Top 10 Best Disney Channel Dance Scenes
#10: The “Undercover Superstar” ‘Auditions’
“That's So Raven” (2003–07)
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Raven has a vision about an undercover scout visiting her school. But, as always, she skims the details and accidentally sends her classmates into a frenzy. Everyone pulls out all the stops to get noticed, giving us some memorable performances. Cory envisions himself as “King of the Keys” – it’s not really happening, but it’s spectacular! Meanwhile, Eddie takes his shot on the basketball court. Plus, we totally want to replicate Chelsea’s number anytime we find ourselves alone in a hallway. Of course, it’s Raven who truly steals the show with a performance that wouldn’t be out of place in a music video. We’re glad her triple-threat talents got to shine. Too bad that’s not what this undercover agent was looking for.
#9: “Something to Dance For”
“Shake It Up” (2010–13)
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We expected a lot of notable routines from a show about two friends who score gigs as dancers on a local TV show. And indeed, they delivered every time! Their jailbreak-themed routine in season one’s “Party It Up” is super impressive and fun. However, “Something to Dance For” captures the tone of the show and Rocky and CeCe’s friendship. The number, sung by Zendaya on the soundtrack, highlights the cast’s far-reaching skills, featuring more lyrical steps in addition to their usual commercial style. Their love of dance radiates throughout, too, making it a joy to watch. If any routine indicated the bright future that awaited the series’ young stars, this is it.
#8: “What I Said”
“Let It Shine” (2012)
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Performed by Coco Jones’ teen star Roxanne, it’s almost hard to believe this hip-hop-inspired performance originated in a DCOM! No, seriously, what right does this number have being this good? It has a catchy rhythm, killer choreography, and Coco Jones’ pure star power at its center. We don’t know what we did to deserve something this magnificent, but we can’t get enough of it. The moves remind us of some of our favorite dance-centric music videos, and Jones effortlessly holds our attention throughout. Is it any wonder “Let It Shine” became one of the most-watched DCOMs of 2012? With numbers like this, that’s well deserved. That’s “what [we] said”!
#7: “Dance Me If You Can”
“The Cheetah Girls: One World” (2008)
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As far as dance-offs go, this one ranks high! The Cheetah Girls fly to India to star in a Bollywood movie called “Namaste Bombay.” However, they soon butt heads with its choreographer, Gita. This leads to an epic dance battle that brings out the best of Bollywood and hip-hop. It features dynamic choreography, with both sides bringing their A-Game to outdance the other. We love how they showcase the two styles, especially when they fuse them together at the end. It celebrates dance's ability to bring people together. The group then shows off their newfound skills in the colorful and vibrant finale, “One World,” reiterating the power and universality of dance.
#6: "Push It to the Limit"
“Jump In!” (2007)
In 2007, we could barely turn on the Disney Channel without hearing this song or seeing its accompanying music video. But to be honest, we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Boxer Izzy, played by Corbin Bleu, finds himself immersed in the world of competitive jump rope. This number, taking place during the freestyle part of the film’s central competition, is quite the showstopper. Izzy, Keke Palmer’s Mary, and the rest of the Hot Chili Steppers give an unbelievable performance, showcasing insane levels of athleticism, energy, and talent. The troupe effortlessly makes Double Dutch look like a fine art. Even after all these years, it still makes our jaws still drop to the ground.
#5: “Get'cha Head in the Game”
“High School Musical” (2006)
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Who among us wasn’t at least trying to bust out the “We’re All in This Together” choreography perfectly at the drop of a hat? As iconic as it is, we had to go with this basketball-themed routine instead. C’mon, they’re dancing in perfect synchronization, incorporating basketballs to boot! The number’s choreographer (and the film’s director), Kenny Ortega, even cited it as one of his favorites, as he loves combining dance with sport. He undertook the mammoth mission of bringing together non-dancer athletes and “dancers that had never held a basketball” to create this musical spectacular under insanely tight time constraints. Needless to say, the end result is a slam dunk!
#4: "Chillin' Like a Villain"
“Descendants 2” (2017)
This major earworm makes being bad look so good! Evie, assisted by Carlos and Jay, teaches Ben how to get in touch with his villainous side — and it seems like a whole lot of fun! Another Kenny Ortega masterpiece, this dance teaches us all the steps to channel our dark streaks while looking effortlessly cool. And thanks to its funky ‘80s vibes, it has the power to captivate adults as much as kids. The moves may be simple enough for us to follow, but we could never match the phenomenally talented cast’s charm, confidence, or dynamism. Still, we’ll happily be “Chillin’ Like a Villain” for years to come.
#3: "Cruisin' for a Bruisin'"
“Teen Beach Movie” (2013)
Ever wondered what you’d get if you crossed “Grease” with “West Side Story” and gave it a Disney Channel makeover? We’re pretty sure the result would be “Teen Beach Movie.” Take its standout number, for instance, which sees the Bikers challenge the Surfers for their turf. The intricate choreography goes harder than any Disney Channel routine should, seeming more akin to something you might find on a Broadway stage. Each step feels energizing, hooking us the whole way through. Few DCOM musical moments have an easier time holding our attention. We totally get why Brady decides to get in on the action. If we were as talented as Ross Lynch, we would’ve done the same!
#2: “Strut”
“The Cheetah Girls 2” (2006)
“The Cheetah Girls” sequel is filled with unforgettable dance scenes! We could’ve easily gone with “Step Up.” The extravagant finale, “Amigas Cheetahs,” was another strong contender. But we couldn’t resist choosing the number that made us want to strut through the streets of Barcelona. Kenny Ortega, who has Spanish heritage, called the experience of shooting in Spain “a dream come true.” The Cheetah Girls explore some of what the city has to offer, which seemingly compels them to pull out their best moves, becoming one with the music. We can’t take our eyes off them, especially during the mesmerizing dance break in front of the Palau Nacional. It’s next-level. Honestly, we don’t know whether to jump up and join in or look up available flights.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Rotten to the Core,” “Descendants” (2015)
There’s Nothing Rotten About This Dance; It’s Wickedly Good!
The Tango, “K.C. Undercover” (2015-18)
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"BAMM," “Zombies” (2018)
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“Cheetah Sisters,” “The Cheetah Girls” (2003)
Everything About This Is Cheetahlicious
“Can't Back Down,” “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam” (2010)
This Dance Goes So Hard We Want to Help Save Camp Rock!
#1: “I Don't Dance”
“High School Musical 2” (2007)
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By now, we’ve established that Kenny Ortega is something of a Disney Channel legend! And yes, this dance was his creative vision too. He returned to his penchant for fusing sport and dance, this time subbing basketball with baseball. The dancers, athletes, and the man who bridged them together knock it out of the park. In the song, Lucas Grabeel’s Ryan works to convince Corbin Bleu’s Chad that dancing and baseball aren’t all that different. They hammer the message home with one of the best ensemble dance sequences the Disney Channel’s ever seen. You can feel how everyone on the field is collaborating in the routine, and their efforts pay off in spades. Talk about hitting a home run and then some!
