Top 10 Best Choreographed Classic Hollywood Dance Scenes

The best choreography tells a story. And if Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers could do anything, they could communicate themes and story arcs with the tap of their toes. There are many gorgeous dance sequences in “Top Hat,” including the movie's namesake and the famous “Cheek to Cheek” scene. But, in “Isn’t It a Lovely Day,” Astaire and Rogers deliver a compelling representation of two people just beginning to fall in love. The way Rogers takes a little more cajoling to ease into the choreography, mimicking Astaire before she really comes into her own, is a thing of genius.

Audrey Hepburn immediately proves her statement to Fred Astaire when she expresses herself through dance in the 1957 classic “Funny Face.” Choreographed by Astaire and Eugene Loring, this dance from “Funny Face” is one of the film’s most impressive. Hepburn, joined by two strapping young men, artfully twists and leaps her way through a smoky bar, all in the name of creativity. Here, Hepburn is operating at peak physical capacity, each move intentional and filled with tension. Yet, there’s a sensuality to the dance that offsets its inherent silliness, together creating something a little more interesting. The icing on the cake? Astaire looking on, completely baffled.

Choreographing large ensemble numbers can be tough, but in “Silk Stockings,” Eugene Loring and Hermes Pan had it down to an art. “The Red Blues” is the big number in the film, consisting of a bunch of characters lamenting about the ways in which communism has stymied their creative lives. The funniest bits of choreo involve dancers freezing in place when important leaders walk through the door. But the highlight is the dance’s final moments, where Cyd Charisse finally takes a whirl on the floor. The camera follows her as she dances with numerous partners, each step more beautiful than the last.

This is perhaps Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen’s most famous piece of work, and one of their best. Every dance sequence in 1952’s “Singin’ in the Rain'” is a work of art, but this fantasy scene is transcendent. “Broadway Melody” tells the story of a young yokel who comes to New York City to make a name for himself. Along the way, he falls in love and is left wanting by a dame gone bad. There are barely any words in “Broadway Melody,” just the artistry and story of Donen and Kelly’s choreography. The ensemble perfects the piece, but the pièce de résistance is the windswept duet between Kelly and Cyd Charisse.

When there are this many moving parts, it’s tough to make anything look coherent. But, somehow, the Barn Dance in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” finds a way. The result? One of the most famous dance sequences ever committed to the silver screen. The choreography is not only athletic as all get out, but incredibly intricate. It requires perfect steps and placement at all times. If one thing goes wrong, everything could go wrong. As the number goes on and things get more buoyant and exciting, it’s a miracle these dancers were able to commit this to film history in the way they were.

It's a shame that the Nicholas Brothers aren’t more famous than they are. But even if you don’t know this famous tap duo by name, you’ve probably seen them perform in “Jumpin’ Jive.” This sequence is the finale for 1943’s “Stormy Weather,” a Hollywood musical featuring an all-Black cast. It’s not the biggest dance number in the film’s runtime, but it certainly is the most electric. The Nicholas Brothers have some of the tightest moves you’ve ever seen, perfectly in sync with each other and effortlessly explosive. At the end, when the brothers leap over each other down the stairs and land in splits, it’s hard to believe your eyes.

What better way to tell a murder mystery than with a ballet? Add in a noir-soaked Fred Astaire voice over, and you’ve got us hooked. The ballet follows a detective as he tries to uncover the connection between two mysterious women and a murder that’s occurred. Cyd Charisse stars as both femme fatales, one blonde and seemingly innocent, the other dangerous and enticing. The action follows Astaire’s detective through multiple glorious set pieces, including an acrobatic dance fight with prop guns and an unbelievably sexy duet with Charisse in a smoke-filled bar.

When Gene Kelly decides to call a number “That’s Entertainment,” you best believe he means it! “An American in Paris” is a 1951 classic musical choreographed entirely by Kelly, and includes one of his most ambitious pieces ever. The ballet at the end of the film crosses over numerous sets, has tons of extras, and showcases complex and unique choreography that took the world by storm. At one point, the dance changes from a jaunty, colorful tap number to a swooningly romantic ballet in the snap of a finger. Kelly takes audacious leaps with his choreography here, both figuratively and literally.

Sometimes, choreography and cinema come together to create something that can only be achieved through the power of film. Though some dance experts were critical of “The Red Shoes” when it was initially released in 1948, looking back at the film now, it’s hard to fault it. That magical quality that some critics found too unrealistic is what makes the ballet at the center of it all one of cinema’s finest. It was choreographed almost entirely by Robert Helpmann, who also had a role in the film. But Léonide Massine, who played the quirky and pivotal shoemaker, was given license to come up with his own moves.

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

“Good Morning”, “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
What a Great Way to Start the Day

“From This Moment On”, “Kiss Me Kate” (1953)
We Love This Whirlwind of a Colorful Masterpiece

Duet, “My Sister Eileen” (1955)
A Duet From Two of the Best

Dream Ballet, “Carousel” (1956)
The Dream Ballet Will Always Have That Agnes de Mille Touch

“Pick Yourself Up”, “Swing Time” (1936)
Nothing Better Than a Classic Fred & Ginger Duet

When you’ve got Jerome Robbins on your team, you’re bound to wind up with some of the best choreography in movie history. There are so many astounding dance moments in “West Side Story,” from the famous prologue to the exhilarating “America.” To this day, however, “Cool” feels fresher than ever. In this sequence, performed by the Jets, Robbins’ choreography feels like rage incarnate. The number is impeccably blocked, and when the Jets can no longer repress their anger, it explodes out of them in leaps and bounds. Robbins uses the choreography to deliver an emotional arc, and his dancers execute it perfectly.


Which classic choreography do you think you could pull off? Let us know in the comments.