Top 10 Burger Moments on Film

Whether you love them or hate them, burgers are the definitive fast food staple, and as such have made significant appearances in cinema over the years; usually as an iconic part of the American diet. From documentaries and features to cartoons, they have woven their way into the plot of innumerable films, sometimes in the most unexpected of ways. Today marks National Burger Day so, by way of paying tribute to our favourite item on the fast food menu, we have compiled a list of our favourite burger-based moments in cinema – but have we missed any out?

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
The fictional Hawaiian restaurant, 'The Big Kahuna Burger' has previously appeared in numerous Quentin Tarantino films, including Death Proof and Reservoir Dogs, but its most iconic appearance is when Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) heightens suspense by eating Brett's 'nutritious breakfast' from the fast food chain, before shooting him dead. Clearly the burger was too tasty to share.

2. Super Size Me (2004)
Morgan Spurlock took on the almighty challenge of eating nothing but burgers for an entire month, to show the ill effects of consuming fast food on a regular basis. This video is simultaneously amusing and disgusting as the documentary maker struggles with his first super-sized meal. Definitely a memorable burger moment.

3. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
In comparison to Super Size Me, this clip is definitely some people's idea of heaven...it's raining meatballs! Sadly they wouldn't stay so intact in reality as in this clip but you can always dream. Burger fanatics, this one is for you.

4. Good Will Hunting (1998)
There is nothing better than some male camaraderie, and in Good Will Hunting, eating burgers is the perfect way for these characters to bond. But the double burger being squabbled over here not only represents manliness of appetite but also the dangers inherent when a man is denied their lunch.

5. Better off Dead (1985)
This scene proves that burgers have the power to cause obscene hallucinations. A bolt of lightening at this burger joint causes John Cusack's burgers to jump to life and create havoc. Definitely the most surreal film clip of our selection.

6. American Beauty (1999)
Lester's mid-life crisis drives him to apply to work at the Smiley Burger on a quest for the "least possible amount of responsibility. Things take a bleaker turn however when, in one of the least dignified moments of revealed infidelity on film, his wife drives into the burger joint, her face attached to her co-worker.

7. Pink Panther (2006)
This clip hosts the best and unlikely combination: Steve Martin, Beyoncé and Hamburgers. The Pink Panther's thick French accent prevents him from saying the word hamburger which ironically gets in him into a lot of trouble later in the film where airport security suspect him to be a danger. He has only smuggled 'Damnburger's' in his pockets, as oppsed to a weapon but the truth ends up getting lost in translation.

8. The Simpsons Movie (2007)
The 'deep fried with love' Krusty Burger couldn't look less appetising, but we all have a soft spot for Krusty. I mean, he's wearing paper bags for shoes. It's a battle between the Krusty Burger and the Burger King Whopper in this hilarious advertisement: who should prevail?

9. Dumb and Dumber (1994)
A bitter sweet burger moment we can all empathise with. Or not. Here spice is literally a killer in this scene when Dumb and Dumber spike a man's burger as part of a friendly joke. The poor man never gets to finish his tasty meal, proving the burger is too much for some people to handle.

10. Falling Down (1993)
This man is at breaking point. He wants his breakfast and when he is told that the restaurant are no longer serving a breakfast menu, all hell breaks loose. William (Michael Douglas) unleashes a gun keeping the customers hostage until he gets what he wants, demonstrating the lengths some people will go to, to get their burger!

Compiled by India van Spall