Movies like Birds of Paradise

A feature-film shortlist from the cached Film Atlas engine. The interactive map may include more titles or newer results. These are similarity matches, not a guarantee of age suitability.

1. 

   01

   The American

   Strong story similarity

   2023 · 110 min · Drama

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   American ballet dancer Joy Womack is accepted into Moscow's infamously tough Bolshoi Ballet Academy, with the dream of becoming a great ballerina.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong shared themes: ballerina and ballet
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap

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2. 

   02

   Polina

   Strong story similarity

   2016 · 112 min · Drama

   Read synopsis

   Polina is a young dancer from a modest family. After years of ballet academy, she is accepted by the Bolshoi; still, she decides to try and audition of a modern dance company in France. She makes it, but her journey will not end there...

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • shared theme: dance

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3. 

   03

   Houria

   Strong story similarity

   2023 · 104 min · Drama

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   A young woman who is passionate about ballet dancing and experiences a trauma, and then she meets other women who have experienced similar situations and they find a creative way to pursue their passion.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era

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4. 

   04

   Let's Dance

   Strong story similarity

   2019 · 109 min · Comedy · Drama · Music

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   After his crew breaks up, a gifted but insecure hip-hop dancer teaches at a top ballet school in Paris, where he falls for an aspiring ballerina.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • shared themes: ballet and dance
   • a closely matched era

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5. 

   05

   Dancing on Glass

   Strong story similarity

   2022 · 137 min · Drama

   Read synopsis

   When immense pressure threatens a ballerina in a new lead role, she and another dancer escape into a friendship that isolates them from the real world.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era

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6. 

   06

   Little Tickles

   Strong story similarity

   2018 · 103 min · Comedy · Drama

   Read synopsis

   Odette is a 8-yr-old girl who loves to dance and draw. Once she has become an adult, Odette realizes she was abused, and immerses herself body and soul in her career as a dancer while trying to deal with her past.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • shared themes: ballet and dance
   • substantial genre overlap

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7. 

   07

   Amateur

   Similar atmosphere

   2018 · 96 min · Drama

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   14-year-old basketball phenom Terron Forte has to navigate the under-the-table world of amateur athletics when he is recruited to an elite NCAA prep school.

   Why it connects

   • strong genre and movie-style overlap
   • a closely matched era

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8. 

   08

   1 Chance 2 Dance

   Strong story similarity

   2014 · 90 min · Drama

   Read synopsis

   When a 17-year old aspiring dancer is uprooted in her high school senior year, she finds herself divided between two boys, and she will have one last shot at making her dream a reality.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • strong genre and movie-style overlap

   Explore movies like 1 Chance 2 Dance
9. 

   09

   Work It

   Strong story similarity

   2020 · 93 min · Comedy · Music

   Read synopsis

   A brilliant but clumsy high school senior vows to get into her late father's alma mater by transforming herself and a misfit squad into dance champions.

   Why it connects

   • strong story and style similarity
   • a closely matched era

   Explore movies like Work It
10. 

    10

    The Short History of the Long Road

    Similar atmosphere

    2019 · 90 min · Drama

    Read synopsis

    Nola grew up living in a van with her father, Clint—two nomads against the world. When tragedy strikes, Nola must confront the reality of life on the road alone, learning to own her grief, her past, and her new destination.

    Why it connects

    • strong genre and movie-style overlap
    • a closely matched era

    Explore movies like The Short History of the Long Road