When it comes to 80s dance scenes, it doesn't get more iconic than these. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Dance Scenes in ‘80s Movies.
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00:00Nobody puts a baby in a corner.
00:06Welcome to WatchMojo. Today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 dance scenes
00:11in 80s movies.
00:12For this list, we'll be looking at the choreography and dance sequences from films spanning between
00:251980 to 1989 that define this era and the dance genre.
00:31Which 80s dance scene is on your movie must-watch list? Let us know in the comments.
00:38Number 20. Old-time rock and roll. Risky business.
00:48This is the dance that's had generations of kids sliding around their homes and crashing
00:52into furniture. It's also arguably the moment that shot Tom Cruise into stardom.
01:05In the comedy-drama, he plays Joel Goodson, a teen enjoying newfound freedom when his
01:09parents go out of town. So, what is one of the first things you do without parental supervision?
01:15Well, if you're Joel, you strip down to your shirt and boxes and rock out to Bob Seger's
01:20old-time rock and roll. It's so iconic that it has been referenced and parodied endlessly
01:33throughout popular culture. The number was even included in the American Films Institute
01:38Top 100 Songs in American Cinema of the 20th Century.
01:46Number 19. Detention dance. The Breakfast Club. It's Saturday. You're in detention
01:51with four people you have nothing in common with. And the conversation's dried up. What
01:57do you do? Dance, of course. The Breakfast Club is well-remembered for its stellar cast,
02:10quotability, and this unforgettable dance sequence featuring the principal actors. According
02:16to Molly Ringwald, however, that's not how the scene was initially envisioned.
02:20Excuse me, sir. I think there's been a mistake. I know it's detention, but, um, I don't
02:26think I belong in here.
02:28The dance was meant to be a solo moment for her character, Claire, but she didn't feel
02:32too comfortable dancing alone. So, in a last-minute switch, director John Hughes decided to turn
02:39it into a group number. And what a moment it was. We're almost hoping to get a detention
02:44just to recreate it.
02:53Number 18. Day O. The Banana Boat Song. Beetlejuice. For a fantasy horror-comedy about a wily bio-exorcist,
03:02some ghosts with unfinished business, and a gothic teen, this film sure has some great
03:07dance moments. Lydia and company grooving to Harry Balafonte's jump in the line is
03:20very entertaining. However, nothing's quite as epic as the hilariously haunting dinner
03:25party scene, where the guests become possessed and are compelled to dance. The attendees,
03:38led by Catherine O'Hara's Delia Dietz, act their socks off and dance their hearts
03:43out, and it's hilarious. This is one of the film's wackier scenes, but undeniably
03:48its standout moment. We'd probably pass on a dinner invite from the Dietzes, but we'd
03:54gladly watch this on repeat.
04:04Number 17. The Wedding Performance. Coming to America. Did you know this stunning routine
04:16was choreographed by none other than Paula Abdul? The former Laker girl was discovered
04:21by the Jackson family during a game, and would go on to choreograph for Janet Jackson.
04:26So, when film director John Landis needed someone to choreograph a dance for the Eddie
04:30Murphy rom-com, he asked to speak to the person that choreographed Janet Jackson. Abdul wasn't
04:36only super young at the time, but she wasn't even yet choreographing for Janet, so she
04:41had to convince him that she knew what she was doing. Indeed, she put in the hours and
04:52effort and created something truly spectacular. Abdul called the routine,
04:57one of the things I'm most proud of. Yeah, if we created that, we would be too.
05:07Number 16. Beauty Salon. School Days. As with many Spike Lee projects, this movie musical,
05:14set in the 70s, addresses numerous political and social issues that still affect the Black
05:19community today. The song about so-called good and bad hair sees two groups of college students
05:34face off through an invigorating song and dance number, choreographed by Otis Salid.
05:39The film's poignant message is felt through every step, and you can't help but feel moved
05:44by the passion throughout. The talent and artistry that goes into creating and performing
05:49something so powerful and visually stunning are breathtaking. It's a dance and cinematic
06:02phenomenon, and if you ask us, it deserves a lot more recognition. If you haven't yet, go check it
06:08out. Number 15. Ducky's Dance. Pretty in Pink.
06:28Ducky became an unexpected heartthrob thanks to his impassioned lip-sync to Otis Redding's
06:43Try A Little Tenderness. According to actor John Cryer, his script simply read that Ducky
06:48enters the room singing, and he really puts his all into it. To prepare, he teamed up with
07:02choreographer Kenny Ortega to craft a showstopper with no business going this hard. Cryer recalled
07:08that Howard Dutch was irritated by what they'd put together since he knew it would be too good
07:13not to use, and they'd need more production time than planned and budgeted to do it justice.
07:18We love how spontaneous it looks, and we're thrilled they put in the extra hours to share
07:22it with us. Number 14. Shake A Tailfeather. The Blues Brothers.
07:33Well, I heard about the fella you've been dancing with all over the neighborhood.
07:39So why didn't you ask me, baby? Or didn't you think I could?
07:45Originally written by Andre Williams, Otha Hayes, and Verley Rice, and performed here by Ray Charles,
07:51this number demands you get up and dance along. The title requires the listener to shake their
07:55booty while the lyrics are splattered with references to dance trends, including the
08:00twist, the mashed potato, and the boogaloo, among others. Watching the crowds dance outside Ray's
08:14store is joy-inducing, and that build to the chorus gives us just enough time to jump to our
08:20feet and join in. We could watch this scene thousands of times, and it will never fail
08:24to put a smile on our faces or a spring in our step. Number 13. Twist and Shout. Ferris Bueller's
08:41Day Off. Arguably no other film made playing hooky look more appealing than Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
08:47And of course, the parade scene where Ferris lip-syncs to Twist and Shout became the ultimate
08:52fantasy for countless 80s teens. Bueller appears surrounded by performers who don't question this
09:05stowaway on their float. However, it does get everyone in the vicinity dancing, almost as if
09:10they'd just been waiting on this unruly team to get the party started. And it genuinely looks like
09:24everyone's having the time of their lives. This is hands down one of the coolest scenes to emerge
09:29from 80s cinema, and it's still a major crowd pleaser to this day. Number 12. The Dance TV Finale.
09:44Girls Just Want to Have Fun. The whole film's been leading up to the Dance TV contest finals,
09:50and it's just as amazing as we'd hoped. Jamie, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, sneaks out of the
10:02house after getting grounded to join a variety of talented pairs strutting their best stuff in a bid
10:08to be crowned Dance TV regulars. This is 80s dance at its finest, and some of the acrobatic moves are
10:15jaw-droppingly awesome. While every duo blows us away with a special nod to Mirror Image, it's
10:21Jamie and Jeff who really knock it out of the park. It's peak 80s and a whole lot of fun. We
10:33couldn't help but wonder why it's so underrated though. Number 11. Broom Dance. Break In.
10:52Award winners don't push brooms. Oh yeah, why don't you go out and sweep, man? Who do you think
10:58you are anyway, Fred Astaire? Not only is Break In filled with impressive choreography, but it
11:03holds a special place in the 80s dance movie zeitgeist, much like the 1984 hip-hop flick
11:09Beat Street. Anyway, one of Break In's most defining moments was Turbo's dance with a broom.
11:25Michael Boogaloo Shrimp Chambers' moves are magnetic, and his control as he isolates various
11:31body parts seems almost superhuman. Speaking of extraordinary performances, we'd be remiss not
11:37to at least mention his ceiling dance in the sequel. But the gravity and logic-defying broom
11:43dance remains in a league of its own to this very day. We have no doubt it will continue
11:48to leave audiences in awe for generations to come. Number 10. Score Tonight. Grease 2.
12:03While it doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, Grease 2 has its fair share of notable song and
12:10dance numbers. This new generation grooves its way into a fresh start at Rydell and sees out
12:15the year with a fun and spirited luau. Perhaps the most impressive routine sees the cast bring
12:30their remarkable dance talents to the bowling alley, where the ensemble brilliantly combines
12:35the game with animated steps. Watching them take their shots and then fly into pirouettes is amazing.
12:52But we're particularly bowled over by their moves during the instrumental dance break.
12:58Regardless of what you think about the movie, this is a striking scene. And yes,
13:03puns very much intended. Number 9. Xanadu. Xanadu flopped so majorly that it, in part,
13:25inspired the launch of the Golden Raspberry Awards. However, one category we believe they
13:41wouldn't be eligible for is worst choreography. After all, this was a film helmed by Olivia
13:47Newton-John and Gene Kelly. And, if you ask us, the whenever-you're-away dance sequence is enough
13:53to earn the movie a little redemption. Still, nothing's more quintessential of the era than
14:07the flashy titular number. There's so much going on that it's
14:23hard to pick out just one moment. Everything from the exaggerated moves,
14:27bold costumes, and roller skates totally screams the 80s.
14:43Number 8. Opening credits. Do The Right Thing. Spike Lee's opening credits are almost as
14:49memorable as his movies. Do The Right Thing takes place on a sizzling summer day in Brooklyn,
14:55where racial tensions are at an all-time high. The themes are prevalent from the first moment
15:10you see Rosie Perez dancing to Fight The Power. Lee uses words like defiant, angry, and rhythmic
15:17to describe the intent behind the choreography and approach public enemy to create a song that
15:22suited this vibe. Additionally, he shared that the 1963 movie musical Bye Bye Birdies' opening
15:40title also inspired him. Perez's moves are stylistic, full of purpose, and utterly hypnotic.
15:57It certainly earns its place as a part of cinematic history.
16:01Number 7. Far From Over. Staying Alive. If you're not yet feeling that 80s nostalgia, we got you.
16:10The sequel to 1977's Saturday Night Fever reintroduces us to a former disco king,
16:21Tony Manero. As he pursues his big break in the dance world, in this scene, Tony steals
16:27the spotlight from the other auditionees while strutting his stuff to Frank Stallone's Far From
16:31Over. It's an unbelievably energetic and athletic sequence, with dancers spinning,
16:47leaping, and flipping all over the place, and Travolta's unparalleled talents leading the way.
16:52Seriously, his hips have us locked in a trance from which we never want to be awakened.
17:02Number 6. Prove Me Wrong. White Nights. What's better than having one dance icon leading a movie?
17:12Two of them, of course. White Nights combined the unrivaled talents of ballet giant
17:18Mihail Baryshnikov and tap dancing legend Gregory Hines.
17:31The film follows two people from vastly different backgrounds who find common ground through their
17:36passion for dance. This sequence encapsulates just that. The pair move in perfect unison,
17:42but it's also clear that each brings a unique flair and slightly different feel to the choreography.
17:53Hines shared that the film was a collaborative effort,
17:57with both using their opposing backgrounds to bring out the best in each other.
18:01We don't need to tell you that the payoff was tremendous. Just watch for yourselves.
18:18Number 5. The Audition. Flashdance. Remember when Alex dances to
18:23He's a Dream early on in the film? You know, that iconic bit with the chair?
18:37The innovative choreography goes so hard that we didn't think they could ever top it. But then came
18:44Alex's audition, and we were left feeling like we'd just been doused in water. She sets herself
18:50apart from the other auditionees with an upbeat, jazzy routine to Irene Cara's What a Feeling.
19:07It combines ballet, jazz, contemporary steps, and even a little break dancing.
19:13Is it any wonder that the panel loses its composure as the routine builds momentum?
19:21This dance changed the face of musical movie history and became a pop culture phenomenon.
19:34Number 4. Everyone Gets Footloose. Footloose. For a movie set in a small town that's banned
19:40everything from ballroom swaying to toe-tapping,
19:43it was surprisingly hard to choose just one standout dance scene.
19:51No one does angry dancing quite like Ren, and watching him teach Willard some moves
20:00was also pretty memorable. Still, nothing beats the teens' excitement
20:04when they finally let loose at the prom. Everyone really brings it, and each moment's
20:17joyously euphoric. You can imagine audiences back in 1984 jumping to their feet in packed
20:23theaters and grooving along. Even the most reluctant of dancers can't help but be
20:39figuratively and literally moved by the vibes in this scene.
20:55Number 3. Opening Scene Audition. A Chorus Line.
20:58There's no denying that A Chorus Line's finale is a singular sensation and a thrilling combination.
21:09However, we have to spotlight the moment that started it all.
21:26The film opens the curtains on the grueling experience of auditioning for a Broadway show.
21:31We watch countless hopefuls perform complex and intricate choreography
21:35in a bid to stand out from the crowd.
21:48Their flexibility, agility, and stamina amaze us, much today as they did when we first saw
21:53the movie. If it were up to us, we'd just get a bigger stage to accommodate all the talent.
22:08Every second is magnetic and utterly riveting, and nothing says a 5-6-7-80s more.
22:16Number 2. Fame, Fame.
22:31If you're anything like us, you only need to hear the opening beats to this song,
22:35and you're grabbing your leotard and leg warmers and heading out to the street.
22:40This scene proves that you don't need slick and meticulous choreography
22:44to create an unforgettable and legendary dance moment.
22:56Indeed, Irene Cara's iconic tune literally stops traffic as the students rush into the
23:02busy New York roads and move in whatever way the music compels them to. Apparently,
23:06it took three days to shoot, and they closed half of central Manhattan to get it done.
23:14Yet, it looks totally spontaneous, feels electric, and oozes fun. The number practically
23:21defines this generation of dance genre, and we have no doubt its legacy will live forever.
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23:411. I've Had the Time of My Life – Dirty Dancing
23:48Few dances from the 80s movies stand out as much as this show-stopping finale.
23:53And no, not just because of that famous lift.
24:02Choreographers Kenny Ortega and Doriana Sanchez combined several dance styles
24:07to create their signature dirty dancing moves. The routine appears during the film's climax
24:12when Baby finally comes into her own and shows everyone that she can really strut her stuff.
24:18The fluidity and sensualness of the steps, combined with Johnny and Baby's fiery chemistry,
24:23made this a timeless moment, beloved by generations.
24:37We're not embarrassed to admit that we've tried replicating their moves.
24:41Just point us to the nearest lake, and we'll even give that lift a go. Any volunteers to catch us?
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