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Comedy drama

Strictly Ballroom (1993): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Strictly Ballroom (1993) movie poster

Strictly Ballroom is a 1993 comedy drama directed by Baz Luhrmann, starring Tara Morice and Paul Mercurio. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes and earned $11.8 million worldwide. It won 4 awards from 9 nominations, including Best Costume Design at the BAFTA 1993. Critics gave it 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
worldwide gross
$11.8M
awards won
4
Metascore
72
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Strictly Ballroom (1993) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Baz Luhrmann
Genres
Drama , Comedy , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Strictly Ballroom About?

The premise of Strictly Ballroom without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A talented but unconventional ballroom dancer, frustrated by the strict rules of the competitive world, breaks tradition by partnering with a beginner. Their unexpected pairing challenges the established order and sparks a passionate romance, all while they prepare for the National Championships. Facing disapproval and resistance, they must fight for their place and prove that breaking the mold can lead to triumph and self-discovery.

Strictly Ballroom Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • revenge
  • farce
  • caricature
  • mockery
  • fake documentary segment
  • ugly duckling
  • wackiness
  • rotating camera shot
  • slow motion scene
  • directorial debut
  • co written by director
  • male male dance
+38 more
  • dance
  • promise
  • bare chested male
  • father son relationship
  • mother son relationship
  • cinderella story
  • ballroom dancing
  • competition
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • interview
  • man wears eyeglasses
  • storytelling
  • crying woman
  • woman wears eyeglasses
  • dance music
  • world music
  • director cameo
  • parody comedy
  • australian stageplay
  • dance movie
  • photo album
  • door
  • warning
  • wristwatch
  • chant
  • close up of feet
  • dancing alone
  • thinking
  • spotlight
  • redheaded woman
  • president
  • suspension
  • urban setting
  • dancing couple
  • two word title
  • trophy
  • breaking a mirror
  • denial
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Cast & crew

Strictly Ballroom Cast

Tara Morice leads the cast, with Paul Mercurio. Directed by Baz Luhrmann.

From the director

More from Baz Luhrmann

More films directed by Baz Luhrmann, best-rated first: Moulin Rouge!, Elvis, The Great Gatsby and Romeo + Juliet.

Full filmography
Ratings

Strictly Ballroom Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Strictly Ballroom 72 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

Plot

Strictly Ballroom Plot Summary

What happens in Strictly Ballroom from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Strictly Ballroom is a captivating romantic comedy that follows the journey of an Australian ballroom dancer, Scott Hastings. Coming from a lineage rich in ballroom dancing, Scott has dedicated his life to mastering the art since childhood. However, he faces significant challenges when he chooses to dance to his own rhythm, opting for innovative steps rather than adhering to the traditional ballroom style. These personal expressions of creativity lead to upheaval in his partnership when his dancing partner Liz ultimately decides to leave him.

Full summary

The whole story of Strictly Ballroom, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Strictly Ballroom Box Office

Strictly Ballroom grossed $11.8 million worldwide. $11.7 million came from the US and Canada and $12,072 (0%) from the rest of the world.

1993 box office

Worldwide gross

$11.8M

US & Canada
$11.7M
International
$12.1K
US & Canada 100% Rest of the world 0%
Awards

Strictly Ballroom Awards & Nominations

Strictly Ballroom won 4 awards from 9 nominations, including Best Costume Design at the BAFTA 1993. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1993, with 3 wins from 7 nominations.

4 wins9 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

Strictly Ballroom Trailers & Videos

12 videos: 1 trailer, 10 clips and 1 featurette.

All 12 videos
Strictly Ballroom (1992): Trailer HQ
  • Clip The Right Partner
  • Clip Tina Sparkle
  • Clip New Steps
  • Clip Samba Sacrilege
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Strictly Ballroom?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the main focus of Scott Hastings in the movie?

Cars

Cars in Strictly Ballroom

3 cars on screen, including the International ACCO and the 1978 Mazda 121 L.

  • International ACCO in Strictly Ballroom International ACCO Background role
  • 1978 Mazda 121 L in Strictly Ballroom 1978 Mazda 121 L Background role
  • unknown in Strictly Ballroom unknown Background role
Details

Strictly Ballroom Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Ballroom dancing” and “댄싱 히어로”.

Also known as
  • Ballroom dancing
  • 댄싱 히어로
  • 舞国英雄
  • Ballroom - Gara di ballo
  • El amor está en el aire
  • 搬进你心里
  • Strictly Ballroom - Die gegen alle Regeln tanzen
  • Kötelező táncok
  • Roztańczony buntownik
  • Strictly Ballroom - Vem Dançar!
  • Tanec v srdci
  • Vem Dançar Comigo
+11 more
  • Танцы без правил
  • Танцуващо сърце
  • Австралійське танго
  • Strictly Ballroom - de förbjudna stegen
  • Strictly Ballroom: De forbudte trin
  • 舞國英雄
  • Τα Βήματα που Γοητεύουν, მხოლოდ საცეკვაო დარბაზში
  • Fais-moi danser
  • L’amor és a l’aire
  • สตริกต์ลี บอลรูม
  • ダンシング・ヒーロー

Seen Strictly Ballroom?

FAQ

Strictly Ballroom FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Strictly Ballroom, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Strictly Ballroom?

Strictly Ballroom runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was Strictly Ballroom released?

Strictly Ballroom was released on February 12, 1993.

Who directed Strictly Ballroom?

Strictly Ballroom was directed by Baz Luhrmann.

More films by Baz Luhrmann

Who is in the cast of Strictly Ballroom?

Strictly Ballroom stars Tara Morice and Paul Mercurio.

How much did Strictly Ballroom make at the box office?

Strictly Ballroom grossed $11.8 million worldwide ($11.7 million domestic, $12,072 international).

How is Strictly Ballroom rated?

Strictly Ballroom has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 72 on Metacritic and 66% on TMDB.

What awards did Strictly Ballroom win?

Strictly Ballroom won 4 awards from 9 nominations, including Best Costume Design at the BAFTA 1993.

Does Strictly Ballroom have a post-credit scene?

No. Strictly Ballroom has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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