Top 10 Greatest Dancing in the Rain Scenes

Top 10 Dancing in the Rain Scenes

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Dancing in the Rain Scenes.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the most memorable scenes from movies and TV where characters get their groove on despite the weather. However, the dancing in question doesn’t have to be choreographed.

Which of these moments makes you want to grab your umbrella? Let us know in the comments below!

#10: The Drought Ends
“Holes” (2003)

First we follow the plight of Stanley Yelnats IV, a boy sent to a youth detention camp located in a dried-up lake bed. As the teens are forced to dig holes in the desert, we learn more about the history of Green Lake. And Stanley uncovers a connection with the enigmatic Zero. After the pair unwittingly break a long-standing curse, rain finally falls on the bone-dry ground, ending the age-long drought. The overdue showers and the inmates’ joyful movements represent the overthrow of the corrupt camp at long last. With the boys practically jumping on top of one another, this celebratory moment foreshadows a more hopeful future for Green Lake’s residents.

#9: Pengu’s Magic
“Raya and the Last Dragon” (2021)

Kumandra is a land of five kingdoms, each itching to own a gem imbued with dragon magic. After that gem gets broken and divided, however, the Chief’s daughter Raya sets out to quell the rising threat of evil spirits. And, when she and the awakened dragon Sisu find one missing gem piece in particular, a truly beautiful sequence in the rain takes shape. Granted the power to control the rain, Sisu launches into the sky, weaving and ducking amongst the clouds. Given the film’s somewhat gloomy context, it’s a welcome moment of relief. And while it isn’t necessarily a dance scene in the traditional sense, Sisu’s routine is definitely something to behold.

#8: Date Night
“Australia” (2008)

In World War II-era Australia, we follow an English aristocrat named Lady Sarah Ashley who teams up with a gruff drover to sell her late husband’s cattle herd in Darwin. Once their treacherous journey comes to an end, however, the Drover parts ways with Lady Ashley in an unexpected twist. But thankfully, he comes around, and in the most spectacular way. After he shows up at a ball looking brand-new, the pair share a kiss in the rain as the locals burst into dance. The scene has all the style, drama and beauty that you’d expect from director Baz Luhrmann. It’s an epic moment that represents the culmination of long-simmering romantic tensions.

#7: Spontaneous Fun
“The Paperboy” (2012)

Nicole Kidman again stars, this time in a crime drama as Charlotte, a woman attempting to prove the innocence of her prison pen-pal. While working on the case, she develops a flirtatious relationship with the brother of a reporter, Jack, played by Zac Efron. One day, as he sits sadly in the rain, her attempt to cheer him up leads to a truly adorable dance number. Set to an upbeat song, the scene brims with romance amidst a relatively grim narrative. Efron has revealed that Kidman actually improvised the sequence, which makes it stand out even more. With Charlotte and the paperboy never truly realizing their love, this is one of the pair’s happiest times — and perhaps the film’s most memorable moment.

#6: The Festival
“Shara” (2003)

Set in the Japanese city of Nara, this drama from director Naomi Kawase follows a family as they deal with the aftermath of a tragic incident. An upcoming festival reminds teenager Shun of his twin Kei’s disappearance many years prior. Around the same time, his good friend Yu discovers a shocking truth about her own lineage. With Kei’s body finally located, the ceremony’s street dance takes on a deeper meaning, representing a powerful emotional release for the characters. But its narrative significance aside, the sequence is also executed with true spirit. The direction places us right in the midst of the powerful rainfall, so it’s hard not to get swept up in this joyful moment.

#5: The Tutu
“Austin Powers in Goldmember” (2002)

The third installment in this comedy series opens with a hilarious spoof of Hollywood’s inner workings. The film’s early moments turn into a bizarre but oh-so-Austin musical credits sequence. After Steven Spielberg seemingly backflips into the distance, Austin pays tribute to "Singin' in the Rain" with an umbrella-wielding setup. He then dons a tutu for a dramatic ballet dance break. With a cheeky sense of humor, the scene is as colorful as it is ridiculous. To make matters even more surreal, Austin then emerges from a screen to embrace the film’s apparent conductor Quincy Jones. Playing on movie-making tropes while obliterating the fourth wall, this opening is a one of a kind.

#4: Mash-Up
“Glee” (2009-15)

There’s no shortage of impressive “Glee” performances, of course. But there’s a little twist in Season 2’s “The Substitute”, when Gwyneth Paltrow’s Holly Holliday steps in as glee club director. The episode culminates with a mash-up of the much-covered “Singin’ in the Rain” and Rihanna’s catchy classic, “Umbrella”. Granted, the rain in the school’s auditorium is artificial, but it’s a great effect nonetheless. With the club members splashing around in puddles of water, it’s a true spectacle. Plus, they deserve some credit for seamlessly combining choreography from a mid-2000s music video with that of a 1950s MGM musical!

#3: The Big Bounce
“You Got Served” (2004)

R&B singers Omarion and Marques Houston star in this dance drama as David and Elgin, members of a dance crew who become estranged following a major miscommunication. So they go their separate ways, and prepare for a high-stakes competition to earn some cash - and the chance to work with Lil’ Kim. We see them each practicing their moves in this rainy sequence. The ominous weather reflects the duo’s angst around their split and the chance to make it big. The choice of music doesn’t hurt, either. With thunder and lightning crackling above, it’s a scene that’s both dramatic and impressive.

#2: The Streets
“Step Up 2: The Streets” (2008)

The second “Step Up” movie follows a new set of main characters, but the stakes are just as high. Andie West is a teen struggling at school, but excelling as a member of dance crew “The 410”. Faced with an ultimatum to get her act together, however, she enrolls at the Maryland School of the Arts and forms a new group with other outcasts. Although the adults in her life initially disapprove, Andie eventually joins her friends to compete in the titular dance competition. Part of its charm lies in the fact that this extended showcase doesn’t just focus on the main protagonist. Instead, it highlights a number of different performers and styles. With moody lighting accenting the torrential rain, it’s epic all the way through.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Water Dance, “Flashdance” (1983)
It’s a Bucket of Water, Not Real Rainfall — But This Scene Is Iconic Nonetheless

Catherine Howard Steps Out, “The Tudors” (2007-10)
In Tudor England, Henry VIII’s Wife Shows Her Lighthearted Spirit

Cherishing the Water, “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” (2011)
A Spider Bite Transforms Simon Seville Into a Sure-Footed Ladies Man

Acid Rain, “The Simpsons” (1989-)
In This Stinging Spoof, Groundskeeper Willie Falls Victim to Environmental Disaster

#1: Title Sequence
“Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)

Set in the 1920s, our top pick depicts Hollywood’s shift away from silent films. It stars Gene Kelly as movie star Don Lockwood, who falls in love with chorus girl Kathy, played by Debbie Reynolds. And although the film features numerous famous dance sequences, none is quite as iconic as Don’s performance of the title song. After discovering the perfect role for Kathy - courtesy of Cosmo - and bidding her goodnight, he makes musical magic on the rainy street. The protagonist couldn’t be happier in the downpour, and his glee is absolutely infectious. Kelly was reportedly running a fever during the shoot, but you’d never know it looking at his ear-to-ear grin.