Long before television shows and movies became the most dominant form of entertainment, operas, concerts, theater, and ballet reigned supreme. These live plays were typically the highlight of the season, with everyone clearing their schedules to attend these events. Although some of these have faded in popularity, ballet remains a powerful art form that continues to enthrall audience members today.

Ballet is the epitome of grace and beauty, communicating a wide range of emotions in light, poetic, yet incredibly technical movements. Both classical and modern ballets enjoy enduring popularity due to their unique storytelling structure. Still, few hold the title of being the most famous ballets of all time, in which every ballet dancer dreams of starring. Here are five famous ballets:

1. Swan Lake

As one of the most well-known ballets worldwide, it may come as a surprise to learn that it flopped right when it was released. Despite its initial poor performance, it was eventually met with resounding success and became a household name. Today, Swan Lake has been reproduced, reconstructed, and reinterpreted for over a century. It was composed by Tchaikovsky in 1875, combining two folk tales into a cohesive storyline. It tells the story of Prince Siegfried, whose mother demands that he choose a bride. Frustrated, he hunts for swans with his friend but is shocked when he sees one of them transform into the beautiful Odette. The two embark on a journey to end the spell cast on Odette and her companions while Prince Siegfried vows to win her heart.

2. The Nutcracker

Composed in 1891 by Tchaikovsky, this timeless classic is the most performed ballet of the modern era. It wasn’t until 1944 when the first production of The Nutcracker was performed in America by the San Francisco Ballet. Since then, it has become a tradition to perform during the holiday season, as it rightly should. This great ballet not only has some of the most recognizable music, but its story brings joy to children and adults alike.

3. Peter Pan

Peter Pan is a marvelous ballet fit for the entire family. The dancing, scenery, and costumes are as colorful as the story itself. Peter Pan is relatively new to the world of ballet, and because there is no “set in stone” way to perform the piece, it can be interpreted differently by each producer, choreographer, and music director. Although each production may be different, the story remains nearly consistent—and that’s why it’s a classic.

4. Giselle

Giselle tells the story of Giselle, a beautiful young woman who dies of a broken heart when she learns that the man she has fallen in love with was in fact a nobleman named Duke Albrecht, and that they could not be together. Giselle’s spirit eventually saves his life, allowing her to rest in peace. The famous ballet was composed by Adolph Adam and choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. It premiered in 1841 at the Salle Le Peletier in Paris.

5. Romeo and Juliet

Who doesn’t know this tragic love story written by Shakespeare? Romeo and Juliet are two star-crossed lovers who choose to die since they are not allowed to live together. The music of Romeo and Juliet was composed by Sergei Prokofiev, and the ballet was first choreographed by Ivo Váña-Psota when it premiered at the Mahen Theatre in Czechoslovakia in 1938. Many different versions of the ballet have been created since then.