Ballerina

In 1879 Paris, Félicie Milliner, an orphan with a dancer's fire, dreams of joining the ballet world. She flees the quiet Brittany countryside and makes her way to the grand Opera district, where opportunity seems within reach. To slip past the gates, she adopts a false identity and earns a spot as a pupil at the famed Grand Opera House. The path pits her against stern teachers, rival dancers, and the rigid rules of a city that measures worth by appearances. Along the way she teams up with a few unlikely allies, including a clever inventor and fellow dreamers, and discovers that talent must be paired with grit, risk, and tenacity to survive the cutthroat world of dance and dreams.

Directed by Eric Summer and Éric Warin, Ballerina is built from an original concept by Carol Noble and Laurent Zeitoun. The 2016 animated feature blends 3D animation with musical numbers to tell a tale of ambition and friendship for audiences.

Box office wise the film drew audiences worldwide, grossing 109,573,511 dollars against a 30 million dollar budget. The picture performed particularly well in international markets, helping cement its status as a profitable family animated release in theaters worldwide for years.

The film resonated with families thanks to a determined heroine and lively dance set pieces, pairing humor with heartfelt moments. Félicie Milliner's pursuit of artistic freedom mirrors real dreams in the performing arts. The animation and accessible storyline helped open up conversations about ballet among younger viewers and families worldwide.

Critics generally praised the film for its warmth, humor, and bright visuals, noting its appeal to kids and parents alike. Key themes include perseverance in the face of obstacles, the friend networks formed in training centers, and the tension between identity and stage life. The film balances humor with depth.