Top 20 Greatest Dance Scenes in Dance Movies 

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Sorry, the Hines/Baryshnikov dance from White Nights deserves a spot on the list, not an honorable mention.

The Nicolas Brothers in stormy weather...is the greatest of them all....and they did it in ONE TAKE!!

Every time I see Gene Kelly’s “Singing in the Rain” I just smile. What a lovely routine. Warms the heart.

One of my all time favorite dance performances is from Singing in the Rain. People often forget the genius choreography from Moses. Donald O'Connor and Kelly were brilliant. Tap dancing their way on top of the desks with slippery paper falling under their feet is awesome. Donald O'Connor is one of the best dancers of all time!!!

You mean to tell me Donald O’Connor almost killing himself on « Make Em Laugh » does not even get a mention!???!! 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Honorable mention: Shirly temple with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson any scene they danced together was amazing! A Five year old keeping up with a professional tap dancer was amazing.

No matter how down I am, Footloose never fails to put a smile on my face and get my feet dancing, such an infectiously happy song.

With so many iconic dance sequences competing for a spot on the list, I'm not surprised that one of my favorites was missing. And perhaps it's a stretch to call it "great" but I absolutely LOVE the beautifully choreographed "traditional" dance performed by Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music. Seamlessly inserted into the story, it nevertheless moves the plot forward and is, for my money, one of the sweetest dance routines ever put on film.

I think Shall We Dance from the King and I is one of the most iconic dance scenes ever filmed! It’s magical!

The Nicholas Brothers were phenomenal and deserved much more than they got. Today they would have been celebrated to the hilt. So much talent.

I was a real life dancer until a genetic condition showed its face and now I am in a wheelchair. I will always look back on my dancing days as something very special. :-)

Bob Fosse is a genius and any musical he helps create instant success.

I was so pleased when I saw 7 brides for 7 brothers made the list!

As Ginger Rogers said when people gushed over Fred Astaire's talent, "I do everything he does only backward and in high heels."

You could do an entire list just based on Bob Fosse. He was the greatest choreographer of the century.

I actually loved the Jazz Hot routine from Victor, Victoria.

Honestly, there are so many good dance scenes in movies. This list could go on forever.

Fun fact: Jumpin' Jive was shot in one take and without rehearsal. The Nicholas brothers were the greatest dancers of all time, and even Fred Astaire said so.

Fred Astaire and Elinor Powell dancing to Begin the Bigine is my absolute favorite dance scene . These are very complicated steps yet they make it look effortless.

My mom mastered one of these dances and that is what a feeling. She performed it in a talent show at a old school. Everyone applauded for her

Strictly Ballroom was such an underrated move. Loved it from beginning to end.

Bob Fosse is mentioned three times in this video (Cabaret, All that Jazz and Chicago - the choreography is from the musical theater version he did). He was a great genius. :)

I will never get enough of musicals !!! I'm 73 and have seen every musical from the past -- they are hard to beat, for sure, but I was never so mesmerized by John Travolta's dancing as I was in ""Staying Alive". And yet this movie is never featured in the Top ??? dances or movie's to see. Why is that ???? In this movie, Cynthia Rhodes is phenomenal (as she was in Dirty Dancing), and I couldn't stop watching Finola Hughes dancing. I even loved the story line !!!

So many great, entertaining moments. Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr in the famous "Shall We Dance" ballroom dance scene. Shirley Temple with Mr. Bill Robinson dancing on the stairs in The Little Colonol. Travolta and Uma Thurman doing the Twist in Pulp Fiction to "You Never Can Tell". The large crowd dance in the desert in Jesus Christ Superstar. Can Bye, Bye Birdie w/Ann Margaret get an honorable mention? The "Super Freak" dance in Little Miss Sunshine. I couldn't help but smile all the way through the dance scene to "That's How You Know" in Central Park in the movie Enchanted. The Breakfast Club dance scene when the kids are in detention. The cringe worthy dance of Napolean Dynamite. Too many awesome dances of Anne Miller, Danny Kaye, Donald O'Conner. What about Ester Williams with her underwater dances? Tom Cruise - not in Risky Business, but the comedic dance in Tropic Thunder. So many memorable dance scenes creating fun times. One more - I don't remember the movie, but Christopher Walken dancing through a building - awesome.

I was born in 1961; but I saw West Side Story on TV when I was about 12 years old and it blew me away. It always remained in my head. Just something about it.

I’m 60 years old and I remember being 5 or 6 years old standing on my Daddy’s toes as he danced around to Fred Astaire singing, “Cheek to Check”. So, my vote goes to Fred & Ginger! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I personally loved James Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy! or Cagney with Bob Hope in the dance off, from the movie The Seven Little Foys

Al Pacino tango in Scent of a Woman was perfect

Just remember, ginger did everything fred did , but backwards and in high heels.

R.I.P Ann Reinking

One of my all-time favorite movie dance scenes is when the Jets have to be “Cool!” Such spectacular and emotional dancing!! Unbelievable that then-19 year old Eliot “Baby John” Feld was terribly sick during this number and STILL killed it with all the rest!

The Nicholas brothers are so talented & thank you for highlighting them.

Gene Kelly's "Singing in the Rain" dance is a perfect number one, but his amazing dance number with Cyd Charisse later in the film certainly deserved mention.

How about Top 10 Fred Astaire and/or Gene Kelly dances? Those 2 WERE Film dancing for 30 years!

The dance with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music should have been on this!! It was absolutely beautiful!!

"Cellblock Tango" is actually difficult to dance the tango to, because it isn't really written as a partners dance. Ginger Roger's dress in "Dancing Cheek to Cheek" was beautiful but it shed feathers the whole time. Fred Astaire said that it was like dancing with a snow storm. After that, his nick-name for her was "Feathers."

If you ask me best dance in the movie Grease - i would never say You’re the One That I Want. It would be Hand Jive.

Ok but I totally agree with the first pick. Gene Kelly was a flippin Genius.

It‘s crazy how acrobatic the dances were back in the day. You don’t see that nowadays.. absolutely insane!

In my youth I was an Arthur Murray ballroom dance instructor. The tango is definitely among my favorites--a license to become a total drama queen.

Thank you for including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The dancing is amazing and athletic and I never cease to be amazed when Russ Tamblyn dives head first off the second floor of the barn and tuck rolls at the last second and co rubies the dance fight. One of Hollywood’s best ever musicals.

I love that you included White Nights eve if it is an honorable mention because yes both both Masters deserve credit for the amazing work they did.

This list makes me smile. So many great memories! Another honorable mention: Marilyn Monroe, Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend. The beautiful ballet dancers in the beginning, in their soft long pink tutus and flowers in their hair. The Men lifting her across the floor seamlessly towards the camera. It seems simple, but it’s not. As a former dancer I can attest to this. All the subtleties in the movements and arm placements. Of course the little shimmies that just flow naturally, so they seem so easy. The singing and the iconic outfit she wears, tends to outshine the dance number itself. 💖

Definitely agree with #1. Gene Kelly's athleticism was amazing.

James Cagney dancing down the stairs at the end of Yankee Doodle Dandy should have at least been an honorable mention.

The Blues Brothers, Ray's Music Exchange/'Shake A Tail Feather'

I loved A Chorus Line and as a kid with my friends would try to learn the audition dance and final dance, good times. I still love the style of that eras dance ware, shinny lycra leotards & catsuit, leg warmers & jazz shoes 😁.

Delighted that you added the Tango from Moulin Rouge!! Such an intense and precise dance. I totally agree with the list but then also remembered Diamonds are a Girls's Best Friends.

“Whatever Lola Wants” or “Who’s Got the Pain” from “Damn Yankees” needed to be here. Both dance numbers are truly iconic and how can the incomparable Gwen Verdon not be a part of this?

I was super happy to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers included among these iconic movies. I think it's a very underrated movie. Even if you thought the story was silly, there was so much choreography and good writing in there, it's a classic.

"smooth criminal " from the "moonwalker" was the most cohesive, theatrical, dramatic, exciting with the moves like the "lean"- iconic.

any fosse dance is insane, and so awesome

I'm in the age group that can recall most musicals, from the Busby Berkeley era of the '30s up to the present day offerings. It would be impossible to name everyone's favourite musical dance scene as tastes change over the years. Every musical ever made brings something to the table. I'll just say, to quote ABBA, "Thank you for the Music."

This could be Top 100 dances and it still wouldn't be enough! LOL

My heart is super happy to see Seven Brides for Seven Brothers -- and in the top 10 no less.. This is my favorite musical and this dance scene I watch over and over... Never gets old..

Jennifer Beals face is still one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen in my life - yes I know it isn’t her dancing here but her coy sadness when looking at the judges (and her incredibly young age - she was 18!) is amazing!

Don't know if it's Top 20, but always loved Gene Nelson's "Kansas City" number in "Oklahoma!". Makes me smile every time!

Really great list....I’m just a little sad that Cyd Charisse didn’t feature at all....great dancer, her number with Fred in The Band Wagon didn’t even get an honourable mention...oh dear

The word "flashdance" was invented to describe the Nicholas Brothers. They should be number 1 in any list of dance numbers. And you should see them in Down Argentina Way. Amazing.

Those dances, during the golden era, they're part love story, part fantasy. The soaring, beautiful fantasy is what you feel when you fall in love.

The dance in the sewers from Guys and Dolls. One of the greatest dance numbers of all time, either on stage or on screen.

What about the wine bottle wedding reception dance from Fiddler On The Roof, the dream sequence in The Red Shoes, the seductive ballet rehearsal in Center Stage, Oklahoma's dream sequence dance number

A Chorus Line has been one of my favorite musicals since I was a kid. i loved Stormy Weather, Grease, Flashdance and Dirty Dancing as well.

while fed and ginger are iconic, his knockout pairing with eleanor powell in cole porter's "begin the beguine" (from "broadway melody of 1940") is absolutely amazing. powell was completely astaire's equal as far her phenomenal capabilities as a dancer, and it really shows in this routine: two masters at the peak of their art.

Donald O’Connor Debbie Reynolds And Gene Kelly Doing the Song GoodMorning, from Singing in the Rain ☔️ Was a great dance number too.

I really liked "All that Jazz". The dancing is phenomenal in it. I watched this movie in 1979, I was 18. Then I watched it on the internet about 10 years ago and was just as amazed by it as I was back in 1979. The only difference was, in my early 50's I had a better understanding of what the movie was about. As a teenager, I was just drawn in by the dancing.

A movie that deserves more notice is Shall We Dance (1996) the Japanese version with English subtitles. A beautiful expression of the love of dance.

White Christmas is one of my favorite movies. And Mandy is a lot of fun. However, the best dancing in that musical is Choreography. When Vera-Ellen descends to perform her machine-gun tempo taps I become mesmerized. A good list.

I’ve always liked “Make ‘Em Laugh” from “Singing in the Rain”, too.

Mein Herr is my absolute favorite. I've always been obsessed with the song and choreography. Liza is just the most Fab. Fosse style and choreography is so intricate and difficult to do well!

A surprisingly good list. I understand that you don't want any one dancer to dominate the list, but I think that Astaire's "You're All The World To Me" from Royal Wedding and his hat rack dance from the same movie are at least worth an honorable mention. I would also say that the Nicholas Brothers' "Jumpin Jive" dance sequence from Stormy Weather is spectacular.

The movie Cabaret from 1972 was not an adaptation but the original musical. It was the first musical film in history to inspire a broadway show. The broadway production of Cabaret was the adaptation.

The dancing in Singin in the Rain for Good Morning or Make Em Laugh was much more impressive, IMO

The "Time After Time" dance in "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion". Christopher Walken in "Pennies from Heaven."

I love that Singing In the Rain made #1! Gene Kelley was sick with a fever during that scene though you can't tell it. The old musicals were full of such true talent that is scarce today. One of my other favorites is the Masquerade scene in Phantom of the Opera.

I am rarely passionate about commenting on youtube but I truly cannot believe you entirely missed the Cyd Charisse number with Gene Kelly in the very same movie (Singing in the Rain) which is SOOOOO much better than the rain scene. I notice someone else mentioned it below (very wise :) ) and right now has 248 likes. It is probably the best dance scene of all time to probably millions. From my view, Cyd Charisse was the best dancer of all time (and Gene Kelly right up there with her). She did a similar number with Fred Astaire in Bandwagon. Again, just stunning to watch. Also I'd add the tango scene with Salma Hayak and Ashley Judd from Frida, as well as the Antonio Banderas number (also tango) from Take the Lead- (Wow!! ). The gym dance scene in West Side Story- I'm glad to see it there but what about I like it Here in America was every bit as good? Jerome Robbins was an amazing choreographer. And another that probably a lot of people don't know about is where the incredible Ann Reinking dances with the little girl in All that Jazz. I would place all of these in the top 5 for my book of truly gorgeous choreographer and performance. :) And thank you to the reader below who pointed out Mariam Lavelle. I have never seen anything like that ever- and in heels. I hope people check them out.

I had a smile on my face for the entire 24 minutes!

Glad to see Gregory Hines at least in the honorable mentions... but no mention of TAP?

Ok but speaking of awesome tap duos the Moses Supposes dance in Singing in the Rain brings me SO much joy. Easily one of my fave dance scenes

I once told my Mom that the singin' in the rain sequence was one of the greatest pieces in movie history! I don't know why it struck me. Perhaps because I love singing, dancing, and being in the rain!!!❤❤❤

I'm 100% on your number one pick. "Singin' In The Rain" is the most purely joyful dance number ever filmed. It's so happy it never fails to make me cry...go figure.

In the movie “Coming to America “ the dance scene when the African dancers perform before Eddie Murphy’s character meets his possible future queen always blows me away.

I met one of the Nicholas brothers in 1978. He was an older man & I always remember that meeting.

That routine from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is rarely included in these lists and it should be on all of them.

How many of y’all are leaving this video to watch dance movie clips? 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

I can't believe you mentioned 7 Brides for 7 Brothers!!! That was my favorite musical growing up! And I memorized that dance sequence! Well, as much as I could! 🥰

So glad you framed Liza in your title, my favorite scene. Bob Fosse exudes sexuality. All these dance scenes do in a way. The Nicholas brothers tap dance is sheer perfection. All done in ONE TAKE! I can hardly wait for your up date featuring Fergie, Penelope Cruz, and All the dance scenes from NINE. Somehow you didn't give enough of CHICAGO dance scenes.

I knew, interviewed and worked with Fayard Nicholas in the last decade of his life. He was an extraordinary, light filled, human being. He told me he taught Michael Jackson how to do the Moonwalk. I also asked him how did he rise up from those amazing splits? He said, “well once you’re down, you just come on up!” Obviously, it worked for him. God Bless him.

So... no, Step Up? I’m insulted. That scene in Step Up 3D where Moose and Camille danced down a a whole block in one take to ‘I Won’t Dance’ by Fred Astaire?

Glad that "Strictly Ballroom" got some love as an honorable mention.

Love musicals!!! Great list. White Nights is one of my favorites. So many wonderful performances. (Also, there so many others. The list could go on and on….) Pure joy!

“Molly Brown” the scene in the ballroom. Fabulous dancing by Debbie and company. All the dance numbers from 1961 “West Side Story.”😊

The finale dance number in Center Stage and the dance between JLo and Richard Gear in the darkened room from Shall We Dance are missing!

I'm so glad The Barn Dance from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers made the top 10! It's one of my favorite dance scenes of all time!

The Nicholas Brothers blow everyone else out of the water! They was amazing!!!

I don't know how you could omit Eleanor Powell, the Queen of Tap, especially with Fred Astaire, dancing to Begin the Beguine. But Eleanor Powell in anything beats anything else.

I remember when I was once a Rum Tum Tugger understudy in, “Cats,” in high school which I practiced the dance to the point where I know the steps from memory. I am not a skinny kid, I am chubby. But when I auditioned for the part, the instructor said that even though I didn’t be the one who performs, my dancing was really, REALLY good to not have me as an understudy. My first time on stage was during my high school’s play production of, “12 angry men,” which I auditioned for because my younger sister was in the tech crew, who built the set.

One of the most UNDERRATED dance scenes in the movie 'TAP' is when all the greatest tap dancers, AND dancers of all time, come together to show Max how to really get down on the dance floor. Dancers like Sandman Simms, Jimmy Slyde, Sammy Davis Jr and Harold Nicholas of The Nicholas Brothers were maybe 80+ plus years of age and they showed they still got it!! A must to consider for UNDERRATED dance scenes in a movie.

Thank you for posting all these clips. So much fun