Few things energize a movie more than a dance sequence. There’s just so much that can be said with rhythmic moves rather than words. For actors, it’s vital to study how a performer uses their body and the space around them to reveal the intricacies of their character. If you’re looking for a master class in movement, check out this list.
“The Little Colonel” (1935) - A historic stair dance
Dance pioneer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson teaching early-film icon Shirley Temple his signature stair dance in David Butler’s “The Little Colonel” — need we say more? Well, we could mention that this is the first interracial dance sequence in Hollywood’s history, breaking boundaries as its two subjects bust moves. Watch and be equal parts charmed and mesmerized.
“Stormy Weather” (1943) - “Jumpin’ Jive”
Fred Astaire once called this moment in Andrew L. Stone’s all-Black musical “the greatest dance number ever filmed.” All these years later, his words would still hold up in a court of law (if the law were used for such things). Accompanied by Cab Calloway and his orchestra, the joyful tap-dancing scene features the Nicholas Brothers, Fayard and Harold, doing a jaw-dropping and highly energetic routine in a single take. While the band certainly gets involved bopping and swaying along, it’s the Nicholas Brothers having the time of their lives who really make this scene unparalleled.
“An American in Paris” (1951) - Dream dance finale
The movie’s final 17 minutes is entirely danced through—an impressive feat, and not just because of the feet involved. According to Gene Kelly, who was at the centerpiece of the magic alongside Leslie Caron, he and director Vincente Minnelli designed the dance as a purely cinematic spectacle: “If the camera is to make any contribution at all to dance, this must be the focal point of its contribution; the fluid background, giving each spectator an undistorted and altogether similar view of dancer and background,” Kelly wrote for Dance Magazine. “To accomplish this end, the camera is made fluid, moving with the dancer, so that the lens becomes the eye of the spectator, your eye.”
“Singin’ in the Rain” (1952) - “Good Morning”
There are incredible dance scenes throughout “Singin’ in the Rain,” directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen and choreographed by Kelly, but this one gets the nod because it features all three of the film’s gifted stars. The “Good Morning” sequence sees Kelly’s Don Lockwood, Debbie Reynolds’ Kathy Selden, and Donald O’Connor’s Cosmo Brown realize they should turn their latest project not just into a talkie but a musical. It’s hard not to be impressed by every frame and movement in this scene, which epitomizes the age of the big-studio Technicolor musical.
“Bande à part” (1964) - Group dance
The dance scene from Jean-Luc Godard’s 1964 crime-comedy is perhaps the most iconic of the French New Wave era. Our three leads, Franz (Sami Frey), Arthur (Claude Brasseur), and Odile (Anna Karina), take a break from plotting a robbery to drink and dance in a crowded cafe. The too-cool kids and their casually synchronized moves embody the understated, effortlessly hip aesthetic of France’s cinema revolution—and were actually a direct inspiration for another film mentioned later on this list.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) - “Time Warp”
This is, perhaps, the most iconic dance scene in culture, if for nothing more than its transcendence—from stage to film to live performances still happening at midnight in theaters around the world. Jim Sharman’s subversive film and its catchy tune are a moment of camp perfection. And it’s one of the few dance sequences that tells you exactly how to get involved.
“Grease” (1978) - The hand jive
Born to hand jive, baby! This frenetic, fantastic routine highlights the beauty of the ensemble. Stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are at its center, but Stockard Channing as Rizzo, Annette Charles as Cha Cha, and the entire background ensemble give the scene life. It all oozes such nostalgic, youthful energy that you don’t quite notice everyone’s playing below their age.
“Risky Business” (1983) - The underwear dance
Not yet one of the most recognizable movie stars on the planet, Tom Cruise truly broke out into the mainstream the moment he slid into frame, sans pants. What’s even better? The scene was completely improvised, according to Cruise. Study this scene (and the entire film) to see how an up-and-comer graduates to full-time scene-stealer.
“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985) - Tequila dance
Born from Paul Reubens’ stand-up routine, the tequila dance in Tim Burton’s “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” is so endlessly memorable because it’s solidly rooted in character. It wouldn’t work coming from just anybody; the dance is so quintessentially Pee-wee, as established by Reubens—the indelible energy, the endearing lack of self-consciousness, the frenetic spirit even in the face of naysayers. It’s not about how you would move to the music, it’s about what your character would do.
“Beetlejuice” (1988) - Harry Belafonte’s “Banana Boat”
This moment, one of the more iconic “dance around a table” scenes ever, is all about the choreography being played for comic effect. And, boy oh boy, does the film absolutely nail the tone of Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) interrupting the Deetz family’s dinner party with a bit of tropical possession. Most memorably, the comedy chops of Catherine O’Hara are on full display, showcasing the power of playing big physicality completely straight.
“Pulp Fiction” (1994) - Twist contest
Remember those moves in “Bande à part”? Quentin Tarantino took inspiration from Godard for this instantly iconic moment in “Pulp Fiction.” The moves here aren’t exactly tricky, but the chemistry and coolness of John Travolta and Uma Thurman are undeniable, all shot wide to showcase the extremely vibey production design.
“Practical Magic” (1998) - Midnight margaritas
Naturally, our second “dance around a table” scene is the midnight margaritas moment from Griffin Dunne’s witchy 1998 classic starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, and Stockard Channing (making her second appearance on this list). Awoken from their sleep, Sally and Gillian Owens (Bullock and Kidman) join their aunts Frances and Jet (Channing and Wiest) in a bit of tequila-fueled movement and merriment. The dancing is freeform and fun, adding to the underlying dread that’s creeping into the sisters’ lives.
“Napoleon Dynamite” (2004) - The talent show
Everything about Jared Hess’ “Napoleon Dynamite” (and its title character, played by Jon Heder) is unexpected on first viewing. Nowhere is this better represented than in the indie comedy’s dance scene at the school talent show. With the tightly budgeted shoot winding down, Heder largely improvised Napoleon’s awkwardly erotic moves that serve as a pivotal moment of the coming-of-age story. “That’s the whole theme of the movie. Everything leads up to this. Napoleon’s been this loser. This has to be the moment where he lands a victory,” Heder told Portland Monthly. A special shout-out to the use of earworm-y Jamiroquai bop “Canned Heat,” itself an ode to dancing.
“13 Going on 30” (2004) - “Thriller” dance
Is there anything cuter than Jennifer Garner playing a body-swapped version of her tweenage self, dancing with that fervent prepubescent energy? To go from making a fool of yourself to getting Mark Ruffalo’s Matt character into the groove, there’s nothing that isn’t charming about this scene.
“RRR” (2022) - “Naatu Naatu”
Few movies are as grand in scale as S.S. Rajamouli’s 2022 period action drama, and at the heart of that grandeur is the dance accompanied by Oscar-winning best original song “Naatu Naatu.” Playing a revolutionary and a military officer who unknowingly enter a deep bond of brotherhood, stars N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan absolutely dominate the screen with their moves, highlighted by the colorful production design and zippy cinematography. All of that coupled with an absolute earworm of a song, and well, you’ve got one of the most memorable dance sequences of the 21st century.
