Top 10 Best Dance Films Ever Made

Of course, only one can be number one. Dirty Dancing is the film that taught generations that no one puts Baby in the corner. The story of the innocent holidaymaker who falls for the tough dance teacher Johnny remains timeless. The chemistry between Jennifer Gray and Patrick Swayze is unprecedented and the legendary “lift” in the final scene still gives us goosebumps. It is the perfect combination of romance, coming-of-age and great music that makes this film the absolute king of the genre.

Tony Manero is a young man from Brooklyn who has a dead-end job in a paint store. But on Saturday evening he turns into the king of disco. On the dance floor he is no longer an ordinary boy, but a star. Saturday Night Fever put disco culture on the map worldwide. The Bee Gees soundtrack is legendary and the film itself is a sharp and sometimes painful portrait of youth in the 1970s.

Magic Mike delves into the world of male strippers in Florida. Although the tight choreographies and muscular bodies attracted attention, the film secretly tells a much more serious story about entrepreneurship and the hunt for big money. Channing Tatum drew from his own experiences as a dancer, which gives the film a raw authenticity. It is a film that shows that dance comes in many forms and that the road to success is often bumpier than the shiny exterior suggests.

If there is one scene that everyone knows, it is Gene Kelly dancing with an umbrella in the pouring rain. This film celebrates the transition from silent films to the first films with sound, a period full of chaos and humor in Hollywood. The film is full of acrobatic dance numbers and infectious cheerfulness. The craftsmanship of the dancers of that time is unparalleled. Even after more than seventy years, this remains the gold standard for what a musical film can be.

La La Land brought the classic Hollywood musical back to the general public. In colorful Los Angeles we follow the romance between an aspiring actress and a jazz musician, who both try to make their dreams come true. Visually, the film is beautiful, with opening scenes that immediately give you goosebumps. It is a story about the sacrifices you sometimes have to make for success, wrapped in beautiful music and dance that feels modern and nostalgic at the same time.

Imagine you live in a village where dancing and rock music are strictly forbidden. That's the reality for Ren McCormack when he moves to a conservative town. As a rebellious teenager, he obviously cannot accept this. Footloose is an ode to the freedom and power of music. The struggle against the narrow-minded rules of the village leads to some of the most joyful dance scenes in film history. It is a film that immediately puts you in a good mood.

Flashdance breathes the atmosphere of the eighties. We follow the young Alexandra, who works in a steel factory during the day and indulges her passion for dance in a local bar at night. Her big dream is to be admitted to a prestigious dance academy. The film became famous for its iconic water scene and energetic soundtrack.

West Side Story brought the classic story of Romeo and Juliet to the rough streets of New York in the 1960s. The rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks is not only fought with words, but mainly through spectacular and powerful dance. Leonard Bernstein's music and choreography make this a timeless classic. It is a film about love against its better judgment, which remains one of the most awarded musicals of all time, with no fewer than ten Oscars.

This film is a masterpiece by choreographer Bob Fosse and provides a semi-autobiographical glimpse into his own hectic life. The story follows Joe Gideon, a man who pushes his body and mind to the limit to get a new Broadway show on stage. The film is known for its innovative editing and the honest way it portrays the fear of death and the desire for success.

Although Black Swan revolves around the world-famous performance of Swan Lake, it is much more than just a film about ballet. It is a dark psychological thriller that takes the viewer into the obsessive drive for perfection. Natalie Portman plays the role of her life as the fragile dancer Nina. The line between reality and hallucination becomes blurred as the pressure of production increases. It earned her a well-deserved Oscar and the film remains an impressive portrait of the dark side of ambition.