Is there anything more uplifting than watching an iconic dance film? Even the darkest of dance movies—Hustlers, Black Swan—can’t help but compel you to get up, sashay, and twirl around the room.
Of course, the benefits of dance are well-documented—and even engaging in intuitive, non-choreographed forms of dance has been proven to improve your well-being. But you don’t have to actually dance to reap the benefits of this age-old form of expression: research shows that just watching dance really can promote emotional and physical healing. As Patrick Swayze’s character Johnny Castle says in Dirty Dancing: “It’s not the mambo. It’s a feeling; a heartbeat.”
Not that you need to know any of that to enjoy the dance movies listed below. Dance is also just plain fun—whether you’re tapping, pirouetting, shimmy-ing, moonwalking, or just watching someone else do all the above from the comfort of your own couch.
The Red Shoes (1948)
This Technicolor Powell and Pressburger drama is a classic for a reason. Starring Marius Goring and Scottish ballet dancer Moira Shearer, it loosely follows the plot of the 19th-century Hans Christian Andersen fable of the same name, about a pair of red shoes with the power to make a girl dance until she dies. (A phastasmagoric ballet adapted from the same story is the centerpiece of the film.) Marking the Archers’ tenth collaboration, The Red Shoes has long been considered their greatest achievement, winning Oscars for its score (by Brian Easdale) and art direction (Hein Heckroth) and inspiring an album by Kate Bush in 1993.
Royal Wedding (1951)
The great Fred Astaire delivered many astonishing dance routines across his film career, especially with Ginger Rogers—but one of his most memorable was actually a solo. What we’re referring to, of course, is the scene mostly known as “the ceiling dance” from Royal Wedding: a bit of cinematic wizardry by director Stanley Donen (and enchanting choreography by Nick Castle) that made Astaire look like he was tip-tapping on the walls, and then the ceiling, of his room during “You’re All the World to Me.” (Have a look at this video to understand how they pulled it off.)
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
The “Good Mornin’” scene! The “Moses supposes” scene! The occasionally frightening “Make ’Em Laugh” scene! The gorgeous dream ballet! The actual “Singin’ in the Rain” scene! This quintessential musical about Hollywood’s transition from silet films to “talkies” still holds up as a totally bewitching piece of work, anchored by three otherworldy stars: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds.
West Side Story (1961) and (2021)
There is nothing new to say about West Side Story: From its moving reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet to its classic Leonard Bernstein score, it remains one of the greatest American musicals ever made. Essential to the piece’s success were its elegantly athletic dance sequences by Jerome Robbins, captured for posterity in his 1961 film with Robert Wise—but Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, choreographed by Justin Peck, has the juice, too, reimagining classic numbers (“America,” “Cool”) to thrilling effect.
Sweet Charity (1969)
A number of Bob Fosse movies would be well-placed on this list—including 1953’s Kiss Me Kate, for which he cheographed a single, incredible scene—but we’re going with Sweet Charity for the perfect absurdity of the “Rich Man’s Frug.” The wrists! The legs! The necks! Fosse spared no detail in his choreography (nor in his filmmaking), crafting an utterly irresistible number that would eventually find its way into an amazing montage in 2000’s Bring It On.
Flashdance (1983)
Dance movies were all the rage in the 1980s, and Flashdance was the film that started it all. Directed by Adrian Lyne (his first feature!) and starring Jennifer Beal (who almost didn’t take the part!) the film’s plot follows Alex (Beal), who works as a welder in a steel mill but dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. Shot in a style that mimicked the music videos of the era, the film features some of the most influential and iconic dance sequences in movie history. There’s the sexy “wet chair” dance! The final “What a Feeling” audition dance! And no one can deny the impact the film had on the decade’s fashion, courtesy of Beal’s off-the-shoulder slouchy sweatshirts, leg warmers, and leggings.
Footloose (1984) and (2011)
Yes, there are two Footloose movies, and surprisingly, both are pretty fantastic in their own right. They’re fairly similar in terms of theme and plot: both feature the same conumdrum—a small town where rock n’ roll and dancing in public is illegal!—and the same rebellious, big-city teenage transplant on a mission to change it all. Which version is better? That’s entirely dependent on your mood: choose the 1984 version when you’re craving an earnest, retro romp and Kevin Bacon’s unbelievably magnetic energy; watch the 2011 version when you want deeper character development and more polished dance moves. Either way, you can’t lose.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Perhaps one the most beloved and memorable dance movies of all time, Dirty Dancing has it all: romance, humor, and—of course—an often shirtless Patrick Swayze. But this coming-of-age tale is more than just a sexy summer romp filled with sultry moves and big hair; it’s also a nuanced portrayal of a young woman’s transition from childhood innocence to full-bodied female independence. “My character really becomes a woman, and becomes aware of her sensuality,” Jennifer Gray, who plays protagonist Frances “Baby” Houseman, told Diane Sawyer in a 1987 interview. With the film’s exploration of family dynamics, class conflict, and a woman’s right to choose—as well as that soundtrack of knock-out ‘80s hits—it’s no wonder that its classic line, “Nobody puts Baby in a corner,” still wields power.
Billy Elliot (2000)
Everyone has a dream—and this 2000 film about an 11-year-old, ballet-loving British boy who lives in a small coal mining town in the mid-1980s is sure to inspire you to follow yours. Thanks to emotional performances (Jamie Bell as the titular character; Julie Walters as his dance teacher) and whip-smart direction by Stephen Daldry, the film is heartwarming, uplifting, and not the least bit cloying. It’s even set to a surprisingly cool soundtrack, featuring The Clash and T. Rex. It’s no wonder the film was nominated for three Academy Awards and inspired a Tony Award-winning musical.
Step Up (2006)
There’s a reason this 2006 romance starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan spawned so many follow-ups and a whole TV series: it’s entertaining, fast-paced, and fun. Its energetic dance sequences, which feature a modern hybrid of ballet and hip hop, also had a surprising impact on dance culture, contributing to the rise of dance competition shows like So You Think You Can Dance as well as the release of other late-aughts dance films like You Got Served. While the plot may be predictable, the chemistry between Tatum and Dewan is electric—so much so that the on-screen couple famously became an off-screen couple after filming. They’ve since divorced, but their legacy—and that infamous final dance scene—lives on. (Seriously: The six film franchise has collectively earned $651 million at the box office.)
Black Swan (2010)
When Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller premiered in 2010, it received one of the longest standing ovations in the history of the Venice Film Festival, and went on to become one of the most-talked about (and financially successful) films of the year. Starring Natalie Portman—who later won the best-actress Oscar for her performance—as a wannabe prima ballerina on the verge of a breakdown, Black Swan shows viewers the dark side of perfection, identity, duality, repression, and illusion, featuring captivating performances by Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder, and Barbara Hershey.
Frances Ha (2012)
Before there was Barbie, there was Frances Ha. The indie film that introduced most of us to the infallible charms of Greta Gerwig is all about the struggles of adulting. When aspiring dancer Frances (Gerwig) loses her job as an apprentice at a modern dance company, it sets forth a chain of events that include a breakup, the loss of an apartment, an impromptu escape to Paris, and—ultimately—a new way forward. Directed in crisp black and white by Noah Baumbach, the film nods to French New Wave classics while exploring the modern challenges we all face when it comes to creativity, finances, romance, and friendship. Luckily, Gerwig’s quirky dance moves, optimism, and humor make it all the more fun to watch.
Hustlers (2019)
In this comedy-drama centered on the power of female friendship and the ethics of survival, Jennifer Lopez delivers one of her most riveting and emotionally charged performances yet; the star’s portrayal of stripper-turned-criminal Destiny even garnered rumors that Lopez was a shoo-in for an Oscar. (Fun fact: Lopez spent nearly three months training so she could perform the film’s main pole dance routine without the help of body double.) With a soundtrack featuring Janet Jackson, Fiona Apple, and Britney Spears, and a raw and energetic shooting style, the film offers a juicy behind-the-scenes peek at the glitzy-seedy world of exotic dance—and the guts it takes to persevere.
