These scenes are guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the best dance scenes from movies that have a strong dance theme throughout and deserve to be celebrated.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we'll be looking at the best dance scenes from movies
00:12that have a strong dance theme throughout and deserve to be celebrated.
00:25Number 30.
00:26Prove Me Wrong – White Knights
00:28What's better than having one dance icon leading a movie?
00:32Two of them, of course.
00:33White Knights combined the unrivaled talents of ballet giant Mikhail Baryshnikov and tap
00:39dancing legend Gregory Hines.
00:51The film follows two people from vastly different backgrounds who find common ground through
00:57their passion for dance.
00:59This sequence encapsulates just that – the pair move in perfect unison, but it's also
01:04clear that each brings a unique flair and slightly different feel to the choreography.
01:14Hines shared that the film was a collaborative effort, with both using their opposing backgrounds
01:19to bring out the best in each other.
01:21We don't need to tell you that the payoff was tremendous – just watch for yourselves.
01:38Number 29.
01:39Ain't My Type of Hype – House Party
01:41Kid has escaped murderous jerks, the cops, and his angry father to make it to this party.
01:47So when two girls challenge him to a dance battle, he's not about to back down.
01:51By this time, the party is already jumping, but everyone makes room for this spectacle.
02:09Kid's first partner can't cut it, but his best friend, Play, is quick to fill in.
02:13The movie features a style of music and dance that many viewers initially didn't have
02:18much exposure to.
02:29Since then, it's been recognized as an important part of cinema history, and there's no doubt
02:34that this scene is a highlight.
02:37Number 28.
02:38Finale – Black Swan
02:40Natalie Portman's character Nina Sayers goes out with a bang during the finale of
02:44Swan Lake.
02:53The Russian ballet has served as an inspiration for many films, and director Darren Aronofsky's
02:58interpretation required the leads to train for six months.
03:02In the final sequence, Portman's face and movements express Nina's turbulent range
03:06of emotions.
03:07At the same time, she embodies Odette, the white swan.
03:11The camera spins around the principal alongside the core dancers, giving the dance number
03:17an appropriately disorienting yet graceful feel.
03:25It builds to a climactic end for the show and the film.
03:29Number 27.
03:31The Final Tango – Take the Lead
03:33The noughties was the golden age of the dance movie, and Take the Lead managed to do something
03:38different with it.
03:39Use the standard urban setting and gave it a ballroom twist.
03:49Based on a true story, the movie follows a dance teacher, Pierre, who offers ballroom
03:53lessons to the troubled teens at the local high school.
04:07In the final competition, Sasha and the boys decide to mix things up a bit.
04:12The guys have been fighting over her throughout the movie, but this time they all work together.
04:28Turning the tango into a trio might get them disqualified, but this chemistry-fueled routine
04:33was totally worth it.
04:35Number 26.
04:37Paso Doble – Strictly Ballroom
04:40Dancing is Scott's passion, and he wants to dance his own way.
04:43But everyone in his life is pressuring him to conform to the Dancing Federation's strict
04:48rules.
04:49Then he meets Fran, who's more open to Scott's inventive, showy style.
04:53Their backstage dance at a competition is incredibly romantic and intimate.
05:07But it's their final performance together that's the true showstopper.
05:23Federation head Barry Fyfe is determined to stop them from upsetting the status quo with
05:27their original moves, even cutting off the music mid-performance.
05:31But the audience is so smitten with the pair that they clap along to help them finish the
05:35dance.
05:52Number 25.
05:54The Dance in the Rain – Step Up 2 – The Streets
05:57While the finale of the first Step Up is a school showcase, the second movie takes dancing
06:02back to the streets per the title.
06:04Andie and her band of dance school misfits create their own crew, and enter an illegal
06:09competition.
06:20Their final number literally takes place out in the street.
06:23Andie's old crew, the 410, are their rivals, and set the bar high with a dynamic and complex
06:29routine.
06:30It looks like they're the better dancers, but the MSA crew have a crucial advantage.
06:35The rain makes everything look so much cooler.
06:50The power doesn't just come from the sequence itself, but also from the whole atmosphere
06:54of the moment.
06:56Number 24.
06:58Broom Dance – Breakin'
07:07Not only is Breakin' filled with impressive choreography, but it holds a special place
07:11in the 80s dance movie zeitgeist, much like the 1984 hip-hop flick Beat Street.
07:17Anyway, one of Breakin's most defining moments was Turbo's dance with a broom.
07:31Michael Boogaloo Shrimp Chambers' moves are magnetic, and his control as he isolates
07:36various body parts seems almost superhuman.
07:40Speaking of extraordinary performances, we'd be remiss not to at least mention his ceiling
07:44dance in the sequel, but the gravity and logic-defying broom dance remains in a league
07:49of its own to this very day.
07:51We have no doubt it will continue to leave audiences in awe for generations to come.
08:05Number 23.
08:06The Ballet – An American in Paris
08:16When Gene Kelly decides to call a number, that's entertainment, you best believe he
08:20means it.
08:21An American in Paris is a 1951 classic musical choreographed entirely by Kelly, and includes
08:28one of his most ambitious pieces ever.
08:30The ballet at the end of the film crosses over numerous sets, has tons of extras, and
08:35showcases complex and unique choreography that took the world by storm.
08:53At one point, the dance changes from a jaunty, colorful tap number to a swooningly romantic
08:59ballet in the snap of a finger.
09:01Kelly takes audacious leaps with his choreography here, both figuratively and literally.
09:22Number 22.
09:23The Showcase – Step Up
09:25The original Step Up is probably the most iconic dance movie of the 2000s, and there
09:30are a lot to choose from.
09:45Its memorable dance routines and the unbeatable chemistry between the leads make it stand
09:49out from the crowd.
09:51The movie builds to Nora's senior showcase at the dance school.
10:04Although we see snippets of the routine throughout the film, the final product still blows us
10:08away.
10:09The choreography is stunning and fits seamlessly with the music.
10:23Based on that performance, it's easy to imagine Nora would have her pick of dance
10:27companies, and Tyler would bag his scholarship.
10:31Number 21.
10:33Sing Sing Sing – Swing Kids
10:35In 1930s Germany, these young men live to swing, and Peter will risk everything to keep
10:41doing it.
10:42The sequence highlights the contrast between the bright, colorful scenes inside the swing
10:46clubs and the dangerous and oppressive world outside them.
11:00The music is fast and loud, the dancers are pouring their hearts into it, and the energy
11:06is off the charts.
11:07Since Peter and his friend Thomas will eventually have conflict over Thomas' growing loyalty
11:11to the Nazi party, it's swinging moments like these that we latch onto so tightly.
11:35Number 20.
11:36El Tango de Roxanne – Moulin Rouge
11:48As Christian agonizes over Satine spending the night with Duke, the narcoleptic Argentinian,
11:53assisted by Nini and the other performers, warn him about the dangers of falling in love
11:58with a courtesan.
12:10Using elements of Argentine tango, the performers tell the story of desire, passion, suspicion,
12:16and betrayal, almost foreshadowing the events to come.
12:19Mirroring the dinner scene with Satine and the Duke, the intensity and conviction of
12:23every move heightens, especially as the music continues to build.
12:38The fast cuts between the two eventful scenes adds to the drama and tension, only ending
12:43when they reach their climactic crux.
12:51Number 19.
12:52Cell Block Tango – Chicago
13:03From the first note of All That Jazz to the final beat of Hot Honey Rag, Chicago's choreography
13:08is nothing short of iconic.
13:10However, we do have to give a special mention to Cell Block Tango for its cinematic value,
13:15vigorous choreography, and message of female empowerment.
13:29While we're certainly not condoning murder, we love how each step is a forceful move that
13:34ties in perfectly with their storytelling.
13:44It's also a powerful sight to see the ensemble dance together in a celebration of strong
13:48and unapologetic women.
13:57After watching this, we're sure no man will ever do them wrong again.
14:02Number 18.
14:03Mine Hair – Cabaret
14:05Although this song was only added for the 1972 movie adaptation, it instantly became
14:10a classic due to its intricate choreography.
14:25Drawing us into the Kit Kat club of 1930s Berlin, we watch Sally Bowles and the ensemble
14:30perform this compelling number.
14:33While this isn't the only Bob Fosse creation on our list, this routine in particular really
14:38accentuates the isolations that became synonymous with his style.
14:57While the movements look quite simple, the detail that goes into even the tiniest flick
15:00of a wrist is placed with precision and purpose, and the use of choreography and levels is
15:06sensational.
15:15Number 17.
15:16Cheek to Cheek – Top Hat
15:18This song begins with Jerry and Dale in a close hold as he expresses his feelings through
15:22song.
15:34As they move away from the crowd, the audience is treated to an elegant and graceful dance
15:38break that exemplifies everything we love about Hollywood's golden era movie musical.
15:53Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' well-established on-screen chemistry, alongside their ability
15:58to make every move look effortless, makes this one of their most memorable and beloved
16:02dances to this day.
16:04As Jerry attempts to dance his way through Dale's heart, we can't help but fall for
16:08the elegance, romance and glamour throughout their performance.
16:24Number 16.
16:25Jump and Jive – Stormy Weather
16:27Starring the Nicholas brothers, who were known for their incredible style, high energy and
16:33acrobatic choreography, this routine is so effortlessly cool.
16:46Appearing from the audience, the pair leap onto the dance floor, using pretty much every
16:51surface while performing a perfectly synchronized tap dance routine.
17:00Despite being considered a pioneering movie for African Americans in 1943, unfortunately
17:05racism overshadowed their undeniable talent.
17:08It's thus all the more important that we celebrate them and their phenomenal skills.
17:19It's no wonder this scene comes toward the end of the movie, as what could possibly follow
17:23their epic finale?
17:33Number 15.
17:34There'll Be Some Changes Made – All That Jazz
17:45Inspired by Fosse's chaotic life and career, this semi-autobiographical musical follows
17:50Joe Gideon, whose fast and loose lifestyle finally catches up with him.
17:54After ignoring doctor's advice to slow down, he suffers a heart attack and ends up on life
17:59support.
18:00He starts directing hallucinatory dream sequences starring his girlfriend, ex-wife and daughter,
18:05who all scold him for his reckless behavior.
18:17Young Rhyne King, who plays Katie, a thinly-veiled characterization of herself, leads the trio
18:23in this number.
18:33From the glittery outfits to the strong and well-defined movements, this dance is a tribute
18:37to Fosse's choreography as well as the star's talents.
18:56Number 14.
18:57Time Warp – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
19:09If our list has you itching to get to your feet, you're in luck, as this next entry
19:13comes with instructions.
19:15It's crazy to think that a song that was written just to fill time during the stage
19:18production would eventually become one of the most famous moments of the entire movie.
19:33Whether you're a fan of this cult classic or you think frankenfurter is just a type
19:37of sausage, you absolutely know this one and probably can't resist joining in.
19:42With such simple instructions, even the most uncoordinated dancer will be tempted to get
19:46up and do the time warp again.
19:56Number 13.
19:57Fame – Fame While many of our entries have focused on
20:00carefully choreographed numbers, this one shows that sometimes it's just about feeling
20:05the music.
20:16When Bruno Martelli's dad proudly plays his song outside the school, all the students
20:21start dancing in the street to this catchy rhythm.
20:28Interestingly, the famous title song hadn't actually been written yet at the time of filming,
20:36so they were dancing to Donna Summer's Hot Stuff instead, due to its similar beat.
20:49For this moment, the students can forget about the grueling intensity of performing arts
20:52school and instead focus on the pure fun that dancing can bring.
21:03Number 12.
21:04Town Called Malice – Billy Elliot It's quite tricky to choose just one standout
21:09moment from this gritty and inspiring British flick, but we have to go with Billy's punchy
21:13improvised dance to Town Called Malice by The Jam.
21:24When his dance teacher Sandra visits the Elliot family, Billy is left feeling torn between
21:28following his dreams or following the expectations of a northern lad.
21:41Making his way through the town, Billy dances off the walls as he vents his frustration.
21:45Deviating from the graceful ballet and incorporating tap dance, we can almost feel his torment
21:50as he expresses himself the best way he knows how.
22:05Number 11.
22:06Audition Dance – A Chorus Line We're whisked behind the Broadway scenes
22:16where countless hopeful performers are auditioning for a spot in the chorus line.
22:28We're no professionals, but based on what we see, we would need a bigger stage just
22:31to cast all that talent.
22:33This scene also provides exposition, introducing us to the principal characters, who we'll
22:37get to know better throughout the movie.
22:50From their very 80s style outfits to the perfect sharpness and synchronicity of their movements,
22:55this dance is so satisfying to watch.
22:57As the final auditionees perform ensemble, it's hard not to get lost in the moment
23:02and forget that this is only just the audition.
23:12Number 10.
23:13Rich Man's Frug – Sweet Charity The Frug took America by storm in the 1960s,
23:26so it only made sense that it would feature in the most exclusive club in New York.
23:40Fossey's signature style is very prominent in this scene, through its punchy isolations,
23:45abstract movements, and unusual poses.
23:48The performance, led by dancer Suzanne Charney, is split into three variations called the
23:53Loof, the Heavyweight, and the Big Finish, all of which bring a new aesthetic to the
23:57dance genre.
24:05The innovation behind the choreography secured its position in dance movie history, and even
24:09influenced Beyonce's Get Me Bodied music video in 2007.
24:18Number 9.
24:20Alex's Audition – Flashdance While Flashdance has multiple memorable dance
24:33moments, nothing cemented itself in popular culture as much as Alex's Audition.
24:46Based on a real story, Alex is a welder-slash-stripper who dreams of becoming a ballerina.
24:51She leaves everything on the dance floor as she combines the elegance of ballet with more
24:55modern and jazzy steps, as well as impressive leaps.
25:13Although Jennifer Beals had multiple body doubles, this doesn't take away from how
25:16sensational this routine is.
25:19It might not have been the audition the panel expected, but it certainly wasn't the one
25:22they were going to forget.
25:32Number 8.
25:33You're The One That I Want – Grease
25:40The final scene of Grease celebrates friendship as two gangs close the door on high school
25:45and put all past feuds behind them.
25:47While We Go Together ends the flick on a party high, we're already on our feet as soon
25:51as Dani spots Sandy in those famous tight leather pants.
25:54Using the school carnival as their backdrop, Sandy and Dani shimmy and groove their way
25:58through the rides, coming down the stairs with iconic moves.
26:06It's cheesy, entertaining, and energetic.
26:12Who knew that sending off high school could be this much fun?
26:15Number 7.
26:16The Barn Dance – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
26:26If you want almost seven minutes of dance heaven, this is the movie for you.
26:30As the brothers head into town to take their newly-learned etiquette skills for a test
26:34drive, they find themselves in a dance-off for the attention of the town's women.
26:44They dance their boots off, pulling out every trick and flip to steal the show and the affections
26:49of their dance partners.
26:54There's so much intricate choreography that it took the dancers three weeks to nail this
27:03routine.
27:04The movie's choreographer, Michael Kidd, was known for his challenging and acrobatic
27:08choreography, and the payoff is evident.
27:19Number 6.
27:20Step in Time – Mary Poppins
27:27Although this call-and-response song incorporates instructions into its lyrics, we think we'll
27:31leave this one to the pros.
27:33Nick Van Dyke as Bert leads the chimney sweeps across the rooftops of London in an incredibly
27:38athletic routine, choreographed by Michael Kidd.
27:49This ambitious dance sees the chimney sweeps leap around the rooftops and dance with props,
27:53as well as performing the highly animated choreography.
27:57This is one of the most entertaining scenes in the entire movie, and even Mary Poppins
28:01breaks her stern exterior to enjoy the show, before showing them all how it's done, of course.
28:14Number 5.
28:15The Final Dance – Footloose
28:24In a town where dancing is banned, what better way to let off some steam than to, well, dance?
28:31While, of course, Wren's acrobatic freestyling in the warehouse is certainly a key moment,
28:41it comes in a close second to the final scene.
28:44With the band finally lifted, the teens cut loose to Kenny Loggin's title track.
28:52Sure, none of the principal cast are fully trained dancers, but that doesn't lessen
29:03the effect of this iconic scene.
29:05Granted, Kevin Bacon has since claimed in an interview that he sometimes pays wedding
29:09DJs not to play the song, worrying that people might expect him to bust a move.
29:22Number 4.
29:23You Should Be Dancing – Saturday Night Fever
29:32Before donning a T-Birds leather jacket, John Travolta was getting his disco on in his first
29:36major film role as Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever.
29:40With pulsating help from the Bee Gees, and a song that basically calls you to the dance
29:44floor, Travolta put the spotlight on the disco genre as he clears the floor to strut his
29:49stuff.
29:57Pulling out all the archetypal steps with some impressive splits and spins, it's no
30:01wonder that this scene is such a crowd pleaser.
30:04The movie had a huge influence on the late 70s popular culture, and helped bring disco
30:08into the mainstream.
30:19Number 3.
30:20I've Had The Time Of My Life – Dirty Dancing
30:23We just have two words for you.
30:25The Lift.
30:26Whenever people think about this dance number, they go straight to this famous moment.
30:31But that doesn't mean that the whole dance itself doesn't deserve some love too.
30:42As we hit the climax of the movie, all the work that Johnny and Baby have put in throughout
30:46the summer finally gets its spotlight, and Baby shows off her recently found confidence.
30:51It's such an engaging routine, and clearly everyone wants a piece of the action, so it's
30:56not long until they're all on their feet too.
30:58Oh, and did we mention the Lift?
31:14Number 2.
31:15Dance At The Gym – West Side Story
31:17From the first finger snap of the prologue to the high energy of America, it's almost
31:22impossible to choose just one standout moment.
31:29However, we have to give the edge to Dance At The Gym for its beautiful storytelling.
31:38While the purpose of the dance is ostensibly to bring an end to the gang's rivalry, the
31:41dance-off becomes a stand-in for violence, under the watchful eyes of the authorities.
31:53While each side tries to outdance the other, we get a brief interlude as Tony and Maria
31:57first meet.
32:09The choreography is truly inspired, as dance serves to separate and unite the two sides
32:14simultaneously.
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32:31Number 1.
32:32Singing In The Rain
32:48Not only is the title member of this iconic movie one of its most famous scenes, but it's
32:53also likely what springs to mind when you think of the great Gene Kelly.
32:57After a kiss from Kathy, Don is so elated that even a little, or a lot of rain, can't
33:02dampen his spirits.
33:10Jumping on lampposts, splashing in puddles and swinging his umbrella, this dance evokes
33:15so much joy.
33:22Approximately a year after choreographing the amazing ballet sequence in An American
33:26in Paris, Kelly was handed a script that simply read,
33:29Don dances in the wet street, six words that led to the creation of a classic.
33:47Which movie dance scene have you tried to master?
33:50Let us know in the comments.
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