Top 10 Dance Moves That Defined the '80s
#10: Old Time Rock and Roll
The Risky Business dance became one of the most iconic sequences of the 80s, and its mostly because of how effortlessly cool Tom Cruise looked doing it. The moment starts with Cruise, in just a shirt and socks, sliding across the floor to Bob Segers Old Time Rock and Roll. Its the perfect mix of swagger, carefree energy, and a song that fits like a glove. What made it truly iconic wasnt just the danceit captured that rebellious 80s teen spirit, where spontaneity and a little silliness could make you feel like a star. Who wouldnt want to reenact that carefree confidence? Indeed, its been copied and parodied endlessly.
#9: Walk Like An Egyptian
To this day, we still love a song that tells us exactly how to dance. Songwriter Liam Sternberg actually got the idea for The Bangles hit while riding a ferry. When the boat hit rough waters, passengers tried to stay balanced while still walking. Something about their movements reminded him of ancient Egyptian artwork and boom inspiration. Interestingly, dances inspired by Egyptian-style poses go way back, like the sand dances of the early 1900s, which the music video even subtly referenced. The Walk Like an Egyptian dance features stylized arms, angular poses, and simple side steps. It became one of the most memorable novelty dances of the late 80sand its still a bit of fun today.
#8: The Breakfast Club Detention Dance
John Hughes The Breakfast Club is peak 80s teen movie energy, packed with iconic moments we still quote and copy. One of the most unforgettable is that detention dance scene where the gang kills time by breaking out their wildest moves. The standout is Molly Ringwalds thrashy solo. Its not about being polished; its all about the attitude. She makes flailing look effortlessly cool, which is probably why it became a go-to on dance floors everywhere. Fun fact: that sequence was meant to be a solo for Ringwald, but she got shy, so it became a group thing. Its one of those dances you just have to throw yourself into, no second thoughts.
#7: Lambada
Ah, the forbidden dance! The Lambadas roots go back to at least the 1920s, tying into various Latin dance styles, but it truly exploded in 1989 thanks to the French-Brazilian group Kaoma. This cheeky partner dance keeps your legs bent while your hips do the heavy lifting as you glide side to side. Its all swaying, smooth turns, and a rhythm so hot itll work up a sweat, not just from the dance but from the heat between you and your partner. The trend of short skirts made the womens hip action even more hypnotic. This isnt your grandmas partner danceif flirting were a dance, this would be it.
#6: The Running Man
This step might look easy, but its more than just running in place. Its a mix of shuffling and sliding that gives the illusion of running while pulling something toward you. While this move mightve existed before the 80s, it was artists like Janet Jackson, Selena, and Vanilla Ice who got us all trying it. Some even trace its roots back to MC Hammer. Its timeless because its insanely adaptable; it works in any setting, and people just cant resist joining in. Bobby Brown apparently even tweaked it into the Roger Rabbit in his 1989 Every Little Step video. Its one of those moves that, to this day, hasnt gone out of style.
#5: Harlem Shake
Straight up, were not talking about that 2010s trend. The original Harlem Shake was created by Albert Boyce, aka Al. B, who would perform it during basketball halftime shows. Its a sharp, popping dance with moves meant to mimic someone whos had one drink too many. It caught on with Hip-Hop dancers and quickly evolved into the style we know today. Named after Als hometown of Harlem, the dance spread through different crews, each adding their own flavor. It later resurfaced as one of the earlier viral dance crazes on social media. But trust us, if you mention it to anyone in the Hip-Hop world, theyll be quick to inform you that its not the same thing!
#4: Cabbage Patch
As the story goes, this dance moves name comes from the Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, which were all the rage at the time. Although if anyone knows why, please drop a comment and enlighten us! At its simplest, its about moving your arms in outward, circular motions with clenched fists. But if you want to score extra cool points, get your whole upper body into itand maybe even step into it. Its so easy, anyone can do it! The move was such a hit that it even inspired multiple songs throughout the 80s. You might even find yourself doing the Cabbage Patch as your go-to celebratory danceit has that vibe of pure self-celebration.
#3: The Electric Slide
The Electric Slide may have been around before the 80s, but it hit its peak after the 1983 hit Electric Boogie. Theres been some debate about who originally created it, but thats another story. Its a line dance with 22 steps, although the number can vary depending on the version. What made the Electric Slide so popular was how easy it was to learn. Its simple, repetitive steps allowed people of all ages and skill levels to join in without needing a partner. This made it perfect for large gatherings where not everyone knew each other, creating a sense of shared fun. By the late 80s, it was a staple at social events.
#2: Thriller
The Moonwalk dates back to at least the 1930s, but when we say Moonwalk, most people probably picture this. Michael Jackson made it iconic, but if were talking MJ-inspired dance crazes, its gotta be the Thriller routine, choreographed by Michael Peters. In 1983, fans everywhere transformed into stiff-legged zombies with claw hands, grooving to peak 80s pop. Its one of the most recreated dances in pop culture history. The video became the first to earn a spot in the National Film Registry, and in 2024, it became the fourth music video to join YouTubes exclusive one billion views club. Play Thriller at any party and just watchno 80s kid can resist joining in. Zombies, assemble!
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
The Safety Dance
Cause Your Friends Dont Dance and If They Dont Dance Well, You Know the Rest
The Dirty Dancing Lift
Wed Love to Know How Many Emergency Dispatch Calls In 1987 Can Be Traced Back to This Lift Gone Wrong
The Pendulum
You Know This One from Music Videos Like The Right Stuff by New Kids on the Block
Da Butt
A Song That Inspired Dancers to Shake Their Booties Well into the Next Decade & Beyond
The Snake
An Easy Move Anyone Can Bust Out Anywhere
#1: Breakdancing
Breakdancingalso called breakingis cool personified. It started in the late 60s and early 70s in NYC, created by Black and Latino communities. At its core, its a mix of rhythm, creativity, and straight-up athleticism. Youve got your toprock (fancy footwork while standing), then the drop (literally dropping to the floor), followed by downrock and power movesthink spins, freezes, and headstands. It pulls from martial arts, gymnastics, and more. The media labeled it Breakdancing in the 80s, lumping it in with Pop'n Lock, Funk, and other styles. But Breakings always been its own thing. Its now an Olympic sport and has even been performed at the Vaticanbut it all started on the streets.
Which dance move do you think is like a time machine to the 80s? Bounce to the comments and let us know
