‘sea-side’ village that is isolated from the rest of the world. This village is a highly secure and monitored place filled with weird technology. There are only 17 episodes to this late 60s show but it manages to bring up such surreal surprises, it's sure to leave a great impact on the viewer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JrNr85fPms

The Prisoner’s unique concept influenced many popular shows including Lost. The creators of Lost even cited the show. I was very impressed by how ahead of its time The Prisoners proves to be. If you want to watch more shows similar to Lost the Prisoners should definitely be on your list.

6. Battlestar Galactica (2004)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Katee Sackhoff, Edward James Olmos and Tricia Helfer 

Creator: Glen A. Larson

The 2004 Battlestar Galactica is a reboot of the original 1978 miniseries of the same name. Do not be mistaken by the title, the show is not related to Star Trek.  Battlestar Galactica is set in the 7th millennium AD and follows Cylons, the robot enemy of humanity that resurfaces to destroy the 12 colonies of Mankind. Only a few survive and are able to escape on ships led by a powerful warship called Battlestar Galactica. Mankind struggles to fight the Cylons and work their own political agendas and disputes while finding their long-lost 13th colony Earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnYsf2Yv8i8

The show is a dark, intense and gritty socio-political commentary with EPIC cinematic value. The script is especially clever and as a huge fan of sci-fi shows, this show ticks the boxes in all the right categories. When the show was released, it blew the viewers and critics away. As far as an obsessive and gripping story goes, Battlestar Galactica is one of the most similar to shows like Lost. 

7. The New People (1969)

IMDB ratings: 7.3/10

Cast: David Moses, Zooey hall and Tiffany Boiling

Creator: Larry Gordon Aaron Spelling

The New People is an American Tv series that aired only for 1 season and is focused on a couple of college students who survive a plane crash. The incident takes place while they were returning from a trip to Southeast Asia, their plane crashes on an island in the south of the Pacific ocean. 

By now this show must already be sounding a lot like Lost to you, and it surely is. The remaining group of people discover an unusual truth about the island: there’s an above-ground unused nuclear test site filled with supplies for the survivors. If you want to see more plane survival stories like Lost then The New People should definitely be on your list.

8. Flight 29 Down (2005)

IMDB ratings: 7.2/10

Cast: Allen Alvarado, Halle Hirsh and Corbin Bleu

Creator:  Stan Rowgow D. J. MacHale

The show Flight 29 Down is a drama series about a group of pre-teens/teens who are stranded on a South Pacific island after their plane crashes in a tropical storm while they were flying from an eco-adventure camping trip in Palau. The show is in many ways a younger version of the Adult-centred show Lost but sans the supernatural elements. I’d say that the show draws inspiration from the show The New People.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLeG0w3kL8k

Flight 29 Down uses the technique of a video diary as a plot device for the viewers to keep up with the story of these children. It was very engaging to watch young intelligent characters finding their way on the island. The first two seasons of the show are quite engaging but I seemed to lose interest in its 3rd and final season. Regardless, Flight 29 Down is a really good series to watch if you want to see TV shows like Lost.

9. Fringe (2008)

IMDB ratings: 8.4/10

Cast: Anna Torv, John Noble and Joshua Jackson

Creator: J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci

Fringe is a popular Sci-fi crime drama television series. It may seem like a standard procedural drama at first, but the show actually explores the parallel universe, alternate versions of people filled with crazy scientific experiments. I personally had a great time watching this show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29bSzbqZ3xE

Fringe is actually inspired by shows like Lost, The X-files and The Twilight Zone. The 3 main characters of the show work with a special division called Fringe. There are so many brilliant twists and turns in Fringe that in my opinion, the show is at the top of its category. If you are searching for TV series like Lost, I strongly recommend you watch Fringe

10. Alcatraz (2012)

IMDB ratings: 6.9/10

Cast: Sarah Jones, George Garcia and Jonny Coyne 

Creator: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

This American fiction show is based on the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary built on Alcatraz island in San Francisco Bay. The prison is now closed but once kept some of the most dangerous criminals of America. The show takes the liberty to make a show around the conspiracies of the place.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V514ACIGp_k

In the interesting premise we see that under unknown circumstances, 256 inmates and 46 guards of the prison disappear without a trace. Later the disappeared ones start to appear one by one without ageing a day and resume their criminal activities with no realisation of disappearance. A special government unit is dedicated to finding and putting those criminals back in prison. If you are looking for mystery shows similar to Lost, try watching Alcatraz. 

11. Under the Dome (2013)

IMDB ratings: 6.5/10

Cast: Alexander Koch and Rachelle Lefevre

Creator: Stephen King

Based on a novel written by the sci-fi legend Stephen King, Under the Dome tells the story of the residents of the fictional small town called Chester's Mill, when a huge, transparent and indestructible dome suddenly cuts them off from the rest of the world. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Y5YeYrqUk

Now the trapped residents try to find a way to discover the truth, origin and purpose of these domes. This journey forces them into situations where they learn more about each other than they ever knew. Under the Dome may not be on the top of this list but it’s quite a decent watch if you’re looking for mystery shows similar to Lost

12. Dark (2017)

IMDB ratings: 8.7/10

Cast: Louis Hofmann, Lisa Vicari and Gina Stiebitz

Creator: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese

The German-language Netflix series Dark is an interesting blend of Science fiction and Mystery. Truly a compelling and mind-bending story to watch. At the beginning of Dark, many children suspiciously start disappearing in the German town of Winden. The dark past of generational mysteries of 4 families living in the town namely, Kahnwald, Nielsen, Doppler, and Tiedemann is brought to light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrwycJ08PSA

After the discovery of a wormhole, the lives of the families intertwine more than one can imagine. I believe every element of the show is top-notch, especially Dark’s cinematography, which is a TRUE masterpiece. If you are looking for TV series similar to Lost then the intense and gripping story of Dark is sure to keep you engrossed.

Honourable Mentions

Here are a few TV shows like Lost that didn’t make the list, but you can check them out nonetheless: 

  1. Carnivale
  2. Yellowjackets
  3. Game of Thrones
  4. Black Mirror
  5. Flashforward
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