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Movies like The Nutcracker

The best movies like The Nutcracker (1999) are Save the Last Dance (2001), Love Happy (1949) and Make Your Move (2013). If The Nutcracker hooked you with its music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. Save the Last Dance (2001)

    After the death of her mother, Sara moves to the South Side of Chicago to live with her father and gets transferred to a majority-black school. Her life takes a turn for the better when befriends Chenille and her brother Derek, who helps her with her dancing skills.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  2. Love Happy (1949)

    The Marx Brothers help young Broadway hopefuls when they get mixed up with gangsters due to a tin of sardines containing Romanoff diamonds.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

  3. Make Your Move (2013)

    A pair of star-crossed dancers in New York find themselves at the center of a bitter rivalry between their brothers' underground dance clubs.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

  4. High Strung Free Dance (2018)

    Zander Raines, a dazzling and tempestuous young choreographer, gives the break of a lifetime to two hopeful artists when he casts a stunning contemporary dancer, Barlow, and innovative pianist, Charlie, in New York’s most-anticipated new Broadway show: Free Dance. But the move throws off the show’s delicate creative balance when Charlie falls hard for Barlow, while Zander embraces her as his muse.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  5. Battle of the Year (2013)

    A down-on-his-luck coach is hired to prepare a team of the best American dancers for an international tournament that attracts all the best crews from around the world, but the Americans haven't won in fifteen years.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  6. Vitus (2006)

    Vitus tells the story of a highly-gifted boy (played by real-life piano prodigy Teo Gheorghiu) whose parents have demanding and ambitious plans for him.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  7. Star! (1968)

    Gertrude Lawrence rises to stage stardom at the cost of happiness.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  8. Feel the Beat (2020)

    After failing to make it on Broadway, April returns to her hometown and reluctantly begins training a misfit group of young dancers for a competition.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  9. High Strung (2016)

    When a hip hop violinist busking in the New York subway encounters a classical dancer on scholarship at the Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts, sparks fly. With the help of a hip hop dance crew they must find a common ground while preparing for a competition that could change their lives forever.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  10. StreetDance 3D (2010)

    In order to win the Street Dance Championships, a dance crew is forced to work with ballet dancers from the Royal Dance School in exchange for rehearsal space.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  11. One Chance (2013)

    This film follows the remarkable and inspirational true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  12. Bee Gees: One Night Only (1998)

    The brothers Gibb perform their greatest hits from the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's including many songs written for and made hits by other artists but never recorded by the Bee Gees themselves.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  13. Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour (2018)

    Taylor Swift takes the stage in Dallas for the Reputation Stadium Tour and celebrates a monumental night of music, memories and visual magic.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  14. Take the Lead (2006)

    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.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  15. Apple Music Live: Lady Gaga MAYHEM Requiem (2026)

    For Apple Music Live, Gaga presents MAYHEM Requiem, a celebration and musical reimagining of MAYHEM.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  16. Step Up (2006)

    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.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  17. Brigadoon (1954)

    Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  18. Coyote Ugly (2000)

    Graced with a velvet voice, 21-year-old Violet Sanford heads to New York to pursue her dream of becoming a songwriter only to find her aspirations sidelined by the accolades and notoriety she receives at her "day" job as a barmaid at Coyote Ugly. The "Coyotes" as they are affectionately called tantalize customers and the media alike with their outrageous antics, making Coyote Ugly the watering hole for guys on the prowl.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  19. Ghosts (1997)

    In the town of Normal Valley, an eccentric magician named Maestro entertains the local children every day in his spooky mansion. One stormy night, the town's mayor leads a group of angry citizens to the mansion in an attempt to run Maestro out of town.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  20. Hounddog (2008)

    A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  21. Concerto / Enigma Variations / Raymonda Act III (Royal Ballet) (2019)

    From The Royal Ballet’s classical origins in the works of Petipa, to the home-grown choreographers who put British ballet on the world stage, this mixed programme highlights the versatility of the Company. Petipa’s Raymonda Act III is Russian classical ballet summarized in one act, full of sparkle and precise technique, while Ashton’s Enigma Variations is quintessentially British in every way – from its score by Elgar and period designs by Julia Trevelyan Oman, to Ashton’s signature style, the essence of British ballet. Concerto, MacMillan’s fusion of classical technique with a contemporary mind, completes a programme that shows the breadth of the Company’s heritage.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  22. Kylián – Mosty času (2018)

    Four outstanding works by world-renowned Czech dancer and choreographer Jiří Kylián performed for the first time by the National Theatre Ballet. The National Theatre Ballet has prepared a special premiere entitled Kylián – Bridges of Time for this year's celebrations of the founding of the republic. This project will not only dignifiedly support this important anniversary, but also pay tribute to the famous Czech native, choreographer Jiří Kylián, who has undoubtedly become an icon of world dance. The evening will present four works to the audience – Psalm Symphony, Bella Figura, Petite Mort, and Six Dances.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  23. La Fille mal gardée (2005)

    Ever since its triumphant premiere in 1960, Frederick Ashton's La Fille mal gardee has been treasured as one of his happiest creations - his artistic tribute to nature, and an expression of his feelings for his beloved Suffolk countryside. Marianela Nunez and Carlos Acosta perfectly portray the young lovers Lise and Colas, determined to thwart the plans of Widow Simone to marry off her wayward daughter to Alain, the simple son of wealthy Farmer Thomas. Osbert Lancaster's colourful, picture-book designs, along with Ferdinand Herold's tuneful score, arranged by John Lanchbery, provide the perfect setting for Ashton's blissfully bucolic ballet, complete with haywain, pony, maypole and ribbons, a cockrel and his chickens and, of course, the famous clog dance, here wonderfully led by William Tuckett as the irascible but lovable Widow Simone.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  24. Center Stage (2000)

    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.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  25. Anyuta (1982)

    Bolshoi Ballet stars Vladimir Vasiliev and Ekaterina Maximova dance this 1982 performance of "Anyuta," the story of a small-town woman who purposely marries above her social status only to learn that popularity comes with a price. Maximova performs the role of Anyuta; Vasiliev plays Anyuta's drunk father.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  26. Swan Lake (1968)

    Swan Lake, a screen adaptation of the ballet of the same name by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Performed by Kirov Ballet, starring Yelena Yevteyeva as Odette and directed for film by Appolinariy Dudko and Konstantin Sergeyev. Produced by Lenfilm studios in 1968. Orchestra of the S.M. Kirov Leningrad Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, conductor Victor Fedotov. Ballet dancers of the Leningrad State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after S.M. Kirov and students of the Leningrad Choreographic School M. Agrippina Vaganova took part in the film. Golden Orchid Prize - Grand Prix at the VIFF of ballet films in Genoa, Italy (1969).

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  27. Swan Lake (2014)

    Good triumphs over evil in this fairy tale that sets magic, romance, and tragedy to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. One of the most iconic works in the ballet literature, this revival features Rudolf Nureyev’s career-defining choreography. Production celebrates 50th anniversary of the production choreography by Nureyev.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  28. Le Corsaire (2019)

    The Mariinsky Theater presents Le Corsaire, a ballet in three acts, with a libretto based on the poem The Corsair by Lord Byron.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  29. Bizet: Carmen (2013)

    With the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and conductor Brian Castles-Onion, a gritty set design, sumptuous bold costumes, stunning choreography, and the inestimable direction of Gale Edwards and Bizet's glorious opera is brought to life like never before in this second Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  30. The Nutcracker & the Mouse King (2011)

    Going to see Nutcracker with the whole family has been a tradition in other countries for many years. Now it is a tradition in the Netherlands as well. It became apparent that the Netherlands had also adopted this tradition in 1996, when the Dutch National Ballet presented its own version of the famous fairytale ballet. It is a magical production that has won the hearts of more than 250,000 people to date. Choreographers Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling created a Nutcracker for the children and adults of today. It is more dynamic and exciting, and less sweet than usual. They also chose to give a Dutch twist to their interpretation of the story, with skaters on the canals and a living room that transforms into a snowy forest. Unlike the original story, the production by Eagling and Van Schayk (who also designed the delightful sets and costumes) does not take place on Christmas Eve in a German town, but during St. Nicholas celebrations in Amsterdam, around 1810.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

Like The Nutcracker and something else?

Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like The Nutcracker?

The closest matches to The Nutcracker are Save the Last Dance (2001), Love Happy (1949) and Make Your Move (2013). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after The Nutcracker?

Start with Save the Last Dance (2001), the closest match to The Nutcracker.

What is the highest-rated movie like The Nutcracker?

Taylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour (2018), rated 8.2/10 by 442 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like The Nutcracker?

Apple Music Live: Lady Gaga MAYHEM Requiem (2026) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there German movies like The Nutcracker?

Yes: Vitus (2006).

How are movies similar to The Nutcracker chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Nutcracker, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.

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