Films about dance often celebrate the artistic and emotional expression of dance in various forms. They frequently feature inspiring stories of determination, passion, and the transformative power of dance. Whether set in ballet schools, urban street corners, or ballrooms, these films usually combine captivating dance sequences with compelling personal growth and relationships.
“Step Up”, 2006
Director: Anne Fletcher
This dance drama follows a rebellious street dancer who gets a chance to pursue his passion while performing arts school after an unexpected run-in with the law.
Starring: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Damaine Radcliff, De'Shawn Washington, Mario, Drew Sidora, Rachel Griffiths, Josh Henderson, Tim Lacatena, Alyson Stoner;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, melodrama, crime, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “Step Up” on the website imdb.com
“Dirty Dancing”, 1987
Director: Emile Ardolino
Set in the 1960s, this romantic drama tells the story of a young woman who falls in love with a dance instructor at a holiday resort.
Starring: Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Jack Weston, Jane Brucker, Kelly Bishop, Lonny Price, Max Cantor, Charles «Honi» Coles;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “Dirty Dancing” on the website imdb.com
“Save the Last Dance”, 2001
Director: Thomas Carter
A film about a Midwestern ballet dancer who moves to Chicago after her mother's death and learns about a new style of dance at her inner-city high school.
Starring: Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington, Fredro Starr, Terry Kinney, Bianca Lawson, Vince Green, Garland Whitt, Elisabeth Oas, Artel Kayàru;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Save the Last Dance” on the website imdb.com
“Flashdance”, 1983
Director: Adrian Lyne
This musical drama portrays the life of a young dancer working as a steel mill welder by day and a bar dancer at night while aspiring to get into a prestigious dance conservatory.
Starring: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala, Sunny Johnson, Kyle T. Heffner, Lee Ving, Ron Karabatsos, Belinda Bauer, Malcolm Danare, Philip Bruns;
Production year: 1983;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Flashdance” on the website imdb.com
“Billy Elliot”, 2000
Director: Stephen Daldry
Set against the backdrop of a miners' strike, this movie follows a young boy who discovers his passion for ballet, despite societal expectations and family pressures.
Starring: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Gary Lewis, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven, Stuart Wells, Mike Elliot, Billy Fane, Nicola Blackwell, Carol McGuigan;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
“Footloose”, 2011
Director: Craig Brewer
In a small town where dancing has been banned, a young man moves in and shakes up the community with his enthusiasm for dance and music.
Starring: Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, Andie MacDowell, Miles Teller, Ray McKinnon, Patrick Flueger, Kim Dickens, Ziah Colon, Ser'Darius Blain;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,8;
More information about the film “Footloose” on the website imdb.com
“The Red Shoes”, 1948
Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
A classic film centered on a ballerina torn between her dedication to dance and her desire to love.
Starring: Moira Shearer, Marius Goring, Anton Walbrook, Robert Helpmann, Albert Bassermann, Ludmilla Tchérina, Esmond Knight, Austin Trevor, Irene Browne;
Production year: 1948;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
Age: 12+;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Red Shoes” on the website imdb.com
“Center Stage”, 2000
Director: Nicholas Hytner
This film focuses on a group of young ballet students as they navigate the competitive world of professional dance.
Starring: Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy, Ethan Stiefel, Christine Dunham, Stephen Stout, Maryann Plunkett, Laura Hicks;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, melodrama, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 115 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Center Stage” on the website imdb.com
“Shall We Dance?”, 2004
Director: Peter Chelsom
A romantic comedy about a bored, overworked estate lawyer who, upon seeing a beautiful dance instructor through a window, signs up for ballroom dancing lessons.
Starring: Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon, Lisa Ann Walter, Stanley Tucci, Anita Gillette, Bobby Cannavale, Omar Benson Miller, Richard Jenkins, Nick Cannon;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 106 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “Shall We Dance?” on the website imdb.com
In conclusion, films about dance offer a unique blend of visual artistry, emotional depth, and kinetic energy that captivate audiences worldwide. From the passionate rhythms of “Dirty Dancing” to the disciplined elegance of “Black Swan,” these films transcend mere performance to explore themes of ambition, love, struggle, and self-discovery. Whether set in the glittering world of professional ballet or the gritty streets of urban breakdancing, dance films showcase the transformative power of movement and music. They remind us of the universal human desire to express and connect through the language of the body, making them a timeless and compelling genre in the cinematic landscape.
