Best Movies About Ballet

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Rated R

Black Swan is a psychological thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman. The story follows Nina, a ballerina who is a member of a prestigious New York ballet company. She is cast as the lead in a production of Swan Lake, and must perfect the dual role of both the White Swan and the Black Swan. As Nina strives to become the perfect ballerina, her progress is impeded by an intense rivalry with a fellow dancer and her own perfectionism. As she struggles to find the balance between her two roles, Nina begins to unravel mentally, leading to a series of events that threaten to destroy her. With stunning visuals and a brilliant performance from Portman, Black Swan is an intense and thrilling exploration of the human psyche.

From Directors: Daniel Geller, Dayna Goldfine, starring Irina Baronova, Kenneth Kynt Bryan, Yvonne Chouteau, Yvonne Craig
Rated Not Rated

Ballets Russes is a 2005 documentary film directed by Daniel Geller and Dayna Goldfine that chronicles the lives and careers of a group of Russian émigré ballet dancers who left the Soviet Union in the 1920s. The film follows the dancers from their first performances in Europe to their worldwide success in the 1930s, including the groundbreaking productions of the Ballet Russes. It also looks at the impact their work had on subsequent generations of dancers and the lasting legacy of their work. The film features interviews with surviving members of the group, as well as archival footage of their performances. It explores their relationships and motivations, as well as the lasting influence of the Ballet Russes on the world of ballet.

From Steven Cantor, starring Sergei Polunin, Galyna Polunina, Galina Ivanovna, Larysa Lavrikova
Rated Not Rated

Dancer is a 2016 documentary directed by Steven Cantor that tells the story of Sergei Polunin, a Ukrainian ballet dancer who rose to fame in 2010 when a video of him performing went viral. The film follows Polunin's journey, from his childhood in a small Ukrainian village to becoming the youngest ever principal dancer of the Royal Ballet in London at the age of 19. It looks into Polunin's personal struggles with fame, identity, and addiction, and follows him as he returns to Ukraine to connect with his roots and re-discover his love of dance. The film also features interviews from some of the world's greatest dancers and choreographers, including Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev, providing insight into Polunin's career and struggles. As Polunin makes his journey of self-discovery, Dancer also explores the beauty and power of ballet and its importance to the world of dance.

From Stephen Daldry, starring Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven
Rated R

Billy Elliot is a British drama film about an 11-year-old boy from a working-class English family in Northern England who discovers a passion for ballet. Despite disapproval from his father, Billy secretly pursues his dream of attending the Royal Ballet School in London. As his father struggles to keep the family afloat during a crisis in the local coal mining industry, Billy must decide between his love for ballet and his loyalty to his father and family. Along the way, Billy must overcome obstacles, find strength in himself and his dancing, and come to terms with his own identity.

From Bess Kargman, starring Aran Bell, Rebecca Houseknecht, Joan Sebastian Zamora, Miko Fogarty
Rated Not Rated

First Position is a 2011 documentary film that follows six young ballet dancers as they compete for a chance at international stardom at the Youth America Grand Prix in New York City. Through their hard work and dedication, the dancers strive to overcome a variety of obstacles in order to realize their dreams. The film is a testament to the devotion and determination of the dancers, their families, and their teachers as they put their all into this prestigious competition. The film also takes a look at the difficulties the dancers face, such as a lack of financial resources, physical injuries, and intense pressure to succeed. Through these struggles, the film shows how far one's dedication and passion can take them.

From Bruce Beresford, starring Chi Cao, Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Penne Hackforth-Jones
Rated PG

From Drew Goddard, starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz
Rated R

From Gaspar Noé, starring Sofia Boutella, Romain Guillermic, Souheila Yacoub, Kiddy Smile
Rated R

From Herbert Ross, starring Anne Bancroft, Shirley MacLaine, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Tom Skerritt
Rated PG

From Lucile Hadzihalilovic, starring Zoé Auclair, Lea Bridarolli, Bérangère Haubruge, Marion Cotillard
Rated R

From Luca Guadagnino, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Tilda Swinton, Doris Hick, Malgorzata Bela
Rated R

From Nicholas Hytner, starring Amanda Schull, Ethan Stiefel, Sascha Radetsky, Christine Dunham
Rated PG-13

From Taylor Hackford, starring Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Jerzy Skolimowski, Helen Mirren
Rated PG-13

From Nelson George, starring Misty Copeland, Deirdre Kelly, Susan Fales-Hill, Leyla Fayyaz
Rated Unrated

From Jody Lee Lipes, starring Justin Peck, Tiler Peck, Sterling Hyltin, Alisha Heng
Rated PG

From Robert Altman, starring Neve Campbell, James Franco, Malcolm McDowell, Barbara E. Robertson
Rated PG-13