5 Ballet Films to Celebrate on National Ballet Day

National Ballet Day on February 7 is the perfect excuse to dive into cinema that celebrates the art of dance. From psychological thrillers to meditative documentaries, ballet films offer more than spectacle, they explore obsession, discipline, and the emotional intensity that underpins each performance. Here are five essential films for ballet enthusiasts and cinephiles alike.

1. Black Swan (2010)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Few films have pushed ballet into mainstream pop culture as forcefully as Black Swan. It follows Nina, a gifted ballerina who lands the lead in Swan Lake but becomes consumed by the duality of the innocent White Swan and the seductive Black Swan. As the pressure to perform perfectly mounts, she descends into obsession and paranoia, struggling to distinguish reality from hallucination. Directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Vincent Cassel, the film blends psychological tension with the physical rigor of ballet, using intense character study and haunting visuals to deliver a gripping exploration of ambition and artistic identity.

Portman’s Nina is widely regarded as one of the most physically and psychologically demanding performances in modern cinema. The actress underwent intense ballet training, pushing her body to its limits and was awarded with Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and SAG Award for Best Actress, solidifying Black Swan as a landmark acting achievement.

2. Suspiria (2018)

Directed by Luca Guadagnino

Suspiria redefines ballet as a realm of darkness and almost occult experience. When a young American dancer arrives at a prestigious Berlin academy, she quickly discovers that the studio’s disciplined facade hides a web of secrets and hidden, sinister forces that govern it. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, and Chloë Grace Moretz, the story blends intense choreography with horror, creating a world where discipline, ambition, and artistry intersect with fear and supernatural intrigue.

Much like a secret order in a superhero universe, the academy operates by rules, turning discipline and repetition into something dangerous and transformative. The film strips ballet of its traditional elegance and reframes it as a vehicle for control and obsession. Its almost Gothic quality depicts the academy as a place of psychological as well as supernatural terror. The combination of haunting choreography, surreal visuals, and a pervasive sense of menace establishes Suspiria as a rare dance-horror hybrid—bold, chilling, and unlike anything else in contemporary cinema.

3. The American (2023)

Directed by James Napier Robertson

One of the recent takes on the ballet theme is The American, a film that shifts the focus from spectacle and psychological excess to the quiet, systemic pressures of elite artistic institutions. Based on the true story of American ballerina Joy Womack, the film follows her journey as one of the few foreigners admitted to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, where talent alone is not enough to secure belonging. Starring Talia Ryder in a performance defined by control rather than overt intensity, the film explores ambition through the lens of discipline, endurance, and cultural displacement.

At its core, The American reframes ballet as a politicized institution rather than a purely artistic pursuit, where ambition must navigate hierarchy, corruption, and unspoken power structures. Joy’s position as an outsider exposes how advancement is shaped not only by talent and effort, but also by cultural allegiance and internal politics, complicating the myth of a merit-based ascent. Grounded in real events, the film raises unsettling questions about identity and compromise: how much must be sacrificed to belong, and at what point does the pursuit of excellence begin to erode personal integrity and psychological stability?

4. Mao’s Last Dancer (2009)

Directed by Bruce Beresford

Mao’s Last Dancer tells the extraordinary true story of Li Cunxin, a boy from a remote village in rural China who discovers an exceptional talent for ballet. The film traces his journey from humble beginnings to the world’s most prestigious stages, capturing the discipline, personal sacrifice, and cultural pressures that shape his path. Directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Chi Cao, Kyle MacLachlan, and Bruce Greenwood, the story balances intimate, biographical moments with sweeping choreography, highlighting the tension between ambition, loyalty to family, and the drive to achieve excellence.

What makes the film especially compelling is how it situates Li’s personal journey within the broader sweep of history. His rise unfolds under the strictures of Maoist China and the social upheavals of the late 1970s, culminating in a rare opportunity to study with the Houston Ballet. The stark contrast between his austere upbringing and the freedom he experiences abroad gives the story both emotional and political resonance. Li’s decision to remain in the West during a highly charged diplomatic moment transforms a tale of artistic triumph into a profound meditation on identity, choice, and the costs of following one’s dreams beyond borders.

5. Perpetual Perfection (2026)

Directed by Kaleb Manske

Perpetual Perfection is one of the latest premieres to explore ballet through the lens of coming-of-age and family dynamics. It follows Sasha Marshall, an aspiring young ballerina wholly devoted to her craft. When a life-changing accident abruptly disrupts her path, Sasha is forced to confront not only the physical limits of her body but also the emotional and family pressures that threaten to derail her dream. The film delves deeply into her resilience, showing the personal sacrifices, moments of doubt, and triumphs that define the journey of a dedicated artist.

Despite its intimate tone and modest budget, the film demonstrates an unexpectedly ambitious approach to its storytelling. The narrative unfolds with a careful balance of tension and grace, giving viewers an immersive look at the discipline, passion, and vulnerability behind ballet. Complementing this is the moving and mesmerizing score by award-winning composer Anastasia Listopadova. The soundtrack is filled with beautiful, expressive melodies, which earned the film the Best Main Theme award and a Best Original Soundtrack nomination at the NYIFF festival, reflecting the industry’s wide acceptance and acclaim for the release. The combination of personal drama and artistic ambition elevates Perpetual Perfection, making it a memorable and emotionally resonant exploration of art, perseverance, and family.