This animated film made it onto the greatest of all time list. Why do both adults and children absolutely love it?

What is one of Pixar's most iconic studio projects about? Why does it have such high critical acclaim? And why should everyone watch it?

When actor Casey Affleck named "Ratatouille" as one of the best films of the 21st century in a New York Times poll, some might have been surprised. After all, it's just a cartoon about a rat in a Parisian restaurant, right?

But the more you watch "Ratatouille," the clearer it becomes: Pixar didn't just make a family film — they gave us one of the most inspiring stories about dreams, creativity, and the freedom to be yourself.

The plot might seem simple at first. A rat named Remy isn't just any rat — he's a gourmet with refined taste and a passion for cooking. His dream? To cook like the great chef Gusteau.

A dark gray rat and the ghost of a man with a large belly stand beneath the night sky — Still from the animated film "Ratatouille"

Fate brings Remy to the heart of Paris, where he starts controlling the hands of young cook Linguini, hiding under his chef's hat. Together, they create genuine culinary miracles — and ultimately change not only their own lives but also that of the most cynical restaurant critic, Anton Ego.

But I'm convinced there's much more hiding behind this fairy tale than a children's story. Because "Ratatouille" is a movie about not being afraid to be strange and honest. About how a true artist can come from anywhere — even the sewers. And about how taste — not just for food, but for life — isn't cultivated by social status, but by passion in the heart.

Visually, the film is brilliant. Paris isn't just a backdrop here — it's the atmosphere of dreams: raindrops on rooftops, lamplight on narrow streets, the rustle of pots in the kitchen.

And the cooking scenes? Almost hypnotic. All of this is accompanied by Michael Giacchino's enchanting score and the song "Le Festin," which perfectly captures what's happening: hunger for the real, for freedom, and for recognition.

Critics were thrilled too. On Rotten Tomatoes, "Ratatouille" has 96% from critics and 87% from audiences. On IMDb, it scores 8.1 out of 10 — and that's for a lyrical story with a rat as the lead, not an action blockbuster.

A guy in chef's clothing with a rat on his shoulder is cooking food in a pot — Still from the animated film "Ratatouille"

Many viewers admit in reviews: they watched the film as kids and laughed, then rewatched as adults and cried:

While 'Ratatouille' may seem like a silly children's film about cooking on the surface, if you dig deeper, you can find themes that carry deeper meaning. This film instills hope in viewers that no matter how incredible the circumstances, if a person has heart and courage, they can become anything.

Rotten Tomatoes reviewer Gabe L.

The bottom line? "Ratatouille" isn't just a movie. It's a reminder that it doesn't matter where you come from if you know why you're here. It's an animated film that inspires you not to give up and not to be afraid of being yourself — even if you don't look like a restaurant star but like a rat in the kitchen.

And if you thought you were too grown-up for cartoons — just give "Ratatouille" another chance. Maybe this time it'll tell you something truly important. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we told you about seven films that movie buffs consider the best of the 21st century — and you've definitely seen them all, right?