Movies Similar to Empire Skate

Dark Days(2000)

A cinematic portrait of the homeless population who live permanently in the underground tunnels of New York City.

Mad Hot Ballroom(2005)

Eleven-year-old New York City public school kids journey into the world of ballroom dancing and reveal pieces of themselves and their world along the way. Told from their candid, sometimes humorous perspectives, these kids are transformed, from reluctant participants to determined competitors, from typical urban kids to "ladies and gentlemen," on their way to try to compete in the final citywide competition.

Buffalo Juggalos(2014)

An experimental exploration and celebration of the Juggalo subculture in Buffalo, New York. Long and static takes of Juggalos engaged in their favorite activities, first and foremost of which - causing mayhem. Among these seemingly random acts of the everyday, preening, sexual gratification, backyard wrestling, explosions and destruction, a tentative narrative begins to emerge.

The Only Girl in the Orchestra(2023)

Trailblazing double bassist Orin O'Brien never wanted the spotlight, but when Leonard Bernstein hired her in 1966 as the first female musician in the New York Philarmonic, it was inevitable that she would become the focus of much interest and fascination. Now 87 years old and recently retired, Orin looks back on her remarkable life and career, insisting that a fuss should not be made, much preferring to play a supporting role to the family, students, friends, and colleagues that surround her.

Stockholm Syndrome(2021)

Stockholm Syndrome chronicles the meteoric rise of contemporary trendsetter A$AP Rocky, capturing the exuberance of youth and urgency of hip-hop in equal parts, before taking a detour into darkness. With amazing access, the film reveals Rocky’s experience with the inequities of the Swedish judicial system and the dangers of stardom and scapegoating through a series of twists and turns, ultimately paralleling the need for prison reform in our own backyard. Directed by The Architects, the film blends archival footage with contemporary interviews, animation, and electrifying live concert footage to tell the astonishing story of how one of rap’s biggest superstars became embroiled in an international incident, leading to an unexpected political awakening.

American Swing(2009)

Chronicles the rise and fall of 1970s New York City nightclub Plato's Retreat.

Escapist: Our World(2021)

Escapist proudly presents Our World, featuring Sean Malto, Mikey Santillan, Shaun McKay, Joseph Lopez, Josh Crane, Josh White, Bryant Doerfler, Keelin Austin, Scotty Laird, Rod Harper, Ernie Torres, Dillon Aguilar, Garrett Olinger, Mike Webb, Ryan Pearce, Max Chilen and Jesse Doan. Edited by Ryan Lovell. Filmed by Tyler Krupski, Dylan Burke and Ryan Lovell in Kansas City, LA, Japan and Puerto Rico.

Wealth of a Nation(1964)

"This film explores how freedom of speech — including dissent — is afforded to all Americans, and shows freedom of expression in art, music, dance, architecture, and science. The film also emphasizes the importance of the individual’s contribution to the whole of society and demonstrates how a productive and creative society is formed by the open and respectful exchange of ideas. The film was written, produced, and directed by William Greaves" (National Archives).

Disney: Through the Looking Glass(2010)

Tito del Amo, a passionate 72-year-old researcher, takes the final step to unravel the enigma about the alleged Spanish origin of the American cartoonist Walt Disney, making the same journey that his supposed mother made to give him up for adoption in Chicago. A journey that begins in Mojácar, Almería, Spain, and ends in New York. An exciting adventure, like Alicia's through the looking glass, to discover what is truth and what is not, with an unexpected result.

Santa Cruz Skateboards - Streets On Fire(1989)

Jason Jessee goes to jail and dreams of shredding the gnar.

Money for Blood(2007)

Three days of skateboarding on Australia's Gold Coast, featuring the World's best skaters.

One October(2017)

Reporter Clay Pigeon interviews New Yorkers in October, 2008.

Skateboarding's First Wave(2015)

Explore the origins of skateboarding culture through the lens of the 1965 Palisades Skateboard Team, who reinvented a childhood hobby into a sport, bringing it to the vanguard of popular culture. Features interviews with the team members reflecting on how the sport has changed, 50 years later.

Underexposed: A Women's Skateboarding Documentary(2013)

Professional skateboarder Amelia Brodka examines the skateboarding industry's approach to how it markets, promotes and supports women in its sport.

We Were Once Kids(2021)

In the early nineties, before the massive gentrification of many of New York's then slums, several young people from very disparate backgrounds left their broken homes and ventured onto the brutal streets of the city. United by their love of skateboarding, they formed a family and built a unique lifestyle that eventually inspired Kids, a groundbreaking and outrageous film directed by photographer Larry Clark and released in 1995.

I Will Dance(2015)

Follows the young people of Selma, Alabama's RATCo (Random Acts of Theatre Company) as they journey to New York City to share their story of hope, resilience, and overcoming.

Bronx, New York, November 2019(2021)

Hitler's 9/11(2013)

Adolf Hitler's Nazi megalomania knew no limits. The most daring of his plans World War II involved German fighter planes crashing into Manhattan's skyscrapers as living bombs, like the Japanese kamikazes. Hitler understood the huge symbolic power of Manhattan's skyscrapers. He believed suicide bombing would have a devastating psychological impact on the American people and the U.S. war effort.

Susanne Bartsch: On Top(2017)

Dubbed New York's "Queen of the Night," proto–club kid Susanne Bartsch has been throwing unforgettable parties for over 30 years and is still going strong.

Lakai - Fully Flared(2007)

A skateboarding film featuring the Lakai team filmed over the course of 4 years.