Dance-Centered Music Film backdrop

Dance-Centered Music Film movies

Music movies where dance culture is central: training, crews, competition, and identity through movement.

Billy Elliot

1. Billy Elliot

Drama Comedy Music Coming-of-Age Drama Dance-Centered Music Film
7.7

20001h 51min

France, United Kingdom

Director: Stephen Daldry

County Durham, England, 1984. The miners' strike has started and the police have started coming up from Bethnal Green, starting a class war with the lower classes suffering. Caught in the middle of the conflict is 11-year old Billy Elliot, who, after leaving his boxing club for the day, stumbles upon a ballet class and finds out that he's naturally talented. He practices with his teacher Mrs. Wilkinson for an upcoming audition in Newcastle-upon Tyne for the royal Ballet school in London.

Themes

Class inequality, Pursuit of dreams, Mentorship and sacrifice, Working class solidarity, Identity and stigma, Generational loyalty

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Take the Lead

2. Take the Lead

Drama Music Professional Drama Dance-Centered Music Film
6.6

20061h 58min

United States

Director: Liz Friedlander

A former professional dancer volunteers to teach dance in the New York public school system and, while his background first clashes with his students' tastes, together they create a completely new style of dance. Based on the story of ballroom dancer, Pierre Dulane.

Themes

Youth mentorship in adversity, Education under pressure, Dance as social mobility, Trust and teamwork, Discipline through art, Resource constraints in schools

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Step Up

3. Step Up

Music Drama Romance Crime Dance-Centered Music Film
6.5

20061h 44min

United States

Director: Anne Fletcher

Delinquent Tyler Gage receives the opportunity of a lifetime after vandalizing a performing arts school, gaining him the chance to earn a scholarship and dance with up-and-coming dancer Nora.

Themes

Class inequality, Betrayal and loyalty, Risk and consequence, Romance under pressure, Belonging through teamwork, Ambition through art

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Hulu
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Center Stage

4. Center Stage

Drama Music Professional Drama Dance-Centered Music Film
6.7

20001h 55min

United States

Director: Nicholas Hytner

A group of 12 teenagers from various backgrounds enroll at the American Ballet Academy in New York to make it as ballet dancers and each one deals with the problems and stress of training and getting ahead in the world of dance.

Themes

Class inequality, Body image pressure, Competition pressure, Mentor influence, Family expectations, Peer rivalry

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.