Memorable Dance Scenes in 80s and 90s Movies

There are certain movie moments that have an enduring impact, resonating with film-watchers long after they’ve left the theater or turned off the DVD. Dance scenes in particular resonate well with movie fans. When executed well, these moments have the power to morph into iconic imagery, inspiring their fair share of parody and mocking. We may all be sick of Pulp Fiction dance knock-offs, but it’s a testament to the original that it’s spawned so many lesser imitators. Much, much lesser.

While some of these movies may predate some of us children of 90s’ birthdates by a year or two, their popularity was long-standing enough to make them a memorable part of our childhood. Whether you blame on VHS or incessant TV re-running, these movies are well-known to kids coming of age in the 90s. Plus, it would be pretty difficult to compile a list of favorite dance movie moments while completely overlooking the 80s; the easy cheesiness of 80s movies was a prime breeding ground for iconic dance scenes.

Just to be clear, there’s a fine line in defining these categories here at Children of the 90s. Avid readers (I’m probably flattering myself here) may remember a feature entitled “80s and 90s Spontaneous Group Dance Scenes Where Everyone Knows Exactly What to Do.” This blog has never been short on specificity. If we’re splitting hairs, we (okay, I) may as well set some ground rules for these entirely different set of dance scene movie moments:

1. They’re generally in character. Most of these moments don’t have us suspending our disbelief at completely uncharacteristic behavior from our principal actors. The moves might be over-the-top or silly, but these dances are reasonably within the parameters of the characters’ behavior and ability.

2. They may be prerehearsed. Unlike the She’s All That style prom dance phenomenon, the majority of these dances involve some sort of choregraphing backstory. In the case of the 80s movies, these rehearsals are best shown to us in the form of a training montage, culminating in the achievement of a tough move timed at the most climactic moment in the corresponding background music. If the moment does occur spontaneously, it’s realistically within the ability of our stars.

3. They usually involve relatively few dancers. Instead of large scale Fame-style scenes that could now be classified as formidable flash mobs, plain old “dance moments” are mostly sparsely populated affairs.

With those rules that I’ve just made up firmly in place, it’s time to meet our contenders for memorable 80s and 90s movie dance scenes:

(I’ve Had) the Time of my Life (Dirty Dancing)

something like 200 times, yet I never managed to master the dance at their DTV final on-air competition. This movie’s got the requisite 80s montage and tons of great dancing footage, not to mention some awesome costumes. If you ever see Helen Hunt’s lizard hat in a thrift shop somewhere, please pick it up for me. I promise to pay you back.

Doesn’t this all just make you want to have a life-affirming dance moment in your day? It seems like the perfect culminating event to wrap up your day’s story line. Imagine how much more interesting a day at the office would be if the climax of your workday was marked by a Baby and Johnny-style dramatic lift? That’s the world I’d like to someday live in. Someday.