Parents' Guide to

Billy Elliot

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Terrific story of young ballet dancer has strong language.

Movie R 2000 111 minutes
Billy Elliot Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 11+

Based on 19 parent reviews

Emily H.
Emily H. Parent of 11 and 13-year-old
January 2, 2021
age 12+

Inspirational, emotional story

The main storyline is about an 11-year old boy, from a working class background, who discovers a love of ballet. The family struggles with poverty and loss in the context of 1984 mining strikes in northern England - these themes add emotional depth and a broader historical perspective to Billy's inspiring and touching story. A great watch - there is a lot of bad language, including parents with their kids, and all the adults smoke - so be aware.

This title has:

Great messages
Eamonn2906
Eamonn2906 Parent of 10 and 12-year-old
June 3, 2020
age 15+

A lot of profanity

This is an excellent movie, it deals with LGBT+ issues in a sensitive manner. It has a lot of profanity which reflects the time and period it is set in and matches the movie, I would suggest it needs a degree of maturity to understand this that requires an older teen.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much swearing
See all 19 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BILLY ELLIOT takes place in 1984 England, as the police come to the small mining town of Durham to keep order during a strike. Amidst the tension, 11-year-old Billy (Jamie Bell), whose main sport is boxing, is pulled into a ballet lesson taught by Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters). Billy discovers that ballet both answers and creates a need in him that he can no more name than he can resist. Billy lives with his father (Gary Lewis), brother, and grandmother; his mother died the year before, his grandmother is forgetful, and his father and brother are on strike. With the adults busy with their own problems, Billy is able to keep his new activity a secret ... for awhile. When his father eventually finds out, he's furious and tells his son to quit. But Billy has to dance -- and it might even be his way to bigger and better things.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (19):
Kids say (33):

This film is well above average -- tender, funny, and touching. Bell is extraordinary as Billy, and Lewis is first-rate as the father who makes an unbearably painful sacrifice in order to give his son the chance he never had. Director Stephen Daldry has a real gift for visual storytelling, and it's on display in Billy Elliot. A chase through hanging laundry, dance lessons in a boxing ring, and the opening shot of Billy on a trampoline are images that are fresh and memorable.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the stress of painful external circumstances like can affect family members' ability to be kind to one other in Billy Elliot. Why was the strike so important to Billy's dad and brother? How was that like -- and not like -- the importance of ballet to Billy?

  • Why did Mrs. Wilkinson want to help Billy? Why was Billy's interest in ballet so terrifying to him? What made him change his mind? What do you think of Billy's dad's response when Billy says he's scared?

  • What does it tell us that Billy's father had never been out of Durham, and that Billy had never been to see Durham's famous cathedral?

  • How does Billy Elliot demonstrate perseverance? Why is this an important character strength?

Movie Details

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