Summary

The story of dancing numbers in cinema is not limited to musical movies , and though there are legion examples of with child showstopping choreography on screen , only a few scene come up to the condition of the very best . A dance sequence can take many forms and often employs a recognizable and tricky Sung to conquer the attention of the audience . Equally important — whether it ’s in one ofthe best terpsichore moviesor a plastic film that just happens to have a single memorable dance number — are the choreography and the performances of the social dancer on screen .

There is a lot to consider when include a dance number in a film . Unlike a performance on phase , a dance panorama in a movie can involve edits and special effects to make it sense as exciting as possible . terpsichore on camera is a skill in and of itself , and hatful of Golden Age Hollywood stars had to make that part of their grooming when motion-picture show musical comedy were at their elevation . While musicals have decrease in popularity over the long time , many dance number in non - musical moving picture have become instantly pop while carrying on this cinematic tradition .

12"Thriller" In 13 Going On 30 (2004)

Jennifer Garner leads a nostalgic recreation of iconic ’80s choreography.

Cast

The fixed storage - com13 Going on 30is remember not only for its fantastical premise of a 13 - year - older girl waking up in the eubstance of her 30 - year - old ego but also for its iconic terpsichore number . When the principal persona , Jenna , is transported from 1987 to the 21st century , the video for Michael Jackson ’s " Thriller " is still fresh in her mind . In a moment of confidence anda admonisher of the joy of youth , the grown - up Jenna ( played by Jennifer Garner ) leads an entire group of adults in a nostalgic operation of the iconic , zombie spirit - inspired " Thriller " saltation . It ’s a testament to how muchmusic can bring mass together .

11"Old Time Rock And Roll" In Risky Business (1983)

Tom Cruise becomes a movie star while dancing in his underwear.

Tom Cruise may now be known for his military action franchises and his death - defying stunt , butwhen he was untested he seemed more suited for musicalsafter he performed an unforgettable saltation routine in his breakthrough role inRisky Business . Doing what every teenager boy would do when his parents are out of town , Cruise ’s Joel gravel drunk and saltation around the house in his underwear while lip - syncing to " Old Time Rock and Roll " by Bob Seger . This scene has inspired many costumes and a lot of homage throughout celluloid and television , have it much more familiar today than the film itself .

10"The Time Of My Life" In Dirty Dancing (1987)

Baby is rescued from the corner and lifted into an immortalized moment.

unsporting Dancingis essentially a love letter to dance , as Baby ( Jennifer Grey ) learns how to be a performer all while falling in sexual love with professional dance instructor Johnny ( Patrick Swayze ) . social class differences and Baby ’s phratry come between them , but in the last succession of the motion picture , Johnny proves his love for Baby , and they dance in front of everyone , perfecting a difficult liftthat they could n’t land earlier in the motion picture . All of this come together to make theending ofDirty Dancinga romanticistic and comforting conclusion , and the best number out of many in the film .

9"Another Day Of Sun" In La La Land (2016)

Hollywood optimism transcends the misery of L.A. traffic in a seemingly single take.

Ina terrific exhibit of Hollywood spectacle at its fine , La La Land ’s opening songis performed by an enormous group of show - biz hopefuls in an energetic and sprawling dancing number honoring their hopes and dreams . Amid a typical L.A. traffic jam , dancers hop out of their car , jumping and flipping , with the city apparent horizon in the setting as the ensemble babble a prelude to the themes for the remainder of the movie . Few film have been able to deliver such a sport and good entryway into their world . Additionally , the endowment showcased in the opening telephone number easy sucks the looker into a account focused on euphony and performance .

8"You Never Can Tell" In Pulp Fiction (1994)

John Travolta and Uma Thurman twist the night away.

While not a musical , Quentin Tarantino’sPulp Fictionshowcases the director ’s love of euphony and provides an instantly placeable dance duet performed by Uma Thurman and John Travolta , as Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega , severally . The two get up on microscope stage in front of many fellow diners at Jack Rabbit Slims and enter a twist contest , dancing to " You Never Can Tell " by Chuck Berry . It ’s not only the song and the choreography , but the stylization of the intact scene that makes it so iconic . From the costumes to the sets , nothing is out of dramatic play during this dancing number , all immersing the audience in the scene .

7"More Than A Woman" Saturday Night Fever (1977)

John Travolta and Karen Lynn Gorney help to popularize disco.

Saturday Night Feverfeatures another iconic dance duet sport John Travolta , this time joined by Karen Lynn Gorney , and they perform a synchronized disco bit to " More Than a Woman " by the Bee Gees . Though disco music has go back and forth in popularity over the age , Saturday Night Feverplayed a magnanimous part in its commercial-grade detonation in the 1970s . At the culmination of the picture ’s climactic dance contention , Travolta and Gorney , in their respective roles as Tony Monero and Stephanie Mangano , perform their winning number . This dance sequence , and the movie it ’s in , remainsan important part of picture show and ethnic chronicle .

6"Cell Block Tango" In Chicago (2002)

Catherine Zeta-Jones and others sing their defenses from behind bars.

The movie adaptation of the famed Broadway musicalChicagohas the advantage of the core that cinema has on depict spectacle . In one of the catchiest numbers in a musical fill with earworms , " Cell Block Tango " also offersa fantastically choreographed dance revolutionise by Bob Fosse ’s original work for the stage . Catherine Zeta - Jones gives a standout performance in the number , as does the female ensemble punt her up . “Cell Block Tango " is cognize for itspower as a mathematical group numberand has enliven many dancer to put their own spin on the piece .

5"Scott & Fran’s Paso Doble” In Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Paul Mercurio and Fran win over their community in Baz Lurhmann’s triumphant climax.

One of Baz Lurhmann ’s lesser - known productions , Strictly Ballroomfollows a young duo , Scott ( Paul Mercurio ) and Fran ( Tara Morice ) , trying to break into the tight - pace and rigid reality of competitive dance hall dancing . The couple require to showcase new steps and commingle other styles of dancing with the strict rules of dance hall . finally , they perform at a competition in front of the entire residential area . However , the jurist close off their euphony , and they must create a metre from their step until the crowd joins in to give them a rhythm to dance to . Scott and Tara finally jubilate and seeing their community support themis almost as good as their dancing .

4"America" In West Side Story (1961)

Rita Moreno sings the praises of the U.S. in a musical debate.

The original picture adaptation ofWest Side Storyoffers a modern retelling of Shakespeare’sRomeo & Julietand is a tragic tale that does n’t shy away from the dark themes of betrayal and racial violence . Though many song in the musical reflect this darkness , " America " has a bit of a lighter tone and makes fantabulous role of the terpsichorean and costumes in the number . Rita Moreno shines as Anita , the lead performing artist , and the ensemble dancer make the telephone number breathtakingly fun .

3"Singin' In The Rain" In Singin' In The Rain (1952)

Gene Kelly splashes around on a wet but joyful journey home.

The nominal issue of the film Singin ' in the Rain showcasesexactly why Gene Kelly is one of the most synonymous musical performers of all time . Kelly was a dancer of many talents , but exploit was an area where he truly surpass . His acquisition is exemplified as he tap through puddles and pullulate rainwater , making it seem like being drenched is the arrant chance to babble out and dance his gist out . It ’s difficult to choose just one number from the motion picture , as there are so many that stick out out , but"Singin ' in the Rain " can not be overlooked due to its legendary setting and functioning .

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A collage image of Luke Skywalker in A New Hope

12 Best Dance Numbers In Movies, Ranked

Jennifer Garner as Jenna doing the “Thriller” dance with her co-workers (including her boss played byAndy Serkis) in 13 Going on 30

Headshot Of Mark Ruffalo In The 76th Annual DGA Awards

Headshot Of Judy Greer In The Los Angeles premiere of Hulu’s ‘Reboot’

Headshot Of Andy Serkis In The National Theatre ‘Up Next’ Gala

Tom Cruise as Joel dancing in button down shirt and underwear in Risky Business

Headshot Of Richard Masur

Headshot Of Bronson Pinchot In The Celebrity Red Carpet

Headshot Of Rebecca De Mornay

Headshot Of Tom Cruise In The UK premiere of ‘Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning’ Part One

Headshot Of Jennifer Grey

Headshot Of Patrick swayze

Headshot Of Jerry Orbach

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A group of dancing jumping on top of their cars on an LA freeway

Headshot Of Hemky Madera

Headshot Of J. K. Simmons

Headshot Of Sonoya Mizuno In The Warner Bros Red Carpet

Uma Thurman and John Travolta as Mia and Vincent in Pulp Fiction dancing

Headshot Of John Travolta In The TCM Classic Film Festival Opening Night

Headshot Of Bruce Willis In The Premiere of Motherless Brooklyn

Headshot Of Ving Rhames

Samuel L. Jackson headshot

John Travolta as Tony dancing at a disco with Karen Lynn Gorney as Stephanie in Saturday Night Fever

Scott and Tara dancing in the finale of Strictly Ballroom

Gene Kelly as Don hanging from a lamppost in Singin' in the Rain

Headshot Of Debbie Reynolds