10 Horror Films Set in Dance Schools

Description: While not strictly a horror film, this classic tells the story of a ballerina who becomes obsessed with a pair of red shoes that force her to dance until she dies, blending elements of fantasy and psychological horror.

Fact: The film was directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, and its ballet sequences were choreographed by Robert Helpmann. It's considered one of the greatest British films of all time.

Description: This thriller involves a police officer investigating a revolutionary group, with scenes set in a ballet school where the tension and horror of political unrest are palpable.

Fact: Directed by John Malkovich, the film is based on a novel by Nicholas Shakespeare. It features a haunting score by Alberto Iglesias.

Description: Though primarily a drama, this film delves into the intense world of ballet, where the pressure to perform can lead to dark consequences, including a dancer's descent into madness.

Fact: The film was directed by Robert Altman and features real-life Joffrey Ballet dancers. Neve Campbell, who also co-wrote the script, stars as a principal dancer.

Description: Nina Sayers, a ballerina, descends into madness as she competes for the lead role in "Swan Lake." The film explores themes of perfectionism, identity, and the psychological horror of ballet.

Fact: Natalie Portman underwent extensive ballet training for her role, and the film won an Academy Award for Best Actress. The movie's ending leaves viewers questioning reality.

Description: A skeptical seminary student attends exorcism school in Rome, where he encounters a case involving a possessed girl whose movements resemble a twisted dance.

Fact: The film is loosely based on the book "The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist" by Matt Baglio. It stars Anthony Hopkins as a seasoned exorcist.

Description: A college student takes a babysitting job at a secluded mansion, only to find herself in a nightmarish situation involving satanic rituals and a dance-like trance.

Fact: The film was shot on 16mm film to give it an authentic 1980s feel. It's a homage to the slow-burn horror films of that era.

Description: While not set in a dance school, this film features a family in 1630s New England where witchcraft and dark rituals play a central role, with dance-like movements in the climax.

Fact: The film uses authentic 17th-century language and was praised for its historical accuracy. The goat, Black Phillip, became an internet meme.

Description: A modern adaptation of Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw," this film involves a governess who takes a job at a remote estate, where she encounters supernatural occurrences involving the children she's hired to look after.

Fact: The film stars Finn Wolfhard and Mackenzie Davis, and its ending is intentionally ambiguous, leaving viewers to interpret the events.

Description: This iconic horror film follows Suzy Bannion, an American ballerina who joins a prestigious German dance academy, only to uncover its dark secrets involving witchcraft and murder. The film's vibrant colors and unsettling score make it a standout in the horror genre.

Fact: The film was directed by Dario Argento, and its soundtrack was composed by Goblin, enhancing the eerie atmosphere. The dance academy's architecture was inspired by the Bauhaus school.

Description: This film explores the dark side of the modeling industry, where beauty and ambition lead to supernatural horror, with dance-like sequences that add to the eerie atmosphere.

Fact: Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, the film features a surreal, dreamlike quality. It was shot in Los Angeles, emphasizing the city's darker side.