The Best Dance Scene of Each Year (2000-2023)

The Best Dance Scenes of Each Year From 2000-23

Welcome to MsMojo, and today, we’ll be looking at the greatest dance moments each year from 2000 until 2023.

2000: Cooper’s Ballet
“Center Stage”

With so many wonderful dances to choose from for the first year of the new millennium, we were always pretty sure it would be this one. While we love little Billy Elliot’s angry dance, we just couldn’t get over the way Cooper’s Ballet from “Center Stage” makes us feel! The ballet starts much like many others, with girls in white tutus dancing daintily. But when a motorcycle revs in out of nowhere, things get a little more spicy. From Michael Jackson, to the steamy bedroom portion, to the emotional pas de trois, to the red hot finale, this ballet has it all. It’s sexy, creative, and plays by its own rules. Just the way we like it.

2001: “El Tango de Roxanne”
“Moulin Rouge!”

“Moulin Rouge!” is full of perfect pop songs, romance, glitter, and over-the-top opulence. It’s also home to the best dance sequence of 2001. “El Tango de Roxanne” might be the darkest moment in the film, as Satine prepares to sleep with the Duke even though she doesn’t want to, leaving poor Christian in despair. However, it’s also the sexiest part of the film, featuring a delicious tango that eventually takes over the whole cast. Those dance moves paired with Ewan McGregor’s dulcet tones? How could we not be in love?

2002: “Cell Block Tango”
“Chicago”

If this dance doesn’t make you want to murder your husband, we must not be listening to the same song! “Chicago” is one of the greatest movie musicals ever made, and a big reason for that is its stellar choreography. Nowhere is that more apparent than during the number “Cell Block Tango.” The song allows each female prisoner to tell the story of why, exactly, they murdered their husbands, before joining in with the rest of the group for a rousing choreographed masterpiece. After watching this jailhouse gem, we have to say, we probably would have done the same!

2003: “I Believe”
“Honey”

Some of the best dance movies combine genres, blending ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and whatever else into one big beautiful pot. “Honey” is one of those movies. “Honey” stars Jessica Alba in the title role as a dance teacher who longs to be a hip-hop choreographer. Caught between different worlds of dance, Honey eventually comes to realize that the kids at the community center are more important than fortune or fame. Those very kids perform one of the best dances in the film, set to the song “I Believe.” Every dancer has such joy in each movement that it’s hard not to love.

​2004: “Thriller”
“13 Going on 30”

Listen, if we had to pick one actress to lead us in a flash mob version of “Thriller,” we would definitely pick Jennifer Garner. Mark Ruffalo? Not so much, but he’s very cute for trying. “13 Going on 30” is the iconic romantic comedy from 2004 that follows 13-year-old Jenna Rink when she suddenly wakes up one day and discovers she’s 30 after a wish gone wrong. While attending an office party, Jenna decides she’s had enough of the boring adults and decides to switch it up. She ends up leading an impromptu “Thriller” dance, showing off her moves like it’s still 1987.

2005: “La Vie Bohème”
“Rent”

Sometimes, you just have to get up and move. “Rent” isn’t necessarily the danciest musical of all time, but there’s just something about the unbridled chaos of “La Vie Bohème” that we can’t get enough of. The scene takes place at a bar where the gang gathers to celebrate a few of their friends’ most recent accomplishments. When they’re confronted by an ex-comrade, they decide to let all heck break loose. “La Vie Bohème” is a celebration of life in all its various forms, and that celebration is more than evident in the way everyone grinds and shakes to the beat.

2006: The Showcase
“Step Up”

Partner dances really had a moment in 2006. For this entry, we could have gone with the sultry tango sequence from “Take the Lead.” But we thought it would be more fun to combine our favorite genres of dance into one. “Step Up” is one of our favorite movies of 2006, and the movie that put Channing Tatum on the map. The film follows a romance between Tyler and Nora, who have to put aside their differences and work up a dance routine that combines both street dancing and ballet. The final product is propulsive and technically immaculate, and the chemistry between Tatum and Jenna Dewan is out of this world.

2007: The Final Battle
“Stomp the Yard”

When it comes to big, blowout dance sequences, 2007 was full of them. Central Park was overrun by dancers in “That’s How You Know” from “Enchanted.” But even with its noted absence of adorable animals, the final battle sequence from “Stomp the Yard” still takes our breath away. The film ends with a huge stepping competition, where we have to watch our heroes the Thetas take on the Gammas in a sudden death round. The physical skill on display is out of this world, everything synchronized to a T and full of energy.

2008: “Jai Ho”
“Slumdog Millionaire”

“Slumdog Millionaire” is a movie that takes on a lot of heavy themes, following the character of Jamal as he works through his tough family history and tries to find the love of his life, Latika. But even through all the darkness, “Slumdog Millionaire” manages to end on a note of hope. Then, the movie kicks it up a notch with a dance over its end credits. The scene is a nod to the traditions of Bollywood films, while the song’s title can be translated to “Let there be victory.” It’s a beautiful, triumphant note to end the film.

2009: Tom’s Celebration
“500 Days of Summer”

Everyone loves a good dream ballet. Or, in this case, a dream morning after. “500 Days of Summer” is an interesting little movie, filled with filmmaking tricks that set it apart from a run-of-the-mill romantic comedy. One of the best examples of that comes just after the moment the main characters, Tom and Summer, have sex for the first time. We don’t actually see the two hook up, but we do see Tom burst out the door the next morning with a huge smile on his face. As he struts down the street to “You Make My Dreams,” the entire world joins in.

2010: Finale
“Black Swan”

It’s hard enough to dance ballet as it is. Now try doing it with a bleeding stab wound. Darren Aronofsky’s “Black Swan” is a mesmerizing feat of horror, with a wonderful Natalie Portman performance at the center. The film culminates in Portman’s character’s obsession causing her to hallucinate and hurt herself before heading back on the stage to dance the world-famous ballet. As she spins around the stage, her delusions reach new heights as she appears to actually transform into the Black Swan herself. It’s a dazzling feat of filmmaking.

2011: Tap Dancing to the Top
“The Artist”

Who doesn’t love the old tap dancing sequences from classic Hollywood musicals? With virtuosos like Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers at the helm of those movies, it’s hard to recreate that magic. But in 2011, “The Artist” came pretty darn close. One of the most magical moments in the silent film is the tap dance scene shared between George Valentin and Peppy Miller. They might not have quite the prowess that those old pros do, but they certainly have the spirit. It’s just too much fun to watch them tip and tap their way to the top.

2012: Competition
“Silver Linings Playbook”

Always remember. It’s not about the competition, but the friends we made along the way. That’s the spirit of this dance from 2012’s “Silver Linings Playbook.” But, we still love to watch the final dance as well. For the entirety of the film, we’ve been watching Pat and Tiffany fall in love as they prepare for a big dance competition that Tiffany desperately wants to win. But when Tiffany sees Pat’s ex-wife in the audience, she thinks the worst. Nevertheless, the duo still do a pretty great job. Even if they’re not the best dancers in the world, they have enough tension between them to power a small city.

2013: Make An Entrance
“The Great Gatsby”

Sometimes, dancing is all about control. But other times, it’s about letting go. This scene from Baz Luhrmann’s “The Great Gatsby” is definitely the latter. The first time Nick enters into one of Gatsby’s parties at his mansion, it’s complete chaos. You want to talk about dances? About twenty separate choreographed dances are going on at this party, contributing to the pure outlandishness of it all. Whether they’re dancing with feathers, over the indoor pool, or swinging from the ceiling, you can bet all these dances are ones to watch.

2014: Old School
“Step Up: All In”

Since it began in 2006, the “Step Up” franchise has delivered us a plethora of amazing dance sequences. In 2014, we got yet another one with “Step Up: All In.” The scene starts simply enough, with two characters just jamming out together in a seemingly abandoned spinning theme park ride. Little do they know they have an audience, and he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. The guy operating the ride decides to give it a spin, sending our two dancers into a whirlwind of choreography. It’s so much fun to watch them dance and twirl their way through the ride to an old-school jam.

2015: “I Want It That Way”
“Magic Mike XXL”

The best dance sequences are often full of intricate choreography and complicated moves. But, they don’t have to be. Sometimes, all you need to do is make someone smile. “Magic Mike XXL” is one of the better road trip movies to come out of the 2010s, and this Joe Manganiello moment in a gas station is one of its best scenes. To make the depressed-seeming cashier smile, Manganiello’s character starts performing an impromptu striptease to “I Want It That Way.” The whole thing is delightful, and obviously makes the woman smile. But we’ve gotta shout out that moment with the water bottle. Go, Joe!

2016: “Another Day of Sun”
“La La Land”

2016 was sneakily a pretty great year for musicals. We got to see Channing Tatum tapping his butt off in the Coen brothers’ “Hail, Caesar!” And, of course, we got the much-lauded “La La Land.” “La La Land” takes a page out of the book of the Hollywood musicals of yesteryear, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as two kids trying to make it in Los Angeles. While the two stars share some great dancing moments throughout, the best dance sequence comes right at the film’s beginning. While stuck in traffic on an L.A. highway, everyone starts to get out of their cars and dance beautifully down the street. Who among us hasn’t wanted to do that?

2017: “From Now On”
“The Greatest Showman”

2017 was a great year because it was the year we finally got Hugh Jackman back on our screens in a musical capacity. Jackman appeared in “The Greatest Showman,” and took us all by storm. (Don’t worry Wolverine fans. He also appeared in “Logan.” A man of many talents!). “The Greatest Showman” is a loose retelling of the life of P.T. Barnum, starring Jackman in the main role. There are so many wonderful dances throughout the film, but the greatest comes during “From Now On.” Jackman shows off his own moves while the rest of the extremely talented cast dance around him in increasingly acrobatic ways. It’s fit for a circus!

2018: “Super Trouper”
“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”

Sometimes, that old saying is true. Girls DO just want to have fun! And sometimes, boys do too. “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” is the sequel to 2008’s “Mamma Mia,” and is a delightful romp of a good time. After the plot of the movie ends, however, things kick into overdrive. Every single cast member, including the likes of Cher, Meryl Streep, and Pierce Brosnan, come back on screen for one more all-out party. As the cast dances and sings to ABBA’s “Super Trouper,” it’s hard not to move right along with them. It may not be the most complicated choreo in the world, but boy do they all sell it.

2019: “Criminal”
“Hustlers”

If Jennifer Lopez is involved, you best believe there’s going to be some great dancing. “Hustlers,” which tells the true story of NYC exotic dancers who began stealing money from their rich clients, focuses on a different type of dancing. But that doesn’t make it any less impressive. The moment Lopez’s character, Ramona, is introduced, she stops the show. Dancing on the pole to Fiona Apple’s “Criminal,” the sex appeal on display is matched only by the total strength it takes to pull off those moves. Lopez does it with ease, but never for a moment lets us forget how tough it is.

2020: Jake & Quinn
“Work It”

Not many dance-heavy films came out in the year 2020. Well, not many movies in general came out in 2020, but the dance ones were far and few between. Luckily, we got a classic high school dance comedy in the vein of “Work It.” Starring Sabrina Carpenter, “Work It” follows Quinn, a senior who lies about being on her school’s dance team to stand out to colleges. There are many great dance scenes in the film, but the best has to be this moment between Quinn and Jake, played by Jordan Fisher. The duet between them, set to the song “Wow,” is smooth and sexy. The way these two dancers work in tandem is something to behold.

2021: “The Dance at the Gym”
“West Side Story”

Since “West Side Story” first debuted on the Broadway stage in 1957, “The Dance at the Gym” has been one of the most famous dance sequences in the whole of the arts. Jerome Robbins’ original choreography is in a class of its own. But with the 2021 remake, Justin Peck was able to take that original choreo and make it his own. It’s a huge choreographed sequence with a ton of moving parts. There are tons of extras, not to mention the fact that an actual camera has to follow the movement as well. While Peck’s choreography is amazing, Steven Spielberg’s prowess as a director is really on display here.

2022: “Naatu Naatu”
“RRR”

If one movie took us all by storm in 2022, it was India’s “RRR.” The action film became a huge, worldwide hit, and even got a little love at the Oscars that year for its original song, “Naatu Naatu.” While we love the song itself, the real gem is the dance that goes along with the song. While attending a party, our main characters Bheem and Ram are insulted by a white man. They decide to get back at him the best way they know how; dance. What happens next is a high-energy, incredibly intricate dance sequence as Bheem and Ram show everyone what they’re made of. Eventually, everyone joins in and we’re left with one massive dance party.

2023: “I’m Just Ken”
“Barbie”

2023 was the year of “Barbenheimer.” But when it comes to dancing, “Barbie” was the film that really made its mark. There are so many odes to old Hollywood musicals throughout “Barbie,” but our favorite is Ryan Gosling and the rest of the Kens dancing to “I’m Just Ken.” Yes, the lyrics are funny, and yes it’s delightful to watch an all-out Ken war. But the real dance component of this sequence comes into play like a true-blue dream sequence. On a set that looks like it was plucked straight out of “Singin’ in the Rain,” the Kens dance and shimmy their way to liberation. Or something like that.

If we missed your favorite dance sequence from 2000-2023, let us know in the comments below!