The dinner table is such a great place, right? Think about it – good food (hopefully), family, and/or good friends. What’s not to love. Leave it to the movies the show us the other side. Today we’re looking at dinner table scenes and let’s just say none of these choices are what you would call traditional. As always, with so many choices I wouldn’t call this the definitive list, but there’s no denying that these five dinner table scenes are nothing short of phenomenal.
#5 – “Christmas Vacation”
Who would have guessed that “Christmas Vacation” would become a perennial holiday favorite? It’s for good reason. The film is loaded with great scenes few better than the Christmas Eve dinner. It’s the culmination of Clark Griswold’s efforts to have a good old-fashioned Christmas. But does anything go as planned when the name Griswold is attached?
#4 – “The Lost Boys”
If I suspected my mom’s new boyfriend of being a vampire what better place to test the theory than at the dinner table? Sam and the Frog brothers try everything – a splash of holy water, garlic disguised as parmesan cheese, even a breath test. It all amounts to a hysterical series of mishaps that cracks me up to this day.
#3 – “Eraserhead”
Having dinner with your girlfriend’s parents can be a bit nerve-racking on its own. But in the hands of David Fincher it becomes anything but conventional. This specific sequence is bizarre, a bit creepy, and absolutely hilarious. A numb arm, a bleeding miniature chicken, convulsions, weird stares, weirder questions all make me want to stay home and eat.
#2 – “Sicario”
I’ll try my best to keep this spoiler-free, but this particular sequence comes at the end of this fantastic border thriller. Where the previous picks have had a sense of humor, this choice is deadly serious. Throughout the movie we learn that hitman Benicio del Toro has a very sharp ax to grind with a Mexican cartel boss. It all comes to a head in a dinner table encounter that’s both intense and shocking.
#1 – “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”
It was almost impossible to narrow this list down, but this scene was on my mind from the very start. Tobe Hooper’s 1974 horror classic features the mother of all dinner table scenes. Lots of screams, a hammer, an innocent captive, and a family of sadistic, murderous cannibals. It’s horrific and unsettling but at the same time it’s intertwined with a twisted sense of humor. Truly unforgettable.
So those are my choices. What say you? Please share your thoughts and picks in the comments section below. I’m hoping you all will mention the great many scenes that just missed my list.
Keith & the Movies 
Have you seen THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT? All the key scenes happen when the characters are eating. I can’t say if any of them is memorable enough to be in a list like this, but this detail makes it a unique movie.
I have but it has been a few years. I do remember the dinner table having a pretty significant role.
Love the idea for a list! And I knew what one had to be haha.
Thanks. It was fun. So which ones did I miss?
Pulp Fiction.
Ohhh yes. In the diner?
Yes. Though I’d add the royale with cheese lines as a bonus.
It’s funny, I kinda ruled out restaurant/ diner scenes and stuck to dinner table scenes at homes. I did that mainly because of a future Phenomenal 5 list! 😉
Ah wow. I’ll look out for it. Now off to have a royale with cheese haha
HaHa!!! Enjoy!
You may be too young to remember the classic Guess who Came To Dinner, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn and Sydney Poitier.
LOL. I know that movie very well. Such a good pick. It’s funny you mention it because I have it on my DVR for a rewatch! 😁
A true classic.
Indeed. And every performance just sparkles.
A very good round up! I especially love the Christmas Vacation nod 🙂 One of my favorite dinner scenes ever.
That one had to be included, right? It’s pretty hysterical and it is family dysfunction on full display. 😂
It’s an annual tradition at our house to watch that movie every Christmas. It never gets old!
Same with us! Never miss it!
I liked DeNiro’s Capone in Untouchables.
Ooooo that’s a good one. I think a baseball bat is involved, right?
Yep. Very intense scene.
And De Niro is so intimidating in it.
I guess this means that if I’m having a dinner party, I will have you as a guest and make sure you have a good time. Plus, we’ll watch those films for our enjoyment.
Sounds great! I’m 100% in! 👍
The dinner scene in American Beauty is one of my absolute favorites. “Pass the asparagus.”
Oh crap! Yes! I completely forgot about that one! Great mention.
I noticed that in all those “marriage sux” thrillers and dramas the ultimate clash usually starts during dinner. There’s American Beauty, Mr and Mrs Smith and War of the Roses. All have great scenes like that
Good observation. I hadn’t thought about that but you’re right.
Good to see Eraserhead included; that would be my favorite.
Also, I know this is from TV, but I’ve got to also mention this scene from Seinfeld:
Ha! Nice choice. Sometimes I forget how good Seinfeld could be.
Great post, Keith! I’ve got another one for you
Nothing But Trouble – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apjvf9YNzEM
Oh my goodness. Completely forgot about that movie!
I love it!! I used to watch it so many times when I was a kid. The 80’s SNL crew 🙂
Right! Chase, Akroyd, even John Candy.
I’m throwing in the 1st negotiation scene in Nightcrawler with Lou and Nina at a Mex spot. Super unnerving and great dialogue/reactions. I’m sure negotiation courses in college use the scenes in Nightcrawler, they’re that good.
Oooooh that’s a good one. Another scene I completely forgot about. And I’m a big fan of Nightcrawler. Glad you mentioned it.
I’d throw my hat in for the dinner scene in Step Brothers, I die laughing every time 😂 Also Meet The Parents is pretty funny too!
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Good mentions. There are some really good comedy dinner table scenes.
What an amazing and unique list! When I read the title I started thinking about dinner scenes and none of these came to my mind, but your post made a good case for them!
I actually reviewed The Lost Boys on my blog and didn’t fail to notice the fantastic Gothic location of the dinner you described…
I need to check out your review. I’ve always had an adoration for The Lost Boys. It’s such a fun and quirky movie. Never gets old for me.
I hope you’ll find it… reasonable! Actually, it’s quite positive! You’ll find it easily in the Reviews (EN) page of my blog!
Gotcha. Thanks!
Nice list! I haven’t seen three of the movies, but I agree with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and Sicario. The first movie that popped into my head was Hereditary. The horror is a little gratuitous but Toni Collette’s character is pretty unforgettable in the dining room scene.
Oh that’s a good mention. That particular dinner scene in Hereditary is so uncomfortable and intense.
Great post! I forgot about that scene in Sicario. So many other possible choices out there, too. 5 more movies with great dinner table scenes:
The Nutty Professor (Eddie Murphy version)
You’re Next
August: Osage County
Almost Christmas
Deadfall
Finally! I was wondering if anyone was going to mention The Nutty Professor. That one instantly stood out to me and I hated to leave it off.
August: Osage County for me.
I never really got into that movie but I DEFINITELY remember the dinner table scene!!!