15 Iconic ‘80s Dance Movies

The 1980s were a time when spinning and swaying to rhythmic beats came naturally on and off screen. Clad in spandex and jamming out to pop numbers, the simple pleasure that rouses out of a dance item has the power to transport almost anyone into a whole new realm. When it comes to dance films, the decade bred an unparalleled catalog that cemented itself infectiously in the hearts of the audience. Even as cultural shifts took over art and pop culture, filmmakers improvised and infused their personal creativity into the dance film genre.

With dazzling choreography, outstanding actors, and energetic soundtracks, these iconic movies told amazing tales of underdogs trying to make it big in the industry or dance groups determined to bring revolution. Their universal themes generated a massive appeal and their scores are still heard in living room dance parties forty years on. So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and pay tribute to the best of ‘80s dance crop. Focusing excessively on movies whose grooves impacted generations, this list proves why the era was a high water mark for dance movies.

15Grease 2 (1982)

Although not as groundbreaking as its predecessor, this sequel drew from the anticipation and adoration fans had for the 1978 movie and featured Michelle Pfeiffer in her sparkling film debut. In Grease 2, Pfeiffer plays cool girl Stephanie who is flattered by the attention she is receiving from British student Michael. Even though the two have feelings, there are certain societal “roles” that stop them from dating each other. Sure, the sequel strays away from everything that made the original movie iconic. But the pulsing melodies, energetic choreographies, and vibrancy beyond what the eyes can handle, make it watchable. Songs like “Back to School Again” and “Girl for All Seasons” light up any dull set.

14Can’t Stop The Music (1980)

Featuring some of the most era-defining actors from the ‘70s and ‘80s, Can’t Stop The Music is an odd movie that revived the spirit of song and dance. Shifting right from a decade of excess to a new one, the story revolved around The Village People in a fictional space where Samatha Simpson is a fashion model cruising around New York City in search of a band to help her somewhat decent, solo-spinning roommate Jack Morrell score a record deal. She finds success only to soon be thrown off by advertisers, who aren’t happy with the team’s pre-existing social image.

Despite making zero sense, this roller disco cult romp stretched itself to its feel-good limits and delivered several glittery anthems. From Steve Guttenberg’s infectious charm to the pop band’s costumed characters, every absurd detail of the movie made it interesting to watch.

13A Chorus Line (1985)

Broadway musicals often become great inspirations for filmmakers to redirect the same magic of the stage onto the silver screens. Based on the glamorous musical of the same name, A Chorus Line invited audiences for a glimpse into the backstage drama as well as a look at the performers’ lives. The movie features sixteen aspiring dancers practicing and auditioning for sports in a revue.

While their efforts are laid bare through their movements, it is the passion in their eyes that actually shakes you to the core. After tolerating the biting jabs from their director and exposing their vulnerabilities, these dancers define the movie’s realism and celebrate dance as a form of expression. Songs like “Who Am I Anyway” and “I Hope I Get It” still resonate with dreamers.

12White Nights (1985)

‘80s dance wasn’t all about the streets and sidewalks, or hip-hop and breakdancing, and how the leads are grappling with the idea of fame and success. There were stories that showed how important dance was for cultural understanding and finding connection in this cruel, cruel world as well. White Nights is an extraordinary tale of two sparring partners brought together by a common purpose, and ballet. Mikhail Baryshnikov plays the role of a professional Russian ballet dancer called back to his country, the Soviet Union.

Upon arrival, he reunites with his former lover, Galina Ivanova, and eventually faces Raymond Greenwood, the American dancer he once knew. Disenchanted by the current state of the country, they both decide to plan an escape to the free country of America. Even though the plot sounds intense, the movie portrays the glamor of ballet and powerful dance performances from the leads.

11Fast Forward (1985)

Filled with battles and showdowns under the industry’s bright lights, this uplifting dance movie was directed by one of the greatest actors of the time, Sidney Poitier. Fast Forward follows a group of high-school students from the town of Ohio who are determined to raise some funds and sponsor themselves to a trip to New York City, where they plan on winning a dance competition.

Everything is smooth sailing until the rag-tag bunch actually reaches the city, where they are faced with some jarring realizations. From facing rejection in the streets for being “outsiders” to witnessing just how outdated their routines were, the band is stopped short by hurdles. However, through shared sweat and excitement, they persist and enter the competition. The dynamic dance sequences feature different styles. Moreover, the entire environment of hope and optimism really gets to you.

10Urban Cowboy (1980)

James Bridges kick started the idea of Western romances in the ‘80s in grand fashion by taking a traditional boy, marrying him with a free-spirited girl, and deftly inserting another guy to break them up. Urban Cowboy created a rustic, old fashioned aesthetic by taking the viewers to Pasadena, Texas. John Travolta played Bud Davis, a country boy who frequents a bar called Gilley’s and is immediately smitten by Sissy, played by the gorgeous Debra Winger, who was a cowgirl through and through.

After getting hitched, we see the couple embracing – and being threatened by – the vibrant cowboy scene. Bud continues to harbor his rigid opinions on gender which creates a rift between him and Sissy, which is only made deeper by Wes, a rival. Slick two-stepping and iconic tunes like “Lookin’ for Love” enhanced this compelling romance and became a quintessential entry for fans of the era.

9Breakin’ (1984)

Street dancing was concentrated towards a small group for years before the ‘80s, which electrified theaters and local sidewalks by bringing the dance from to the mainstream. Very exhilarating in its vibe, Breakin’ tells the story of how a small group of street dancers came into formation and dared to navigate the treacherous entertainment industry in order to earn fame and leave their mark. Starring fierce freestyle pioneers like Adolfo “Shabba Doo” Quinones and Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers, the film sparked a global interest in street dancing. To hype it all up were these catchy musical numbers and jaw-dropping choreography. Watching the crew spin, windmill, and headspin to culturally apt soundtracks was quite shocking. And entertaining at the same time.

8Hairspray (1988)

Pure crowd-pleaser, Hairspray is a love letter to 1960s Baltimore, where infectious rhythms and breakthrough dances tear down long-standing prejudices and communities come together to change things, one synchronized dance movement at a time. Written and directed by John Waters, this cult classic musical follows Ricki Lake’s lead turn as a plus-sized dancer named Tracy Turnbald who enters popular teen dance shows and defeats way “prettier” girls, including the malicious Amber von Tussle.

Eventually, Tracy rises to the ranks, advocates racial integration for the show, and wins many battles – both dance and personal. From one-liners and messages of female empowerment to dazzling choreography and songs like “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Hairspray has a lot of positives that make it iconic.

7Beat Street (1984)

The hip-hop culture of the early ‘80s was known to energize inner-city teens and awaken within them a drive to thrive, a spirit to achieve great things. Set against the backdrop of overwhelming New York City venues, Beat Street is the story of one such boy wishing to become a disc jockey while his breakdancing brother hoped he’d rule the streets one day. Through underground jams and creative dance numbers, the brother leaders navigate life in the South Bronx and foreshadow the unstoppable rise of hip hop in the country. Songs like “Baptize the Beat” and “Frantic Situation” play out against dynamic graffiti filled walls and fused visuals. The movie also generated several rap anthems, proving how imagination finds roots when hardships get harder and communities closer.

6Staying Alive (1983)

Returning to the role that launched his stardom in Saturday Night Fever back in 1977, John Travolta set the screen ablaze once again with that infamous strut. Considered as one of the more celebrated sequels, Staying Alive follows Tony Manero working at a sleazy dance club as a struggling new performer. Being surrounded by seedy influences does not let his dreams of making it to Broadway fade, but they do turn him into someone who ends up hurting his friends and family in the process.

Under Sylvester Stallone’s careful and sympathetic direction, Tony’s story for the ‘80s is more grounded and touching. And yet, it manages to recapture the magic because as always, Travolta delivers iconic dance moves and complex emotions in equal amounts. Though not a triumph at the box office, it is Travolta that fans need to revisit this classic for.

5Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)

Teen comedies urging obedient girls to break free has got to be one of our favorite tropes of all time. In Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Sarah Jessica Parker delivers a vibrant lead performance as Janey, a new kid in town who just wants to have loving friends and rocking dances. Despite being a trained gymnast who always followed the unnecessary rules set by her colonel father, Janey dares to explore the world with the help of Lynne, her new best friend. With Lynne’s support, Janey also enters a popular TV dance competition and defies her parents and… feels pretty good about it. Parker channels the beauty of every little girl’s awkward and uncertain journey towards belonging in scenes so raw it makes you feel empowered. Moreover, the movie’s pulsing new waves soundtrack cemented its place in the feel-good subsection of dance movies.

4Fame (1980)

3Flashdance (1983)

You cannot call yourself a fan of the ‘80s if you haven’t watched Flashdance. Directed by Adrian Lyne, this romantic comedy is the story of an ambitious young woman’s personal and professional growth through dance. Alex Owens is a normal teenager with big aspirations of becoming a famous ballet dancer. While she works as an entertainer at a local bar, she also secretly trains for ballet at night. Her determination does not go unnoticed by Nick, the owner of the bar, who encourages her to follow her dreams.

Jennifer Beals brings a vivid dimension to her character of Alex. Hit numbers like “Flashdance… What A Feeling” show her transcendence through dance. Her altering personalities of performing and working left the audience in awe. Refreshing and amazing, Flashdance revolutionized the way women were perceived in cinema.

2Footloose (1984)

You will notice how most of these movies have a protagonist who is rebellious and willing to put everything on the line to express themselves through dance. This passion is what made Footloose tear up movie theaters. Star maker Kevin Bacon’s killer moves took over the screen and our hearts in this Herbert Ross directed movie. Bacon plays Ren McCormack, a city boy who moves to a small town where dancing is banned. To challenge this conservatism, he bands together a group of teenagers and trains them to fight these ridiculous rules, including an authority named Reverend Shaw Moore. The movie produced hits like “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” and title track “Footloose,” which are toe-tapped to even today.

1Dirty Dancing (1987)

Iconic in every right, Dirty Dancing framed a genuine hormone awakening with its incredible and unforgettable choreography. But that’s not all. The film has a decent enough story and smooth performances from Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze. Their palpable chemistry grew against the backdrop of 1960s Catskills resort in the Borscht Belt. While spending a summer at the resort, Frances “Baby” Houseman takes dance lessons with Johnny Castle, the dance instructor who is part of the staff specifically told to romance the guests’ daughter.

The smoldering energy between them is almost undeniable, and the more Frances is attracted to the rebellious Johnny, the more disapproval she receives from her family. However, the movie is more than just visually stunning dance routines. From their climatic performance of “Time of My Life” to stirring emotions, Dirty Dancing is a cathartic, generation-spanning reminder that nobody puts Baby in the corner.