Do you want to see ‘Billy Elliot’?

Billy Elliot (2001)

tomatometer

All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7.3/10
Reviews Counted: 115
Fresh: 98 | Rotten: 17

Billy Elliot is a charming movie that can evoke both laughter and tears.

Average Rating: 7.3/10
Critic Reviews: 33
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 4

Billy Elliot is a charming movie that can evoke both laughter and tears.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 260,872

My Rating

Added to your Facebook Timeline. — undo

Movie Info

Brassed Off meets My Name Is Joe in this gritty coming-of-age drama about a young son of a poor English coal miner who dreams of being a ballet dancer. The film is set during a 1984 miners' strike in Durham county, where angry clashes between picketers and cops in riot gear are nearly daily occurrences. Among the most vociferous protestors are Tony (Jamie Driven) and his dad (Gary Lewis), who nags his youngest son Billy (Jamie Bell) into taking boxing classes. Though the kid can do some fancy

R, 1 hr. 50 min.

Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

Directed By: Stephen Daldry

Written By: Lee Hall

In Theaters: Nov 3, 2000 Wide

On DVD: Apr 17, 2001

Box Office:$17.7M

Universal

Billy Elliot Trailer & Photos

Cast

Julie Walters
Mrs. Wilkinson
Jamie Bell
Billy Elliot
Gary Lewis
Dad
Jean Heywood
Grandmother
Stuart Wells
Michael
Nicola Blackwell
Debbie
Jamie Draven
Tony
Adam Cooper
Stephen Mangan

Critic Reviews for Billy Elliot

All Critics (133) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (99) | Rotten (18) | DVD (18)

Bravo! to everyone involved.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: CNN.com

| Comment

Paul Tatara

CNN.com

Top Critic

The best dance film in ages.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Jay Carr

Boston Globe

Top Critic

One of those rare movies that earns its feel-good ending without turning a blind eye to the compromises and little sorrows of everyday life.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

| Comment

Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Top Critic

Julie Walters ... is spirited and colorful as the ballet teacher, and Gary Lewis is somehow convincing as the dad even when the screenplay requires him to make big offscreen swings of position.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times

| Comment

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Top Critic

Will fulfill you in ways that most other films have long forgotten.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee

| Comment

Joe Baltake

Sacramento Bee

Top Critic

The movie brims with visual wit.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Mark Caro

Chicago Tribune

Top Critic

Terrific story of young ballet dancer has strong language.

December 22, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

The film about atypical artistic pursuits in a blue-collar community that "The Full Monty" sought to be. Peter Darling's choreography dexterously captures the defiance in the dancing - rage against economical and emotional repression in a motherless home.

September 25, 2010 Full Review Source: Suite101.com

| Comment

Nick Rogers

Suite101.com

When sticking with Billy and his inspirational story, director Stephen Daldry hits all the right steps.

October 14, 2007 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

| Comment

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

Daldry coaches an astonishing performance from Bell.

June 10, 2003 Full Review | Comment

Jeffrey Westhoff

Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Billy Elliot

View All

A young boy defies his father and takes ballet classes during a a mining strike.On its surface this is a charming film, but there are quite a few gritty, dramatic scenes, at the heart of which is Gary Lewis whose stern demeanor and rough exterior make Dad the heart of much of the film's conflict. Julie Walters's turn

May 18, 2012

Jim Hunter

Super Reviewer

A Beautiful, emotional, Charming yet Brutal Film about a young son of a poor English Coal Miner who Swaps His Gloves to Shoes and dreams of becoming a professional Ballet Dancer. With some Brilliant Performances (one which Started "Jamie Bell's career as one of the finest Young actors in the wold, and an Oscar

April 29, 2012

Joseph Mcnicholas

Super Reviewer

Billy Elliot Quotes

View All

No quotes approved yet for Billy Elliot. Logged in users can submit quotes.

Character	Quote
	Enter quote here...	Delete

DVD

Top Rentals

29%	The Vow
93%	Mission: Impossible Ghost Protoc...
87%	The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
28%	Underworld Awakening
85%	Chronicle

More…

New On DVD This Week

65%	The Woman in Black
25%	This Means War
94%	The Secret World of Arrietty
36%	Red Tails
88%	Certified Copy (Copie Conforme)

More…

Movies Like Billy Elliot

Harvest

The Full Monty

Little Miss Sunshine

View All

Latest News for Billy Elliot

January 8, 2009:

RT Interview: Jamie Bell talks Defiance and Dance
Jamie Bell tap-danced his way into the national consciousness with his breakthrough performance in...

August 27, 2007:

Video Exclusive: Jamie Bell talks Hallam Foe, accents and Equus with RT
Rotten Tomatoes sits down with one of Britain's finest young talents to find out about his latest...

View All