Girl learns how to dance in a year


Hip Hop, Ballet and More

Let's face it: real life would be so much better if everyone broke out into spontaneous—and highly choreographed—dance routines at any given moment, but at least we can watch it happen on our screens. Dance movies are basically sports movies, if you do them right. An important subcategory of the musical genre, dance movies are showcases for a ton of technical prowess on display along with intense drama. Rather than enhance character development and storylines through silly old dialogue, it’s way more fun to witness a triumphant pirouette or high-stakes breakdance battle.

As long as the dancing is good, it honestly doesn't matter. Plot development is icing on the cake, IMHO. Dance movies are often set in highly competitive scenarios, whether it be ballet, ballroom, or the street. And sometimes, they're just about dancers living their lives while everything else falls apart! So on that note, we’ve crafted a definitive list of some of the best classic dance films, in no particular order—minus film adaptations of Broadway musicals, because that’s a category for another day.

We’ve got the beloved classics that are also kinda ridiculous (hello, Step Up, Save the Last Dance, and Center Stage! ). We’ve got the ~super-serious~ dramas (yes indeed, The White Crow, And Then We Danced). And we’ve got full-on OTT wackiness (oh yea, Black Swan, Birds of Paradise, and Suspiria!). So curl up with a bag of popcorn and watch some very in-shape people dance their hearts out without even breaking a sweat. Win-win!

1.
Birds of Paradise

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File this one under “guilty pleasures.” This kinda ridiculous film is about two ballerinas competing for the top (and maybe falling for each other?) that joins the pantheon of “dark, twisty, sexy” dance movies that make up a lot of this list.

2.
The Greatest Showman

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Let’s be honest—you’ve probs seen this movie. But if you haven’t, and you love dance, OMG are you in for a treat. Just go ahead and ignore the real-life characters and revel in Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya (!!) and a whole bunch of icons singing and dancing with gorge circus backdrops. It’s so great, it might inspire a musical.

3.
The White Crow

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This biopic is one of the more ~serious~ films on this list: The Soviet-born Rudolf Nureyev, one of the best ballet dancers of all time, decides to defect to the West. It’s gorge and the dancing’s amazing, but it’s also a cool cat-and-mouse Cold War story on top of that.

4.
Climax

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This movie is...intense. A bunch of dancers go to an afterparty and someone spikes their drinks with hallucinogens. What ensues? Dance-fueled-chaos, right this way. So if you love dance and horror films, this is basically your perfect match.

5.
And Then We Danced

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Dance + sexual awakening = this movie. Basically the polar opposite of Climax, this is just about the most gorgeous film ever about dance and romance and being yourself in a world that doesn’t accept you.

6.
Hustlers

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Is there a character introduction in cinematic history that can go toe to toe with J.Lo pole dancing to a Fiona Apple song? I think not. Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu star in this film about strippers who team up to scam finance bros. It's based on a true story and, I actually haven't stopped thinking about J.Lo saying "every girl has muscles to do this" since the film was first released in theaters.

7.
Billy Elliot

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The fact that this film inspired a wildly successful Broadway musical should tell you enough. Billy is a little English boy that just wants to do ballet, so get ready to have your heartstrings tugged.

8. Dirty Dancing

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The be-all and end-all of dance movies, Dirty Dancing, is the story of Frances “Baby” Houseman, who has the time of her life with Johnny Castle, the dance instructor at the resort where her family is spending the summer. The final dance sequence is downright iconic and will make you question why your own partner can’t lift you like that on command.

9. Center Stage

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This movie has everything: Peter Gallagher’s eyebrows, young Zoë Saldana, Olympic gold medalist Ilia Kulik, and an overly sexual finale number set to Michael Jackson and Jamiroquai. Come for the fantastic ballet dancing, stay for the inspirational message that you should always dance with your heart even when your turnout is bad. Margot Fonteyn didn’t have great feet!

10. Black Swan

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Opinions vary as to whether or not this movie is actually scary, but this list isn’t about screaming, it’s about dancing—and Black Swan has plenty of dancing. Natalie Portman plays Nina, a young woman desperate to land the lead role in her ballet company’s production of Swan Lake. Throw in an overbearing but hot director, competition in the form of Mila Kunis, and a psychotic mom living vicariously through her daughter, and you’ve got a big ol’ nightmare ballet stew.

11. Step Up

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Step Up is ostensibly the gritty, semi-ridiculous tale of a young man from the wrong side of the tracks helping a prim ballet dancer add some hip-hop moves to her big audition routine, but it’s really the story of, *SNIFFS*, how Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan fell in love. Four sequels followed, but this one is—without question—the best.

12. You Got Served

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Street dance battles and a contest where the prize is getting to dance in a Lil’ Kim video—what’s not to love? Special note for Lost fans: Malcolm David “WAAAAALT” Kelley is in this movie.

13. Strictly Ballroom

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Baz Luhrmann’s debut film is over-the-top, but in the best way. Scott Hastings partners up with Fran, who’s not really his type in either the romance or dance departments and has no last name. Their worlds collide as the prestigious Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship looms, but all Scott wants to do is bust out his own moves. Fran goes through a seamless transformation, Scott’s hair takes on a life of its own, and a cover of “Time After Time” serves as their love song. There’s also someone called Tina Sparkle, who you know is up to no good.

14. Flashdance

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Alex Owens is a welder by day and burlesque dancer by night who dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. Who hasn’t been there? Also of note is the soundtrack, which features such classics as “Maniac” and “Flashdance…What a Feeling.” The ’80s were truly special.

15. Girls Just Want to Have Fun

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Before she was Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker was Janey Glenn, a high school student who dreams of auditioning for her favorite show Dance TV. The movie also stars a young Helen Hunt and Shannen Doherty, and features Robin Antin, aka the woman who founded the Pussycat Dolls.

16. Footloose

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The 1984 original, not the 2011 remake, because what is Footloose without Kevin Bacon? Exactly. Case closed.

17. Honey

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Some may say Jessica Alba’s best role is Nancy Callahan in Sin City, but those people are wrong because her best role is Honey Daniels in Honey, the story of a woman who just wants to become a choreographer. Missy Elliott also stars in this one, which is a good enough reason for anyone to watch, tbh.

18. Save the Last Dance

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No matter what you think about Julia Stiles’ dancing, there’s no denying that this gem is a classic of the genre. Julia plays Sara, who fails her Juilliard ballet audition then moves to Chicago and learns hip-hop dancing. The best part of all this, though, is that her first new friend is Chenille, a teen mother played by Kerry Washington, pre–Olivia Pope.

19. Saturday Night Fever

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Not everything about this movie ages well, but John Travolta’s dancing is eternal. Can someone please explain why disco isn’t still a thing?

20. Magic Mike

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Yes, this is technically a dance movie because remember: The Kings of Tampa aren’t strippers, they’re male entertainers. And male entertaining means dancing to “Pony” or, in the case of the whole group, “It’s Raining Men.” Hallelujah.

21. Magic Mike XXL

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You can’t watch one without the other, okay?!

22. How She Move

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This underrated gem stars True Blood and Queen Sugar’s Rutina Wesley as Raya, who tries to earn money for school by entering a step competition. The dancing is great, the drama is intense, and if you pay attention, you’ll see The Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev in one of her earliest roles: Tall Girl in Bathroom.

23. Bring It On

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Haters will say Bring It On is about cheerleading and not dancing. But those people must not have been paying attention, because the whole point of the movie is that cheerleaders don’t get enough credit for their sophisticated choreography and fierce athleticism. Team Clovers forever.

24. Suspiria

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All you need to know about Call Me By Your Name director Luca Guadagnino’s remake of the 1977 Italian psychological thriller is that there are wicked (!) dance sequences, Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, and lots of blood.

25. La La Land

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Wherever you stand on the Oscars controversy, you can’t help but grin at the sight of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone prancing their way through a perfectly lit Hollywood. And you know what? This has nothing to do with jazz!

26. Hairspray

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If the High School Musical movies left you wanting more Zac Efron and his sweet, sweet dance moves, this 2007 remake of John Waters’ Hairspray (which did spawn its own musical of the same name) should satisfy all your needs. And maybe make you love John Travolta, who plays Edna Turnblad, even more.

27. White Nights

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If you want to watch the film where Helen Mirren fell in love with her husband, director Taylor Hackford, watch White Nights. If you want to melt at the sight of Mikhail Baryshnikov doing ballet way before he became Aleksandr Petrovsky on Sex and the City, watch White Nights.

28. Fame

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Long before your boys Timothée Chalamet ruled the hallways of New York’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, the school was called the High School of Performing Arts and was essentially a character of its own in the 1980 musical drama Fame (even though the film technically was shot at another school). What happens when a bunch of teens give the whole stardom thing their best shot in dancing, music, and acting onscreen? Two Oscars (Best Original Score and Best Original Song), one Golden Globe (Best Original Song), and a BAFTA (Best Sound) IRL, NBD. (And the theme song that will be stuck in your head for the rest of the week.)

29.
Work It

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We love a good dance competition movie, and this Netflix original is one you definitely don’t want to miss. The star-studded comedy includes Liza Koshy, Sabrina Carpenter, Jordan Fisher, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Michelle Buteau in its cast. And there’s just as much awkward/relatable booty-shaking as there are jaw-dropping moves, which makes it super fun to watch.

30.
Feel the Beat

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April (Sofia Carson) fails to make it big on Broadway—not because she isn’t skilled, but because of her selfish attitude. She then finds herself back in her small hometown, where she starts to explore a different path to success. Now she’s forced to coach a group of young misfits to get her shot at super stardom.

31.
Yeh Ballet

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This movie is based on the real story of Amiruddin Shah and Manish Chauhan. It follows the story of two teen male dancers who went from living underprivileged lives in Mumbai to dancing in a prestigious ballet school in New York City. We see them as they face bigotry and disapproval from the people around them, but they hold onto their dreams of becoming principal ballet dancers.

32.
Bhangra Paa Le

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Bhangra Paa Le shows off the art of traditional dance bhangra—with a modern twist—putting it on the world stage through an international dance competition. It's a beautiful Bollywood movie!

33. Dance With Me

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This might just be the most underrated dance movie of all time. Starring Vanessa Williams and Chayanne, it follows the story of a handsome young Cuban who helps bring a fading dance studio back to life—while falling in love with the head instructor.

34. Moulin Rouge!

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Can-can dancers, Paris, power ballads. ..what more could you want? This classically tragic love story may have a heartbreaking ending, but at least it’s highly entertaining to watch.

35. Every Little Step

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Calling all the former theatre kids out there! This documentary follows real-life dancers as they struggle through auditions for the 2006 Broadway revival of A Chorus Line, and yes, it’s just as dramatic as you think it is.

36.
A Chorus Line

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Or, you know, you could just watch A Chorus Line. Yes, this is a movie musical adaptation of a Broadway show and we said we weren't doing that. ..but it's about dancers! It's one of the definitive stories about dancers, IMO. It also has Michael Douglas.

37.
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights

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Annoy the nearest Star Wars fan by telling them you prefer Diego Luna in Havana Nights to Andor, I friggin' dare ya. The seq—, errrr, prequel to the original Dirty Dancing doesn't have the nostalgic following but it does have the moves.

38.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

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If you recognize the title of this film from a Gilmore Girls episode about a dance marathon gone wrong it won't surprise you to learn that this movie is about a dance marathon gone wrong. Believe it or not, it gets even more dramatic than Dean versus Jess.

39.
Silver Linings Playbook

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It feels like a lifetime since Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence made this romantic comedy. I almost forgot it was about a dance competition, but there are a lot of rehearsal scenes and one heck of a final performance.

40.
Saturday Church

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This coming-of-age movie is about a teenage boy who gets into the vogue and ballroom scene in New York City. It stars Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Indya Moore, who later told similar stories in Pose.

41.
Take The Lead

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Antonio Banderas stars as a ballroom dancer who starts teaching at a school where the students are a little more hip. Does he learn as much from them as they do from him? You better believe it!

42.
An American in Paris

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It was later adapted into a stage musical, but the movie was simply a showcase for Gene Kelly and his dancing talents—more so, perhaps, than even Singing in the Rain. It's about two artist friends who fall in love with the same woman while one is courted by an heiress. With that much drama, you need to dance it out.

43.
Happy Feet

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It's a dance movie about penguins! They're dancing!

44.
All That Jazz

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Before he died, the legendary choreographer Bob Fosse wrote and directed his own biopic... basically. He even cast his former mistress, iconic dancer Ann Reinking, to play a fictional version of herself. The dancing in All That Jazz is electric and dark in Fosse's signature style, but it's not a musical. It's a portrait of an artist.

45.
The Full Monty

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Before Mad Max and its sequel made male strippers protagonists, The Full Monty made them heroes. Set in Sheffield, England, it's about unemployed steelworkers who decide to raise money by starting a striptease act and promising everyone that they'll go 100 percent nakes, thus showing more than the Chippendales. They gain the respect of the town and some killer moves in the process.

46. Swing Kids

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You knew Christian Bale could dance because of Newsies. But have you seen him in this movie about the swing dancing scene in Nazi Germany? It's a cult classic!

Leah Marilla Thomas Leah Marilla Thomas is an entertainment writer, UNC alum, and former Hasbro Toy Tester (yes, that's a real thing) who loves The Good Place and Love Island equally.

34 Best Dance Movies of All Time: Ballet, Hip Hop, Ballroom and More

Movies

The greatest dance films showcasing every style of dance.

©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

Dance movies seem to strike that perfect balance between edge-of-your-seat action and irresistible romance. Even if you’re not a dancer yourself (but especially if you are!), you can’t help but tap your toes while rooting for the good guy in the inevitable dance-off. If you think you’re the only one who likes dance movies, trust — you’re not! There are tons of great dance movies throughout history to prove that most people keep coming back for more.

From Old Hollywood to animated flicks for kids to the dark undertones and cinematic drama of Black Swan, chances are there’s a great dance movie out there for just about anyone. Ready to spend your next movie sesh watching your favorite stars duke it out on the dance floor? You’ve come to the right place for the inspo you need to queue it up! We’ve rounded up some of our faves that include all the best hip-hop dance movies, ballet movies and of course, dance battle movies.

1. Black Swan (2010)

The jury’s out as to whether Black Swan is actually scary. But one thing’s for sure — it’s about as dance-tastic as dance movies get. The dance sequences are incredible in this movie, but it’s also pretty disturbing. Natalie Portman plays Nina, a ballerina who becomes completely consumed by her dark leading role. Every other character in the film — including Lily, played by Mila Kunis — is portrayed through Nina’s eyes, so it’s hard to know if we ever really meet the other characters’ true selves.

2. Feel the Beat (2020)


There are lots of great dance movies on Netflix, and this one is no exception. When April’s (Sofia Carson) dreams of hitting the big time in dance are dashed, she returns hope and finds lots of fulfillment teaching dance to little ones. Alex Owens is a factory worker by day and a night club dancer by night. Her greatest dream? To get into a prestigious dance conservatory and become a full-time professional dancer.

3. Flashdance (1983)

Alex Owens is a factory worker by day and a night club dancer by night. Her greatest dream? To get into a prestigious dance conservatory and become a full-time professional dancer. We dare you not to sign up for dance classes after watching this classic.

4. Footloose (1984, 2011)

Ironically, one of the greatest dance movies of all time is about a town where dancing is not allowed. Maybe that’s why it was remade in 2011. Not only will both versions of this movie inspire you to take dance lessons, you’ll also be singing the songs on the soundtrack for the rest of your life.

5. Dirty Dancing (1987)

If dance movies were ever to be ranked, it’s a guarantee the Dirty Dancing movie would come out on top. You just can’t find romance like that final dance scene anywhere else, and you’ll walk away feeling totally pumped. With a soundtrack that reads like the best of the ‘80s, and Patrick Swayze (equal parts badass and softie) in the lead role, you can’t beat Dirty Dancing when it comes to be the best dance movies of all time.

6. And Then We Danced (2019)

This indie film explores the demanding life of male Georgian dancers. Lead character Merab is on course to become a member of the esteemed National Georgian Ensemble with his partner Mary. But when mysterious, talented Irakli shows up, his presence leaves Merab questioning everything, including his own sexuality.

7. Full Out (2020)

Another of our favorite dance movies on Netflix is Full Out, an inspiring story of a gymnast who takes up dance after an accident derails her dreams of heading to the Olympics. The perfect Saturday night movie for besties who love dance, gymnastics, or both!

8. Center Stage (2000)

Just try to sit still during this flick. Packed with friendship, romance and oh so much dancing (incorporating lots of different genres, too), this dance movie has a little of everything. And we’re apt to believe Center Stage is partially to thank for a wave of amazing hip-hop dance movies that followed. Either way, the choreography is top-notch, and we’re still obsessed with that epic routine at the end (not to mention Jody’s iconic red dress and pointe shoes).

9. Save the Last Dance (2001)

Save the Last Dance came out on the heels of 10 Things I Hate About You, and basically cemented Julia Stiles as a darling of the '00s teen movies. Save the Last Dance contains a solid blend of ballet and hip-hop dance, and we’d be lying if we said we didn’t partially love it because Derek (played by Sean Patrick Thomas) is super dreamy.

10. The Nutcracker (1993)

This film adaptation of the famous ballet stars a still-adorable Macaulay Culkin alongside dancers from the New York City Ballet. There’s plenty of dancing, and this movie really brings the magic of the holiday season full circle. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for the best ballet movies for the holidays.

11. Chicago (2002)

Based on the musical of the same name, the film Chicago starred Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger as the iconic Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart. The movie musical incorporates classic Bob Fosse choreography which translated almost seamlessly from the stage to the big screen. Also, the dance that Velma and Roxie do together at the end of the movie is the perfect duet to try to learn with your bestie.

12. Honey (2003)

Honey is a solid staple in the dance film genre. It stars Jessica Alba as the title character, Honey Daniels, who teaches hip-hop to kids and dreams of becoming a famous music video choreographer. She gets her big break when she’s asked to star in a music video herself. Mekhi Phifer and Joy Bryant co-star as the boyfriend and best friend, respectively, who help keep our fledgling choreographer grounded.

13. Step Up (2006)

Step Up, better known as “the movie that made us fall in love with Channing Tatum,” obviously deserves a spot on this list. Like Save the Last Dance, Step Up does a good job of fusing ballet and hip hop through the interests of its main characters. In addition to Tatum, this dance film also stars Alyson Stoner and Jenna Dewan.

14. Billy Elliot (2000)

The protagonist and title character, 11-year-old Billy Elliot, could literally dance circles around most of us. Set in England in 1984, the movie follows Billy as he ditches boxing and enrolls in a ballet class to follow his real passion. This film actually has a great message, as it reminds us that we should always be true to ourselves no matter what.

15. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Before there was Grease, there was Saturday Night Fever. Let’s face it, Danny Zuko is pretty similar to Tony Manero, John Travolta’s character in Saturday Night Fever. That iconic white suit Tony wears on the poster? It’s basically Danny’s outfit in the “Hand Jive” scene in Grease. Saturday Night Fever will go down in history as one of the best dance movies ever, and the music might make you fall in love with disco. Seriously.

16. Magic Mike (2012)

Mike Lane, played by Channing Tatum, works several jobs, but his greatest ambition is to make furniture. Along the way, however, he discovers his natural talent for dancing — and it's not all about sexy body rolls. He's actually really good! With unforgettable routines and giggle-inducing outfits, this is a dance movie unlike any other.

17. Magic Mike XXL (2015)

Channing Tatum strikes again! Not only was he amazing in Step Up and Magic Mike, he brings his unparalleled dance moves back to the big screen in Magic Mike XXL. And ... well ... thank goodness he did. This time, Mike and the boys are back, and they’re taking their show on the road. Trust us, you won’t be sorry. While the first film was a dark drama from Steven Soderbergh, the latter was a delightful story of a road trip… or, a bro-adtrip, if you will, and features a Donald Glover serenade.

18. Stomp the Yard (2007)

Stomp the Yard is a true gem among dance movies. It centers around a street dancer named DJ who goes to college and joins a fraternity. Once in school, he enters a step dancing competition with his frat brothers. Stomp the Yard offers some seriously impressive combinations that you’ll be dying to try after watching. This flick definitely tops the list of must-see dance battle movies.

19. Shall We Dance? (2004)

In this flick, we watch the burgeoning romance blossom between buttoned-up lawyer John Clark, played by Richard Gere, and his dance teacher Paulina, played by Jennifer Lopez. What ensues is a magical foray into the world of ballroom dance. Not only is it one of the best dance movies ever, it's one of JLo's best films, too.

20. Burlesque (2010)

The classic small-town-girl-heads-to-the-big-city story gets a campy, vampy update in this film. Starring Christina Aguilera, Cher, and Kristen Bell, it's filled with drama, divas, and more Swarovski crystals than you can imagine.

21. Dance with Me (1998)

Equal parts dance and romance, this drama stars Vanessa Williams as a stuck up ballroom dancer and Chayanne as the free-spirited Rafael Infante. They enter a dance contest together and sparks fly.

22. The Company (2003)

Part movie, part documentary, The Company gives a glimpse into the incredibly tough life of a professional ballet dancer with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. It’s not a lighthearted flick, but you’ll be moved nonetheless, especially if you’ve ever studied ballet.

23. Fame (2009)

This remake of the 1980's classic also deserves a place on the list of best dance movies. Its cast features dance luminaries like Bebe Neuwirth and Debbie Allen, as well as household names like Kelsey Grammer and Megan Mullally.

24. Showgirls (1995)

When it comes to this quirky movie, some love it, some hate it. But we can all agree that Showgirls is a pretty accurate portrayal of the life of a Vegas showgirl. The movie shows the hard work, hard choices, and hard realities that Nomi Malone (played by Saved by the Bell's Elizabeth Berkley) must face if she wants to be a star.

25. White Nights (1985)

Real life dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov stars as a ballet dancer who has defected from the Soviet Union and is desperately trying to escape, all while still dancing, of course. The film features tons of inspiring dance scenes and also stars a young Gregory Hines, Helen Mirren, and Isabella Rosellini.

26. Dancers (1987)

Ballet greats Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alessandra Ferri and the completely adorable Julie Kent are caught in a love triangle in this classic dance movie. It’s worth a watch if you’re looking for great dance scenes with a splash of romance.

27. Leap! (2017)

We've got to include this computer-animated cartoon in our list of best dance movies. It chronicles the story of a young orphan (voiced by Elle Fanning) who gets into a dance school in Paris and sets out to follow her dream of becoming a professional dancer, against all odds. The heartwarming film emphasizes the importance of not only having technique, but having passion.

28. You Got Served (2004)

This is one of the greatest hip hop dance movies that showcases not only hip hop, but the unparalleled moves of Omarion. When it comes to dance battle movies, this one’s pretty much what started it all. Showcasing some bangin’ moves from two top Los Angeles street dance crews, things come to a head as they compete for both money and respect. You’ll even see Steve Harvey in this film!

29. Swing Time (1936)

In this classic Hollywood film, Fred Astaire plays Lucky Garnett. Lucky is part dancer, part gambler—and wholly entertaining. He heads to New York to make a fortune, and falls head over heels for a dance teacher played by the one and only Ginger Rogers.

30. The Turning Point

In case you’re looking for yet another love story with Mikhail Baryshnikov at the helm, The Turning Point is a great choice. Starring the legendary dancer alongside Hollywood big-wigs Shirley MacLaine and Anne Bancroft, the back-and-forth drama in this movie encompasses a lot more than just the dance floor!

31. Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights has a lot in common with the original Dirty Dancing. Both center on a shy tee who comes alive in a new city and falls in love with a local—only this time, it's in Havana, and the dancing is filled with Latin spice.

32.

West Side Story (1961)

Watch as Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, and Rita Moreno dance their hearts out in this classic movie musical that won ten Academy Awards.

33. High Strung (2016)

Set against the glamour backdrop of Manhattan, this modern dance film tells the story of a privileged ballerina who falls in love with a struggling violinist. It culminates, of course, with a dance competition.

34. The White Crow (2019)

This biographical dance film, directed by Ralph Fiennes, follows the esteemed career of one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time, Rudolf Nureyev. He escapes the Soviet Union and seeks asylum in France, where he continues to dance until he dies due to health complications from AIDs.

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    90,000 12 life hacks, to quickly learn how to dance from Mamita Dance

    Dances

    Author: Pavel Gather
    Psychologist, Lecturer Salsa and Tango

    Dances

    Author: Pavel Pavel
    Psychologist, Lecturer Salsa

    on At the start, you always want to get a quick result. When it doesn't happen, the hypothesis arises that everything takes time. After a conditionally acceptable time, humility comes to mastering pair dances, which, perhaps, is not given, and I will just do what I learned somehow.

    This is the most common story of those who believe that the mere act of attending a pair dance class is enough to learn how to dance.
    Absolutely not. If you want to really dance well, you have to make an effort outside of the dance class. A good teacher will definitely be needed, but the initiative should be on your side.

    1. Listen to music

    The most common and accessible advice that is given already in the first lessons. And it definitely works. Music creates a certain atmosphere of the dance and intuitively you want to move to it. It doesn't matter where you listen to music - in the car, on headphones while walking or doing household chores.

    An addition that will help you dance better is your active participation in the music. Sing along, dance or simply beat musical accents with any free parts of the body. In the subway, for example, it is enough to tap out bright moments with your fingers, in the car to sing along with sounds, and at home you can jump for pleasure.

    2. Watch videos of good dancers

    It's complicated, but also obvious. It’s more difficult, because without recommendations from more experienced dancers, unfortunately, it’s not so easy to find a good quality video on the net (I mean not the resolution quality, but the content itself).

    Meaningful video viewing is about building an understanding of HOW dancers make a particular impression on a partner or viewer. Technology is at the heart of everything. Understanding how the pros do it is a big step forward.

    It is important to distinguish a show from a disco dance, a staged performance from an improvisation, a stylized dance from an authentic one, etc. Ask for recommendations and dance teachers will always throw off a couple of videos of worthy landmarks.

    Tango Z. Showreel.

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    Tango nuevo is the most advanced version of tango. We can quickly learn to dance from zero to a steep level.

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    3. Dance in salsatecas/milongas/discotheques

    A very delicate moment when it is worth coming to the first party. From a technical point of view, most students in 1-3 months have a sufficient set of figures and techniques to come and dance calmly. Psychologically, the same moment can be stretched out for an indefinite time. After all, it is imperative to “not lose face”, “learn more figures” and be sure what to do in case “there is an unfamiliar movement”.

    In fact, the partygoers don't really care (except for a small layer of non-professional teachers who want to help inexperienced dancers by treating them as customers in the future). It is important to come and try dancing after a month of classes. You can only with friends or guys from your group. This will be enough to feel the adrenaline and inspiration from the dance.

    4. Dance with partners or partners not of your level

    The conventional wisdom that you need to practice in groups of your level does not withstand the test of experience. Perhaps now your eyes widened in surprise, and you want to meaningfully read the phrase again. Yes, you saw everything correctly: when you dance with a partner of your level, you don’t grow anywhere.

    It's important to understand that not only does it work one way and you have to dance with cooler dancers, but it works even more effectively the other way. It is no coincidence that teaching pair dances dramatically raises the level of the teacher himself. You have an endless stream of very beginner dancers.

    How it works. A more experienced partner needs to be "stretched". It's easy and obvious. With beginners, you need to take more initiative on yourself, see the general pattern of the dance more widely, turn on and insure more, try to be an example and be more careful. The quality of interaction begins to grow significantly. And wonderful partners too.

    Dancing with partners of your level doesn't make you grow. Dance with both beginners and more advanced dancers

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    5. Learn to dance for a partner and for a partner

    Turks and Argentines are one of the best partners in the world. In Russia, partners are highly valued. Why? The answer is simple. In Argentina and Turkey, it is not questionable for men to ask another man to lead in one piece or another and give feedback on the quality of the lead. For them, it will be a great shame to hear moralizing from a partner, or even more so to be known in the community as an insecure partner.

    In Russia, due to the constant, often far-fetched, opinion that there are more women in pair dances, partners calmly get up and study their partner's part. Such partners then grow into very cool dancers and teachers. In no case do this at parties, only in class. Here we are talking only about the learning strategy. At parties, be yourself.

    6. Do not memorize the links

    Always try to look deeper and understand the through principle and idea of ​​movement. Understanding what and how is done will make it possible to independently generate any sequences and chips.

    Human memory is limited and there will always be a moment when something will escape and your repertoire will be limited by the size of RAM.

    In Argentine tango, for example, there are seven levels of movement construction that, when mastered, will allow you to make millions of combinations. And how many dance sequences can you really remember? In rueda, more than 150 figures dance in a rare circle. It's hard to keep more in mind.

    7. Develop your body

    Many years of experience in teaching couple dance shows that as soon as everyone pairs up in a class, any progress in individual style ends. But it is the individual style that distinguishes everyone at the disco: partners change, and style is always with you.

    The body as the main instrument of dance must be very plastic, responsive and emotional. Surprisingly, not all pair dance schools have a general physical warm-up. It is vital to tune the body and understand how it works.

    You can always train extra and concentrate more on the basic steps, as their true value is as body work. The sequence of steps is, in fact, the simplest thing that can be in pair dancing. The quality of individual performance determines the craftsmanship.

    8. Try on the images of inspiring dancers

    A psychological life hack for those who have already mastered the steps, but still feel that there is not enough brightness and drive. Most are terribly afraid of being someone else's "clone". Here the action is the same as under the influence of hypnosis - the more you resist, the more you plunge into an altered state of consciousness.

    With a high degree of probability, you are already dancing like someone else's "clone". A meaningful fitting of someone else's image is that you mentally take the image of the one who inspires you (inspiration is critical in this case) and "put on" yourself. Then you start dancing and trying to feel in general how it is to be able, for example, to be the best partner or the sexiest partner in a disco. This is much more difficult than it seems. But it works extremely efficiently.

    9. Dance to offbeat music

    Habitual rhythms keep you tight. Tango salon or speedy timba leave little room for experimentation and fantasy. Pattern dancing is always noticeable and is reserved for beginners.

    The truly new is born outside of the usual. Look for places to experiment. If there is no place, organize self-training. The main thing is not to get carried away, because music determines the style. We bring something new to pair dances, rather than trying to change them.

    Search, improvise, don’t be afraid to go beyond, develop in different directions, be inspired by music atypical for the style

    10. Try your hand at basic dance directions

    dances exist according to their own non-choreographic laws.

    This is the deepest delusion, which has turned into a ceiling for the qualitative development of partner dances. After all, all professional dancers, for example, in salsa or bachata, build their ideas on the basic choreographic principles.

    Do not think that choreography is only applicable on stage. Any meaningful movement of the body can be choreographic. In general, try classical or modern choreography. Basically, hip-hop can work too.

    11. Look for battle sensations

    Pair dances return us to an active position of manifestation of our body. As in the days of our ancient ancestors, we impress the members of the opposite sex by how dexterous, hardy, sexy, etc. we are. Modern laws of the jungle in the entourage of big cities.

    If you look around the dance floor, it becomes clear that the majority are clearly herbivores (not in the sense of vegetarians, but in relation to those around them). I am sure that predators are always more interesting in terms of the attractiveness of the image - try to find a counterbalance among herbivores, for example, a cat woman or a lion man.

    The conversation is about an internal position, not about aggressiveness. Lability and lack of control are inherent in adolescents, and not in adult self-sufficient people.

    Accordingly, even a training or friendly battle gives, on the one hand, practical skills - to make a bright sequence of movements, bring an idea to a climax, show a spectacular feature, on the other hand, develops the psychological basis of the dance - self-confidence, resistance to extraneous attention, self-control and self-control in complex elements.

    12. Communicate with professionals

    The environment shapes the internal position. Basically, real passionaries of the dance community are ready to openly talk, discuss and support the development of dance in every possible way. Universal principles and the ideas they articulate have a much longer and more practical perspective than meets the eye.

    Accept that, for example, behind the words "listen to your partner" is not only a beautiful metaphor, but also a practical skill to literally listen to your partner. At the same time, always treat every thought, even the most respected teacher, as a private opinion.

    Your skill will lie in finding the scope of the idea even in conflicting opinions. Most often, the contradiction is speculative and the truth lies in the angle of perception or situationality.

    Your dancing growth will stop sooner or later. This can happen at the level of three basic steps or years of experience in teaching and show performances. Regardless of your level, the suggested 12 life hacks can get you off the ground and greatly accelerate your dance growth. There is no way here without your motivation and activity. Take your dance development into your own hands. 9Ol000 Dangerous sexuality

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    Couple dancing as a source of strength.

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    The Salsa series as a mirror of the community

    Mamita Fridays: salsa, bachata

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    Does dancing make us better?

    The seven deadly sins of teachers

    Why we will never dance bachata like the Dominicans

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    Selection of dances according to alcohol preferences

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    Argentinean tango through the eyes of a salsa dancer

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    How to teach a child to dance at home

    Dancing is a fun and positive activity that has absolutely no age restrictions. Already in the first year of their life, babies make their first dance movements to the music - they clap, squat, stomp their feet. As children grow older and develop motor skills, they are able to master more and more complex elements of dance, but for this they need the help and support of their parents.

    We stimulate the desire to dance

    Having noticed a preschooler's interest in dancing, mothers and fathers try to develop it and, as a rule, enroll the child in classes at dance studios. Moreover, many parents simply do not know how to teach their child to dance at home on their own, so they prefer to leave it in the hands of experienced coaches. Such a decision is logical and rational if you want to "grow" a professional dancer out of your baby. In most cases, namely for general development and just pleasure, classes with a child of 3-6 years old can be carried out at home.

    Parents need to remember and understand that dance is, first of all, a way of self-expression. An impromptu free dance reflects the characteristics of a person’s character, his temperament. Each child dances in their own way: someone jumps rhythmically to the beat of the music, someone modestly shifts from foot to foot, and someone demonstrates original movements. The task of parents is not to "reshape" their baby's dance style, but to help him develop his potential and become liberated, if necessary.

    Moms and dads do not need to schedule classes with their baby - the beauty of home dancing is that you can do it at any time. Heard a rhythmic song on the radio - dance, clean the house to the music - find time for dancing. With a child of 3-4 years old, it is not even necessary to learn specific dances, because. at this age, it is enough to simply develop general musicality, plasticity and a sense of rhythm.

    It is very important to decide on the choice of musical material that stimulates the child's desire to dance. Watch the baby's reaction to individual songs - some compositions will make him feel sad, and some will lift him up and make him dance.

    Easy to Hard

    Preschoolers soak up information at an incredible rate, so don't be surprised if you see your toddler meticulously copying dance moves from a recent video clip. Children are open to new knowledge and skills, but it will take some time to master them. If a child fails to reproduce the dance he likes, it is necessary to support him and help him learn the movements. This should be done gradually, without pushing and, moreover, without criticizing the baby.

    Some parents are in a hurry to choose the right dance style for their child right away. Moreover, the decisive factor is usually the personal preferences of mom and dad, and not the desire of the baby. It is important to understand here that dancing is creativity and a way of self-expression, so the right to choose still belongs to the child himself. Perhaps the kid does not want to limit himself to one style at all and dances, rather, for pleasure, and not to achieve a certain result.

    The process of teaching a child to dance should be exciting, presented in a playful way. You can start with improvisations - just turn on the music, dance yourself and invite your baby to join you. Already at this stage, it is possible to assess the general potential of a preschooler, as well as the degree of his enthusiasm and sense of rhythm. Gradually move on to learning easy dance moves:

    • turns;
    • jumping;
    • steps;
    • handclaps;
    • inflows;
    • rocking from side to side.

    For an adult, such elements seem very simple, but children aged 3-4 years have to work hard to perform them correctly. Be sure to demonstrate all the movements yourself and encourage the baby, even if he does not perform them quite confidently.

    Gradually begin to "link" the individual elements into a dance - combine them using stomps and claps as transitions. Learning even such easy dances develops the attention, memory and coordination of the child, which is very important at preschool age. The main thing is not to get hung up on the quality of movements and let the baby enjoy the process.

    And a few more tips for parents helping their child learn to dance:

    • Encourage your child to dance . Give compliments, praise, but do not overdo it - a few words of praise will be enough to cheer up the baby.
    • Choose dances that suit your child's temperament . It is difficult for active and restless children to concentrate while performing a waltz, and moving dances are not easy for calm and relaxed children.
    • Instill a love for music . If a child likes music, then it will be easier for him to dance - a sense of rhythm and a musical mood greatly facilitate the learning process.
    • Organize home discos. Some children, even having excellent dancing skills, are simply embarrassed to dance. In this case, they need to be helped to overcome their modesty, to become liberated. And you can do this with the help of home discos, where the baby will feel calmer and more confident.

    Over time, parents will decide for themselves when to send their child to dances, and whether it is worth it at all.


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