Top 10 Dance Scenes With the Best Chemistry

“Pride & Prejudice” (2005)
Jane Austen’s most famous heroine, Elizabeth Bennet, is determined to shirk social conventions and marry for love. She agrees, for some reason she doesn’t understand, to dance with Mr. Darcy at a society ball. Darcy is a man she swears she can’t stand. But once they get on the dance floor, they trade cordially awkward quips and cryptic criticisms that are really just a heightened form of flirting. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen let the piercing glances and poignant silences between them do just as much talking. The dance may be slow and respectable, but the chemistry between this pair is undeniable.

“La La Land” (2016)
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone had tried and true chemistry going into “La La Land.” Their scenes in “Crazy, Stupid, Love” are hilarious. Here, they play Sebastian and Mia, two artists who reunite at a party months after they meet. Their connection isn’t immediate. At least not to them. It’s only when they stop being sarcastic and start being genuine that they realize how hot and bothered they are for each other. This scene from “La La Land” had to be filmed against a real sunset, which allowed for a minimal margin of error. You wouldn’t know it by watching them move together, though. They make it look like they were born to perform together.

“Picnic” (1955)
The romance between a drifter named Hal and a small town girl named Madge is dripping with sexual tension, but at first, it’s all under the surface. It isn’t until they dance together that we see the extent of their passion. Seeing that the film came out in 1955, when eroticism was much more restrained, this sequence is pretty hot stuff. Actors William Holden and Kim Novak have a whole conversation without saying a word. As the scene goes on, they become closer and closer until they’re finally slow dancing, eyes locked and bodies pressed tight against each other, framed by lanterns and the dark of the water.

“Singin' in the Rain ” (1952)
One couldn’t ask for a better dance partner than Gene Kelly. His extended number with Cyd Charisse is a highlight of the 1952 musical masterpiece, “Singin’ in the Rain”. But it’s his chemistry with co-lead Debbie Reynolds that sells the whole movie. They provide a masterclass in synchronicity as they twirl around the set of the studio during “You Were Meant for Me.” With blowing fans, soft lighting, and longing looks, it’s already hard not to get swept up in the romance of it all. The scene is classic Hollywood, and Kelly and Reynolds are a particularly great pairing because they make it look effortless.

“Strictly Ballroom” (1992)
Baz Luhrmann’s romantic comedy set in the competitive ballroom scene has plenty of high energy, charmingly sexy dances. There’s electricity between Scott and Fran right away. They have noticeable gaps in ballroom experience. He’s a seasoned pro, while she’s a rookie. But there’s no denying that they’re a match in every way that counts. Their most scintillating duet is set to Doris Day’s “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.” A misunderstanding threatens to end this partnership before it begins. But Scott chases Fran down backstage, and the two share an intimate dance as onlookers gradually start watching. Because what says “I’m sorry” better than a slinky routine with intense eye contact?

“The Mask of Zorro” (1998)
Taking up the mantle of Zorro, the masked vigilante, Alejandro is already a fleet-footed swordsman. It’s no wonder he’s so light on his feet when it comes to dancing. Elena is the beautiful and volatile daughter of a sadistic governor. Together, they make magic as the throbbing music plays on. With all the ferocious grabbing and dips, it’s a wonder someone didn’t get whiplash. If you want passion, Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have it. She is wild and free, he is suave and totally in control. And they’re both glistening with just the right amount of sweat.

“Titanic” (1997)
Jack Dawson takes Rose DeWitt Bukater out of the stuffy but respectable first class lounges and into the bowels of the RMS Titanic. They join a spirited party already in progress. As a band prepares to play an Irish tune, Jack pulls Rose up. Neither of them know the steps, but it doesn’t matter. Their reckless abandon as they fly across the room is like nothing the high-born Rose has ever done in public. And for all he’s seen and done, Jack seems equally surprised at himself. She may be engaged to someone else, but with longing glances like this, she won’t be for long.

“The Sound of Music” (1965)
When Maria arrives to be the von Trapps’ new governess, the Captain’s welcome is less than friendly. But recognizing her talent with children and gift for music, his ice starts to thaw. One of the biggest moments of connection between them is this charged dance scene, where von Trapp leads Maria in a traditional Austrian folk dance called the Ländler. Their eyes lock, and they move in perfect harmony, seemingly forgetting they aren’t alone. Their bond is so palpable, we forget it, too. She gets so flustered she has to stop. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer play the whole thing beautifully.

“Grease” (1978)
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are a match made in movie heaven. Once good girl Sandy goes bad and trades in her pinks and pastels for black leather, it’s all over. All that explosive chemistry threatens to set the screen on fire during “You’re the One that I Want.” These two manage to make a musical number set at a fairground seem like the height of romance. Newton-John is strutting her stuff in a way the movie hasn’t let her before, and Travolta looks like he’s about to start panting. Don’t even get us started on the Shake Shack!

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

Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire Danced So Well Together They Put Them in 10 Movies Together

A Cat & Mouse Game Takes a Sexy Turn On the Dance Floor

Ballroom Dancing Gets Slinky & Sweaty

Because No One Else Can Match Their Freak

Tony Manero Meets His Match in Disco Heat

“Dirty Dancing” (1987)
Part of what makes Baby and Johnny’s romance irresistible is how dissimilar they are. She’s the inexperienced daughter of a doctor. He’s a bad boy who’s barely hanging onto a job as a dance instructor at a ritzy Catskills resort. Together, they’re electric. “Cry to Me” is one of the steamiest dance duets on film, but we have to give it to the climactic celebration set to “Dirty Dancing”’s most famous song. After all they’ve been through as dance – and romantic – partners, they fully trust each other. Patrick Swayze is at his most charming, and Jennifer Grey looks like she might melt in his arms.


Which of these dance scenes had you kicking your feet? Let us know in the comments.