It stars Cher, Christina Aguilera, Kristen Bell, Cam Gigandet, Stanley Tucci, Julianne Hough, Alan Cumming, and Peter Gallagher, and features cameos from Dianna Agron, and James Brolin.

The film tells the story of Ali (Aguilera), an aspiring singer who leaves her small hometown for Los Angeles, where she becomes a dancer at a struggling burlesque lounge owned by Tess (Cher).

After a performance is sabotaged by her rival, Nikki (Bell), Ali sings the song herself, impressing Tess and leading to her becoming the main attraction of the lounge.

The film earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 68th Golden Globe Awards, where Cher's performance of "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me", written by Diane Warren won for Best Original Song.

Alice "Ali" Marilyn Rose is a young waitress from Iowa who dreams of becoming a professional dancer ever since losing her mother in her childhood.

After her selfish boss refuses to pay her salary, she takes what he owes her from the register and moves to LA, where she attends many auditions with little success.

In a fit of rage, Nikki tries to sabotage it by turning off the music that the dancers usually lip sync to until Ali impresses everyone with her singing skills.

One night after the club closes, Tess is increasingly worried about her finances when a drunken Nikki shows up, accusing her of rejecting their long friendship.

The group later attends Georgia's lavish wedding to Damon, funded by his wealthy father who is delighted he is settling down and with the impending arrival of his grandchild.

Seeing a model of Marcus' plans to build a skyscraper on the club's property, and not simply interested in the "air rights" above it, the distraught Ali abruptly leaves.

[9] Circa 2002, the group performed at the Roxy Theatre, West Hollywood, with many artists—among them Christina Aguilera—and Steven Antin directed some of these shows.

[10] While on the film set, she went on to praise co-star Christina Aguilera's acting abilities, revealing to Entertainment Tonight: "She was keeping up, and she was hot.

"[10] Canadian actor Shawn Roberts, who was previously cast in another Screen Gems production Resident Evil: Afterlife, was briefly considered for the role of Jack Miller.

[14] Filming locations included the exterior and adjacent parking as the "Burlesque Lounge" of the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood,[15][16] as well as the interior of the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana.

It stayed in the top five until December 10, 2010, when it fell to sixth behind The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Tourist, Tangled, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and Unstoppable.

The website's critical consensus reads, "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.

[30] Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune said, "The choicest dialogue in Burlesque provokes the sort of laughter that other, intentionally funny films only dream of generating.

[33] Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter called Burlesque "a refreshing throwback to movie musicals that celebrates its stars while indulging in sexy fun" and also praised Aguilera's acting and singing.

[34] Stanley Tucci's performance received praise from Entertainment Weekly[35] and Empire thought the dance numbers were thrilling.

[40] Aguilera's portrayal of the main character received positive reviews,[33][41][42][43][44][28] and has been ranked among the hundred best acting performances by musicians by the Billboard magazine.

"[42] Urban Cinefile's Louise Keller praised the film for the "knock out performances by the sizzling hot Christina Aguilera and the legendary Cher.

According to Joey Nolfi of Entertainment Weekly, since its release the movie "inspired everything, from drag queen revues to viral internet moments".

[54] The Burlesque stage musical was supposed to open at the Paper Mill Playhouse, New Jersey, in autumn 2020, followed by a Broadway theatre adaptation, but the plans were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[59] Steven Antin returned to write the book, with music and lyrics by Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Todrick Hall, and Jess Folley.