Dance has been a universal language, transcending barriers and connecting people through the art of movement. Over the years, filmmakers have captured the spirit and energy of dance in a variety of genres, creating some of the most beloved and iconic dance movies of all time. From classic romance to intense competition, these films have not only showcased incredible choreography but have also left an indelible mark on popular culture. Here, we explore the top 10 most popular dance movies that have stood the test of time.
1. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Dirty Dancing is a romantic drama film about Frances "Baby" Houseman, a young woman who spends the summer of 1963 at a family resort in the Catskills. There, she meets Johnny Castle, a charismatic dance instructor who works for the resort. Baby is fascinated by Johnny and his style of dancing, which is sensual and provocative. She volunteers to replace his regular partner, Penny, who needs an abortion after getting pregnant by one of the resort's staff.
As Johnny teaches Baby how to dance, they develop a strong attraction and fall in love. However, their relationship faces many obstacles, such as their different social backgrounds, Baby's father's disapproval, and the resort's strict rules. The film culminates with a memorable dance scene where Johnny and Baby perform the song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life."
2. Step Up (2006)
Step Up is a movie that tells the story of Tyler Gage, a rebellious street dancer from a poor neighborhood in Baltimore, who gets a chance to pursue his dream of becoming a professional dancer after vandalizing a prestigious performing arts school. There, he meets Nora Clark, a talented and ambitious student who needs a new partner for her senior showcase. Despite their different backgrounds and styles, they agreed to work together and develop a unique fusion of hip-hop and classical dance.
Along the way, they face various challenges and obstacles, such as Tyler's criminal past, Nora's demanding boyfriend, and the pressure of their future careers. Will they be able to overcome their differences and step up to their potential? Step Up (2006) is a movie that combines romance, drama, and music in a captivating and inspiring way. Step Up was a box office success, grossing over $114 million worldwide. It also spawned a media franchise, including five sequels and a television series.
3. La La Land (2016)
La La Land is a musical romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. It stars Ryan Gosling as a jazz pianist and Emma Stone as an aspiring actress, who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles while pursuing their dreams. The film's title refers to both the city of Los Angeles and the idiom of being out of touch with reality.
La La Land received critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, music, performances, cinematography, and production design. It won a record-breaking seven awards at the 74th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and received 14 nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, tying the record for most nominations with All About Eve (1950) and Titanic (1997). It also won six Oscars, including Best Director and Best Actress, but lost Best Picture to Moonlight (2016) in a controversial mix-up.
4. Black Swan (2010)
Black Swan is a psychological horror thriller film that explores the dark side of artistic perfection. The film follows Nina (Natalie Portman), a ballerina in a New York City ballet company who is cast as the Swan Queen in a production of Swan Lake.
Nina is obsessed with achieving perfection in her performance, but she faces competition from Lily (Mila Kunis), a new dancer who embodies the Black Swan, the seductive and dangerous counterpart of the White Swan. As Nina struggles to balance her fragile mental state, her demanding artistic director (Vincent Cassel), and her overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey), she begins to experience hallucinations, paranoia, and self-harm.
The film culminates in a climactic performance where Nina transforms into the Black Swan on stage, but also stabs herself with a shard of glass, believing it to be Lily. She dies after completing her final dance, having achieved her perfect moment.
5. Footloose (1984)
Footloose is a musical drama film that follows the story of Ren McCormack, a teenager who moves from Chicago to a small town called Bomont. Ren loves rock music and dancing, but he soon finds out that both are banned in Bomont due to a tragic accident that killed four teenagers five years ago. The ban was enforced by Reverend Shaw Moore, the local minister and the father of Ariel, a rebellious girl who is attracted to Ren. Ren challenges the ban and tries to persuade the town council to allow a senior prom with dancing.
Along the way, he makes friends with Willard, a country boy who learns to dance from Ren, and clashes with Chuck, Ariel's abusive boyfriend. Ren also helps Reverend Moore to reconnect with his daughter and his congregation, and to realize that dancing is not a sin. The film ends with Ren and Ariel dancing together at the prom, while the town celebrates their newfound freedom. The film features a soundtrack of popular songs from the 1980s, such as "Footloose," "Let's Hear It for the Boy," and "Holding Out for a Hero."
6. Flashdance (1983)
Flashdance is a 1983 American romantic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne and written by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas. It stars Jennifer Beals as Alex Owens, a young woman who works as a welder by day and a dancer at a nightclub by night. She dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer and gets a chance to audition for a prestigious dance school.
The film also features Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala, Sunny Johnson, Kyle T. Heffner, and Lee Ving. The film was a surprise box office hit, grossing over $200 million worldwide on a $7 million budget. It also spawned a successful soundtrack album that featured the hit song "Flashdance... What a Feeling" by Irene Cara, which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. The film is considered a classic of the 1980s and has influenced many pop culture references and parodies.
7. Save the Last Dance (2001)
Save the Last Dance is a teen dance film that explores the challenges of interracial romance and cultural differences. The film follows Sara Johnson (Julia Stiles), a white ballet dancer who moves to Chicago after her mother's death to live with her estranged father. She enrolls in a predominantly black high school, where she meets and falls in love with Derek Reynolds (Sean Patrick Thomas), a black student with a passion for hip-hop and a troubled past.
Derek helps Sara improve her dance skills and prepare for her audition at Juilliard, while Sara helps Derek pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. However, their relationship faces opposition from their families, friends, and society, who disapprove of their racial and cultural differences.
8. Center Stage (2000)
Center Stage is a film directed by Nicholas Hytner and written by Carol Heikkinen. It follows the lives of a group of young dancers who are accepted into the prestigious American Ballet Academy in New York City. The film explores the challenges and pressures they face as they compete for a spot in a professional ballet company, as well as their struggles with romance, friendship, and self-esteem. The film features a mix of professional dancers and actors, including Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Ethan Stiefel, and Peter Gallagher.
The film also showcases several ballet performances, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon and Susan Stroman. Center Stage (2000) received mixed reviews from critics but was praised for its realistic portrayal of the ballet world and its impressive dance sequences. The film has a cult following among fans of dance movies and has spawned two direct-to-video sequels: Center Stage: Turn It Up (2008) and Center Stage: On Pointe (2016).
9. Honey (2003)
Honey is a movie about a young dancer and choreographer named Honey Daniels who dreams of making it big in the music industry. She works as a bartender and a dance teacher at a community center in New York, where she meets Raymond and Benny, two talented street dancers.
When Honey gets a chance to work with a famous music video director, she thinks her career is taking off, but she soon realizes that he wants more than her talent. He threatens to blacklist her if she doesn't sleep with him, and she refuses. Honey loses her job and her studio, but she doesn't give up on her passion. She decided to organize a dance benefit to raise money for the community center, which is facing closure due to safety issues. She also tries to help Benny, who is involved in drug dealing and ends up in prison. With the support of her friends, family, and love interest Chaz, Honey puts on a spectacular show that showcases her talent and her heart.
10. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
Saturday Night Fever is a classic American musical drama film directed by John Badham and starring John Travolta as Tony Manero, a young man who spends his weekends dancing and romancing at a Brooklyn discotheque. The film features some of the most iconic disco songs of all time, such as "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever" by the Bee Gees, and showcases Travolta's impressive dance moves and charismatic performance.
The film also explores the themes of youth culture, class conflict, sexuality, and identity in 1970s New York City. Saturday Night Fever was a huge commercial and critical success, earning Travolta an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the decade. The film is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential films of the musical genre and has inspired many sequels, remakes, parodies, and homages over the years.
Conclusion
These top 10 most popular dance movies have not only entertained but have also become cultural touchstones, showcasing the power of dance to convey emotion, tell compelling stories, and captivate audiences. As the world of cinema continues to evolve, these films stand as a testament to the enduring popularity and timeless allure of dance in all its forms. Through the magic of choreography and storytelling, these movies invite us to join in the celebration of movement and the universal language of dance on the grand stage of cinema.
Watch more: Top 10 Most Influential Dance Movies