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Delicatessen

Play trailer Poster for Delicatessen R 1991 1h 38m Sci-Fi Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 59 Reviews 91% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
Clapet (Jean-Claude Dreyfus) is a butcher who owns a run-down apartment building in post-apocalyptic France. The building is in constant need of a handyman, because Clapet routinely butchers them and sells them as food. The latest in the long line of disposable workers is Louison (Dominique Pinon), a former circus clown desperate for work and lodging. But this time Clapet's plan hits a snag when his young daughter (Marie-Laure Dougnac) falls head over heels for the lovable Louison.
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Delicatessen

Delicatessen

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Critics Consensus

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet deftly combines horror, sci-fi, and humor in Delicatessen, a morbid comedy set in a visually ravishing futuristic dystopia.

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Critics Reviews

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Anton Bitel Little White Lies Oct 18, 2023
All at once nightmarish cannibal horror and romantic comedy, good-natured fairytale, and hyper-stylised allegory of French wartime collaboration and resistance, this collective debut from Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet is dizzyingly difficult to pin down Go to Full Review
Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer Nov 21, 2013
3.5/4
With its molelike inhabitants, its sprawling war between flesh-eaters and lentil-men, its achingly sweet love story and surrealist blend of dusty antiquities and 21st-century gizmos, Delicatessen is indescribably wild. Go to Full Review
Clifford Terry Chicago Tribune Nov 21, 2013
3.5/4
All of this is handled in a breezy, off-handed, nutsy manner, as the superb cast combines to help bring it off. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 4, 2025
3.5/4
While black comedies are often known for their cynicism, this one maintains an unorthodox esprit de corp. Go to Full Review
Iain Robertson Starburst Oct 16, 2023
4/5
While the subject matter is bleak, Delicatessen is a charming, unique movie and a truly unique piece of cinema. Go to Full Review
Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) Dec 12, 2022
An existentialist fricassee of irresistible comedy. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Huntin P @PaxVobiscum80 1 day ago This movie preceded the much more famous Amelie, but in my opinion, Delicatessen is the better picture. A macabre, post-apocalyptic fable, it is visually stunning, very funny, and rather sexy. What's it about? A former circus performer takes up lodging above a butcher's shop, in exchange for doing odd jobs around the property. Little does he know, the butcher supplies his customers with more than just animal meat. Luckily, the butcher's daughter takes a liking to the new inmate and resolves to save him, by having him kidnapped. Who kidnaps him? Militant vegetarians. Unlike Amelie, Delicatessen does not rely on a narrator, and despite its wacky situation, it makes a good deal more sense than all that nonsense in Amelie re. the heart condition or the photo album. Don't get me wrong, I loved Amelie, at first, but Delicatessen has more theatricality, more bravery, and plenty of whimsy. Make sure you drop in. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 9, 2026 Delicatessen is by the same people who did Amelia thus my 4.5 star rating! See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Sep 3, 2026 It was kind of confusing, and I lost sight of it toward the end. You can tell it's a French film. They all have that certain vibe. It was funny at times I guess. You can also tell its really well made. See more Oaklee D @ODie63 Aug 27, 2026 A oddly macabre, dystopian little world that has built which is also captivating and keeps you glued to the screen this little French film is one of a kind and I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. Definitely recommend. See more Thomas S @RT53929595 Sep 25, 2025 Delicatessen propose un univers singulier et dystopique, à la fois immersif et soigneusement mis en scène. La réalisation crée une atmosphère visuelle forte, qui happe le spectateur dans un monde à part. Le film m’a rappelé Le Rapport de Brodeck, notamment dans sa manière d’évoquer l’hystérie collective et de laisser percevoir, en arrière-plan, le poids de la guerre. See more michael w @RT07629897 May 27, 2025 Besides that the movie is fantastically quirky as a whole, there are several scenes which are perfectly crafted while one really stands out: moooo -beeeaaa :-) See more Read all reviews
Delicatessen

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Movie Info

Synopsis Clapet (Jean-Claude Dreyfus) is a butcher who owns a run-down apartment building in post-apocalyptic France. The building is in constant need of a handyman, because Clapet routinely butchers them and sells them as food. The latest in the long line of disposable workers is Louison (Dominique Pinon), a former circus clown desperate for work and lodging. But this time Clapet's plan hits a snag when his young daughter (Marie-Laure Dougnac) falls head over heels for the lovable Louison.
Director
Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Marc Caro
Producer
Claudie Ossard
Screenwriter
Gilles Adrien, Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Distributor
Miramax Films
Production Co
Fondation GAN pour le Cinéma, Miramax, Hachette Première, Constellation, Union Générale Cinématographique (UGC)
Rating
R
Genre
Sci-Fi, Comedy
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 17, 1991, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Apr 3, 1992
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 1, 2009
Box Office (Gross USA)
$9.1K
Runtime
1h 38m
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