Get ready to be dazzled by the most iconic dance routines ever captured on stage and screen! From jaw-dropping tap numbers to breathtaking ballet sequences, we're counting down the greatest dance performances that have left audiences spellbound. Prepare to be amazed by the talent, creativity, and sheer artistry on display!
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most outstanding, beautiful,
00:12brilliant or otherwise iconic dance sequences in film and theater.
00:16Shall we dance?
00:17Let's go!
00:18Hot Balls!
00:19Hot Balls!
00:20Go!
00:21Number 20.
00:26Scott and Fran's Flamenco Dance, Strictly Ballroom.
00:29This might be one of the most unforgettable climaxes among all dance films.
00:33Baz Luhrmann's directorial debut was a smashing success, not just in filmmaking, but in dance.
00:47The star-crossed partnership between rebellious professional Scott and amateur Fran culminates
00:51in their triumphant dance at the Pan Pacific Grand Prix.
00:54With a mix of Spanish flamenco and ballroom convention, the passionate choreography is
00:58made even more intense by Paul Mercurio and Tara Maurice's electric chemistry.
01:14And after Fife has the music cut, the audience's clapping to the rhythm allows Scott and Fran
01:19to dance a true Paso Doble.
01:21The scene is a winner in every way.
01:35Number 19.
01:37Too Darn Hot, Kiss Me Kate, 2019 Revival.
01:44Cole Porter's Tony Award-winning musical follows the behind-the-scenes drama between two exes
01:49as they struggle to play the leads in their production of Shakespeare's The Taming of
01:53the Shrew.
01:54In the 2019 Broadway revival, choreographer Warren Carlyle created a showstopper with
01:58the Too Darn Hot number.
02:14Brilliantly led by James T. Lane and Corbin Bleu, the choreography is exhilarating and
02:19intricate, building up to an epic climax that is guaranteed to bring down the house.
02:24Incorporating some great tap work from Bleu, the number sizzles like a firecracker throughout.
02:29No need to consult the Kinsey Report on this one, it's hot.
02:43Number 18.
02:45Manson Trio, Pippin.
02:46With a winning score by Stephen Schwartz, this meta-musical tells the story of young
02:51Prince Pippin, a son of King Charlemagne, as performed by a troupe of players.
03:06Among the scenes they enact is a battle against the Visigoths, which includes this incredible
03:10routine performed by the leading player and two other dancers.
03:25Choreographed by Bob Fosse himself, the Manson Trio is filled with modern insouciance and
03:29jazz charm, offering an ironic contrast with the bloody depiction of war violence.
03:34The result is a tongue-in-cheek satire that deflates whatever grandeur one can find in
03:38war.
03:48Number 17.
03:49Anything Goes, Anything Goes, 2011 revival.
03:53The world has gone mad today, but it's certainly not because of this classic.
04:17Another standard by Cole Porter, this wry, tongue-in-cheek lament about the lax state
04:21of contemporary life is very much relevant today.
04:25In the 2011 revival, the scene especially features breathtaking tap-dancing choreography
04:30courtesy of Kathleen Marshall.
04:41The synchronicity of the dancers is beyond impressive, requiring tons of stamina, discipline,
04:46and power from both the ensemble and Sutton Foster playing Reno Sweeney.
04:50It's a show-stopping number, inevitably bringing down the house every time.
05:07Number 16.
05:08Big Spender, Sweet Charity.
05:10This iconic Bob Fosse choreographed number is one for the history books.
05:26In this unforgettable number, the dance hall hostesses of the Fandango Ballroom proposition
05:30all the big spenders out there.
05:32The resulting routine is jaw-dropping, featuring some signature carefully calibrated Fosse
05:37moves, in which less is more, which are broken up with moments of frenetic dancing.
05:52The result is both sexy and realistic, as the jaded dancers go through their pitch with
05:57all the energy, passion, and authenticity of a Walmart retail worker.
06:01Still, each individual dancer's personality shines, thanks to Fosse's precision and attention
06:07to detail.
06:08And when they act together, it's nothing less than stunning.
06:11We wish we could spend more time on this number.
06:23Number 15.
06:25What a Feeling, Flashdance.
06:27This hit film's music video style presentation influenced a number of films, including Footloose,
06:32Top Gun, and Purple Rain.
06:43The film follows steel mill worker and aspiring professional ballerina Alex Owens.
06:47In this climactic scene, she auditions for the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Dance and Repertory
06:52to great success.
07:05Danced chiefly by Maureen Jehan as the main body double for Jennifer Beals, this number
07:09combines the best of ballet and the physical power of breakdancing.
07:14The result is a graceful sinewy performance, with perfectly executed spins and leaps.
07:19The judges were clearly filled with that feeling, and so are we.
07:34Number 14.
07:35The Jellicle Ball, Cats.
07:37No list would be complete without Andrew Lloyd Webber's blockbuster dance musical about,
07:41you guessed it, cats.
07:55These jellicle cats must decide which of their number is to be reborn to the heavyside lair,
08:00complete with auditions and introductions.
08:02Each individual cat's number is impressive in its own way, but by far the most significant
08:07dance sequence is the group revel at the Jellicle Ball.
08:22The scene features a variety of different dance styles, from ballet to jazz to modern
08:2780s breakdance.
08:28It's the perfect showcase of all the cat cast's talents and personalities.
08:39Number 13.
08:41Step In Time, Mary Poppins.
08:43Those who've seen this classic 60s film no doubt have this sequence living rent-free
08:47in their minds.
09:04Jack-of-all-Trades Bert, played by Dick Van Dyke, leads his fellow chimney sweeps in an
09:08energetic and epic rooftop dance.
09:11With broad but complex choreography, the sweepers leap and tumble not only with grace and agility,
09:17but also in tandem.
09:30At some point Van Dyke is swung over the ledge and defies gravity as he hovers in thin air,
09:35and then there is the iconic chimney choreography in the cityscape.
09:38The dance even segues into the Banks' own home and into the street.
09:42The scene took almost a month and a half to learn, and it shows.
09:46Kudos to choreographers Dee Dee Wood and Mark Rowe for this one.
10:00Number 12.
10:01El Tango de Roxanne, Moulin Rouge.
10:03Baz Luhrmann strikes again in this iconic jukebox musical.
10:16A modern take on both La Traviata and La Boheme, Moulin Rouge skillfully reworks existing pop
10:22songs into its narrative.
10:23But this rearrangement of the police's 1978 hit Roxanne is by far one of the most successful.
10:45The rough, passionate tango choreography of the ballroom dancers beautifully expresses
10:49the longing and jealousy of this scene.
10:51As Christian struggles with his fears of Satine sleeping with the Duke, the sharp music video
10:56style editing only augments the feeling of desperation and heartbreak.
11:00The presentation is nothing short of masterful.
11:12Number 11.
11:13Make Em Laugh, Singin' in the Rain.
11:16This classic film musical has too many great dance scenes to count.
11:31Arguably the most technically impressive, however, is Donald O'Connor's dance as Cosmo
11:36gives Gene Kelly's Don a piece of showbiz advice.
11:39O'Connor's performance is not just nimble, he seems to flow like water in his flexibility
11:44and control, and in his demonstrative slapstick.
11:48With seemingly effortless spins, jumps, and backflips, this one-man performance also doubles
11:53as a masterclass in physical comedy, complete with pratfalls.
11:57Like the best dancers, O'Connor makes makin' em laugh look all too easy.
12:11Number 10.
12:12Seize the Day, Newsies.
12:15This box-office bomb of a musical film became a cult favorite, but it became a bona fide
12:19hit when adapted for the Broadway stage.
12:30Choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, the stage version of Newsies is filled with epic,
12:34intricate dance numbers.
12:36Among these, perhaps the most impressive is the striking newsboy's rallying cry, Seize
12:40the Day.
12:54Alan Menken's rousing tune and Jack Feldman's inspirational lyrics are matched by energetic
12:59steps that incorporate balletic elements, performed to a fare-thee-well by some amazing
13:03dancers.
13:05That is a strike we'd like to join.
13:17Number 9.
13:18The Bottle Dance, Fiddler on the Roof.
13:20This classic musical is brilliant in so many ways, and the dancing is no exception.
13:35Legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins is responsible for the brilliant numbers, as
13:40well as the direction of the stage show as a whole.
13:42One routine in particular, during Mottl and Zeitl's wedding, is a showstopper every time.
13:54This bottle dance was, in fact, inspired by Robbins' own research into Orthodox Jewish
13:59weddings.
14:00When he observed one drunken wedding guest put a bottle on his head, he turned that serendipitous
14:04moment into an outstanding four-person dance.
14:07Balancing a whole glass bottle on one's head is one thing, kneeling and doing kicks while
14:11doing so is another.
14:13What a flex.
14:14Fortunately, the film version captured much of Robbins' work.
14:23Number 8.
14:24Barn Dance, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
14:27Speaking of technical prowess, we'd be remiss not to include this jaw-dropping dance sequence.
14:43In this barn scene, six brothers try to woo six women away from their suitors.
14:47Michael Kidd's choreography begins with a conventional line dance and ends in a stylized
14:52brawl.
14:53They're the brothers, of course.
15:10It's an exhilarating but technically demanding scene, involving dancing on wooden beams.
15:15Although Kidd wanted professional dancers in the role, his choreography is more athletic
15:19than balletic, suiting the characters of the rough woodsmen.
15:23The result is a breathtaking, colorful array of gymnastic tumbling.
15:27These brothers have got stellar moves.
15:39Number 7.
15:40Cell Block Tango, Chicago.
15:42When it comes to musical choreography, there are few musicals with as great dancing as
15:47Bob Fosse's work in Chicago.
16:03The film adaptation is especially noteworthy for its excellent editing and adaptation,
16:07turning the showstopper Cell Block Tango into something truly legendary.
16:12Director Rob Marshall built upon the Fosse choreography in the film version, including
16:16male dancers to tango with the merry murderesses.
16:29He also added a symbolic touch, with the red scarf denoting their grisly demise.
16:34The climax, with the six female inmates dancing in tandem, builds to an epic conclusion.
16:39It's a tour de force that will go down in the annals of musical history.
16:54Number 6.
16:55Audition, 42nd Street.
16:57There is arguably no dance more quintessentially American than tap.
17:01The best of tap dancing combines foot agility with showmanship.
17:05These qualities are present in this iconic opening number from the 1980 musical 42nd
17:10Street, where dancers audition for the fictive musical Pretty Lady.
17:23Based on the 1933 film by the same name, this jukebox musical features choreography by Gower
17:28Champion, which informed and inspired the dancing in future productions.
17:32From the slow curtain rise on the dancing feet, to the intense tap moves and smooth,
17:37seamless synchronicity, this number is a masterclass in choreography.
17:50Number 5.
17:51The Dance at the Gym, West Side Story.
17:54Where to begin with West Side Story?
17:56Jerome Robbins' work on this musical is legendary on all accounts.
18:10There's his choreography for the tense jazz number Cool, for instance, or the flamenco-inspired
18:15America, but our pick has to go for the Dance at the Gym.
18:29Beginning with the sensual blues swing and a stately promenade, the sequence quickly
18:33segues into the fiery mambo.
18:35This dance battle between the American Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks allows the two
18:39groups to show off their own moves and culture.
18:42The Jets have the advantage of athleticism, while the Puerto Rican side delivers flair
18:46and passion.
18:47It's a dance masterpiece that makes us believe in rival gangs and the power of love at first
18:52sight.
19:03Number 4.
19:04All That Jazz, Chicago.
19:06The world of Chicago is a many-splendored one indeed.
19:21But it all begins with this opening number, sung by Velma Kelly as a solo act, right after
19:26her doing away with her sister and husband.
19:29It's the perfect tone for this 20s jazz-age setting, a mesmerizing number about hot honky-tonk
19:34pianos, cold gin, and all that jazz.
19:44The sensual risque choreography, whole-body lifts, and twirls expresses the decadence,
19:49freedom, but also corruption and cynicism of the era.
19:52Among many great songs, All That Jazz is still the number most associated with the musical.
20:02Number 3.
20:12One Reprise, A Chorus Line.
20:14The dance musical to end all dance musicals, this 70s juggernaut features the now-classic
20:19choreography by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian.
20:36There are so many examples of excellent dancing from this amazing show, but we have to give
20:40the prize to the one finale number, justly considered one of the best musical finales.
20:57The one finale is a bittersweet ode to the chorus line itself, with a whole cast of dancers
21:02high-kicking it to a song about the lead.
21:04The seamless uniformity, the glittering gold costumes, the grandeur, all have had their
21:09mark on pop culture, with countless allusions and parodies.
21:24Number 2.
21:25Singin' in the Rain, Singin' in the Rain.
21:27Speaking of iconic numbers seared into pop culture consciousness, here is a lovestruck
21:32Gene Kelly making film and musical history.
21:49This number may seem so simple in execution, with Kelly's joyous tap dancing and splashing,
21:54and the song lilting and undemanding.
21:56But of course, great dancing is never as easy as it looks.
22:00It's the combination of all these elements that elevate the scene.
22:15And of course, there is Kelly's expert grace, control, and brilliant interaction with the
22:19physical environment.
22:20It doesn't even seem possible that Kelly had a 103-degree fever while filming this scene.
22:26Talk about being the consummate artiste.
22:28This one scene is the inspiration for many other homages and parodies.
22:32And it deserves it.
22:44Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
22:48Time After Time, Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion.
22:51As one of the best films about high school, also has an unforgettable dance.
23:05The Time Warp, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
23:08Because it's more than just a jump to the left and a step to the right.
23:22Revolting Children, Matilda the Musical.
23:24Because those kids and that choreography went hard and it was glorious.
23:36I've Had the Time of My Life, Dirty Dancing.
23:39Because this 80s rom-com dance also has us flying high.
23:53You Can't Stop the Beat, Hairspray.
23:55Because you can't beat the beat of this iconic finale.
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24:26Number 1.
24:27An American in Paris, An American in Paris.
24:29To top this list, we have to go with a dance number that has all the qualities we've talked
24:33about so far and more.
24:35That must be An American in Paris, choreographed by Gene Kelly to George Gershwin's gorgeous
24:40symphonic jazz tone poem of the same name.
25:02This 17-minute ballet, depicting an American's romance with a Parisian girl, has so many
25:07wonderful moments it's hard to choose the standout ones.
25:11There's the dreamy first meeting scene, for instance, and the park duet.
25:29But there's also the achingly beautiful pas de deux, set to the gorgeous love theme, topped
25:34only by the triumphant ballroom entrance.
25:36It's an unforgettable journey, all without a single word spoken, and a tribute to the
25:41art of dancing itself.
25:58Which other thrilling dance routines do you feel will go down in the annals of history?
26:02Let us know in the comments down below!
26:14Do you agree with our picks?
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