Top 20 Iconic Dance Scenes from 80s Movies

[@WatchMojo]

Which 80s dance scene is on your movie must-watch list? Let us know in the comments. For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amLbdZegfJhoja8

[@devingiles6597]

Footloose (Footloose)

[@CandiceVidito32]

Hey WatchMojo can you ban @WhyAreAltsAllowed & @TheTrollRemover cause all they do is bully and harass others in the comment section. You can look under my comment for proof.

[@StanHalen1936]

​​@CandiceVidito32 they won't do anything, they rely on bots and trolls.

[@MovieLuvr2000]

The fact that you mentioned that Girls Just Wanna Have Fun was underrated made me literally scream YES! It has always been my absolutely favorite movie of all time. And I literally cried that it made the list! ❤❤❤

[@REDRAIDER-jt6dg]

You forgot flash forward The dance battle part and the ending part

[@jackson_terrance]

Xanadu and Grease 2 are such underrated movies! Everyone shits on them because they're "bad," but that's part of the charm. They're so bad they're good, and when you go into them fully knowing what you're getting into, you can enjoy the campiness of the movies and have a good time!

[@SnappingTurtle801]

Two movies I really enjoyed.

[@SB-ep2gh]

totally agree, I actually really like both

[@kimschannel5567]

Me too! Those are classics!

[@competitionglen]

Agree. Michelle Pfiffer straddling a lady singing "cool rider" or the Goose singing "Reproduction ". ONJ and cast on roller-skates, awesome.

[@Trix897]

Xanadu is one of my go-tos when I need a pick me up. It’s such a delicious guilty pleasure!

[@munkustrap2]

So many people make fun of Paula Abdul but that girl was a great choreographer & could definitely dance.

[@Remerdre]

I love Xanadu. I will always love Xanadu.

[@bennywark3103]

It's just great to see Gene Kelly. Even then he still got it

[@patriciabradley4764]

Xanadu is my comfort watch and Grease 2 is just straight guilty pleasure.

[@jackiegillies4165]

Ne and my BFF LOVE Grease 2😂😂, we can quote whole movie to this day! (In our late 50s) and will send random texts "have you ever read a superman comic" I want a C O O L LL R I D E R

[@yy.500]

@@jackiegillies4165 it is the superior grease film tbh

[@sockmonkey448]

​@@jackiegillies4165 Awesome 😂😂👍😎 I have a similar bond over the film with my dad who thinks it's way better than Grease deep down I think 😂😅😁😄. The songs that is 😊

[@WatchMojo]

Xanadu is such a fun comfort watch! The mix of fantasy, music, and that iconic Olivia Newton-John performance makes it so special.What’s your favorite scene or song from each of those films?

[@sockmonkey448]

@@WatchMojo I haven't seen Xanadu yet, but I just adored Olivia Newton-John in grease as a kid and even now still. 😄😁🥰 My favorite song in Grease 2? I guess it would have to be cool Rider song by the young Michelle Pfeiffer or really all the songs are great in the film in my eyes 🥰🥰😄😁. I'm working on posting a dance cover Cool Rider onto my KZbin channel though cuz I love the routine so much.☺️ I love your content as well, @WatchMojo! Your videos are so interesting filled with movie facts and trivia 😄😁☺️🥰

[@peteallen8420]

I never understood why Xanadu was not successful, it had amazing music, an interesting story, and fantastic cast, plus the dances were all phenomenal.

[@starskreem8258]

I think the issue was really the leading actor and a rather simple plot. He was a little wooden (although i personally liked him) The role originally was meant for Andy Gibb but he pulled out. Would have been interesting to see how he would have done the role and whether that would have fixed the issue with the film because honestly the music and dance scenes are amazing.

[@annettehunt900]

@@starskreem8258 I absolutely agree with you. There was no chemistry and like you said he did seem like he was wooden. I love that movie just for the dancing and the songs. My favorite one part of the movie was at the beginning with the song I’m Alive. That scene is so cool to watch with those silhouettes around them. I love this dresses that Olivia wore, and the ribbons in her hair.

[@Rhiannonganon]

Footloose, the greatest movie with a hero named Kevin bacon, taught people with sticks up their butts and saved a town with dancing! (Peter quill, 2014) 😂❤

[@laurabailey1054]

And Kevin had an amazing dancer doing his big dance scenes named Peter Tramm who has since passed away.

[@GassersGhost]

I still love Xanadu!

[@victormota9289]

The talent in white nights was amazing, underrated

[@WatchMojo]

It’s such a unique blend of ballet and tap! What aspects of the film do you think deserve more recognition? The choreography, the story, or the performances?

[@SnappingTurtle801]

@@WatchMojo RIP Gregory Hines.

[@victormota9289]

@@WatchMojo Maybe the story is not that good but you have to understand the context of the time when it was filmed, but the choreography, the chemistry of the protagonists and their performance are impressive Tell me another movie where such alien styles merged so organically with the best of each of those styles.

[@laurabailey1054]

@@WatchMojo you have to look at the history of Baryshnikov who escaped from the Soviet Union in the late 70’s to go and film a movie about his character going back to the Soviet Union. Because of him escaping they clearly couldn’t go to the Soviet Union to film and found a nearby island that wasn’t under soviet control to film on. They also filmed on the island in a short period of time to keep the stars safe.

[@michellescott1211]

Bloody love Grease 2!! Songs are fab!!!

[@jenwhite8173]

It’s always shocking to me when people watch Hairspray and didn’t know Michelle could sing

[@valafurby1]

YAZZZZZ! I know every word to all Grease 2 songs. (And dance moves)

[@mrs.maupin6525]

Reproduction!!

[@sheilalayton1512]

Let’s bowl

[@ch1ckmom217]

Right! Don't get me wrong, the original Grease is great, but Grease 2 is underrated, the songs and choreography is so good.

[@phillylilmermaid7802]

No one ever discusses Girls Just Want To Have Fun and it’s sad because that movie is so good. I must have watched it a 100 times as a kid.

[@angelabromley3712]

I watched it last weekend 😊

[@lashainereynolds1775]

I love that movie.

[@crystalhuffman2241]

I have it on DVD

[@colleens1878]

It's a great movie 🎬

[@nicalese]

I used to watch this before every dance competition to psych myself up! I ended working on a show with the guy who auditions with SJP.

[@MetalMama-Mimi523]

The lake scene in Dirty Dancing was filmed at Lake Lure, NC and sadly that area was devastated this past weekend by Hurricane Helene. Please keep Western NC and Northeast TN in your thoughts & prayers and I know times are tight but if you have just a dollar to donate, it will be greatly appreciated. We're all working so hard to get our hospitals, nursing homes, grocery stores, gas stations, power, water, and we'll everything repaired & restored.

[@Damarco4u]

What a great list and thanks for including moves that were flops but have great qualities like Xanadu, Grease 2, and Girls Just Want to Have Fun, as well as the much derided Staying Alive. Great job!

[@LaLayla99]

I can watch the ending of Dirty Dancing over and over. 😍

[@ch1ckmom217]

That dance will never get old, NEVER!

[@kimschannel5567]

White Knights! Yes! Hines and Baryshnikov are stellar in this and in everything they did!

[@laurabailey1054]

Bet movie ever!

[@ladyleonr1]

Grease 2 was our favorite back in the day, it still holds up. Our neighborhood, we always tried to copy the dance as kids.

[@sweetpjess]

I am SO stoked that the opening sequence is included from Staying Alive, although I would beg the end dance could be just as iconic when Tony jumps!!

[@possum6381]

Footloose - "You can imagine audiences back in 1984 jumping to their feet in packed theaters and grooving along." Don't have to imagine it. I saw it in the theater in '84 and the vibe was definitely infectious. It was one of those movies where you left the theater on a musical high.

[@laurabailey1054]

I saw Footloose in the theatre when I was in high school and bought the soundtrack

[@stephb3321]

⁠@@laurabailey1054same! I remember tapping my feet and bopping my head during that movie. LOL.

[@olleselin]

This was such a huge trend in the 80s!

[@spoiltdiva]

That's it I've found my favourite Mojo list! My entire childhood was repeatedly watching many of these films! My only complaint is it could have been a top 30!❤

[@jinakaye]

5:12 "School Daze" is set in the 1980s. For the time, it's set in "present day".

[@jacklow9611]

Let's do the Time Warp again!

[@frederickseltzerjr2170]

You should have mentioned that the dancers in "Fame" were not actually dancing to "Fame" but to Donna Summer's "Hot Stuff" because "Fame" had not yet been fully recorded by Irene Cara, but it had a very similar beat that you could perform all those iconic dance moves to! You also forgot about another dance scene from "Can't Buy Me Love" from 1987, with a very very young Patrick Dempsey and if I'm not mistaken, Paula Abdul also choreographed that number as well. The "African Anteater Ritual Dance"

[@rocketrockinit]

Dirty Dancing is a modern masterpiece

[@kamsismith]

Dirty Dancing and Footloose

[@trinaq]

Yep, 80's Dance Flicks were all the range. Flashdance could also count.

[@kamsismith]

@@trinaq True. I forgot about Flashdance as I was mostly thinking about the dance movies geared towards teens. Dance movies are still being made, but they’re not as huge as the 80s.

[@CandiceVidito32]

"Old Time Rock & Roll" from Risky Business is a classic. And I don't know if it counts or not but " You're the one that I want" song & dance from Grease.

[@Slayde.Wilson]

​@WhyAreAltsAllowed What us the problem now? Her comments arent spam and she can comment no matter what time the video uploads. You are the one that needs to touch grass and go outside because you're always starting arguments.

[@Slayde.Wilson]

@Lucid_speed If only he gets banned

[@Reaperguy67]

​​@WhyAreAltsAllowed they are about the video and it's not spam. It's sad that you troll and harass others with false claims. No I think you need to get a life and go outside more . All you do is bully people in the comments from multiple accounts.

[@Reaperguy67]

​@TheTrollRemover no one is crying except you

[@semperfiyorkies]

It’s amazing but it’d 70s.

[@CodyFairlessLee]

I like COMING TO AMERICA and I love BEETLEJUICE.

[@BrainDamage922]

Wild Thing from Major League. The whole stadium was dancing!!!!!

[@tylergoodman3560]

Footloose in general was epic. 🎉

[@WatchMojo]

Absolutely! "Footloose" is such a classic. What’s your favorite part of the movie?

[@tylergoodman3560]

@@WatchMojo The finale when Ren, Ariel, Willard, and Rusty dance the night away in the finale. 🎉

[@StanHalen1936]

Bot

[@StanHalen1936]

​@@WatchMojowhy are you replying to bots instead of booting them?

[@tylergoodman3560]

@@StanHalen1936 Why don't you get a life, Stannyboy? 🎉

[@aliciazambri4237]

I prefer the Reproduction number in Grease 2, but otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised to see Girls Just Want to Have Fun on this list. Cheesy? Sure. But most of the 80s was cheesy and that is what made it fun! And I was worried A Chorus Line wouldn't make it but I was quite happy to see it be #3. Also, my favorite dance sequence in Xanadu was when the 40s band and the Tubes came together.

[@StoffelDilligas]

"Cool rider" from Grease 2 is the stand out for me. The last time I saw it i was early teens. Michelle Pfeiffer really woke something up in me during that number. My god Olivia Newton John was stunning.... Typing this as Xanadu is on screen.

[@donnapatz5528]

So glad I grew up in the 80’s!!!!!!❤

[@rono776]

Some good picks. I would add The African Ant Eater Ritual from “Can’t Buy Me Love.” Another memorable scene was from “Always” (“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” I believe).

[@VanessaR62]

Hah! I enjoyed all of these movies, and I’ve seen them all 😂

[@angeliqueblaq]

HECK YEAH GREASE 2 ❤

[@Wandau854]

Okay, I admit I loved Staying Alive. Saw it in the theater when it first came out.

[@Wanda-b6c]

From another Wanda: Me too!!! 😂❤

[@elenastef]

the fact that Dirty Dancing is supposed to be a 60's movie when everything about it is so 80's, always makes me laugh

[@TornSparrow1974]

I remember being a young dork who had to have leg warmers so I could do any part of the Flashdance dance scenes.. XD

[@LeviniaRuff]

Love Stayin Alive.❤

[@rebeccamcdermott9259]

Grease 2 maybe flawed, but i've always favoured it over the original.

[@earlwilliamsjr2415]

😂 come on , but that's your choice.

[@Bluerose888]

Me too.

[@nicoleburrows4654]

Xanadu is my guilty pleasure.

[@amishgirl1000]

I’m a Duckie fan forever 🥰

[@valafurby1]

Ok not gonna lie; Far From Over made my heart JUMP! 😊😊😊LOVE IT!

[@tammylynnbeatricedoyle4500]

What an awesome flashback 🎉 I love this list!

[@rageyb]

My favourite isn't on here it's Manhunt on Flashdance (Cynthia Rhodes) Tina Tech

[@chelseacanales8763]

Given that I am a 90s kid but I love the 80s movies and music as well ❤

[@WatchMojo]

Do you have a favorite '80s movie or song that you still love today?

[@ManderzArl]

@@WatchMojo Born in 89 but one of my favorite 80's song is Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton.

[@sharonmcdermott8886]

I love Xanadu, have watched it loads of times!

[@caroladdison9848]

The masquerade waltz from Labyrinth is one of my favorites, too, even though it's quite short.

[@valafurby1]

THE WIZ had a ton but "Brand New Day" dance was phenomenal and uplifting. ❤❤❤

[@stephaniec3759]

Xanadu is still a favorite from my childhood. Very underrated.

[@seantlewis376]

I graduated high school in 1984, and about half of these movies were popular when I was in high school and college. I was often in a dance chorus, and I remember all of them. The Broom Dance is certainly something Fred Astaire could have done. He loved using improvised objects in his work.

[@LeviniaRuff]

The broom dance in Breaking!I just had a revelation!The music is the same used when the flying teacher in The 80s film The Worst Witch with Faruza Balk shows the girls her skills.😅😊

[@danahornbuckle5863]

Did not know Red Forman was in Staying Alive!

[@Kissfan96dr]

I caught that too! I was like "whaaat?"

[@TMoore-rl9my]

I love Girls just want have fun and Dirty dancing opening scenes and Grease school dance😂

[@trekbec82ao3]

Xanadu is my favourite movie of all time, I wore out two VHS tapes by the time it was released on DVD.

[@JocelynHarris-dq3vu]

Moonwalker? House Party? Purple Rain? Dreamgirls? (But that was an 80s Broadway show) The Wiz?

[@-ELiZE-]

I miss the aerobics dance scene between John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis in Perfect

[@katemaloney4296]

You forgot the dance at the end of 'The Pirate Movie'; the opening dance number at the start of 'The Best Little Wh*rehouse In Texas'; Elisabeth Shue's dance in 'Adventures In Babysitting'; Martin Short & Steve Martin's dance in 'The Three Amigos'; Daniel & Kumiko's dance in 'Karate Kid II' . . . just for starters.

[@sephandremanticore5438]

That broom dance was probably mind blowing when it initially released. Now with higher definition, you can immediately make out the strings and it kind of dims the dazzling light that should have been. Still pretty neat to tho

[@elisabethb.131]

Umm, Grease 2 "doesn't live up to it's predecessor", but it gets a spot in this list and Grease doesn't?

[@cathierockey5123]

Grease is not an 80's movie.

[@LaLayla99]

It was filmed in the late 70's.

[@Trix897]

Next time, read the title of the video and use your critical thinking skills before posting. 🤦‍♀️ The title CLEARLY says 1980s, NOT the 1970s. Grease was released in 1978. Don’t you look stupid now…

[@evancortez2]

I don’t know if you’ve seen the obscure 1985 movie “Fast Forward”, it has a chock full of great dance numbers, but my favorite was “Breakin’ Out”

[@KatMode101]

I loved that movie. My favorite dance scene was the 2nd dance battle at The Zoo.

[@frayhua9716]

How about Tom Hanks in a dancing scene in Big.

[@denisewhitfield8843]

As soon as I saw this list I thought “Fame better be on this”!! 😂😂

[@Lady_dromeda]

The "Risky Business" dance was also in the music video for Marianas Trench's Desperate Measures

[@frayhua9716]

Tom Cruise became an household name.

[@leawise7919]

Most of these Movies I have not seen. But I know The Song Xanado, but I did roller skate... never seen The Movie. Great reflection of my younger days. Never have I seen the Movie White Nights that John Travolta movie. I already forgot its name. Now Flash Dance, I know the Music. Its still great 👍❤, Footloose is Great, I was about 13/ 14 when that was released at the Threaters. Got to go with my friends and hang out at Mr.Gatties Pizza afterwards. Great memories 😃

[@nicolelylewis]

idc what anyone says.....Grease 2 is as much my childhood as Grease is! My family loves both movies

[@wendyhamm9722]

I adored Xanadu!

[@avrilc8715]

At the 9:12 mark, I'm with my mom in the parade scene singing twist and shout

[@devingiles6597]

Hey, WatchMojo! You guys should definitely do a list of the Top 30 1980's Songs That Get Everyone On the Dancefloor. Examples: Technotronic - Pump Up the Jam (1989) Kool & the Gang - Celebration (1980) Yello - Oh Yeah (1985) Earth, Wind & Fire - Let's Groove (1981) Newscleus - Jam on It (1984) M|A|R|R|S - Pump Up the Volume (1987) Michael Jackson - Thriller (1983) Shannon - Let the Music Play (1985) Frankie Smith - Double Dutch Bus (1980) Prince - 1999 (1982) Inner City - Good Life (1988) Miami Sound Machine - Conga (1985) The Gap Band - Party Train (1983) Midnight Star - No Parking (On the Dance Floor) (1984) Zapp - More Bounce to the Ounce (1980) J. Geils Band - Freeze Frame (1982) Debbie Deb - When I Hear Music (1984)

[@WatchMojo]

That’s a fantastic idea!

[@nikkiheath7070]

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas had some fantastic dance scenes- particularly the ‘Aggie Song’.

[@Juliet-vv1vc3uh2]

Грязные танцы лучший фильм!!! Патрик Суэйзи это легенда!!! На данный момент лучше танцевального фильма нет.❤❤❤

[@naynay5728]

Good list

[@raulvega4016]

6:55 Morrissey ❤

[@Kissfan96dr]

Purple Rain has some iconic Prince moves Labyrinth, the ballroom scene with David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly Tequila dance - Pee Wee Herman Joker and Vicky Vale Waltz at the top of the cathedral - Batman

[@loba00769]

Unfortunately, one of the best dance sequences in film is from 1975 ... TIME WARP FROM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

[@sunnygirl523]

I love all these dance moves ❤

[@sebrinagilbert2892]

So much more out there,

[@teetee3502]

Sorry but Tom Cruise wasn't in his boxers dancing around he was in his "tightly whites "😂

[@ruengritsomkiatvera3756]

I've already watch this essentially the same video on MsMojo.

[@charliedavis8894]

Funny, I had a young family in the 80s and I never saw a single one of these movies. Most of them I've never even heard of. I have heard a couple of the songs though.

[@josh72456]

I've not seen School Daze, Pretty In Pink, Girls Just Want To Have Fun, Breakin, Grease 2, Xanadu, Staying Alive and A Chorus Line.

[@ThiqFitnessStudio]

School Daze was set in the 1980s

[@nathalieraymond7653]

Oh!😱👏🙃🙂😍🥰quel beau souvenir jadore❤

[@jenwhite8173]

The only thing I don’t like about footloose is SJP doesn’t get to dance at the end.

[@VirgoKat]

GIRLS just Wanna have Fun for an 80s kid who spent every available waking moment attending dance classes, jazz, tap, ballet, contemporary and acrobats, Girls Just Wanna have fun was watched over and over in my house, it was awesome as I also went to an all girls school with nuns so I would live vicariously through SJP's character. Thanks for the trip down memory lane! 🎬🩰📻🎧So many great legendary childhood memories in this list, so many classics, Fame, dirty dancing, A chorus line, footloose, Xanadu...the 80s were the best. 🕶🎫🍿🥤🤩🕺💃🏻

[@jenwhite8173]

I guess Breakin wasn’t played in Australia 😂😂😂

[@VintageBeauty1313]

I’m living for all the love for Grease 2 in this comment section!!

[@mszoomy]

White Knights was a fantastic movie

[@henriettavanderfloof8104]

Flash Dance for sure,

[@mistyowens1036]

I knew that Fame and Time of My Life would be #2 &#1. All the rest could have been in any order.

[@SuperRangerGuy1]

Of the movies mentioned in this video the 1's actually enjoyed are: 19. Detention Dance; 18. Day - O (The Banana Boat song); 14. Shake a tail feather (The Blues Brothers); 13. Twist, & shot (Ferris Bueller's Day off); 11. Broom Dance (Breakin'); 10. Grease 2; every other movie mentioned I'm not a fan of / interested in as in watching them.

[@Kirette]

I would like to nominate “Milkshake” from Can’t Stop The Music as an honorable mention.

[@jenniferthompson3340]

Irene Cara!

[@tammywooley2635]

Grease 2 and Xanadu were the best movies in their time. This coming from a very picky 65 year old.

[@cannedmusic]

7:44 what movie was that used as a gangster testing a bunch of semis in?

[@maryblaufuss7533]

What about Aileen Quinn and company in "Annie?"

[@phillylilmermaid7802]

I'd give good movie to see Spike Lee watching Bye Bye Birdie.

[@marywilliams5347]

Jackson_terrace : well said

[@karenbertke3149]

Xanadu was unfortunately dated, as skate palaces were going downhill by the time it came out. Also, Gen X didn't really catch the retro vibe of Gene Kelly, and older people didn't understand the Glitz scenes. As a child from the last year of the Baby Boomers, I was uniquely poised to understand both cultures. The music was great, the animation and art were good too. If you get a chance to watch it, do.

[@candacecherry2846]

Tew off my favorite mo es grese 2 and zanadu