While dance has mainly been an art form showcased on the stage in a live setting, over the decades that filmmaking has been around, dance has made its way to the big screen a handful of times. From musicals with big dancer numbers to romance films where dance partners fall in love, to psychological thrillers that explore the dark side of the dance world, dance has certainly found a place in the film world.
While there are hundreds of films that feature elements of dance, the requirement to be on this list is that dance has to be a major element of the story. So, while its true musicals do feature tons of dancing, most of them have been left off the list unless they had a character who actively pursuing a dance career.
Save The Last Dance (2001) - 6.2
Coming in at number 10 with a rating of 6.5 is the teen dance film Save The Last Dance. Released in 2001 the film stars Julia Stiles (10 Things I Hate About You) and Sean Patrick Thomas (The District) who both share a complicated love with the world of dance. Together the two train for a dance audition while also navigating their relationship as an interracial couple.
Save The Last Dance was a hit amongst the teen crowd and even went on to win several MTV Movie Awards, Teen Choice Awards, and even earned Thomas a Young Hollywood Award.
Tap (1989) - 6.5
Released in 1989, Tap is a dance drama that centers on Max Washington (Gregory Hines), a talented tap dancer and veteran burglar who has just been released from jail. Upon his release, Max reconnects with his girlfriend whose father, Little Mo (Sammy Davis Jr.) asks him to help him at the dance studio he co-owned with Max's late father.
The film currently boasts a 6.5 rating on IMDb making it tie for the ninth spot on the list of best dance films of all time. Tap is also credited for being Sammy Davis Jr's final feature film appearance before his death.
Step Up (2006) - 6.5
Step Up not only hold a 6.5 rating on IMDb but its also responsible for creating the Step Up franchise which is why this is the only Step Up film featured on the list.
Released in 2006, the film stars Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan as the film's main love interests though the film centers around Tatum's character Tyler. Despite receiving negative reviews, the film was a box office success that earned #114.1 million against a $12 million budget.
Footloose (1984) - 6.6
The Kevin Bacon led Footloose lands itself as number 7 on the list of best dance films of all time with a rating of 6.6. This classic 80s film centers on Ren McCormack (Bacon), a teenager who is determined to show his new town that dancing is not something that should be outlawed.
Though the film was met with mixed reviews it became an 80s classic and has had a strong impact on popular culture. In addition, it also spawned a musical adaptation for Broadway and was even remade in 2011 with Kenny Wormald taking over Kevin Bacon's iconic role.
Center Stage (2000) - 6.7
Center Stage is a teen dance drama that centers on a group of young adults who have all been accepted into the renowned American Ballet Academy. Each of the talented dancers deals with their own struggles while trying to prove to themselves and the Academy that they belong on stage.
Released in 2000, Center Stage is credited for being Zoe Saldana's (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Amanda Schull's (Suits) film debuts. The film also spawned two film sequels and a television series is currently in development.
White Nights (1985) - 6.7
It appears the 80s had an affinity for dance films since White Nights is the third film released in the 80s to make the list of best dance films of all time. White Nights center on Nikolai Rodchenko (Mikhail Baryshnikov), a ballet dancer who gets stuck in Siberia after an emergency landing. He is then returned to his hometown of Leningrad where he meets an American dancer (Gregory Hines). Together the two plan to escape to the American consulate.
White Nights is highly underrated when it comes to dance films despite the notable dance performances given by Baryshnikov and Hines.
Saturday Night Fever (1977) - 6.8
While most people know John Travolta for his portrayal of Danny Zuko in Grease, Travolta made his film dancing debut a year prior with the release of Saturday Night Fever. The film centers around Tony Manero (Travolta), a young man who lives to dance. He ends up entering a dance competition with Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney) whom he begins to fall in love with.
Saturday Night Fever was not only a popular film at the time but it also helped make disco music popular around the world. However, while the film did showcase the subculture of disco, it was also an extremely sexist film.
Dirty Dancing (1987) - 7
Dirty Dancing is the quintessential dance film of the 80s which is how it landed itself third on the list of best dance films. This 80s classic centers around Baby (Jennifer Grey), a well-off girl who finds herself vacationing with her family for the summer. While there, she meets Johnny (Patrick Swayze), the resort's dance instructor. After a serious of unfortunate events, Baby steps in to be Johnny's dance partner despite her father's wishes.
Dirty Dancing was a massive success both financially and critically. It earned an Academy Award for Best Original Song and was even nominated for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at the Golden Globes.
Billy Elliot (2000) - 7.7
Coming in second place with a rating of 7.7 is the British dance drama, Billy Elliot. The film is set in England during the 1984-1985 miners strike and centers on Billy, a young boy who takes an interest in ballet against his father's wishes.
The film was a success at the box office bringing in $109.3 million against a $5 million budget. In addition, it went on to earn three Academy Award nominations and even spawned a musical adaptation.
Black Swan (2010) - 8
Unlike most of the films on this list which show dance in a positive light, Black Swan chose to focus on the harsh realities that some ballerinas are forced to deal with in order to continue dancing.
Black Swan starred Natalie Portman as Nina, a prima ballerina who ends up competing for the featured role in Swan Lake against the equally talented Lily (Mila Kunis). The film was a massive success and earned Natalie Portman her first Academy Award win for Best Actress.