Best dance movies | PINKVILLA

They say you can dance your troubles away, but after a long day of work, when you hardly have the energy to move, dancing seems like an unrealistic goal. That is precisely why we have curated a list of the best dance movies to flood you with just the right kind of energy. Right from emotional dance dramas to epic dance rivalries, we have created an all-inclusive list for anyone who would like to watch a dance movie right about now. We assure you every movie listed below is the perfect blend of a brilliant star cast and a storyline that will give you a serotonin rush. 

Tired or not, these movies will definitely make you tap your feet. So what are you waiting for? Go on! Take it from the top and dive into the world of best dance movies of all time listed according to their popularity.

20 best dance movies with their IMDb ratings

1. Black Swan (2010)

• Movie Genre: Drama, Thriller, Dance
• Running Time: 108 min
• Movie Star Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
• Director: Darren Aronofsky
• Writer: Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J. McLaughlin
• Year of release: 2010
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar
• IMDb Rating: 8/10

Starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, and Winona Ryder, this 2010 movie is one of the best dance movies ever. Watch the movie on Disney Plus Hotstar to witness the life of Nina, the protagonist who is a talented ballerina. 

2. Grease (1978)

• Movie Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance
• Running Time: 110 min  
• Movie Star Cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway
• Director: Randal Kleiser 
• Writers: Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey, Bronte Woodard
• Year of release: 1978
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

Released in the year 1978, this classic dance movie features the best of John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway. Watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video to witness the tale of two high school students Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko who fall in love.

3. Frances Ha (2012)

• Movie Genre: Dance, Drama
• Running Time: 86 min
• Movie Star Cast: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver, Michael Zegen
• Director: Noah Baumbach
• Writer: Noah Baumbach, Greta Gerwig
• Year of release: 2012
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, Apple TV
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10

Starring actors like Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver, and Michael Zegen, this 2012 dance movie is directed by Noah Baumbach. The plot of the movie revolves around the tale of a woman living in New York whose dream is to become a part of a renowned dance company. Watch the movie to witness if she fulfills her dreams.

4. Dirty Dancing (1987)

• Movie Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
• Running Time: 100 min 
• Movie Star Cast: Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes
• Director: Emile Ardolino
• Writer: Eleanor Bergstein
• Year of release: 1987
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 7/10

The list of best dance movies is certainly incomplete without the 1987 classic dance drama titled Dirty Dancing. The highly-rated romantic drama features the best of Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Gray, Jerry, Orbach, and Cynthia Rhodes. The plot of the movie revolves around how a family visits a Summer resort named Catskills Resort. The movie takes an interesting turn when Francis Houseman aka Baby falls in love with the dance instructor at the camp named Johnny Castle. The movie is available on Amazon Prime Video to stream.

5. Suspiria (2018)

• Movie Genre:  Drama, Fantasy, Horror
• Running Time: 152 min
• Movie Star Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Tilda Swinton, Doris Hick, Malgorzata Bela
• Director: Luca Guadagnino
• Writer: Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi, David Kajganich
• Year of release: 2018
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

Another dance movie we highly recommend watching is this horror drama titled Suspiria. The movie was released in 2018 and features the best of Hollywood stars including Chloë Grace Moretz, Tilda Swinton, Doris Hick, and Malgorzata Bela. The plot of the movie revolves around a renowned dance company and an ambitious dancer. Watch this movie on Amazon Prime Video to witness how the plot of this dance movie turns dark.

6. Magic Mike (2012)

• Movie Genre:   Comedy, Drama
• Running Time: 110 min
• Movie Star Cast: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn, Matthew McConaughey
• Director: Steven Soderbergh
• Writer: Reid Carolin
• Year of release: 2012
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: The Roku Channel, Apple TV
• IMDb Rating: 6.1/10

When it comes to interesting plots, this movie certainly stands out because it features a plot where a male stripper prepares a young performer on how to have fun at a party, how to pick up women, and how to make quick money. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this 2012 movie features the best of Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn, and Matthew McConaughey. 

7. Footloose (1984)

• Movie Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
• Running Time: 107 min 
• Movie Star Cast: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest
• Director: Herbert Ross 
• Writer: Dean Pitchford
• Year of release: 1984
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: The Roku Channel, Apple TV
• IMDb Rating: 6.6/10

While scouring through the best dance movies we came across this 1984 musical romance titled Footloose that features the best of Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, and Dianne Wiest. The plot of the Herbert Ross film is about an urban teenager who moves to a tiny town. Surprisingly, the town has Band rock music and dance. Watch the movie to witness how a young teenager’s rebellious attitude stirs things.

8. Sweet Charity (1969)

• Movie Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
• Running Time: 149 min  
• Movie Star Cast: Shirley MacLaine, John McMartin, Ricardo Montalban, Sammy Davis Jr.
• Director: Bob Fosse
• Writer: Neil Simon, Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli
• Year of release: 1969
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: The Roku Channel, Apple TV
• IMDb Rating:  6.9/10

This 1969 comedy-drama features the best of music and dance. The movie titled Sweet Charity features the best of Hollywood stars, including Shirley MacLaine, John McMartin, Ricardo Montalban, and Sammy Davis Jr. When it comes to the plot, the Bob Fosse directorial features a story of how hope and faith can change the life for the better.

9. Coyote Ugly (2000)

• Movie Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
• Running Time: 100 min  
• Movie Star Cast: Piper Perabo, Adam Garcia, John Goodman, Maria Bello
• Director: David McNally 
• Writer: Gina Wendkos
• Year of release: 2000
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: The Roku Channel
• IMDb Rating: 5.7/10

If you have still not watched the 2000 movie titled Coyote Ugly, this is a sign. The movie features the best of Shirley MacLaine, John McMartin, Ricardo Montalban, and Sammy Davis Jr. and is directed by David McNally. When it comes to the plot of the movie, it revolves around the tail of an aspiring songwriter named Violet Sanford who is a hard nut to crack. Watch the movie to witness how she blossoms into a bolder person.

10. Moulin Rouge! (2001)

• Movie Genre: Drama, Musical, Romance
• Running Time: 127 min  
• Movie Star Cast: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent
• Director: Baz Luhrmann
• Writer: Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce
• Year of release: 2001
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Disney Plus Hotstar
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

Another highly rated movie that we like to count as one of the best dance movies ever made is the musical drama titled Moulin Rouge. The Nicole Kidman starrer also features the best of other Hollywood stars including Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, and Jim Broadbent. The romantic drama is directed and written by Baz Luhrmann. The plot of the movie is set in Paris in the 1890s and revolves around a Relationships/bedtime-stories-for-girlfriend-1201429″ target=”_blank” onclick=”triggerArticleInterlinkClick(‘article_interlink_click’,’Best dance movies’,’1233199′,’https://www.pinkvilla.com/lifestyle/relationships/bedtime-stories-for-girlfriend-1201429″>love story between a not-so-affluent bohemian poet and a breathtakingly beautiful courtesan 

11. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

• Movie Genre: Drama, Music
• Running Time:  118 min  
• Movie Star Cast: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller, Joseph Cali
• Director: John Badham  
• Writer: Nik Cohn, Norman Wexler
• Year of release: 1977
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

The 1977 musical drama titled Saturday Night Fever I was released in the year 1977. The movie features the best of John Travolta, Karen, Lynn Gorny, Barry Miller, and Joseph Cali. When it comes to the plot, the John Badham movie revolves around a 19-year-old, Italian American boy who is right out of high school and is worried about his future. Watch the movie on Amazon Prime video to witness how he dominates the dance floor at a local disc.

12. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) 

• Movie Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance
• Running Time: 103 min  
• Movie Star Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen
• Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
• Writer: Betty Comden, Adolph Green
• Year of release: 1952
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video 
• IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

The 1952 comedy-drama titled Singin’ in the Rain features the best actors that include Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, and Jean Hagen. Watch the movie to witness how a silent film superstar falls in love with a mere chorus girl. The movie is set in 1920s Hollywood and is available on Amazon Prime Video to stream.

13. Burlesque (2010)

• Movie Genre: Drama, Music, Musical
• Running Time: 119 min
• Movie Star Cast: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Alan Cumming, Eric Dane
• Director:  Steve Antin
• Writer: Steve Antin
• Year of release: 2010
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: The Roku Channel, Apple TV
• IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

Written and directed by Steve Antin, this movie features the best of Cher, Christina Aguilera, Alan Cumming, and Eric Dane. When it comes to the plot, the 2010 musical drama. Features a story of a small-town girl who moves to Los Angeles only to find herself at a neo-burlesque that belongs to a former dancer.

14. Chicago (2002) 

• Movie Genre: Comedy, Crime, Musical
• Running Time: 113 min
• Movie Star Cast: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Taye Diggs
• Director: Rob Marshall 
• Writers: Bill Condon, Bob Fosse, Fred Ebb
• Year of release: 2002
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

Another musical drama that features the best of comedy, crime, and dance we highly recommend watching is Chicago. The 2002 movie features, the best of Hollywood actors that include Richard Gere alongside Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Taye Diggs When it comes to the plot, the highly acclaimed dance movie features a rivalry between death-row murderesses. Directed by Rob Marshall, this truly is one of the best dance movies ever created.

15. West Side Story (1961)

• Movie Genre: Crime, Drama, Musical
• Running Time: 153 min  
• Movie Star Cast: Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn
• Directors: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise 
• Writer: Ernest Lehman, Arthur Laurents, Jerome Robbins
• Year of release: 1961
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

This movie is the perfect blend of crime and a musical drama and features the best of Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, Richard Beymer, and Russ Tamblyn. When it comes to the plot, the highly-rated movie also revolves around an epic rivalry between two young men that belong to rival gangs in New York City.  Directed by Jerome Robinson and Robert Wise, the movie is available on Amazon Prime video to stream. 

16. Step Up (2006)

• Movie Genre: Crime, Drama, Musical
• Running Time: 104 min  
• Movie Star Cast: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Damaine Radcliff, De’Shawn Washington
• Directors: Anne Fletcher
• Writer: Duane Adler, Melissa Rosenberg
• Year of release: 1961
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: MX Player, The Roku Channel, Apple TV
• IMDb Rating: 6.5/10

Step Up is a 2006 musical drama that features the best of Hollywood stars, including Channing, Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Damaine Radcliff, and De’Shawn Washington. When it comes to the plot, Anne Fletcher’s directorial revolves around the story of Tyler Gage who fights to receive a praiseworthy scholarship. The movie is available on MX player to stream.

17. Center Stage (2000)

• Movie Genre: Drama, Music, Romance
• Running Time: 115 min
• Movie Star Cast: Amanda Schull, Ethan Stiefel, Sascha Radetsky, Christine Dunham
• Director: Nicholas Hytner
• Writer: Carol Heikkinen
• Year of release: 2000
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

With an IMDb rating of 6.7 out of 10, this musical drama features, the best of romance and dance. When it comes to the plot, it revolves around a story written by Carol Heikkinen that features a group of around 12 teenagers from different backgrounds. What links all of them is they all enroll at a renowned ballet academy in New York. Watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video to witness their training and dance journey.

18. Billy Elliot (2000)

• Movie Genre: Drama, Music
• Running Time: 110 min  
• Movie Star Cast: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven
• Director: Stephen Daldry
• Writer: Lee Hall 
• Year of release: 2000
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: The Roku Channel, Apple TV
• IMDb Rating: 7.7/10

One of the best dance movies ever created this 2000 drama titled Billy Elliot features. The best of Hollywood stars include Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, and Jamie Draven among several others. The plot of the movie is written by Lee Hall that revolves around a talented young kid who loves dance. Watch the movie to witness what is stopping the little boy from pursuing his passion.

19. Flashdance (1983)

• Movie Genre:  Drama, Music, Romance
• Running Time: 95 min
• Movie Star Cast: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala, Sunny Johnson
• Director: Adrian Lyne
• Writer: Thomas Hedley Jr., Joe Eszterhas
• Year of release: 1983
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
• IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

Another iconic dance movie that we highly recommend watching is Flashdance. The movie features the best of stars that include Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Lilia Skala, and Sunny Johnson among several others. The movie is directed by Adrian Lyne and revolves around a woman who belongs to Pittsburgh struggling with two jobs. Watch the movie on Amazon Prime video to witness how she struggles to get into a renowned ballet school. 

20. Another Cinderella Story (2011)

• Movie Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music, Family
• Running Time: 90 min  
• Movie Star Cast: Selena Gomez, Drew Seeley, Jane Lynch
• Director: Damon Santostefano
• Writer: Erik Patterson, Jessica Scott, Leigh Dunlap
• Year of release: 2008
• Where to Watch / OTT Platform: Apple TV, The Roku Channel
• IMDb Rating:  5.7/10

Just like the name suggests, Another Cinderella Story is a modern version of Cinderella, the beloved fairytale. It features Selena Gomez in a Cinderella-like role named Mary who loves to dance but is not allowed to pursue her dreams because of her evil stepmother. 

The above list of best dance movies is an assortment of movies that not only revolve around dance but also feature an emotional tale that will definitely win your hearts. So whether you are a dancer or you are in the mood to get your groove on we highly recommend you bookmark this page for the best dance movies ever released.

Upcoming Dance Movies 2023 List

Here is a bonus list of all the upcoming dance movies releasing in 2023. 

• Magic Mike’s Last Dance (2023)
• The Starling Girl (2023)
• House Party (2023)
• Ladybug & Cat Noir: Awakening (2023)
• Dating-now-everything-to-know-about-the-legally-blonde-actress-dating-history-1214031″ target=”_blank”>Legally Blonde 3 (2023)

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