Movies Like The Secret of Success

If you liked The Secret of Success (1964), a movie directed by Aleksandr Shelenkov and Leonid Lavrovsky, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
The American (2023)
★ 6.8/10
American ballet dancer Joy Womack is accepted into Moscow's infamously tough Bolshoi Ballet Academy, with the dream of becoming a great ballerina.
2
Take the Lead (2006)
★ 6.9/10
A former professional dancer volunteers to teach dance in the New York public school system and, while his background first clashes with his students' tastes, together they create a completely new style of dance. Based…
3
Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return (2022)
★ 6.8/10
This special explores the return of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker to the screen, as well as Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen to their classic roles. Director Deborah Chow leads the cast and crew as they…
4
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022)
★ 7.2/10
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
5
Finding Harry: The Craft Behind the Magic (2026)
★ 7.7/10
Featuring interviews from members of the casting, production design, costume design, and creature effects teams, follow the behind-the-scenes journey of bringing the Harry Potter books to the small screen. Find out how…
6
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live in 3D) (2026)
★ 8.4/10
Captured during Billie Eilish's sold-out world tour, a concert experience from one of the most celebrated and successful artists of her generation, presented in immersive 3D.
7
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: Handcarved Cinema (2022)
★ 7.5/10
With mesmerizing footage and time lapses of animators at work, this behind-the-scenes special captures the artistry of a unique tale years in the making.
8
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Eternals (2022)
★ 7.1/10
Join director Chloe Zhao and the Cast of Eternals as they recount their experiences during the making of Marvel Studios’ most ambitious film to date. Discover how the ensemble cast felt stepping into their roles…
9
The White Crow (2018)
★ 6.5/10
The story of Rudolf Nureyev, whose escape to the West stunned the world at the height of the Cold War. With his magnetic presence, Nureyev emerged as ballet’s most famous star, a wild and beautiful dancer limited by…
10
First Position (2011)
★ 7.2/10
A documentary that follows six young dancers from around the world as they prepare for the Youth America Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world.
11
Magazine Dreams (2025)
★ 7/10
Aspiring bodybuilder Killian Maddox struggles to find human connection in an exploration of celebrity and violence. Nothing deters him from his fiercely protected dream of superstardom, not even the doctors who warn…
12
One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5 (2026)
★ 7.2/10
An inside look at the years of effort and craft that went into the final installment of the Duffer Brothers' generation-defining series.
13
Pumping Iron (1977)
★ 7.2/10
Amateur and professional bodybuilders prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests as five-time champion Arnold Schwarzenegger defends his Mr. Olympia title against Serge Nubret and the shy young Lou…
14
Black Swan (2010)
★ 7.7/10
A committed dancer struggles to maintain her sanity after winning the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake."
15
Dangerous Days: Making Blade Runner (2007)
★ 7.8/10
The definitive 3½-hour documentary about the troubled creation and enduring legacy of the science fiction classic 'Blade Runner', culled from 80 interviews and hours of never-before-seen outtakes and lost footage.
16
Making Squid Game: The Challenge (2023)
★ 8/10
Go behind the scenes and witness how the "Squid Game"-inspired reality show transformed from a scripted drama to a cutthroat, nail-biting competition.
17
Red Sparrow (2018)
★ 6.5/10
Prima ballerina Dominika Egorova faces a bleak and uncertain future after she suffers an injury that ends her career. She soon turns to Sparrow School, a secret intelligence service that trains exceptional young people…
18
In the Realms of the Unreal (2004)
★ 7.2/10
In the Realms of the Unreal is a documentary about the reclusive Chicago-based artist Henry Darger. Henry Darger was so reclusive that when he died his neighbors were surprised to find a 15,145-page manuscript along…
19
The Bolshoi (2016)
★ 6.1/10
Young and extremely talented dancer Yulya Olshanskaya from a small mining town draws a “happy ticket”: she is noticed by a former ballet dancer Pototsky and he promises her a future of great ballerina, worthy of the…
20
Hamlet (1964)
★ 7.2/10
Shakespeare's 17th century masterpiece about the "Melancholy Dane" was given one of its best screen treatments by Soviet director Grigori Kozintsev. Kozintsev's Elsinore was a real castle in Estonia, utilized…