Like Water for Chocolate

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Like Water for Chocolate

1992

2h 24m

Romance

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Popcornmeter

88%

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48 Reviews

84%

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25,000+ Ratings

The youngest daughter in her family, the beautiful Tita (Lumi Cavazos) is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro (Marco Leonardi). Since tradition dictates that Tita must care for her mother, Pedro weds her older sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), though he still loves Tita. The situation creates much tension in the family, and Tita's powerful emotions begin to surface in fantastical ways through her cooking. As the years pass, unusual circumstances test the enduring love of Pedro and Tita.

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Critics Consensus

Like Water for Chocolate plays to the senses with a richly rewarding romance that indulges in magical realism to intoxicating effect.

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Peter Stack

San Francisco Chronicle

Laura Esquivel's wonderful novel about the powers of passion has been adapted for the screen by her husband, director Alfonso Arau. The result is as rich and savory as Mexican hot chocolate.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

It tells a dark, sad, horrific but heartening story in sweet, gleaming images that tickle ribs, quicken senses and awaken hungers. There's just one word for it: Scrumptious.

Jun 11, 2020

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Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

Deliciously offbeat and bittersweet, it is, entirely appropriately, a treat.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 11, 2020

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Saporta Report (Atlanta)

The result is a movie as magical as it is mouth-watering.

Oct 9, 2023

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Augusto Martínez Torres

El Pais (Spain)

The film's biggest setback is its script in which the density is felt next to its runtime. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jun 11, 2020

Full Review

Fotogramas Staff

Fotogramas

An imaginative reconstruction of the traditional Mexican melodrama that is one of the year's best surprises. [Full Review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Jun 11, 2020

Full Review

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Stephen C

Copyright 1992-2025 by Miramax Films!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All ages admitted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/03/25

Full Review

Christine B

This movie has been one of my favorites for the past 25 years, at least. Beautifully acted and just a creative storyline. It's worth watching a movie with subtitles when it's this good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

Full Review

Alejandro E

Puede ser que peque de sobrevalorada. La cuestión es que este drama generacional sobre el arte de cocinar, y el cargar el peso de vivir con una madre posesiva tiene un magnetismo que no cabe a discusión, y se deja ver con agrado.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/05/25

Full Review

S R

A bizarre romantic drama based around old Mexico near the TX border, with a family settling an area and dealing with a younger daughter who attracts men easily. So it gets into her affairs with symbolism and metaphors galore. It also had an odd narrative that seemed childish in its storytelling. Despite me being uncomfortable with the motivations that felt immoral, I still was curious what would happen. NYT 1000 movies list and SLC DVD.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

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Luis F

Stupid movie. Watch something else.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/31/24

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Dalia S

Una de las mejores adaptaciones de la literatura mexicana plasmadas en el cine. Como agua para Chocolate, representa el realismo mágico a través de la gastronomía mexicana, el simbolismo que relaciona las emociones de Tita con la comida es muy original.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/09/24

Full Review

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Alfonso Arau

Director

Lumi Cavazos

Tita

Marco Leonardi

Pedro

Regina Torné

Mamá Elena

Mario Iván Martínez

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Synopsis

The youngest daughter in her family, the beautiful Tita (Lumi Cavazos) is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro (Marco Leonardi). Since tradition dictates that Tita must care for her mother, Pedro weds her older sister, Rosaura (Yareli Arizmendi), though he still loves Tita. The situation creates much tension in the family, and Tita's powerful emotions begin to surface in fantastical ways through her cooking. As the years pass, unusual circumstances test the enduring love of Pedro and Tita.

Director: Alfonso Arau
Producer: Alfonso Arau
Screenwriter: Laura Esquivel
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Arau Films Internacional
Genre: Romance
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 27, 1992, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 17, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $14.0M
Runtime: 2h 24m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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