Dance scenes peaked in the 90s. For this list, we’ll be looking at high-energy numbers and intimate scenes that are important to the story or just make us want to get up and move.
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00:00 "Lesson of one, I say!"
00:02 [Music]
00:08 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 best dance scenes in 90s movies.
00:16 [Music]
00:26 For this list, we'll be looking at high energy numbers and intimate scenes that are important to the story,
00:32 or just make us want to get up and move.
00:35 Which dance makes you wish flannel shirts and low-rise jeans were still in style?
00:40 Be sure to let us know in the comments.
00:42 Number 10. Time after time.
00:46 Romy and Michelle's high school reunion.
00:48 Once you've graduated high school, you might start thinking about your reunion,
00:52 and what your former classmates will think of you a decade later.
00:56 "We never really had a good enough reason like going to a reunion to motivate us."
01:00 "That's true."
01:00 "Okay, so we're just gonna have to make ourselves more impressive."
01:05 When unpopular slackers Romy and Michelle hear about their 10-year reunion,
01:10 they get a little desperate to make themselves look more accomplished than they really are.
01:14 After a falling out, they learn to stop pretending to be something they're not.
01:18 [Music]
01:30 When they end up in fabulous homemade dresses,
01:32 doing a choreographed dance routine with an actual billionaire,
01:36 it's probably a safe bet that they made a major impression on the other attendees.
01:40 [Music]
01:51 Number 9. Irish dance.
01:54 Titanic.
01:55 This scene isn't just fun to watch, it's pivotal to the movie.
01:58 "I don't know the steps."
02:00 "Neither do I. Just go with it."
02:01 "Don't think."
02:03 Rose finds herself right at home among these rowdy third-class passengers.
02:08 Despite her own initial hesitation,
02:10 she discovers that she can hold her own with them on the dance floor.
02:13 [Music]
02:22 Now that she's had a taste of this unfamiliar world,
02:25 this scene is likely the moment she begins to consider abandoning her first-class lifestyle.
02:30 Contrasted with the dull and quiet evening of brandy and cigars in the smoking room,
02:35 the party below deck looks like a roaring good time.
02:38 [Music]
02:47 Number 8. Funk soul brother.
02:49 She's all that.
02:51 If Usher is DJing, we know Prom is going to rock.
02:54 Somehow he's convinced his fellow students to learn an amazing synchronized dance
02:59 just for the occasion.
03:00 [Music]
03:12 This quickly evolves into a dance-off.
03:14 The boys show off their moves against the girls,
03:16 with popular mean girl Taylor Vaughn leading the pack.
03:20 It culminates in a choreographed line dance featuring some truly impressive style.
03:24 [Music]
03:39 The whole thing looks like something straight out of a 90s music video.
03:43 The scene is a fast-paced, high-energy lead-up to the emotional climax of the movie.
03:48 [Music]
03:51 Number 7. Tango, the mask of Zorro.
03:54 Alejandro Murrieta has taken on the mantle of Zorro,
03:58 the elusive defender of the common people of mid-19th century California.
04:02 [Music]
04:17 Now, he must infiltrate the property of Governor Don Rafael Montero
04:21 to avenge his brother's death and free the people enslaved in a gold mine.
04:26 Along the way, he meets the governor's beautiful adopted daughter Elena,
04:30 who was secretly stolen from the first Zorro years ago.
04:33 [Music]
04:37 In this sultry scene, the two discover they have more in common than just their love of sword
04:43 fighting. There's obviously passion brewing between them, but will it be enough to turn her to his cause?
04:48 [Music]
04:55 Number 6. You Can Leave Your Hat On, the Full Monty.
04:59 A comedy about some regular Joes trying to make it as male strippers might not sound that deep.
05:04 [Music]
05:17 But it actually takes a hard look at some serious issues, like masculinity, body image,
05:22 and finding your confidence again after going through hard times.
05:26 The whole movie has built up to this scene.
05:28 [Music]
05:39 Despite one setback after another, the men finally get a chance to strut their stuff on stage
05:44 in front of a screaming crowd of hundreds. The dance represents their strength in overcoming
05:49 everything life has thrown at them, and it's surprisingly empowering.
05:53 [Music]
06:02 Number 5. Ain't My Type of Hype, House Party.
06:06 Kid has escaped murderous jerks, the cops, and his angry father to make it to this party.
06:11 So when two girls challenge him to a dance battle, he's not about to back down.
06:16 By this time, the party is already jumping, but everyone makes room for this spectacle.
06:21 [Music]
06:33 Kid's first partner can't cut it, but his best friend, Play, is quick to fill in.
06:37 The movie features a style of music and dance that many viewers initially didn't have much exposure to.
06:43 [Music]
06:53 Since then, it's been recognized as an important part of cinema history,
06:58 and there's no doubt that this scene is a highlight.
07:01 Number 4. The Mamushka, The Addams Family.
07:04 Gomez and Morticia know how to throw a party. When it's time to celebrate the return of Gomez's
07:10 long-lost brother, Fester, the whole Addams clan shows up. And to mark the occasion,
07:15 they must dance the dance of brotherly love.
07:17 "We dance the mamushka while neato fiddled, we dance the mamushka at Waterloo.
07:23 We dance the mamushka for Jack the Ripper!"
07:28 Gomez doesn't know that Fester is really an imposter. Sort of.
07:31 So how can Fester perform the dance? At this point, savvy viewers might begin to
07:36 suspect that Fester is more of an Addams than he realizes.
07:40 [Music]
07:47 Of course, weirdos and oddballs of every shape and size are welcome at the Addams house.
07:52 And everyone gets to dance.
07:54 [Music]
08:03 Number 3. You Never Can Tell, Pulp Fiction.
08:07 John Travolta has been known for his dancing since the 70s. But it might be surprising that
08:11 one of his most memorable dance scenes is in a Quentin Tarantino crime movie.
08:16 [Music]
08:26 When Vincent takes his boss's wife Mia out to a 50s-style diner,
08:30 she ropes him into a twist contest.
08:33 [Music]
08:41 They each put their own spin on the old school moves,
08:44 and of course, they walk away with the trophy. Like the rest of the film,
08:47 the scene is both funny and tense, as Vincent tries not to get too close to this beautiful,
08:53 intriguing woman.
08:54 [Music]
08:58 Number 2. Sing, Sing, Sing, Swing Kids.
09:02 In 1930s Germany, these young men live to swing, and Peter will risk everything to keep doing it.
09:09 This sequence highlights the contrast between the bright, colorful scenes inside the swing clubs,
09:14 and the dangerous and oppressive world outside them.
09:17 [Music]
09:27 The music is fast and loud, the dancers are pouring their hearts into it,
09:31 and the energy is off the charts. Since Peter and his friend Thomas will eventually have
09:36 conflict over Thomas's growing loyalty to the Nazi party,
09:39 "Peter, you can't save everybody. There are more important things now. Anytime, we could be at war."
09:44 "If you side with the Nazis, then we're at war. You and me, Thomas."
09:50 It's swinging moments like these that we latch onto so tightly.
09:54 [Music]
10:01 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
10:05 Opening Credits.
10:06 Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery.
10:09 This sequence tells viewers exactly what they're in for.
10:13 [Music]
10:18 Men in Tights.
10:20 Robin Hood, Men in Tights.
10:22 It's always helpful when people explain what they do via song.
10:25 [Music]
10:32 Cuban Pete, The Mask.
10:34 Stanley's dance is so hypnotic, the cops can't help but join in.
10:38 [Music]
10:50 Dream Sequence.
10:51 The Big Lebowski.
10:53 This scene gives us a deep look into the dude's inner psyche.
10:56 [Music]
11:06 The Electric Slide.
11:07 The Best Man.
11:08 A group dance that's a celebration of friendship and true love.
11:12 [Music]
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11:37 Number 1. Paso Doble.
11:40 Strictly Ballroom.
11:42 Dancing is Scott's passion, and he wants to dance his own way.
11:46 But everyone in his life is pressuring him to conform to the Dancing Federation's strict rules.
11:51 Then he meets Fran, who is more open to Scott's inventive, showy style.
11:56 Their backstage dance at a competition is incredibly romantic and intimate.
12:00 [Music]
12:10 But it's their final performance together that's the true showstopper.
12:14 [Music]
12:25 Federation head Barry Fyfe is determined to stop them from upsetting the status quo with their original moves,
12:32 even cutting off the music mid-performance.
12:34 But the audience is so smitten with the pair that they clap along to help them finish the dance.
12:39 [Music]
12:55 Do you agree with our picks?
12:57 Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo,
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13:04 [Music]