Another day, another internet discourse — and, of course, we are here to give our two cents on it. For those without a clue, actor Timothée Chalamet recently commented on ballet and opera, leaving fans and practitioners of the two classical performing arts, as well as film buffs, seething. So, what was the statement that led us to curate this list of 10 must-watch ballet and opera movies? Well, you are about to find out.
In a conversation with fellow actor Matthew McConaughey, Timothée Chalamet spoke (a little too candidly, if we may add) about the relevance of these art forms, saying, “I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, “Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.”
Now, of course, the Marty Supreme (2025) actor did go on to add, “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there.” But by then, a fire had been lit, reportedly resulting in him losing not only a significant number of Instagram followers, but also (allegedly) an Oscar.
Sadly, Chalamet is not the only one who thinks that ballet and opera are dying art forms — even though there is much more to them than pink, fluffy tutus and a singing lady.
Nevertheless, various filmmakers have captured the raw essence of these classical performing arts on screen over the years. From Citizen Kane (1941) to Pretty Lethal (2026), many films have used the backdrop of opera and ballet to tell compelling stories spanning romance, action and bone-chilling horror.
So, to all those who think they are too cool for ballet and opera, buckle up, because the class is now in session!
10 ballet and opera movies that will send you searching for a live performance near you
1 /10
The Red Shoes (1948)Directed by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Cast: Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring, Léonide Massine
Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.1
Synopsis: Vicky Page (Shearer) is a young and ambitious ballerina caught between her passion for ballet and her love for the composer Julian Craster (Goring). With the help of her ruthless mentor, Boris Lermontov (Walbrook), Vicky achieves fame and recognition. However, when her personal life begins to take a toll on her career, she is forced to make a choice that demands the ultimate sacrifice.
About the movie: The Red Shoes is recognised as one of the greatest ballet films ever made. Known for its striking visuals and compelling storyline, the film won two Oscars at the 21st Academy Awards in 1949.
2 /10
Black Swan (2010)Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Cast: Natalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder
Runtime: 1 hour 48 minutes
IMDb rating: 8.0
Synopsis: Nina Sayers (Portman) is a dedicated ballerina with the prestigious New York City Ballet company. After discovering that she has landed the lead role in Swan Lake, Nina is overjoyed and begins practising relentlessly. Soon, Thomas (Cassel), the company’s artistic director, pushes her to embody not only the White Swan but also the Black Swan — a role that forces Nina to confront her darker side and compete with fellow ballerina Lily (Kunis). As she strives for perfection, Nina descends into a terrifying, hallucinatory psychosis, leading to her tragic self-destruction.
About the movie: Black Swan is a psychological thriller that explores themes of obsession, identity and the cost of artistic pressure. The film earned Natalie Portman the Academy Award for Best Actress.
3 /10
Billy Elliot (2000)Directed by: Stephen Daldry
Cast: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jamie Draven
Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.7
Synopsis: Born in a humble, working-class mining town in England, Billy Elliot (Bell) is a young boy who discovers a growing passion for ballet while attending boxing lessons. Despite societal expectations and strong resistance from his family, Billy decides to pursue his dream of becoming a ballet dancer, with his teacher, Mrs Wilkinson (Walters), serving as his only real source of support and encouragement.
About the movie: Billy Elliot is a coming-of-age drama set against the backdrop of the 1984–85 UK miners’ strike.
Image: Courtesy of © 2000 – Universal Studios – All Rights Reserved via IMDb
Watch it here4 /10
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)Directed by: Joel Schumacher
Cast: Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Minnie Driver, Ciarán Hinds, Gerard Butler
Runtime: 2 hours 23 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.2
Synopsis: In Paris, a young and talented opera singer, Christine Daaé (Rossum), becomes the protégée of a mysterious, mask-wearing musical genius known as The Phantom (Butler). Although she finds success in her career, her life soon takes a dark turn when The Phantom becomes obsessed with her.
About the movie: Adapted from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic stage musical, which is itself based on Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel of the same name, The Phantom of the Opera is a musical drama that combines elements of Gothic romance, horror and thriller.
5 /10
The Tales of Hoffmann (1951)Directed by: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Cast: Robert Rounseville, Moira Shearer, Ludmilla Tchérina
Runtime: 2 hours 13 minutes
IMDb rating: 7.1
Synopsis: A young poet named Hoffmann (Rounseville) broods over his failed romances as he recounts tragic love stories from his past, each involving a different woman.
About the movie: The Tales of Hoffmann is based on Jacques Offenbach’s opera of the same name, which is itself inspired by three stories by the German Romantic author E. T. A. Hoffmann. The film explores themes of illusion, dark obsession and loss.
Image: Courtesy of © Rialto Pictures/Studiocanal via IMDb
Watch it here
6 /10
The Turning Point (1977)Directed by: Herbert Ross
Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Anne Bancroft, Leslie Browne, Mikhail Baryshnikov
Runtime: 1 hour 59 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.8
Synopsis: DeeDee Rodgers (MacLaine) is a former ballerina who is forced to give up her dancing career because of personal hardships. As she struggles with the loss of her long-buried dreams, Emma Jacklin (Bancroft), an old friend and former rival she is desperately trying to forget, causes upheaval in her life.
About the movie: The Turning Point is notable for featuring the real-life ballet star Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Image: Courtesy of IMDb
7 /10
Suspiria (2018)Directed by: Luca Guadagnino
Cast: Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, Mia Goth, Chloë Grace Moretz
Runtime: 2 hours 32 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.7
Synopsis: Susie Bannion (Johnson) is an ambitious American dancer who arrives at the prestigious Markos Dance Academy in Berlin with high hopes for her future. However, as she spends more time at the academy, she begins uncovering sinister secrets that threaten not only her career but also her life.
About the movie: Suspiria is a psychological horror film and a reimagining of Dario Argento’s 1977 cult classic of the same name.
Watch it here
8 /10
Ballet Shoes (2007)Directed by: Sandra Goldbacher
Cast: Yasmin Paige, Lucy Boynton, Emilia Fox, Emma Watson
Runtime: 1 hour 25 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.6
Synopsis: Pauline (Watson), Petrova (Paige) and Posy Fossil (Boynton) are three orphaned girls who are looked after by Sylvia (Fox). Growing up, each begins developing their own passions, with Posy showing exceptional talent for ballet.
About the movie: Adapted from Noel Streatfeild’s beloved children’s novel of the same name, Ballet Shoes is a BBC television film set in 1930s London.
Image: Courtesy of IMDb
9 /10
Maria (2024)Directed by: Pablo Larraín
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher
Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.4
Synopsis: Renowned opera singer Maria Callas (Jolie) reflects on the glamorous yet turbulent life she left behind and the profession that brought her fame in the last days of her life in Paris.
About the movie: Maria, which is set in 1970s Paris, is a biographical drama depicting the final days of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas.
10 /10
The Company (2003)Directed by: Robert Altman
Cast: Neve Campbell, Malcolm McDowell, James Franco, Barbara Turner
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
IMDb rating: 6.2
Synopsis: Loretta “Ry” Ryan (Campbell) is a dedicated dancer with the renowned Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. As she navigates the gruelling demands of professional ballet under the strict leadership of artistic director Alberto Antonelli (McDowell), she begins a romance with Josh (Franco), a man who knows nothing about her world.
About the movie: The Company offers an insider’s look at the world of professional ballet and features real-life members of the Joffrey Ballet.
Image: Courtesy of Matt Dinerstein – © 2003 Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. via IMDb
(Hero and Featured images: Courtesy of IMDb)Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
