You've probably seen the clips. Ralph Fiennes, looking terrifyingly composed in a chef’s coat, clapping his hands with a sound like a gunshot. Anya Taylor-Joy staring down a silver platter with a mix of boredom and sheer terror. If you missed the theatrical run back in 2022, you’re likely late to the party and wondering where to watch The Menu without getting lost in a sea of dead-end links or rental fees that cost more than a literal cheeseburger.
It's a weird movie.
Mark Mylod, the director who spent years perfecting the "rich people are miserable" aesthetic on Succession, crafted something here that’s part horror, part comedy, and entirely an indictment of "foodie" culture. But because it’s a Searchlight Pictures production, its streaming home isn't always where you'd expect it to be, especially as licensing deals shift under the massive Disney umbrella.
The Short Answer: Where to Watch The Menu Right Now
If you want the quickest path to the Hawthorn island experience, you need to look at Disney+ or Hulu.
Because Disney owns Searchlight, the film has found its permanent (for now) residence on their flagship streaming services. In the United States, your best bet is Hulu. If you have the Disney Bundle, you can actually watch it directly through the Disney+ app via the Hulu integration. It’s seamless. You just search for the title, and there it is, ready to ruin your appetite for fine dining.
For those of you outside the States—specifically in the UK, Canada, or Australia—you’ll find it exclusively on Disney+ under the "Star" banner.
Why the split? It’s all down to how Disney distributes its more "mature" content. They don't want the R-rated finger-chopping scenes sitting right next to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse unless there's a clear parental gate.
What If You Don’t Have a Subscription?
Streaming is a fickle beast. Sometimes you just don't want another monthly bill.
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You can still buy or rent the film on all the usual suspects: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Generally, the rental price hovers around $3.99, while buying it keeps it in your digital library for about $14.99. Honestly? If you’re a fan of rewatching movies to catch the tiny details—like what exactly is written on the menus the guests receive—buying it isn't the worst idea.
There is a certain irony in paying for a movie that mocks the very concept of "consuming" art, but hey, we've all got to eat.
The Margot Factor: Why People Are Still Searching for This Movie
Why is everyone still obsessed with finding where to watch The Menu years after it hit theaters?
It’s Anya Taylor-Joy.
Her character, Margot, is the audience surrogate. She’s the only one who sees through the pretension. While everyone else is weeping over "savory foam" or "breadless bread plates," she’s just hungry. This relatability is what gives the movie its legs. It’s not just a horror movie; it’s a cathartic experience for anyone who has ever felt out of place in a high-end establishment.
Experts in film theory often point to the "Eat the Rich" subgenre that spiked during the early 2020s. Think Triangle of Sadness or Glass Onion. But The Menu is different. It’s meaner. It’s more precise. It targets the creators just as much as the consumers. Chef Slowik (Fiennes) isn't just a villain; he's a burnt-out artist who has lost his "joy," and he blames his audience for it.
Technical Details You Might Care About
If you’re watching this on a high-end home theater setup, you’ll be glad to know that the digital versions on Apple TV and Disney+ support 4K UHD and Dolby Vision.
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The cinematography by Peter Deming is incredibly crisp. The kitchen is shot like a laboratory. Every stainless steel surface gleams with a clinical, almost threatening brightness. Watching it in 1080p is fine, but if you have the bandwidth, the 4K stream really makes the food (and the blood) pop.
Misconceptions About Where to Watch The Menu
A lot of people think it’s on Netflix. It isn’t.
Netflix has Glass Onion, which often gets lumped in with The Menu because they both involve an island and wealthy people getting what’s coming to them. But if you’re searching Netflix for Chef Slowik, you’re going to come up empty-handed.
Another common mistake is looking for it on Max (formerly HBO Max). While Succession—the director’s other big hit—is the crown jewel of Max, The Menu belongs to the Disney family. Don't waste your time scrolling through the "Thriller" category on Max; it’s not there.
Is It Actually Scary?
Look, I’ll be honest with you.
It’s "uncomfortable" scary, not "jump-scare" scary. It’s a slow-burn psychological thriller. The tension builds through the courses of the meal. By the time you get to the "Torture" course, you’re fully immersed in the madness. It’s less about ghosts or monsters and more about the terrifying realization that you are trapped in a room with people who have absolutely nothing left to lose.
If you’re squeamish about needles or, uh, kitchen accidents, maybe look away during the third course. Otherwise, it’s a blast.
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The Real-World Inspiration
The movie isn't just a random fever dream. The writers, Will Tracy and Seth Reiss, based the concept on a real experience Tracy had at a restaurant in Norway called Cornelius. He was taken by boat to a remote island, and once the boat left, he realized he was stuck there until the meal was over.
That feeling of being a "hostage" to a luxury experience is the core of the film.
There are also shades of real-life molecular gastronomy giants. Think Ferran Adrià of El Bulli or René Redzepi of Noma. These are places where food is treated as high art, often at the expense of actually being a meal. The Menu takes that obsession to its most literal, violent conclusion.
Actionable Steps for Your Movie Night
If you're ready to dive in, here is exactly how to optimize the experience:
- Check your subscriptions first. If you have Verizon, Spotify Premium, or certain credit cards (like Amex Platinum), you might already have a free "Entertainment Credit" that covers Hulu or Disney+. Don't pay for a rental if you're already paying for the service.
- Order a cheeseburger. You’ll understand why by the final act. Avoid the fancy stuff. Go for a classic, greasy, diner-style burger. It’s the ultimate way to watch this film.
- Watch the credits. The credits feature some pretty amazing stylized food photography that continues the theme of the movie.
- Avoid spoilers. If you haven't seen the ending, don't look up the "S'mores" scene. Just let it happen.
The search for where to watch The Menu usually leads people to a quick digital transaction, but the film stays with you long after the screen goes black. It makes you question every expensive meal you’ve ever had. It makes you wonder if you’re a "giver" or a "taker."
Most importantly, it’s just a really well-made movie. Ralph Fiennes gives one of the best performances of his career, balancing menace with a weird, twisted sense of integrity. You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, and you’ll definitely never look at a taco the same way again.
Go to Hulu. Hit play. Enjoy the madness.