MRQE Ranks: Cinema's Best Dance Movies

1

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell

Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly

Synopsis: Hollywood, 1927: the silent-film romantic team of Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) is the toast of Tinseltown. While Lockwood... [MORE]

2

The Red Shoes (1948)

Cast: Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring, Leonide Massine, Robert Helpmann

Director: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger

Synopsis: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's influential musical tragedy set the stage for the climactic dance ballets that became a staple of the Arthu... [MORE]

3

Mary Poppins (1964)

Cast: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson, Ed Wynn

Director: Robert Stevenson

Synopsis: Long resistant to film adaptations of her Mary Poppins books, P.L. Travers finally succumbed to the entreaties of Walt Disney, and the result is of... [MORE]

4

West Side Story (1961)

Cast: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris, Russ Tamblyn

Director: Robert Wise, Jerome Robbins

Synopsis: +Romeo and Juliet is updated to the tenements of New York City in this Oscar-winning musical landmark. Adapted by Ernest Lehman from the Broadway p... [MORE]

5

Chicago (2002)

Cast: Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly

Director: Rob Marshall

Synopsis: A starry-eyed would-be star discovers just how far the notion that "there's no such thing as bad publicity" can go in this screen adaptation of the... [MORE]

6

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Synopsis: The third film from pop-music-obsessed director Baz Luhrmann tweaks the conventions of the musical genre by mixing a period romance with anachronis... [MORE]

7

La Danse - Le ballet de l'Opéra de Paris (2009)

Cast: Wayne McGregor, Aurélie Dupont, Ghislaine Thesmar, Emilie Cosette, Wilfried Romoli

Director: Frederick Wiseman

Synopsis: One of America's most respected documentary filmmakers, Frederick Wiseman, presents a glimpse into the inner workings of a respected ballet company... [MORE]

8

Black Swan (2010)

Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Synopsis: New York City ballet dancer Nina (Natalie Portman) enters into an intense battle of wills with a talented and ambitious new arrival (Mila Kunis) wh... [MORE]

9

Hairspray (2007)

Cast: John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken

Director: Adam Shankman

Synopsis: Adam Shankman's adaptation of the stage musical Hairspray, itself an adaptation of the non-musical John Waters film of the same name, stars Nikki B... [MORE]

10

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Cast: Paul Mercurio, Tara Morice, Bill Hunter, Barry Otto, Pat Thompson

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Synopsis: This wildly off-beat comedy is about a male dancer (Paul Mercurio) who refuses to follow the accepted rules of ballroom dancing and creates his own... [MORE]

11

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

Cast: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Donna Pescow, Barry Miller, Joseph Cali

Director: John Badham

Synopsis: John Travolta graduated from minor celebrity to superstar with Saturday Night Fever. Travolta plays Tony Manero, a Brooklyn paint-store clerk who'd... [MORE]

12

Billy Elliot (2000)

Cast: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jamie Draven, Gary Lewis, Jean Heywood

Director: Stephen Daldry

Synopsis: Brassed Off meets My Name Is Joe in this gritty coming-of-age drama about a young son of a poor English coal miner who dreams of being a ballet dan... [MORE]

13

The Full Monty (1997)

Cast: Robert Carlyle, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Addy, Steve Huison, Paul Barber

Director: Peter Cattaneo

Synopsis: Six guys with nothing left to lose try losing their clothing for fun and profit in this international hit comedy. Gaz (Robert Carlyle) and Dave (Ma... [MORE]

14

Tony Manero (2008)

Cast: Alfredo Castro, Paola Lattus, Héctor Morales, Amparo Noguera, Elsa Poblete

Director: Pablo Larrain

15

Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)

Director: Marilyn Agrelo

Synopsis: Every year, the New York Public School system sponsors a dance competition for youngsters in fifth grade; in this contest, boys and girls ages 10 a... [MORE]

16

The Tango Lesson (1997)

Cast: Sally Potter, Pablo Veron, Carlos Copello, Olga Besio, Caroline Iotti

Director: Sally Potter

Synopsis: Maverick filmmaker Sally Potter, who won acclaim in 1993 with the gender-bending, history-warping Orlando, returns to her dancing roots with The Ta... [MORE]

17

Planet B-Boy (2007)

Cast: Jon Cruz, Ricardo Barraza, Leonardo Honrubia, Abenamar Honrubia, Mike Carrasco

Director: Benson Lee

Synopsis: Director Benson Lee explores the global resurgence of breakdancing in a documentary that proves the so-called "B-boying" trend didn't die with the ... [MORE]

18

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Cast: Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes, Jack Weston

Director: Emile Ardolino

Synopsis: A teenage girl learns about love, adult responsibility, and how to do The Dirty Boogie in this romantic drama. In 1963, "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer G... [MORE]

19

Rize (2005)

Director: David LaChapelle

Synopsis: Noted photographer David LaChapelle makes his feature directorial debut with this documentary on a new facet of street culture in South Central Los... [MORE]

20

Bossa Nova (2000)

Cast: Amy Irving, Alexandre Borges, Antonio Fagundes, Debora Block

Director: Bruno Barreto

Synopsis: Recalling late period films from Francois Truffaut and American 1930s screwball comedies, Bruno Barreto directs this elegant romantic comedy set in... [MORE]

21

Mao's Last Dancer (2009)

Cast: Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Joan Chen, Chi Cao, Wang Shuangbao

Director: Bruce Beresford

Synopsis: The true story of Li Cunxin and his journey from rural China to the bright lights of ballet stardom is brought to the screen in this biographical d... [MORE]

22

Dance with Me (1998)

Cast: Vanessa L. Williams, Chayanne, Kris Kristofferson, Jane Krakowski, Joan Plowright

Director: Randa Haines

Synopsis: Randa Haines directed this dance drama, focusing on young Cuban Rafael Infante (Latino singer Chayanne) after the death of his mother. Rafael leave... [MORE]

23

Center Stage (2000)

Cast: Amanda Schull, Ethan Stiefel, Zoe Saldana, Eion Bailey, Peter Gallagher

Director: Nicholas Hytner

Synopsis: In this emotional drama, a team of young dancers are competing for places in a prestigious dance troupe. The dancers have to deal with the ups and ... [MORE]

24

How She Move (2007)

Cast: Rutina Wesley, Tracey Armstrong, Clé Bennett, David Carmon, Keyshia Cole

Director: Ian Iqbal Rashid

25

Shall We Dance (2004)

Cast: Richard Gere, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Bobby Cannavale

Director: Peter Chelsom

Synopsis: Directed by Peter Chelsom, this film is the English-language remake of Masayuki Suo's 1995 romantic comedy of the same name; the Japanese version e... [MORE]

26

Take the Lead (2006)

Cast: Antonio Banderas, Rob Brown, Yaya DaCosta, Alfre Woodard, Dante Basco

Director: Liz Friedlander

Synopsis: A teacher and his students open up new worlds for one another in this urban drama inspired by a true story. Pierre Dulaine (Antonio Banderas) is a ... [MORE]

27

Tango (1998)

Cast: Cecilia Narova, Miguel Angel Sola, Mia Maestro, Juan Carlos Copes, Julio Bocca

Director: Carlos Saura

Synopsis: Combining fiction and documentary, 66-year-old Carlos Saura directed this Spanish-Argentine dance drama with masterful camerawork by acclaimed cine... [MORE]

28

Bring It On (2000)

Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union, Clare Kramer

Director: Peyton Reed

Synopsis: The hard work, dedication, and personal politics behind "rah rah rah!" and "sis boom bah!" go under the microscope in this engaging teen comedy. To... [MORE]

29

Save the Last Dance (2001)

Cast: Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington, Fredro Starr, Terry Kinney

Director: Thomas Carter

Writer: Duane Adler

Synopsis: In this romantic drama, two teenagers in love struggle to look past their differences. After the unexpected death of her mother, Sarah Johnson (Jul... [MORE]

30

Swing Kids (1993)

Cast: Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley, Barbara Hershey, Kenneth Branagh

Director: Thomas Carter

Synopsis: In 1939 Hamburg, Germany, a group of teenagers express their rebellion against Adolph Hitler's Nazi regime through their affection for American swi... [MORE]

31

Footloose (1984)

Cast: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Christopher Penn

Director: Herbert Ross

Synopsis: In this lively adolescent-oriented musical, a city kid attempts to adapt to life in an ultra-conservative backwater Midwestern town. Once there, he... [MORE]

32

Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)

Cast: Romola Garai, Diego Luna, Sela Ward, John Slattery, Jonathan Jackson

Director: Guy Ferland

Synopsis: Not a sequel, not really a prequel, sort of a remake, more of a re-imagining, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights follows the blossoming love affair of yo... [MORE]

33

Step Up 3D (2010)

Cast: Rick Malambri, Adam G. Sevani, Sharni Vinson, Alyson Stoner, Keith "Remedy" Stallworth

Director: Jon M. Chu

Synopsis: Moose (Adam Sevani) teams up with a talented street dance crew for a competition against some of the most talented hip-hop dancers around in this e... [MORE]

34

Step Up 2: The Streets (2008)

Cast: Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, Adam G. Sevani, Will Kemp, Cassie Ventura

Director: Jon Chu

Writer: Toni Ann Johnson

Synopsis: Director Jon M. Chu takes the helm for this Step Up sequel set at the Maryland School for the Arts and following the journey of a rebellious street... [MORE]

35

Stomp the Yard (2007)

Cast: Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Ne-Yo, Darrin Henson, Brian White

Director: Sylvain White

Synopsis: A young man finds that the moves he learned on the street may help him make a better life for himself in this youth-oriented musical drama. DJ Will... [MORE]

36

Fame (2009)

Cast: Kristy Flores, Asher Book, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill

Director: Kevin Tancharoen

Synopsis: This remake of the '80s classic focuses on a group of young students attending a high school for the performing arts. Classmates study various aspe... [MORE]

37

Honey (2003)

Cast: Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, Joy Bryant, David Moscow, Lonnette McKee

Director: Bille Woodruff

Synopsis: Dark Angel-lead Jessica Alba stars in the title role of this film, the feature debut from music-video director Bille Woodruff. Honey is a girl from... [MORE]

38

Step Up (2006)

Cast: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Damaine Radcliff, De'Shawn Washington, Mario

Director: Anne Fletcher

Synopsis: An aspiring ballerina from a wealthy family learns some lessons about both dancing and life from a roughneck with soul in this teen drama. Tyler Ga... [MORE]

39

Coyote Ugly (2000)

Cast: Piper Perabo, Adam Garcia, Maria Bello, Melanie Lynskey, Izabella Miko

Director: David McNally

Synopsis: An aspiring musician becomes one of the most famous bartenders in New York in this high-spirited comedy-drama. Small-town girl Violet Sanford (Pipe... [MORE]

40

Flashdance (1983)

Cast: Jennifer Beals, Michael Nouri, Belinda Bauer, Lilia Skala, Sunny Johnson

Director: Adrian Lyne

Synopsis: Jennifer Beals stars as Alex Owens, a Pittsburgh steel-mill welder by day, and bar dancer by night. Harboring dreams of a career in ballet, she is ... [MORE]

41

Dance Flick (2009)

Cast: Shoshana Bush, Essence Atkins, Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Damon Wayans Jr.

Director: Damien Dante Wayans

Synopsis: A privileged white girl from the suburbs moves to the inner city and attempts to perfect her notoriously clumsy dance moves in this parody of popul... [MORE]

42

All That Jazz (1979)

Cast: Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Ann Reinking, Leland Palmer, Erzsebet Foldi

Director: Bob Fosse

Synopsis: "It's showtime!" In this part film à clef, part musical phantasmagoria, director/choreographer Bob Fosse takes a Felliniesque look at the li... [MORE]

43

The Music Man (1962)

Cast: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Paul Ford, Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold

Director: Morton DaCosta

Synopsis: Meredith Wilson's hit 1957 Broadway musical was transferred to the screen in larger-than-life fashion in 1962. Robert Preston repeats his legendary... [MORE]

44

Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)

Cast: Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, Michael Chambers, Susie Bono, Harry Caesar

Director: Sam Firstenberg

Synopsis: Breakdancing, hip-hop, rap, and a good time are the main stars of this standard teen movie about youths trying to raise money to save their communi... [MORE]

45

A Chorus Line (1985)

Cast: Michael Douglas, Alyson Reed, Terrence Mann, Cameron English

Director: Richard Attenborough

Synopsis: Broadway's celebratory musical about rejection makes it to the screen in a fizzless adaptation by Richard Attenborough that misses the whole point ... [MORE]

46

42nd Street (1933)

Cast: Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ruby Keeler, Guy Kibbee

Director: Lloyd Bacon

47

Breakin' (1984)

Cast: Michael Chambers, Lucinda Dickey, Adolfo Quinones, Ben Lokey, Phineas Newborn III

Director: Joel Silberg

Synopsis: The first major breakdancing film, Breakin' stars Lucinda Dickey as a dancing student who dislikes the hidebound regimen of her demanding teacher. ... [MORE]

48

That's Entertainment! (1974)

Cast: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly

Director: Jack Haley Jr.

Synopsis: It's ironic that MGM, in such dire financial straits in 1974 that it was selling its fabled back lot and auctioning off artifacts from past movie t... [MORE]

49

Fame (1980)

Cast: Irene Cara, Barry Miller, Gene Anthony Ray, Eddie Barth, Lee Curreri

Director: Alan Parker

Synopsis: Fame is set at New York's High School of Performing Arts, where talented teens train for show-business careers. The film concentrates on five of th... [MORE]

50

Swing Time (1936)

Cast: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Eric Blore

Director: George Stevens

Synopsis: The sixth of RKO's Fred Astaire -Ginger Rogers pairings of the 1930s, Swing Time starts off with bandleader Astaire getting cold feet on his weddin... [MORE]