7 Ballet Films and Documentaries to Watch Now

A group of young ballet dancers from across the country are admitted to the fictional American Ballet Academy in hopes of furthering their professional careers. While conquering new relationships, new challenges, and New York City, the friends learn that the world of ballet may not be as forgiving as they are. Center Stage also marks the film debut of actress Zoe Saldana.

This documentary examines the prodigious rise of African-American ballerina Misty Copeland. When her injury could potentially end her career in the elite ballet world, Copeland fights her way back to the top. The project also explores themes of body image and race.

On Pointe is a six-part documentary that follows students aged nine to 17 at the School of American Ballet in New York City. This school was established in 1934 by George Balanchine and the philanthropist Lincoln Kirsten. The documentary explores the dedication, passion, and hard work of the students as well as the often unforgiving nature of ballet.

First Position follows six young ballet students from diverse backgrounds as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix. Dance companies from all over the world attend the competition to discover new talents while dancers perform in hopes of being selected to join their troupe.

The iconic film Black Swan starring Natalie Portman, tells the story of Nina, a ballerina who has the opportunity to play Princess Odette, the white swan, in her company's performance of Swan Lake. However, she gradually descends into madness when the art director decides that Lily (Mila Kunis) could fill the role. The Mulleavy sisters, who own the Rodarte label, designed the costumes for this Oscar-nominated ballet thriller.

Billy Eliott tells the story of an 11-year-old son of a coal miner in the north of England. He stumbles upon a ballet class one day during his boxing lesson and from there develops a passion for dance. His natural talent is recognized by instructor Ms. Wilkinson, setting Billy on a path in hopes of one day joining the Royal Ballet School in London. 

The Turning Point is a dramatic tale set in the world of New York ballet. It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including Best Film. The story is a fictional rendering of the Brown family and the friendship between ballerinas Isabel Mirrow Brown and Nora Kaye. Brown's daughter Leslie stars in the film alongside Sex and the City's Mikhail Baryshnikov.