Top 10 Movie Dance Scenes We All Wanted to Recreate
#10: Dance Off “House Party” (1990)
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Most of us have probably never participated in a dance off. But “House Party” definitely made us wish that we could. To this day, if we hear the opening notes of “Ain’t My Type of Hype” by Full Force, we want to get out on the dance floor. After all, Kid and Play’s dance battle with Sydney and Sharane is one of the high points of the movie. Each duo does such a good job at matching each other's moves and energy. The choreography is a lot of fun, and looks just simple enough that kids watching at home think they can copy it. But make no mistake, it’s hard to get it just right.
#9: The Audition “Flashdance” (1983)
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The character of Alex Owens taught us a lot in “Flashdance.” For one thing, we now know all about the hypnotic combination of water and killer choreography. But recreating that routine is basically asking for disaster, so we want to focus on the unforgettable final number. The stakes are high when Alex arrives for her audition, but the determined performer ultimately rises to the challenge with grace, energy, and passion. There are epic leaps, fiery kicks, and impassioned fist-pumps that are enough to get even the stone-faced judges excited. They aren’t the only ones feeling it, either! We’re always left not just singing along, but also trying to nail the moves ourselves. Because honestly, who doesn’t want to feel this good while chasing a dream?
#8: “Singin' in the Rain” “Singin' in the Rain” (1952)
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Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen’s masterpiece of a film has some of the most famous dance moments in cinema history. There’s no doubt some of you comedians out there tried to contort your face and body like Donald O'Connor in “Make 'Em Laugh.” And if you were ever stuck outside on a rainy day, we bet you started grooving in some puddles. The titular song from “Singin’ in the Rain” features Gene Kelly at his most joyous. Even if you weren’t much of a tapper as a kid, his glee likely rubbed off on you when you watched this movie. Splashing through puddles has never been more fun.
#7: “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” “The Sound of Music” (1965)
If you’re a fan of “The Sound of Music” and have been inside a gazebo before, we can bet you’ve at least recreated Liesl’s iconic moment of teenage joy. When it comes to dancing, there are maybe a handful of options from this classic musical. But Liesl and Rolfe’s duet is the one that we really longed to recreate with that special someone as a kid. Many of the moves are simple enough, especially if you consider yourself adept at gracefully leaping from bench to bench. We might not look as beautiful as Liesl does while she’s doing it, but we can dream can’t we?
#6: “We're All in This Together” “High School Musical” (2006)
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When it premiered in 2006, “High School Musical” was an instant Disney Channel classic. One of the genius things that gave the film such staying power was the way it had us recreating its choreography. The one that we best remember is the film’s rocking finale number, “We're All in This Together.” The dance takes place in the gym after Troy and Gabriella have won the lead roles in the school musical — and conquered the championship game and scholastic decathlon . In classic teen musical fashion, everyone has made up and starts to dance together. If you were a kid in the mid-2000s, you definitely remember practicing that double-pump, stomp, clap progression in your room.
#5: “You're the One That I Want” “Grease” (1978)
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Oh, you worked to perfect a dance routine set to “You're the One That I Want” from “Grease?” Tell me about it, stud! Sandy and Danny’s final outfits in this classic musical film are such Halloween staples at this point, it’s no wonder the dance is just as popular. Most of the routines from “Grease” are actually quite difficult to recreate if you’re not a professional. Numbers like “Born to Hand Jive” and “Greased Lightnin'’” are harder than you think. But “You’re the One That I Want” has a simpler beat to it that anyone can put on with their friends or significant other. Whether you’re emulating Danny or Sandy, you can shimmy it out to this one.
#4: “Footloose” “Footloose” (1984)
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As soon as we hear those opening drum beats, our toes start a tappin’! “Footloose” has a very simple premise. No one in a small town is allowed to dance, until Kevin Bacon’s character shows up and changes things. Because of this premise, there are a lot of iconic numbers in the movie, including an amazing Bacon montage set in a warehouse. But there’s something about the jaunty tones of Kenny Loggins that still gets us going to this day. The joy of the big finale dance in “Footloose” is enough to make anyone watching leap off their feet and join right in. And that’s exactly what we did.
#3: The Twist “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
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This one is simple enough you can look good while doing it, but recognizable enough that people will know exactly what you’re referencing. In Quentin Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction,” Uma Thurman and John Travolta’s characters enter the Jack Rabbit Slim's Twist Contest. From the moment they head up onstage and take off their shoes, you know something special is about to go down. The choreography is straightforward, just the twist with a little variation. But if you didn’t dress up as Thurman and Travolta and try to put your own spin on this, can you even call yourself a ‘90s kid?
#2: “Old Time Rock and Roll” “Risky Business” (1983)
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Did Tom Cruise invent the sock/hardwood floor slide combination? Maybe not, but he certainly perfected it. In 1983’s “Risky Business,” Cruise plays Joel Goodsen, an overachieving senior who gets a little frisky when his parents go on a trip. The first night they’re gone, he strips down to nothing but a button down, his socks, and his underwear. With this dance to “Old Time Rock and Roll,” Cruise created a signature look for teenage freedom. It’s a style and routine that all of us have tried to emulate time and time again. The best part is, the only thing you really need to do while grooving to this one is have fun. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend”, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953) We All Wanted to Be Marilyn Monroe in This Scene “Canned Heat”, “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004) Give This One a Spin at Your Next School or Work Function “Time After Time”, “Romy and Michele's High School Reunion” (1997) There’s Nothing Better Than a Dance with Your Best Friend Detention Routine, “The Breakfast Club” (1985) We Didn’t Necessarily Want Detention, but We Did Want to Recreate This Dance Scene “Jai Ho”, “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) An Epic Dance Number for an Epic Movie
#1: “(I've Had) The Time of My Life” “Dirty Dancing” (1987)
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All of us have definitely attempted to pull off the “Dirty Dancing” lift. How many of us have actually completed it? Well, that’s another question entirely. The famous final dance from this movie has become so famous it’s referenced in our culture constantly, in everything from “Crazy, Stupid, Love” to “Fuller House.” Basically, trying the “Dirty Dancing” lift is a time-honored tradition, regardless of how successful the attempt. Even Baby had to work up to that big moment, so there’s no shame if your lift isn’t big-screen worthy. You may not be able to nail it as well as Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey ultimately did, but practice makes perfect.
