Top 30 Best Tap Dance Scenes in Movies

These scenes tapped their way into our memories. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest, most impressive, and/or memorable tap sequences on film. Our countdown includes "Chicago," "Swing Time," "Born to Dance," and more! Did we forget YOUR Favorite tap scene? Let us know in the comments below.
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MsMojo is a leading producer of reference online video content of Top 10 Lists, Origins, Biographies, Commentary and more on Pop Culture, Celebrity, Movies, Music, TV, Film, Video Games, Politics, News, Comics, Superheroes. Your trusted authority on ranking Pop Culture.
#Dance #Dancing #Choreography #TapDance #Tap

[@MsMojo]

Did we forget YOUR favorite tap scene? Let us know below, and check out our video of the Top 50 Greatest Movie Dance Scenes of All Time - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2LCeIOlftibfLM

[@jamesryan6008]

Clearly no one there is familiar with Eleanor Powell's dancing. If you were, you would never have chosen "Hey Babe Hey". Not only is it the worst song Cole Porter ever wrote ( though The Ritz Roll and Rock is a close second), there is no real dancing( unless you think watching James Stewart attempting to tap dance is entertaining . It's not).

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

​@@jamesryan6008 I agree...an insult to all professionals. Music strictly made to order...no Berlin charm or intricacy apparent!

[@dansedufeu]

I love Melvin 1953 - Donald O'Connor tapping in roller skates before Gene Kelly did it in his movie.

[@susanhenderson6447]

Thank you for showing Gregory Hines in Tap he was amazing

[@larkmacgregor3143]

Singing in the Rain got left out?? Not even an honorable mention?!?!? C'mon. Yes, every dance number in the movie is top notch, but Gene dancing down the street, getting soaked to the bone, swinging that umbrella and sloshing through puddles is an iconic performance for a reason.

[@TubeLVT]

That’s my favorite movie dance scene, but maybe it’s not properly “tap” dancing. The movement seems more like ballet and soft shoe. (But soft shoe is considered a form of tap. Perhaps “splash” dancing?)

[@maddalonefarms]

They used Good Morning and Moses

[@Madelinebellbr]

If you watch from 39 minutes you’ll see the scene with Donald O, Debbie R & Gene K performing Good Mornin’. There’s quite a lot of Gene K in this video, dontcha’ think?

[@hilakummins3104]

​@@Madelinebellbrok, but if we're doing a "dancing up the wall & ceiling" then Donald O'CONNOR won that hands down for SITR. 🎉

[@robstockton911]

Not really a tap dance.

[@haileycorrea8787]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ELEANOR POWELL HER FLOWERS! She's very underated and i hope more people start to watch her legacy, her activism, and generosity. Her, Fred, and Debbie Reynolds inspired me to tap dance as a kid and now as an adult.

[@stephendecherney9794]

Absolutely. As mentioned, Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire in Begin the Beguine is the best dance scene ever filmed. You have to watch the full version with costume changes.

[@haileycorrea8787]

@@stephendecherney9794 Definitely! I am planning on writing a paper on Eleanor Powell and have been doing lots of research on her. My goal is to complete all film/television appearances of her. And yes i’ve watched the whole scene of the Broadway Melody’s of 1940 and it’s amazing how Ellie and Fred perform. I wish they did more films but i recall reading somewhere that Fred was intimidated by her. I manifest one day they have a Eleanor Powell biopic.

[@stephendecherney9794]

Thanks Hailey. I would love to read your Eleanor Powell thesis. Steve

[@peggywoods4327]

Growing up I was obsessed with all the classic dance movies! I never missed Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, and many others every weekend. Imagine my delight when I discovered that Buddy Ebson was a talented dancer! Glad to see him in this compilation.

[@trhansen3244]

And not even his best. Whoever compiled this list doesn't know much about dancing.

[@maryannangros8834]

Jumpin' Jive HAD TO BE number 1!!!!

[@davidrule385]

I've always fallen in love with seeing tap dancing on screen, especially hearing it.

[@UCONN_HUSKIES]

I always found tap dancing fascinating 🤩

[@nekograce7914]

Honorable mention? Ha! ‘Moses’ is number one. That choreography is…out of this world.

[@dianamcmahon51510]

Right?! Probably my favorite dancing scene in any movie!

[@trhansen3244]

That would have been my choice overall. But it's two white guys.

[@jamesryan6008]

With all of Eleanor Powell's great dances to chose from , you go with "Hey Babe Hey"????!!!!!!. The weakest song from that movie and the dancing is underwhelming ( to put it mildly).

[@nekograce7914]

@@jamesryan6008 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I concur.

[@deborahhopper4033]

Gregory Hines in White Nights

[@babytooty04]

Gene Kelly will always be No. 1 to me. Tap dancing in ROLLERSKATES!

[@LynneConnolly]

Don't forget that Fred and Ginger also tap danced in rollerskates in Top Hat. Amazing in all cases.

[@fayesouthall6604]

Amazing tap dancer and dancer.

[@AGurian]

The second-rate roller skating in Top Hat only serves to highlight the Gene Kelly Fair Weather jaw-dropping I Like Myself.

[@LynneConnolly]

@@AGurian Funny! Not even Gene Kelly considered Fred Astaire as second-rate at anything! But of course you're the expert, so you'd know, wouldn't you?

[@AGurian]

@@LynneConnolly Lynne (if I may): I think we can avoid a nasty battle; after all, we’re both hysterics for tap dancing. I didn’t mean to imply that Astaire was second-rate, just that his roller-skate dance is not among his best outings. (My favorite Astaire/Rogers is Pick Yourself Up.) In the sub-genre of “tap dancing on roller skates” I know of only three entries: The Astaire/Rogers (oops to us both--it’s from Shall We Dance, not Top Hat), the Kelly (Always Fair Weather) and Donald O’Connor (I think it’s from a film called I Love Melvin and I’m guessing that he cheats with fake skates when the going gets rough). But it’s the Kelly that really takes the cake. We are so lucky to have films of all four of these dancing titans!--Andrew

[@trishlangford5773]

I just love tap dancing.❤❤❤

[@Cargoman769]

Don't forget the Bob Hope/James Cagney table dance scene from "The Seven little Foys" in 1955. Hope was 53 and Cagney was 56...

[@ericroberts5468]

Thank you ,,, for a wonderful video ,,,,, nice to see some of the GREATS of the dance film stars ,,,, all of them ,,,, THANK YOU ❤

[@bethkellim7314]

ABSOLUTELY! Jumpin' Jive is the very best!!!!!!

[@kathybeckford3592]

I knew it had to be #1! That's the most amazing tap scene I've ever seen! 😃

[@chelseacanales8763]

Tap dancing is so uplifting and upbeat

[@Jeannette311]

I see Ann Miller, I click.

[@christinarosen9711]

She is so underrated

[@robstockton911]

“Tops in taps!”

[@trhansen3244]

A great dancer but let's face it. Eleanor Powell was better.

[@jamesryan6008]

Same here. And they chose her best dances.

[@KassiusFineArt]

Thank you! I love to watch dancing, especially tap. This was great.

[@samanthaweis3228]

Donald O Connor for You Can Bounce Right Back being left out is crazyyyyy!

[@samuelcollantes1175]

Happy sunday afternoon, Emily. Take care and God bless you, greetings from Colombia to you as well.

[@carolfuller-tt7vo]

I don't know if it comes under the heading of "tap dancing," but the Paso Doble scene from Strictly Ballroom is electrifying

[@samanthaharding4885]

Well deserved No. 1. Sheer brilliance.

[@trhansen3244]

No, it isn't. Maybe top 20. But #1? We all know why it was chosen. I can think of a dozen better dance routines just off the top of my head.

[@alimolina4279]

Excellent job! I love it! Thank you so much!

[@tas22222]

dancers who can sing !!! and then act? ! just perfect ! This is the first time ive heard of the condos bros ! WOW I thought I was up on this craft! clearly not ! thank you for this :))) Gregory was taken from us far to early, but the talent he left was learned by so many dances

[@deniselongino6769]

Ray Bolger in The Gibson Girls was epic and reportedly filmed in one continuous take

[@TubeLVT]

Are you remembering “The Harvey Girls”? Ray Bolger danced with Judy Garland in that movie.

[@rsbkug3981]

Love the movies with dancing

[@vincentmancini6279]

FANTASTIC!!!!!

[@AirForceFalcons_9922]

Jumpin' Jive hands down.

[@trhansen3244]

No way. LOL

[@MichaelTaylor-yz1ss]

You guys do great work. If I were to remix this slightly, I would show more of the Nicholas brothers in the number one spot. Also, I would find a way to squeeze Danny Kaye in, maybe in honorable mentions. The sequence he led in "Singing in the Rain" is incredible.

[@Iwouldratherbeadog]

Gene Kelly magnificently performed Singing in the Rain

[@ton4347]

Danny Kaye wasn't in singing in the rain but you forgot donald o O'Conner

[@robstockton911]

??? Danny Kaye is not in SITR. Are you thinking of White Christmas?

[@trhansen3244]

Nicholas brothers? LOL Danny Kaye? LOL You should have your voting rights removed immediately.

[@ChristineBrown-ds7dt]

Brilliant Ann Miller, easter parade my favourite movie musical of all time

[@TubeLVT]

“Tap” was released in 1989. Gregory Hines “carried on the legacy of black rhythmic tap dance …”. He died in 2003 at age 57. Who’s carrying on his legacy? Those scenes of mixed ballet and tap with Mikhail Baryshnikov were amazing! I doubt that anyone could even imitate that.

[@ser132]

Savion Glover is an amazing tap dancer (he played the kid in Tap), he did the dancing for Happy Feet.

[@patriciaaturner289]

Donald O’Connor, Make ‘em Laugh.

[@suebob16]

It's a great classic dance, but this list is for tap dancing.

[@robstockton911]

Not a tap dance.

[@trhansen3244]

He was white. I mean they had to squeeze him in somewhere. in truth, he should have been on the list about five times. Same with Eleanor Powell. Good God, do the people who choose these lists even bother to do any homework?

[@sheilaholmes8455]

Not tap

[@casey4602]

Gene Kelly's Singing In The Rain Gotta Dance scene is one of my favorites 😍

[@robertleinbach6016]

As usual, this site enjoys talking over the entertainment.

[@thecaffeinatedteacher7046]

Now I wanna see the stormy weather movie lol that was awesome

[@mckennarosenau6274]

Step in Time from Mary Poppins? That number is impressive both on screen and stage.

[@suebob16]

I agree it's a great dance, but this list is for tap dancing.

[@robstockton911]

Not a tap dance.

[@regand7830]

Fred Astaire was born in 1900. So in his most famous movies and their dance sequences, he's middle aged. That's almost geriatric by the standards of that time. He was remarkably fit for the same reasons. Tap dancing is VERY healthy!

[@kouklakee]

Great Great Video ! In my opinion all Fantastic dancers but for me Fred Astaire just stands out !

[@LoisSambrano-Smith]

But, What about Gene Kelly in "An American in Paris"??? He is COMPLETELY OFF THE CHART!!! That seventeen minute Ballet sequence with Leslie Caron...was nothing less than Spectacular!!! I must admit...I am a Dance Nut and most of the FLICKS FROM THE FORTIES!...

[@3kayoung]

I think they are all great!! there is no 1 to 30.

[@suebob16]

Thank you for adding some fresh dances to the usual mix such as Eleanor Powell/James Stewart/&Cast in Hey Babe Hey from Born To Dance, Richard Gere's solo tap dance from Chicago, The Condos Brothers, and Julie Andrews/Mary Tyler Moore from Thoroughly Modern Millie (in the honorable mentions). As usual 30 dances are not enough--you will next have to go to 100.

[@fosbury68]

Chattanooga Choo Choo with Dorothy Dandridge & The Nicholas Brothers, from Sun Valley Serenade. Every bit as good as Jumpin’ Jive.

[@alondraxiquivicente120]

WOW

[@selilelbi8342]

Süper ❤❤

[@brucewalker5890]

This vid showed us a few we don’t normally associate with tap dancing, Christopher Walkin, James Stewart, Richard Gère, Julie Andrew’s and Mary Tylor Moore which made it worth leaving out famous sequences such as Singin in the Rain.

[@002DrEvil]

The Nicholas Brothers also got to perform in Down Argentine Way, and I also enjoy Ruby Keeler's dance to the 42nd Street title number.

[@circa81]

I thin their routine in Down Argentine Way is actually better......

[@trhansen3244]

There were much better dancers.

[@charlesspringer4709]

The Jumpin Jive splits on teh stairs was a single scene because it was so strenuous. The rest is filmed in he usual way with multiple cameras and dollys and a bunch of takes. At one point you can see their direction marks and scuffs from previous takes on the floor.

[@juneclemons7657]

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson should have had more spot up here.

[@ianedwards4400]

Buddy Ebsen could be called an 'anachronism' because he danced like no other way back in the 30's and 40's. In later years, he excelled in Westerns like MGM's Northwest Passage TV series; From the dancing upload, it is apparent that James Stewart had two left feet. Hilarious in a word. Ginger & Fred were impeccable in 'Swing Time'. Vera Ellen in White Christmas. This dance sequence was fusion at its best with a little bit of ballet, soft-shoe, jazz and interpretative dancing all rolled into one. I wonder who Vera's partner was. He was superb. I loved his pant and matching shoes that helped to enhance his intricate foot-work. Ann Miller, that lady with the most gorgeous LEGS in Hollywood was electrifying in her dance numbers from Small Town Girl and Kiss Me Kate. I swear no other Hollywood actress had thighs and calves like our gorgeous Ann. Fred & Eleanor Powell to this day are unbeatable with their Begin the Beguine number from Broadway Melody of 1940. I mustn't forget to mention our sweet Debbie Raynolds, Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor with their Good morning number from Singing in the rain. Great and neat synchronized footwork. Those were the days and years with real champs!!!

[@michaelhoffmann4096]

Ginger did it in heels!

[@sheilaholmes8455]

Lots of women did.

[@nancymassey3109]

Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did but she did it backwards and in heels.

[@marylhere]

Cagney mentioned in his autobiography that he told them he could tap and then learned how after being offered the role.

[@robstockton911]

He did say that, but it’s been refuted by many people that knew him.

[@ianedwards4400]

I do wish you could oblige with an upload of musicals from other studios to include some dance sequences from Universal Internationals 1953 featurette, "David Rose & His Orchestra", where two great dancers - Earl Barton and Lisa Gaye - are shown performing to the strains of 'Main Street USA'. The couple's intricate footwork is mind-blowing!!! Also some nice dance sequences from the 1955 film "Ain't Misbehavin" where there are two dance sequences with Piper Laurie, Mamie Van Doren and Lisa Gaye participating. Thanks you in advance.

[@kadishevdox]

Come on….not even an honorable mention for Young Frankenstein’s Putting on the Ritz????

[@002DrEvil]

Best performance ever by a member of the recently deceased.

[@ezpzlmnsqz8147]

The dance scene at the end of "cuties" has to be top 3

[@ShanRees]

Ray Bolger, The Great Zeigfeld.

[@jamesryan6008]

Wonderful choice.

[@Lilmovieman27]

It would be nice if both mojo channels stopped putting number one at the start of the video

[@DCboy93]

👍

[@adriangarcia543]

The greatest showman

[@winniefisher]

Fred Astaire no one comes near to matching his talent, except maybe Eleanor Powell

[@dianamcmahon51510]

Top 30? I could've watched a top 300! I've rewatched the Moses Supposes scene about 100 times. 😛

[@tony_2024]

Ann Miller is my fave tap dancer, Its sad that she died. Ann Miller was a legend

[@trhansen3244]

She was one of the very best. But to me no one can touch Eleanor Powell.

[@mr.x8259]

I, am, your singing telegram!

[@sheilaholmes8455]

😂😂😂

[@casey4602]

Xandau Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton John's should've been listed before an animated film.

[@perfesser944]

22:28: The ONLY good scene in that snoozefest that is "White Nights".

[@DaddyOfTheSugarVariety]

I vote for The First Time It Happens - The Great Muppet Caper. How many pigs do you know that can tap dance? 😄

[@ScoobydoobyDoo-bp2gt]

Hey

[@gdubs8834]

How did “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off” not make it?! They tap in roller-skates.

[@geraldinefields1730]

The room is too dark in tap challengers in Tap... too bad we couldn't see it.

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

The Lower-Class Party 🚢 "Titanic" (1997)

[@sheilaholmes8455]

Not tap

[@geraldinefields1730]

Forget Your Troubles Come On GET HAPPY. Judy Garland in Summer Stock, a film with Gene Kelly too.

[@dreamguardian8320]

There are times I wish Anchors Aweigh was a full animated and live action crossover movie, like Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

[@imabruab]

Those were REAL actors. They knew how to dance, they knew how to sing, they knew how to act. Nowadays, well...NO!

[@The_Dudester]

1) Buddy Ebsen-It was such a treat to see ol Jed Clampett hoof it. I could have watched this all day. 2) Fred Astaire-I was going through a phase of educating myself through historic movies. In the end I rented five Fred Astaire movies from Blockbuster, but I outsmarted myself by picking five movies where Fred plays the same identical character-a penniless, down on his luck dancer with a vision, so he hornswoggles an investor into financing a big show with him as the star. It really became repetitive and annoying. 3) Gene Kelly-I'd read a lot about his performance in An American in Paris, so I rented the movie, not knowing that the movie had him in a 17 minute dance solo. So over the top. I became so bored after ten minutes and fast forwarded through the rest of his dance solo. 4) Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson-I wish I could remember the movie, but there is a scene where he dances with furniture. Not to be outdone, Fred Astaire copied it a couple of years later (which I felt was appropriation because Rochester had already done it, and better than Fred). Decades later, John Ritter, unexpectedly and out of character, replicated the dance in a scene from Three's Company and it was so hilarious.

[@robstockton911]

True, neither Fred nor Gene had any range as actors.

[@What_Makes_Climate_Tick]

I very much expected your #1, and hoped that your #2 would show up on the list. Both feature the talent of people of color, as well as #3 and #4. While Fred, Gene, and Ann were making hit movies, highly talented African-American dancers were mostly on the Chitlin' Circuit, rarely making movies and those that were made aimed at black audiences. The Little Colonel may have had the first interracial dance on film, but they were very rare long after that.

[@trhansen3244]

Thank you. It's people of 'color', right? That's why they are so high. Not because they are truly the best tap dancing routines. We all know better.

[@AGurian]

I don't understand why you don't show every Nicholas Brothers clip (Down Argentine Way is my favorite). If you did, it would still leave room for 4 or 5 others at the end.

[@ImmaculateKahnception]

One tap scene I like that wasn't included (though I understand why cause the movie itself was pretty bad) was a scene from At Long Last Love, where Madeline Kahn, Eileen Brennan, and Cybill Shepherd dance to "Most Gentlemen Don't Like Love". The movie itself is "eh", but Madeline's tap routines are definitely worth a watch. She and Eileen are pretty much the only ones in that film that know what they're doing in both singing and dancing. Madeline outshines the whole cast with her dancing, though. The routine is simple for tap, but the flare she adds to an otherwise basic dance is brilliant.

[@jamesryan6008]

Wow, someone's defending At Long Last Love, or as I like to refer to it, A modern day remake of an Astaire/Rogers movie minus talent. No one could sing . No one could dance. . if Madeleine Kahn, Eileen Brennan and Mildred Natwick can't save a movie , all is lost. But I will acknowledge that there are people taking a second look at it. It sucked fifty years ago, it sucks now, it'll suck in another fifty years

[@paulacornelison243]

There are a minimum of 10 dance scenes that should not have been on the list! One of them is Good Morning.

[@robstockton911]

- I can’t help seeing Young Frankenstein in my head whenever anyone performs Puttin’ On the Ritz. 😂 - I love the ease and flow of the Swing Time dance, even though the tapping itself isn’t the most difficult. But it’s kind of unfair, since Ginger’s taps were always recorded by Hermes Pan. (You’ve never actually heard Ginger tap…sorry.) - Including Richard Gere is an insult to the others, and the choreography isn’t great. Poor choice there, especially given that Shorty George is merely ‘honorable mention.’ That’s just pure recency bias on your part.

[@ewaszczesniak5262]

In 27 you said Fred Aster danced waltz? If so, you are very wrong. It's quickstep not waltz.

[@sarahhearn-vonfoerster7401]

Comparisons between dancers omits one obvious fact...the females do all partnership routines backwards and in high heels ! Let fellows show us that one time...perhaps a comedy act, because it would be hilarious! 😅

[@colleenkochman9656]

I prefer to watch Gregory Hines, Donald O'Connor and Anne Miller, Vera Ellen as tap dancers. I wonder if other factors than essential skill play into popularity of stars as there are so many fine tap dancers, like Ginger Rogers, who do not get sufficient props for their. talent. I wonder how much is based on changes in standards/style popularity over time. Dance as a whole has become so much more focused on gymnastics than fluid, fine detailed movement. I wonder if this is because entertainment is required to be more for media use than in- person display.

[@robstockton911]

But you’ve never actually heard Ginger Rogers tap dance. Her tapping was always recorded by Hermes Pan, Fred & Ginger’s choreographer.

[@colleenkochman9656]

@@robstockton911 WOW! that is the power of media, to never know who is doing what for real.

[@ton4347]

And you forgot cyd cherish

[@robstockton911]

What movie are you thinking of? I don’t recall Cyd Charisse in any particularly memorable tap dances.

[@paulevans9858]

Well at least Christopher's not Walken!!!!

[@sheilaholmes8455]

Great movie

[@C.O.G.]

Quiet a few of the dances in this top 30 list were not as good as all of dances in the honorable mention list.

[@trhansen3244]

Yeah, this is a DEI list.

[@user-ro8xt1ni7k]

Perhaps it was "artistic" in someone's mind to film the dance-off scene in "Tap" in a dim, smoky room...but c'mon, wouldn't it have been worthwhile to have enough lighting actually to SEE all the faces as well as hear the taps? For example: having seen Arthur Duncan many times on PBS replays of Welk, you'd think I could figure out which he is is.....but the scene is too dark. :(

[@chadwhitman1811]

Why are there so many dancing squids?

[@joanwerthman4116]

Cagney actually had a more fluid style. He was copying James M Cohans moves in Yankee Doodle Dandy.

[@SandViolet]

#9 "Begin the Beguine" and #1 "Jumping Jive"... Frank Sinatra, for one, must be turning in his grave.

[@jucadvgv3449]

too much fred astsire, nkt enough gene kelly

[@trhansen3244]

Ms Mojo a slave to DEI, of course. They chose Born to Dance and it was maybe the 4th best dance routine in the film! Terrible list. But, hey, it's diverse so we will honor it!

[@gordonayres2609]

Irritating -that organ music in the background playing some modern funk sound while she narrates. And it is so ON -Off as each number is so brief! I gave up!

[@mythril22]

Gene Kelly was an awful person to others smug and full of himself .

[@trhansen3244]

He was also arguably the greatest dancer ever.

[@user-uk8xh5fg3v]

Фигня полная! Одни чечёточники. Кроме Фреда Астора, остальные и танцевать-то не умеют.

[@piku5637]

Normalize your local housing and worker co-ops and Ⓐctive unions. Workers make North America run, workers should run North America☭.🌎🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@DCboy93]

👍