Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Burlesque

Play trailer Poster for Burlesque PG-13 Released Nov 24, 2010 1h 56m Drama Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
37% Tomatometer 177 Reviews 64% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Ali (Christina Aguilera), a small-town gal with a great voice, leaves a troubled life behind and follows her dreams to Los Angeles. She lands a job as a cocktail waitress at the Burlesque Lounge, a once-majestic theater that houses an inspired musical revue led by Tess (Cher), the proprietor. Ali vows to perform there and, with the help of a savvy stage manager and a gender-bending host, she makes the leap from bar to stage, helping restore the club's former glory.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Burlesque

Burlesque

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Campy and clichéd, Burlesque wastes its talented cast (including a better-than-expected Christina Aguilera) on a movie that wavers uncertainly between "bad" and "so bad it's good."

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (177) Critics Reviews
Anthony Quinn Independent (UK) Awful. Mar 30, 2019 Full Review Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal It's impossible to know if [Christina Aguilera's] actually acting, since the music-video cutting rhythms don't give her time to sustain so much as a compound sentence, not that the script provides any. Mar 28, 2019 Full Review Marjorie Baumgarten Austin Chronicle As Burlesque ground along its obvious and well-worn path, my inner voice indeed shouted, "Take it off," though my request was directed toward the projection booth rather than the dancers onstage. Rated: 1.5/5 Mar 28, 2019 Full Review Alison Foreman Mashable The glory of what Burlesque does well outshines any mistake. Nov 30, 2021 Full Review James McMahon NME (New Musical Express) ...most people unfortunate to be involved in them come away with deep rooted and painful psychological scars. I'll conclude by saying I can't see that being any different for anyone who spends any time with Burlesque. Rated: 0.5/5 May 25, 2021 Full Review Richard Crouse Richard Crouse It has no story arc, no dramatic tension, just a lot of bump-and-grind. That'll be enough for people with a taste for camp but like the art form it is named after the movie is all tease and no follow through. Rated: 2.5/5 Jan 31, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Karen M I love this movie. Bought it on Amazon Prime and it's regularly played, whether I want an uplift from the songs, especially 46 mins into it or whether I want a great background movie. The soundtrack is amazing, a simple storyline and a good cast, I love Cher and since Burlesque, Christina Aguilera. If you like musicals, there is plenty in this to keep you happy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/24/25 Full Review Mike L Christina Aguilera's singing performances are as good as it gets since the invention of the phonograph. The dramatic side of the movie is cliche & predictable, but hearing C.A. dominate the entire history of female vocals makes it a must watch. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/16/25 Full Review Alex M Is the plot trash? Ok it is. A girl from nowhere but has the voice of Christina Aguilera moves to LA and … just wants to perform at a small burlesque club. Why? The intro to the club complete with band moving onto the stage and Alan Cummings is such a cabaret rip off it is almost cringe. The intro to the club also mentions a financial crisis at the first of the month, so her journey from being club waitress, dancer, singing star, falling in love, negotiating a financial deal and everything else that feels like months (to the point they have a time goes by video montage) happens in less than 30 days. That all being said it is so bad it’s wonderful. The club focus keeps the world small but personal. The overall plot is very different from cabaret — yet part of that strips it of depth and meaning. The bartender is a hottie while Cher and Christina are amazing. 5 stars, even if the plot is trash lol. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/25 Full Review Nestor Daniel C Although the script of Burlesque is not solid enough, the performances and staging are simply fascinating and entertaining, Christina Aguilera stands out in each musical performance and Cher is simply sublime. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/25 Full Review Rob A I really enjoyed it. Christina Aguilera and Cher sing their butts off, Kristen Bell plays against type and Stanley Tucci does his thing in this classic underdog story. If you liked A Star is Born, Burlesque will definitely brighten up a dull afternoon for you. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/25 Full Review Jeff S Honestly, the acting is pretty bad in this movie but somehow it makes it even better. Cher, Xtina, Kristen Bell and Stanley Tucci all in one movie, what more do we need? It's become a bit of a cult classic. Also, the storyline is pretty identical to Coyote Ugly and I'm not mad about it ✌🏻 Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/13/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Burlesque

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Burlesque

Burlesque: Official Clip - Guy What Takes His Time Burlesque: Official Clip - Guy What Takes His Time 1:12 Burlesque: Official Clip - You Haven't Seen the Last of Me Burlesque: Official Clip - You Haven't Seen the Last of Me 2:30 Burlesque: Official Clip - Welcome to Burlesque Burlesque: Official Clip - Welcome to Burlesque 2:30 Burlesque: Official Clip - Cher Says Wagon Wheel Watusi! Burlesque: Official Clip - Cher Says Wagon Wheel Watusi! 3:02 Burlesque: Official Clip - Christina Aguilera BLOWS US AWAY with Tough Lover Burlesque: Official Clip - Christina Aguilera BLOWS US AWAY with Tough Lover 2:14 Burlesque: Official Clip - Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend Burlesque: Official Clip - Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend 2:30 Burlesque: Official Clip - Christina Aguilera’s POWERFUL Bound to You Song Burlesque: Official Clip - Christina Aguilera’s POWERFUL Bound to You Song 2:56 Burlesque: Official Clip - Something's Got a Hold on Me Burlesque: Official Clip - Something's Got a Hold on Me 2:27 Burlesque: Official Clip - But I Am a Good Girl Burlesque: Official Clip - But I Am a Good Girl 2:19 Burlesque: Official Clip - Show Me How You Burlesque Burlesque: Official Clip - Show Me How You Burlesque 2:29 View more videos
Sparkle 57% 45% Sparkle Watchlist Dreamgirls 79% 71% Dreamgirls Watchlist TRAILER for Dreamgirls Step Up 21% 83% Step Up Watchlist Stomp the Yard 27% 82% Stomp the Yard Watchlist Take the Lead 44% 77% Take the Lead Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Ali (Christina Aguilera), a small-town gal with a great voice, leaves a troubled life behind and follows her dreams to Los Angeles. She lands a job as a cocktail waitress at the Burlesque Lounge, a once-majestic theater that houses an inspired musical revue led by Tess (Cher), the proprietor. Ali vows to perform there and, with the help of a savvy stage manager and a gender-bending host, she makes the leap from bar to stage, helping restore the club's former glory.
Director
Steve Antin
Producer
Donald De Line
Screenwriter
Steve Antin
Distributor
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co
De Line Pictures, Screen Gems
Rating
PG-13 (Partial Nudity|Language|Sev. Suggestive Dance Routines|Sexual Content|Some Thematic Material)
Genre
Drama, Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 24, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA)
$39.4M
Runtime
1h 56m
Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS
Most Popular at Home Now