From "Flashdance" to "Step Up 2 The Streets": The Best Dance Movies

Posted by

, Assistant Editor on September 25, 2009

After months of hype — and bizarre cross-promotions with Harry Potter on ABC family — Fame hits theaters today. The critics haven't been kind to the remake so far, but it's on my to-do list for the weekend because: a) Megan Mullally b) Kherington Payne and c) I never miss a dance movie, no matter how terrible the acting. (For proof, see below.)

If you've somehow managed to escape the hype, here's Fame's full-length trailer:

And in honor of the entire genre — from the absurd to the inspiring — we've made a list of our favorite dance movies!

11) Step Up 2 the Streets — "I remember the first time I saw someone move like they were from another planet, I couldn't keep my eyes away."

10) Center Stage — "I am the best g-dd--n dancer in the American Ballet Academy. Who the hell are you? Nobody."

9) Honey — "You! You need to call M.C. Hammer and let him know you're stealing his stuff. Y'all two crazy people in here."

8) Mad Hot Ballroom — "The problem with dance is girls always think they're the best."

7) Coyote Ugly — "But that's me, you know. I'm the original coyote. Just a small town gal trying to make it in the big bad city."

6) Save the Last Dance — "That's OK; I'll dance in circles — probably around you."

5) Flashdance — "When you give up your dream, you die."

4) Saturday Night Fever — "She can dance, you know that? She's got the wrong partner of course, but she can dance."

3) Bring It On — "'Brr, it's cold in here, there must be some Toros in the atmosphere'? I know you don't think a white girl made that s--t up."

2) Footloose — "Even if this was not a law, which it is, I'm afraid I would have a lot of difficulty endorsing an enterprise which is as fraught with genuine peril as I believe this one to be."

1) Dirty Dancing — "Nobody puts Baby in the corner."

We know we've missed some, so let us know your favorite dance movies in the comments. Who's planning to see Fame this weekend?

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I'm torn regarding Fame

Posted by

monica_ca (753 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 05:58pm

I love Megan, and was originally going to see it just for her. But today I read a spoiler regarding the gay (or is he?) character in the film, that just makes me want to avoid the whole thing.

WHAT?!

Posted by

schilbo (28 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 06:37pm

Coyote Ugly ranked HIGHER than Center Stage?

You are dead to me.

...

Posted by

chloe121212 (607 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 02:39am

I didn't even know coyote ugly was a dance movie.

Ha

Posted by

peewee (196 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 11:56am

Win.

I thought the same thing when I saw Bring it On make the list. Remember, cheerleaders are dancers that have gone retarted.

um, can we agree to disagree??

Posted by

alex (524 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 06:50pm

quite possibly my favorite blog topic ever, buuut:

how could step up 2 be no 11??? are you kidding? now, i loved Step Up, but the sequel? sure, channing tatum was just a blur in the beginning, and most of the actors were forgettable, but that final dance scene?? hello, they took it to the streets!! in the rain!! uh-mazing. and im not ashamed to say that.

also: am i the ONLY person who liked Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights? Romola Garai was fantastic! and diego luna! and i liked that it didnt try and copy the original. Oh, and does Stomp the Yard count as a dance movie? cause it freaking rocked.

finally: im going to need to lament the absense of Rize on this list. it's not a teen flick; it's a documentary, but it's absolutely breathtaking. david lachapelle captures some incredible stuff: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0efEID-uCtE

---------
oh, and question: what's with AfterEllen accounts not working on AfterElton?? i was so excited to comment on their post about the NYTimes Mag article!

stomp the yard

Posted by

nking88 (12 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 09:38pm

stomp the yard should count as a dance film if bring it on does!!

I can't believe you didn't

Posted by

vdpro (74 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 07:04pm

I can't believe you didn't mention Baz Luhrman's "Strictly Balroom"!!!!! i LOVE that movie :))) great film, great soundtrack, great dancing :)I also think that both tango scenes from Take the Lead were incredible...oh oh and what about Dance With Me, movie starring Vanessa Williams and Chayane? I loved it, great coreographies in that one, and hey they even had world latino dances champion in the movie. I think his name was Rick Valencuela or something...That gotta count for something, eh?

totally agree with Dirty Dancing being No1 though :)

ps: alex I liked Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights too... I even own the DVD :)

Strictly Ballroom

Posted by

BobGirl (24 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 08:14pm

Strictly Ballroom gets a big old second from me too :)

Bob

Strictly Balroom!!

Posted by

iamnachos (140 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 06:09am

It ranks in my top films of all time.

"What do I want? I'll tell you what I want! I want Ken Railings to walk in here right now, and say 'Pam Shortt's broken both her legs, and I wanna dance with you!'"

door swings open, Ken enters

"Pam Shortt's broken both her legs, and I wanna dance with you."

(Kylie) "That was unexpected."

And I will prob see the Fame remake just so I can bag it. The original is amazing. What makes it amazing in my opinion is the grittyness of it and the lack of story. Its just about a bunch of people trying to make it and their storys. Its kind of true to life in the sense that the kids dont all 'make it' and become famous. Shit happens to them, they stuggle and their dreams are dashed. That tends to happen to performing arts students. The new one strikes me as the type of film that will be happy and somewhat uplifting with most of them realizing their dreams. Wheres the drugs? wheres the failure? Where's Coco having to take her top off in tears while some freak is taking her photo?

Oh original Fame. You are such a wonderful film.

U liked that it had no story?

Posted by

Scarlett Honey (10 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 10:13pm

Im sorry, I own the original fame (I have this unfortunate misconception that I must own every classic or well-known film just so i can have an extensive film collection, even if i dislike said film). And I couldnt sit through it to the end. I can count on one hand the amount of movies I have failed to watch to the end, but Fame was just.... sooo tedious! I LOVE dance films, dirty dancing is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I concede that the dancing in Fame was pretty cool, but the lack of story just made the whole thing drag.... it reminded me of postmodern literature, think Virginia Woolf, where theres all this movement, and small inconsequential scenes, that have no relation to eachother, and theres no plot or drama or narrative drive to get the reader/viewer to the end! Theres no suspence! I mean, if its not gunna have a story, then it should be made as a doco, ok? Actually, even doco's can trace fascinating stories! Anyway Im definitely going to see the new Fame, and im desperately hoping that it's got something substantial to keep the viewer's brain interested, not just their eyes....

haha I re watched it again this morning, love it.

Posted by

iamnachos (140 posts)

on September 27, 2009 at 08:19am

Im just a massive fan of films with no real plot and films with no real ending. I love them so much. You dont want to even get me started on the Coen brothers films. Oh my god, they do no plot and no ending so freaking well.

But yeah thats what I loved about the first Fame. It was all about the characters rather than a traditional plot. You got a real feel for them and who they are.

I LOVE every movie on this

Posted by

kulhaha (208 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 07:32pm

I LOVE every movie on this list. And every other dance movie ever made. And I'm not ashamed to admit it. ESPECIALLY Step Up 2: The Streets!

um

Posted by

aleigha (173 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 07:44pm

Flashdance number 5?! I beg to differ. It should definatelybe higher! I'm proud to say that I've seen every movie on this list (but it may only be because I am a dance major at school haha)! And what about Take the Lead? Anyone?

Strictly Ballroom

Posted by

gato (958 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 10:33pm

one of the best ever.

The original Shall We Dance..fantastic movie.

All that Jazz

A Chorus Line

Billy Elliot

Tap

Cabaret

Swing kids

The Company(kind of long..but good)

the Turning Point

Swing

White Nights

Fast Forward

Fully Monty

Shag

Sing

Breakin and Breakin 2 :Electric Boogoloo for kitchy cult classic measure

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Breakin and Breakin 2 :Electric Boogaloo

Posted by

sweetiedarlinmia (637 posts)

on September 25, 2009 at 10:47pm

WOW! I cannot describe how much I love these movies! Turbo and Ozone (and Kelly but I just never thought she was remotely good enough to share a stage with them). I always remember Turbo dancing with that broom!

loved

Posted by

chloe121212 (607 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 02:39am

billy elliot

I forgot about

Posted by

aleigha (173 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 08:29am

Shall we dance and All that Jazz! (Ann Reinking makes my life worth while in that movie)

Swing Kids!

Posted by

Jilly (15 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 10:02am

Swing Kids! Amazing! Thanks, I haven't thought about that movie in years! Should definitely be on the list :)

d

Posted by

livelovelaugh (29 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 01:11am

dirty dancing havana nights beats out the original dirty dancing for me. i know i know go ahead shoot me for saying so haha.. but if you havnt seen it you must!

no no no

Posted by

Scarlett Honey (10 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 10:28pm

Im taking up ur offer to shoot u for saying it! Nothing beats the original Dirty Dancing! I can appreciate the sexy Cuban-feel Havana Nights has got going, and I like the actress in it, (she's gorgeous). But for me its biggest let down was the main guy actor.... Im sorry, I dont want to sound superficial or judgemental, but he's got to be half the size of Patrick Swayze, and with half as much masculinity or sex appeal. It doesnt work if the female is 10 times hotter than the male, or vice versa! That is the key to a winning dance film, both the leads have to be oozing sex appeal!

are you kidding?

Posted by

alex (524 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 06:00pm

i personally thought Swayze was just an ogre in the original. RIP, obviously - he was great - but he was just a huge beefcake. and his lines? atrocious. sure, Diego Luna isnt your typical leading man, but if you consider the setting - Cuba - he fits the part really well. He's on the tiny size, but he's still got the sex appeal. Didnt you see Y Tu Mama Tambien??

Is it because

Posted by

BackSeatIndulgence (154 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 01:35am

Mya is in it?! And shes one freaking fine woman. Yuuummmie.

------------------------------------------------

"...As in a woman? As are you a woman? So you mean you two are lesbifriends?"

Take the lead

Posted by

xTINAx (86 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 04:39am

I love Take the lead, I think it's great but it didn't make it in this list *sad* (also "you got served")

Save the last dance is one of my favourites, love it =). Step up 2 wasn't that great though

===============

~There's nowt as queer as folk~

Where's

Posted by

IamNotRachel (78 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 07:41am

WHERE'S GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN?????
Thats the best dance movie ever. like seriously.

Out of the list Flashdance is my fav, followed by Dirty Dancing.

Others that I love not on the list:

Billy Elliot

Stepping Out

The Full Monty

Oh yeah

Posted by

Ashlee Leilani (129 posts)

on September 27, 2009 at 02:06am

Girls Just Want to have Fun is seriously one of my favorite movies! I agree it should be on the list!

:)

Posted by

Tea&Toast (684 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 08:04am

I love this list :D Coyote Ugly + Bring It On <3

What about the original Fame? Surely that should be here! Not just because it was an amazing dance film, but just an amazing film in general!! I agree with Billy Elliot as well, that should totally of been on this list :D

______
I Tweet therefore I am; http://twitter.com/RainbowPleb

...

Posted by

Candice (312 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 03:05pm

I don't think Bring it On and Coyote Ugly are dance flicks.

I would have to agree with the comment above... you can't talk about dance movies and not talk about Girls Just Want to Have Fun. That was like one of the greatest ever!! Second only to Dirty Dancing.

Also Center Stage should be way up on the list, and movies like Honey and Step-up 2 shouldn't even be included in the same list with it or Dirty Dancing. There is some good dancing and Jessica Alba is mad hot, but no... It's impossible to sit through the parts where there is no dancing.

Just my two cents.

Vanessa Williams and Chayanne in Dance With Me

Posted by

SapphicDay (205 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 04:10pm

It was inevitable that some group be overlooked by After Ellen. Althoush in this partiular case it's not the cast not being ethnically diverse. So in that area I will commend the writer for her sense of inclusiveness.

However, I wonder if anyone but me saw the Vanessa Williams movie Dance With Me?

Dance With Me is Vanessa during her pre Botox era. She stars with Latin superstar Chayanne and the soundtrack includs some memorable Latin tunes.

Vanessa is in her pre Botox days, in fact during one particular close up I wished they had use a soft filter. She was aging very badly.

Here is an especially cheesey scene where Vanessa has to dance with her Ballroom partner and latin lover. All the while pining over the man she REALLY loves (Chayanne).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gv1WtCmwfM

Here are Vanessa and Chayanne performing on the soundtrack

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9w9LfETZ24

Raphael Meets Ruby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g7pM1cz6j0&feature=PlayList&p=920A124FC4...

Still the movie was very enjoyable and the tunes hit the mark. But what caused this fun little movie to be overlooked?

I thought you guys LOVE Vanessa like I do?

Technology Will Lead To The Demise Of Civilization As We Know It.

How precious does Mad Hot

Posted by

Lindsay (88 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 07:49pm

How precious does Mad Hot Ballroom look?!

awww :D

What about older dance

Posted by

Scarlett Honey (10 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 10:20pm

What about older dance films? Come on people, Im only 21 but even I know some classics...

I LOVE 'Shall We Dance' (NOT the JLO n Richard Gere one!) but with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! The storyline, the dancing, the characters, its all so quaint and cute and pretty... and i just love it! All of Fred Astairs movies are fun to watch.

What about 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'? Okay, its more of a musical, but theres some amazing acrobatics and line dancing etc in that which is pretty impressive...and i just love the soundtrack...

Hmm Ill have to quiz my nan on some more older classics..... or raid the 'Classics' section at the local video store. :P

well...

Posted by

gato (958 posts)

on September 27, 2009 at 12:45am

if you are going to bring classic musicals into it..

West Side Story hands down some of the best dancing on film

Guys and Dolls

Singing in the Rain

Mary Poppins(Step In Time..amazing piece of choreography)

pretty much anything with Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly

while we are at it..bring in Modern ones like

Moulin Rouge

Chicago

Hell what about Grease and Grease two ?

and I dont; know if you have seen this trailer for Nine

edit..i thought of another one that is pretty cute..That's The Way I Like It.

Also..with some of the titles on that list..The Adventures of Priscilla Queen Of The Dessert could be in this conversation.

Also Hairspray..the original

and yes..when it comes to musicals and dance movies.. i am a big gay man trapped in a lesbians body.

________________________________________

Deviant Art Page

Ok Im probably gunna

Posted by

Scarlett Honey (10 posts)

on September 26, 2009 at 10:37pm

Ok Im probably gunna get some slack for this, but I have an 8 yr old sister who insisted I watch these with her a million times..... hence now I know all the words to all the songs, and I actually kinda like them.....

Im talking about the High School Musical series. I know they are mainly musicals, not dance flicks, but im pretty sure they won some awards for best mass/large scale dance choreography on a film or something..... and the whole effect is pretty impressive.

Besides you gotta admit, Zac Effron and Vanessa Hudgens are a pretty hot couple. :)

Whatever you do don't rent

Posted by

S (206 posts)

on September 27, 2009 at 02:59am

Dance Flick made by the Wayan brothers. Waste of time and money. Good thing I didn't rent it but I watched it. The only movie I liked from them was White Chicks but this Dance Flick movie was so not funny at all.

For some reason I don't like Julia Stiles as an actress so I did not like Save the Last Dance.

Looks very professional to

Posted by

albfalco (4 posts)

on September 27, 2009 at 02:26pm

Looks very professional to me.Dancing is not an easy art and we all are aware of the fact that the people who perform dance are expert of it.

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I've always been partial to Footloose.

Posted by

Anonymous

on September 27, 2009 at 03:20pm

Partly because it was filmed in and around my Dad's hometown, and seeing those roller mills always meant that after a day of driving, we were almost to Grandma's. Also because the themes of the movie resonated with me. The conflict between personal freedoms and religion, between religious beliefs and law, between generations, et. al. And the themes universal to all these movies, the joy of dance, self-expression through dance, etc. You add the BEST song (I defy your twang bone not to twitch when it is playing) and Kevin Bacon's grin, and what's not to love about this movie? Also? It is my secret shame (one of many) that I have never seen Dirty dancing.

Why is Dirty Dancing number

Posted by

Lauren (701 posts)

on September 27, 2009 at 04:17pm

Why is Dirty Dancing number one? HATE that film. Bring it on and Flashdance should have been numbers 1 and 2. Followed by Save the last dance and Center Stage.

Go here for my view on all things lesbian: http://allthingslesbeau.blogspot.com

Center Stage brings back so

Posted by

Lauren (57 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 02:27am

Center Stage brings back so many good memories. My old roommates and I would get drunk on box wine and watch that movie on repeat during finals week. Always seemed like the best thing to do with a dance movie that takes itself way too seriously.

Too many bad ones in the list!

Posted by

DocCovington (93 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 06:01am

I don't really agree with this list. How could such bad movies like "Honey" and "Coyote Ugly" make it into your top 11? O.O

My top 5:

1) A Chorus Line
(fantastic screenplay, great actors/dancers/performers)

2) Billy Elliot - I Will Dance
(wonderful British movie, highly recommend it ... and not just because of the gay juvenile character in it)

3) Staying Alive
(hated the prequel)

4) Dirty Dancing
(the perfect mix of dancing and romance ... and it had Patrick Swayze in it, so two thumbs up!)

5) Bring It On
(not really a "dance" movie, as I consider cheerleading gymnastics not dancing, but has a great humor!)

what the hell about ...

Posted by

Snicky (49 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 06:19am

euhm ........... GREASE?

Dance movies

Posted by

DORKiest (70 posts)

on September 29, 2009 at 08:47am

Dirty Dancing has got an amazing soundtrack.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Nine. Nicole Kidman and Marion Cotillard are beautiful.

Haha

Posted by

Mags (623 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 10:25am

I always smile when I see anything from Coyote Ugly. My teacher had a tiny part in it, and it makes me laugh....

God, I love dancing movies! I'm not very good at dancing, but when I do dance, I like ballroom. Waltz, especially. Take the Lead wasn't that great of a movie, but there were some pretty decent dancing scenes.

Very occasionally, if you pay attention, life doesn't suck.
-Joss Whedon

Haha

Posted by

Mags (623 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 10:26am

I always smile when I see anything from Coyote Ugly. My teacher had a tiny part in it, and it makes me laugh....

Very occasionally, if you pay attention, life doesn't suck.
-Joss Whedon

I saw Fame and thought it

Posted by

lscole2425 (46 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 01:06pm

I saw Fame and thought it was a great movie. It did not try to recreate the orignal characters (unlike the other remakes). For my favorite dance movie, I can not say. There are just too many that are my favorite.

Yes Dirty dancing is the

Posted by

Gergana (6 posts)

on September 28, 2009 at 03:44pm

Yes Dirty dancing is the best! Bring it on is one of myfevorite too what can I say I just live dance movies.....

I'm realy exated about that Nine movie - the cast look briliant

umm yeah.

Posted by

maddyboom (49 posts)

on September 30, 2009 at 03:36am

hellzapoppin'

while not exactly a dance movie... the dance scene in it is better than any dance scene in any movie, ever. (frankie manning!!)

<3 maddy boom.
"incite a revolution then go work on my tan."

re

Posted by

ben.w (1 post)

on October 03, 2009 at 12:43pm

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