Potatoes are one of the most versatile foods in the world and found in every culture’s cuisine. Their ideal place is not just the kitchen for all types of dishes, but they have also been celebrated in movies, starring in iconic scenes and memorable dishes. Let’s have a look at the most iconic moments in cinema’s history where potatoes have played a leading role and in some way…made their mark.

• Potatoes in “The Martian” (2015) – Matt Damon playing the astronaut, Mark Watney, grows potatoes on Mars to survive. This film elevated the potato to a symbol of human ingenuity and resilience, showing how this food can be an essential resource even in the most extreme situations.

• French fries in “Pulp Fiction” (1994) – In the famous conversation between Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, a “Royale with Cheese” and French fries with mayonnaise become a symbol of the cultural differences between Europe and America, fitting in perfectly with the film’s irreverent pop mood.

• Mashed potatoes in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) – The scene where the lead character sculpts a mountain out of mashed potato is the perfect example of how food can help convey obsession and revelation in cinema.

• Roast potatoes in “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (2001) – The huge banquet in Hogwarts Great Hall is a visual and culinary feast. Among the various delights, roast potatoes are the quintessential comfort food, evoking the warmth of home.

• New potatoes in “Julie & Julia” (2009) – In this film inspired by the famous chef, Julia Child, new potatoes in butter become a dish that embodies her love for cooking and her rediscovery of the joy of cooking with passion and dedication.

• Gratin dauphinois in “Ratatouille” (2007) - Even though this film focuses on ratatouille, certain scenes feature classic French dishes, such as Gratin Dauphinois (gratin potatoes with cream and cheese). The film celebrates French cuisine and Gratin Dauphinois is a typical dish from their culinary heritage.

• Shepherd’s Pie in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (2004) - You often see traditional British dishes at Hogwarts banquets, such as Shepherd’s Pie. This magical atmosphere with plenty of food evokes English tradition.

• Boiled, stewed and mashed potatoes in “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” (2002) - Samwise Gamgee explains to Gollum all the ways you can cook potatoes: “Boil ’em, mash ’em, stick ’em in a stew!” It became a much-loved line among fans and represents Sam’s bond with the simplicity of Hobbit life.

• Mashed potatoes in “Django Unchained” (2012) - In one of the scenes at Candyland, during the dinner with Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), they serve huge plates of mashed potatoes. The food and the dinner table play a key role in the film’s tension.

The central role of potatoes in movies is not just a matter of taste, but also about storytelling and evoking emotions. As suggested by the film critic, Antonio Monda, food is often a way to convey memory and identity in films: “A meal on the big screen can say much more than a simple scene. It can evoke nostalgia, desire or even an entire culture”.

If we think of the potatoes in “The Martian”, we see a symbol of survival and resilience; while the mash in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” reflects the obsession and need to believe in something bigger. The French fries in “Pulp Fiction” are a pop icon of food globalisation, while the dishes in “Harry Potter” convey that sense of warmth and home which food can offer.

It is no coincidence that directors like Tarantino, Spielberg and Ridley Scott chose the potato as a visual and narrative element. The simplicity of this ingredient fills it with universal meanings, making it accessible to every viewer.

As the food critic and blogger, Chiara Maci, emphasised: “Food in movies is never random. With its versatility, the potato is the perfect symbol of adaptability and tradition, but also of transformation and experimentation”. So, potatoes in movies are not just a side dish, but rather a real silent star, capable of tying scenes and characters together in unexpected ways. And if, as Julia Child said, “people who love to eat are always the best people”, we could say that the films which celebrate food – including potatoes – are the ones that stay with us the longest.