Top 10 Dance Scenes in Dance Movies 

OMG me too !!! I thought it was just me!!!!

No question!!! My favourites too. :)

Definitely Footloose and Dirty Dancing. Rocky Horror is also zany fun too.

very good

5:10 Clark Kent..haha

Hey can you do 'Top Ten Children's Films That Adults Loved'

al might Why not suggest your video idea to watchmojo here! watchmojo.com/my/suggest.php

Itzzwan I cant be arsed. I'm lazy. so what

Itzzwan plus why are u saying this to me only when there are about two other peoples suggestions below? u haven't said anything to them so just shut up

Cinefix?

Jennyfisch not familiar with Cinefix? Can you elaborate?

@@lkendrix7782 Oh really? Then you just have a great knowledge of dance scenes and older movies. I never would have discovered the Nicolas Brothers if it weren't for Cinefix, they had a list of the best dance scenes and put the one from Stormy Weather at number one. I highly recommend Cinefix for any movie lover, btw, they really know movies. Great channel for film fans.

Jennyfisch thank you

Therse are all the most “iconic” dances like that everyone knows,honestly i 100% agree that dance sequence will never top anything

I suppose that we, yes we, are simply left to ponder why! 😉

I said and did the same

Astaire should be MUCH higher on the list. Singin' in the Rain is iconic but overblown. The movie as a whole was average and Gene Kelly simply was not up to Astaire's level as an overall entertainer.

Ivor Chandler That’s your opinion and that is fine. My opinion is that it was one of the best musicals ever made.

@@Engelke2007 Really? Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect yours, but I never liked Kelly's singing voice much. Astaire's voice wasn't great either, but I found it easier on my ear. Kelly had one of the most athletic dancing styles of all time but I found I appreciated Astaire's style and smoothness more than Kelly's athleticism. Still, like I said, singin' in the rain is iconic.

I agree. So many great dance movie scenes. It's hard to pick just 10 but I think this list nails it.

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Jessica, thank you for the best reply. Didn't need to be bitchy or complain about how WRONG this list makers' opinion is.Succinct and admirable in noting that it is impossible to create a list that is "right". Lighten up sheeple!!! Enjoy the clips and the effort put forth to create the list in the first place. And finally, all of you Laptop Critics, why don't you make your own damn list !!!! It would be a better use of your time and what fun it would be to see the variety of ideas and musical numbers. OK Ready, Set, GO!!

The title says dance scenes yet for most they just seemed to chose the entire move rather than a single scene.

Great!

Atalia Were they wearing tights?

that was in 'White Knights'

White Nights dude

"White Nights"

Absolutely. Russ Tamblyn was in that, too.

No. I need to look that up!

I watched this and came to the comments to say the exact same thing! When they jump over the axe handles and the jumping around on wooden beams. . Astonishing dancing in that sequence. Thanks for bringing it up.

Absolutely!

So glad you mentioned it! I could watch that movie over and over

Absolutely!

I prefer "Summer Nights" myself

Totally agree. There are so many good dance numbers in the movie, and "You're the one that I want" is one of the weakest.

Thank you! I remember being disappointed with the routine the first time I saw the movie and have always thought it overrated as a dance number and a song.

Thanks for your comment!

I agree. I mean, if we're talking the song, then "The one that I want" and "summer nights" both beat it, but the title says "top ten *dance* scenes".

Angela Carleton though I agree it was a great dance scene, I would have thought Holliday Inn, where Grace Kelly has to choose between Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in a combination sing and dance crossover was more iconic.

Christian Von Antz 10th vsno

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Rose Marie I agree! Shocking no mention of Gregory Hines? No mention of the innovators the Nicolas Brothers in the all time Classic Movie, “Stormy Weather!” The dance scene where the Nicolas Brothers dance all over the night club, over tables and chairs. Up the stairs then slide down the stairs only to dance up again then drop down each stair over the other brother! This is in my opinion, the most dramatic dance scene in the history of dance scene ever made! This is the most under appreciated moment in the world of dance. The Nicolas Brothers were and still are the innovators that set a high standard for all dance scenes to follow!

@@lkendrix7782 You better preach!!!

Also no Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

yes greg and mikail barishnakov..i know i butchered his name..i love their dance scene!!!!!!!!!!!

Rose Marie Gregory Hines and the greatest dancer of all Fred Astaire

Yessssss

Absolutely!! It features my favorite dance scene of all time. Their duel performance of tap and ballet.

See my above comment. I so agree!

Yes. I will never forget the dance where Baryshnikov throws his leg over the back of the chair. Whoa!

Yep! That's the one I was looking for.

That one would definitely have my vote.

Publicity4 DeCON No, they missed a lot! Start with the Nicolas Brothers. Then go from there!

They had a specific number of movies on the list-perhaps you didn't see the "10"" in the header. They didn't "miss" anything. You people are unreal.

Breakn' 1&2. Beat street.....

Serious 70s and 80s bias in this post, mainly just late 70s to mid 80s. There were tons of early 70s and earlier dance numbers, especially in 30s to 50s.

Larry P Canepa I soooo agree with you! Lol

My thought exactly!! How can ANY list about dance scenes in movies be taken seriously if that scene is neglected?! One of the best ever

That was my first thought when I clicked on this. How did they not include that movie scene. It was one of the most challenging and exciting scenes on film.

"Fame" should had made the list

That's the best dance scene ever!

Heather Scarlatelli EXACTLY what I was thinking. These lists are a joke.

Awful selection.

Iconic scene

Isobel Duncan but the actual ballet should’ve been #1

caole88 yes agree don't like to amit I'm getting old lol still like west's story the best seen it loads of times then got into grease old films old songs but that are good

caole88 q

Saturday night fever dancing numbers

Yes, yes, yes!!

Yes. No. Maybe.

I remember that movie and the dances there , never forget the first russian word that I learned LOL

Yup, they had some powerful legs!

They didn't watch that movie.

@@ginnyjollykidd and iron balls.

Holy moly, you're so right. How could that have been left out??!!

@@donaldpalmer8254 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_8yGGtVKrD8.html They should have.

I thought it was just Tap, but, yeah, not just Hines. Just great hoofing all over.

Yes he was him n Sammy Davis Jr. RIP

How about Shirley Temple dance scenes and the dance scene in Blast From the Past was awsome. Also I really liked the dance scene in Doc Hollywood.

I had that observation about 35 years ago, and still think the same.

Rogers is associated with the phrase "backwards and in high heels", the title of her memoir, attributed to Bob Thaves' Frank and Ernest 1982 cartoon with the caption "Sure he [Astaire] was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did... backwards and in high heels". This phrase is sometimes incorrectly attributed to Ann Richards, who used it in her keynote address to the 1988 Democratic National Convention.

Ann Richards said that at the DNC in 1988.

I'm so glad you mentioned that dance. Yes, it was truly incredible. As an older type, it's hard for me to equate the dancing in some of more recent films to some of the older ones. Anything choreographed by Bob Fosse or Jerome Robbins was incredible. And who can compete with the Nicholas Brothers, Gregory Hines, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Eleanor Powell, Ann Miller, Paula Kelly...the list goes on and on. I think dancing was more valued in the older movies. Yes, the dance numbers in Flashdance or Grease are fun and entertaining, but in my opinion, they just can't compare to some of those older movies.

Mojo must be operated by folks in their 20s...They don't know that movies were invented long before 1978.

@@davebow5646 Yeah. Most of their "lists".....SUCK!

@@davebow5646 This is very true. Most of their top ten lists always have serious omissions. I think their older inclusions are usually just by word of mouth or reputation.

Joel Stein and when I find me some kind of life I can live, I’m gonna get up and get out .. and live!!!!

Liesl and Rolfs Dance Scene is like... my fave thing ever lol

@@illusionsfan1 Their dance was very simple and does not have any degree of difficulty attached too it. An average person could do that dance.

Exactly. I was thinking 16 going on 17 too. Went on the Sound of Music tour and heard that the reason they closed the Gazebo was that a grandmother fell and broke her hip while reenacting the scene. They don't let ppl go inside the Gazebo anymore.

I totally agree with you 🤩💞

brides

maniachik92 - I totally agree! One of the most impressive and memorable dance scenes ever!

+maniachik92 Me too! That was some impressive dancing!

+maniachik92 YES! Thank you!

Unquestionably should have been NUMBER ONE. And a list without the Nicholas Brothers is utter nonsense.

Mike Salazar

Thank you! Very underrated movie, I always loved it.

So odd. I just watched the Nicholas Brothers/Stormy Weathers clip, which led me here. You are so right!!! They were definitely dancing legends and deserve to be on this list. Hopefully they are saving it for greatest dance scenes EVER in movie history. A legendary duo that should never be forgotten!!

Damn right! NO ONE out danced the Nicholas brothers!!!

Fred Astaire said the sequence by the Nicholas Brothers was the best dance scene ever filmed. Hard to disagree on some levels. Gene Kelly danced with the Brothers in the film The Pirate to the song Be A Clown. Nearly as athletic as Stormy Weather. One thing I don't like is saying this scene, person, song, whatever was better than this scene, person, song, whatever. Good is good and it's more gratifying to just watch and enjoy than rate and argue.

OMG!! I forgot those! They were amazing!!! There is so many that were so much greater that ‘Dancing in the Rain’ as number 1! I loved 'DitR'!! But a lot of others that were mentioned in this video & I didn’t think they were that great! BTW, have you seen Bob Hope & Jimmy Cagney competing w/ each other, in fun! Although I had to choose Bob Hope if I had to choose, Jimmy’s own style was too ’stiff like a puppet’, for me! Bob Hope was nice & loose, relax! See it @ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JOoNOs8Ql28.html

Watch morcombe and wise parody of ' singing in the rain '. I love seven brothers for seven brides. Then there's ' Paint Your Wagon '. Where they hijacked that stage coach of French Women. I couldn't believe what they said in the song! LOLS!

Well worth your while to look it up, if you have not seen it before.

Do you know what's the movie name for that scene at 0:20? if you do please tell me

+Plushtrap Hairspray.

Fred Astaire said of them they were the best dancers he ever saw.

Bob Cooke I'd have to agree with him, they are super amazing.

True...

Uileag MacAmhairghin THANK YOU!!!

Uileag MacAmhairghin how the heck could they have left out Seven Brides for Seven Brothers??

"step in time" choreography always reminded me of "the barn dance" in seven brothers

I so agree about the Barn Raising sequence from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" & Yes, how are the Nicolas Brothers are not even mentioned?

Yeah, this list is incomplete...there's no way you can have a 'best dancing' list with the Nicholas Brothers in it!

totally agree, but how about also the dance routine in White Nights with Misha Barishnikov and Gregory Hines....fabulous!!!

I believe the scene you are talking about is from the movie Stormy Weather, but yes absolutely fantastic.

Not only that, but Fred always did his dance scenes in one take, no cuts, and in full figure, no close ups. I've never seen any other dancer on film do that: not Michael Jackson, not the Dirty Dancing people. Only on the reality shows.

You are right. These people think that Footloose is a great film. ALL of the Dances are totally edited!

I pictured a finger shaking in my face when I read your comment. And I'm not even young! I'm over the hill. lol

Only a few musicals I will watch more than once, "Grease", "the Sound of Music". and "The Best little Whorehouse in Texas"

CHRISTINE... But when she dances... you die lol

I can't listen to this song without thinking of "A Clockwork Orange"... The cheerful, innocent song has become utterly creepy, haha!

Maybe but my preference for that film is the one he did with Cyd Charisse. She was superb.

I literally watched the movie for the first time last night, and was thinking to myself, "I have never in my life seen anything like this." That movie was actually the reason I searched for this video. I either had to confirm it would sit at number 1, or watch whatever movie topped it.

Watching Cyd I thought the screen was going to melt. What a dancer!!

That's the only good choice..these other choices are like listening to old 80's oldies.

ESPECIALLY the finale to _American in Paris_. I studied ballet for years. I was never any good, but I loved it, so I love dance movies. I love every movie listed here except _Grease_, whose message was that women should be willing to completely change who they are to get a man. But to include these movies and not that scene from _American in Paris_ proves that this caters to an audience that prefers pop stuff to classical art, which of course, is perfectly all right. But John Travolta in _Saturday Night Fever_ and NOT Baryshnikov in _Turning Point_ or Baryshnikov and Hines in _White Nights_? What about "Take Off With Us/Air Rotica" from _All That Jazz_? What about Twyla Tharp's work in _Hair?_ Come on. Kelley and Astaire are listed only once each, and Travolta is listed twice? Hey, I loved to disco, too, and sure Travolta was good at it. But it's not the same thing. Not even close. The title "Top 10 Fun Dance Scenes" might be appropriate, but these are NOT the top 10 dance scenes in terms of artistry. I'm not sure I could choose 10. But as much as I loved all of these movies, none of the pop-dance stuff would make my list at all. Kevin Bacon, Patrick Swayze, and John Travolta are not in the same league as Baryshnikov, Hines, Astaire, and Kelly, and they would never claim to be.

My sister and I learned to polka from watching that. It was great!

Even better in that movie the staged dance/play by Tuptim of Uncle Tom's Cabin was one of the most artistic and beautiful dance scenes I've ever seen. Though it doesn't feature the stars of the film it is staged by Jerome Robbins.

Yes. The “honorable mentions” for the most part were lame. 💃🏻🕺

I also love the dance scene you mentioned from "The King and I", love the song "Shall We Dance" too.

Shall we Dance? Oh, YEAH... one of my faves - all I could think of when the ballroom scene from the animated Beauty & the Beast was Anna & the King.

Me too! Patrick Swayze was a beautiful man! 💪🏻🙏

Oh man Patrick was my coming of age love lol 😍😉

Hi Emma, many thanks for telling us about cab calloway, I just watched it and wow!!! amazing!!! such talent

Lynne fox no problemo I think everyone needs to know about that masterpiece,just passing on a important PSA 😂👍🏼😊

Oh hell yeah

Nicholas Bros.Jumpin Jive #1, Donald O'Connors Make em Laugh # 2

The Nicholas Brothers should have been number one, their dance sequences were incredible!

Sabine Women, ancient story the Rape of the Sabine Women, maybe Roman?

Do you know what's the movie name for that scene at 0:20? if you do please tell me

+Plushtrap its hairspray

the barn raising would be my vote

There should be nous voyageons de ville en ville !

Yes-totally agree they should be in this list.

A master piece.

Barishnikov's solo to Vysotsky is the best for me.

Ah? I´m going looking for it...if it is in youtube. Thanks!

I used to do the routine on my gymnastic floor during breaks when I was about 13. we would play the music to that and flashdance.

starlightkisu Yes, Flashdance.

First thing I thought of

Very iconic

True...

Excellent point -- that is one of the top 10! Gee, they didn't even have it on their honorable mention list!

Actually, Shirley Temple dancing in ANY of her movies!! WOW, is all ANYONE CAN SAY!!

I love the dance from bye bye birdie it makes me wanna dance especially that leg kick ball change move!

You better believe it!!!!!!! 100% !!!!!!! oh by baybee....ah yeah, yeah yeah!

Bye bye Birdy is one of the great movied

EXACTLY

Fred and Ginger? shit everyone knows Fred and Rita Hayworth were the ones he said himself of everyone he danced with she was his most fav she was simply amazing and 1 of the most Beautiful Women of all time, period

Nicholas Brothers in Stormy Weather is just genius

THANK YOU! All of these are so iconic!!!!

I hate the ballet scene in American in Paris!

One of the very very BEST!!

@@llk3763 For sure!

Exactly.

I came here to comment the same one!

@@divaplavalaguna72 Russ Tamblyn!

That's because they were inspired by Michael Jackson

Um... I think you're confused. West Side Story premiered on Broadway in 1957 and was made into a film in 1961. Michael Jackson would have only been three years old when the movie was choreographed.

+mikeysdimples xo It is the other way round!! Michael Jackson actually got a lot of his inspiration from Fred Astaire and the old black and white Hollywood musicals and Bob Fosse in the movie The Little Prince - watch that one and you would think it was Michael Jackson and not Bob Fosse!

Ozeeguy Isabella Rose​ Sorry, my friend told me that. I dont know much about west side story sorry

+mikeysdimples xo That's OK. Young people today are not familiar with great performers over 40 years ago. I am 73 and I have seen some great musical movies. I used to be a professional dancer myself in London West End musicals and UK TV and the movie of Oliver!, which was made in 1967.

Thank goodness

omg yes!

I agree. That dance sequence of the brothers and their axes was beautifully choreographed.

TOTALLY!

Should separate cinema and theater West Side Story was choreographed for the stage as where Rocky Horror, Grease versus original cinema Saturday Night Live Flashdance and Footloose

Yep.

PAUL MANY OF US SAID THAT

Absolutely agree.

The Nicholas Brothers were far superior to any of the crap on this list.

Fred Kruse , thank you!

Exactly right. A very embarrassing oversight.

Call me madam...Donald o'connor and vera ellen dance to "it's a lovely day today ". Beautifully choreographed and danced perfectly by two of the greatest ofvallmtime.

7 will never be praised in this politically charged time because its story does not fit the narrative... such a shame it will never make a list like this.

Thank you for that SuperSadie! What can you say about a dance number ends up bringing down a barn at the end!

One of the best female dancers of all time was Vera Ellen who was featured is many of Danny Kaye's movies

West Side Story may have set the tone for modern dancers, but Gene Kelly, Ben Vereen, and Fred Astaire will always be iconic classics of the dance movie genre.

These two are definitely top 2 for me but yeah, I think I’d swap them.

I HATE Dirty Dancing!!!🤢🤮👎 Dirty Dancing SUCKS!!!!!

Funny... I think of the newest GODZILLA movie... LMAO

Lance Childs You mean the 1998 one where Matthew Broderick sings it?

Yes.,.. Not well mind you... But good enough lol

Lance Childs The "newest Godzilla movie" is in theaters right now. Also, there have been many that came out since the 1998 one.

me to !!!!!!!!

That's a good one! And also "Fit as a fiddle" :D

Also "Moses Supposes"

Hippie Dachshunds Oh Nelly, someone's showin' their age! Yep, I loved that scene. I remember it when I was a kid. :-)

Mary Patterson guilty!

+Hippie Dachshunds I agree 100%, and would also mention Kiss Me Kate.

john890508 Good point.

+Hippie Dachshunds Seven Brides For Seven Brothers has many amazing dance numbers but that barn raising dance is amazing, you can't go wrong with Tommy Rall and Russ duking out by trying one up each other in that scene.

I loved that movie and scene.

OMG - love that movie! I'm guessing not a lot of people have seen it since it's Australian and American TV doesn't show it that much, but for anyone who liked Moulin Rouge, this is Baz Luhrmann's debut movie where he learned to direct dance. Antonio Vargas doing the Paso Doble in the training sequence is something to behold. Plus it has some very funny moments.

Have you ever seen Micail Barishnikov in White Knights? It deserves more than an honorable mention, which it didn't even get!

That is a wonderful dance number. But come on, let's be honest - it's impossible to make EVERYONE happy with a list like this. Do you know how many utterly awesome dance numbers have been produced in films? Literally HUNDREDS. No matter what they put in there, a whole lot of people would disagree.

olivermarlester

Dirty Dancing should have been number one

Janet Siegel, I'm glad to read that I'm not the only person that has seen this movie.

That was a great movie.

such a glaring omission its not included above. the barn raising dance is the BEST dance scene in cinema history....

That’s what I thought too. I was waiting for that to rank. My fav is Pole cat. The dancing with axes and saws is incredible.

Janet Siegel definitely. I just watched the movie a couple of days ago after years and those moves were great

So it has to be terribly unpopular for you to enjoy? Or do you just not enjoy anything. Remember what Duke Ellington said; If it sounds good, then it IS good.

@@762radron That is sadly a sucker's argument by misrepresenting what I said by taking it to the opposite extreme. That works for Fox News. But this is about dance. Some things in life are durable and deep. They may be popular, but they don't have to be. My point is popularity does not guarantee quality. Speaking personally, as I get older "cool" usually means giving something a second, suspect look. Some really great artists have been passed over by popularity because they weren't "the" trend at the moment.

So if it's popular it's not art? If it's not popular it's art? You sound like a snob. If it sounds good, it IS good. - Duke Ellington

How then is it definitive? (Complete, ultimate?)

@@762radron Absolutely the WHITEST MOST EXCLUSIONARY LIST EVER -- Duke Ellington is rolling in his grave

Right on!

@@ms.glorimar Right!! Also Swing Kids.

@@ms.glorimar Viva Las Vegas, Elvis and Anne-Margret.

no Bob Fosse... and this voice is so annoying !!!

@@thisklik Exactly! The only Fosse work mentioned was Cabaret. SHAME!! The "Take off With Us" number from All That Jazz was magnificent! How about Kiss Me, Kate? Or Fosse with Gwen Verdon?? All these are better than Grease, to begin with. magnificent. How about his work in Kiss Me, Kate?? And much as I love Singin' in the Rain, American in Paris is better dance-wise.

Zelda of Arel, they do a great disservice by not showing the movies you mentioned to younger audience, because they'll never discover how wonderful they are and how beautiful and incredibly technical these talented people were.

The more I watch "Silk Stockings", the more I am impressed with it. Especially when Cyd Charisse sheds her "dowdy" clothes to the height of Paris fashion. And "Stereophonic Sound."

Don't forget THE KING AND I- SHALL WE DANCE

deborahlynnxyz this is actually a good point

You are absolutely right. But there are pious ppl everywhere. And, if I misspelled pious, it's b/c I'm not.

mmnmm, except maybe for letting his patrons pay him to screw their wives behind their backs lmfao. real upstanding type.

Summer Noybn the way you argue is a tad weird, have to say... you sound like you’re arguing like he was a real person... 🤦🏼‍♀️

This is a pretty groundbreaking discovery.

It just further proves they cant do it naturally, only choreographed!!!!!

Until they show a movie where the cast is pre-dominantly black or have Hip-Hop in the standings instead of showing the "main stream" commercially successful films. lol

Well they did invent the Riverdance.

idk where that sterotype comes from? ive always believed white people can dance, hell whites created most dances

absolutely--WSS was IT.

I will agree that Saturday Night Fever helped bring on a cultural change, but the dancing was terrible compared to West Side Story. Not very good in fact compared to what disco dancers were doing on the floor. We were embarrassed by it. As with you, I also enjoy all the old musicals, love them in fact. And there are so many musicals with dance numbers that were better than most of this list (7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Carousel, on and on). So although I agree with most of what you say, I think you are being unfair to the fabulous choreography and superb dancers of West Side Story. I can only presume that you don't care much for jazz and modern dance.

nickynichols3 ☺️ WSS is just great.

nickynichols3 : Totally agree! I was surprised at the acclaim Travolta received for his dancing. One could find better dancing in the local club. It WAS embarrassing to those who could dance. Saturday Night Fever was entertaining, but like the character Travolta played in the movie, many recognized others were better.

I was very surprised none of the 7 Brides for 7 Brothers numbers made the list. Thanks for mentioning it in your comment. I'm not the only one who missed it! And as you said, many of the other old musicals were also surprisingly passed over.