Best Dance Movies

Sweeping screens since way-back-when, the legendary dance movie is one that has proved successful and utterly catastrophic for cinema and producers alike. Ultimately difficult to get just ‘right’, the dance movie has to contain enough of a plot to sustain the feature on its own, and inevitably be backed up by a load of super stellar dance moves that delight and entertain in equal measure. In a moment of reflection, we take a look back at some of the all-time Best Dance Movies. Be sure to check out this article over at I'm With Geek, in its original version, right here. 

Dirty Dancing

You may have guessed that this addition would be on our list. Possibly one of the most well-known dance movies, Dirty Dancing features Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze as Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and Johnny Castle, respectively. The film follows Baby as she vacations at Kellerman’s with her family, and focuses on the developing relationship between Baby and the Resort’s dance instructor, Johnny. The iconic scene from the film (you know the one – the lift) has been recreated and referenced so many times it seems utterly insane to suggest that Baby and Johnny haven’t earned their place amongst our list. 

Black Swan

Dark and elegant in equal measures, the five-time Academy Award Nominated Black Swan plied its way onto screens in 2010. Starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, Black Swandocumented young Nina Sayers’ dancing journey, as she competes for the lead role in her company’s production of Swan Lake. Waiting in the wings as her understudy, and also initially as her black swan counterpart, is Lily (Kunis), as Nina seems unable to truly let go and perform as both the perfect White Swan and the dark and sensual Black Swan. Psychologically torturing and beautifully performed, Black Swan showcased some of the most impressive ballet moves imaginable and the levels of passion and innocence displayed by Portman were unrivalled by any other.

Billy Elliot

Featuring the boy who just wants to dance, Billy Elliot is one of those touching and invigorating films that you just can’t help but love. Starring Jamie Bell as the infamous Billy, and the delightful Julie Walters as Billy’s helpful dance teacher, Sandra Wilkinson, the film followed Billy as he struggles to showcase his talent and become a successful dancer, despite opposition from his own father, Jackie (Gary Lewis), and older brother, Tony (Jamie Draven). Nominated for a whole heap of awards, Billy Elliot was so emotional that we still haven’t really gotten over it.

Step Up

Often known as the film which spawned so many sequels and rip-offs, Step Up reignited a passion for dance that audiences had long forgotten they had. Step Up also has the added bonus of featuring real-life couple Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum as Nora Clark and Tyler Gage, respectively. When Tyler is caught vandalising an arts and theatre school, he is sentenced to 200 hours of community of service, to be completed at the aforementioned school. Upon arrival, he meets Nora, a dance student who is preparing for her senior showcase. After Nora’s dance partner is injured, Tyler suggests he can be her rehearsal partner, and she initially refuses but eventually accepts after he demonstrates he can handle the routine. The movie features a whole combination of street-dance and classical performance and intertwines the two beautifully in a mix of different culture and energy. 

Save the Last Dance

Continuing the streak with ballet-centred films, Save the Last Dance stars Julia Stiles as Sara Johnson, an aspiring dancer who desists from dancing all-together after her mother dies after trying to get to an audition to see her perform. After moving to Chicago and in with her father, Sara meets Derek Reynolds (Sean Patrick Thomas) at the high school which she attends as one of the few only white people. Eventually forming an interracial relationship with Derek, who helps her rekindle her love for dancing; their romance causes quite a stir amongst the fellow students at the school and they must overcome the opinions of others and help Sara achieve her dream. Save the Last Dance isn’t perfect, but it is one of the most enjoyable dance movies out there and still holds up as a solid romance drama movie. 

Flashdance

A compilation of bizarre music style videos, Flashdance is a guilty pleasure of ours as it showcases the wonderful talent of Jennifer Beals, who portrays Alex Owens, a welder by day and an exotic dancer by night. Alex aspires to become a professional dancer but has no formal education on which to build it on, and is reluctant to apply to the Pittsburgh Conservatory of Dance and Repertory, until she meets Nick (Michael Nouri) who eventually persuades her to attempt to achieve her dreams. Well received by audiences everywhere, Flashdance quickly became a commercial success and a guilty pleasure for many. 

Strictly Ballroom

The first addition in Baz Luhrmann’s The Red Curtain Trilogy,Strictly Ballroom was based on a stage play originally developed by Luhrmann himself. The film details the story of Australian ballroom dancer, Scott Hastings, (Paul Mercurio) as he struggles with establishing himself and his ‘personal’ style of dancing, in a bid to win the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship. As many dance films go, the film also documents his relationship with beginner-class dancer Fran (Tara Morice), whose family is passionate about the Pasodoble, and who becomes his rehearsal partner after his own dance partner leaves him for his unconventional dancing style. Focused on individualism and less about the actual competition, Strictly Ballroom shows it isn’t all about winning or losing, it’s about having fun and enjoying your-self, and about discovering new things along the way. 

What are you favourite dance movies? Let us know in the comments below!