Dancing Through Life isn’t just a track in Wicked, but instead a way to express emotions, and capture the energy of life via movement. From ballet studios in Center Stage, to underground street battles in You Got Served, and to making it in the big city in Flashdance, films centered around dance immerse audiences into a characters passion, discipline, and creativity.
These movies tell stories that celebrate the artistry and athleticism required to bring dance to life. With ground breathtaking choreography and inspiring journeys, these films remind us why dance is both an art and a way of life. This week’s watchlist are films that will get you on your feet, make you move, and leave you inspired.
Center Stage
A group of young dancers compete through rehearsals, rivalries, and the pressures of perfection for a coveted spot in a professional ballet company in New York City.
Director: Nicholas Hytner / Starring: Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher
Black Swan
When an artistic director decides to replace his ballerina for their production of Swan Lake, Nina competes with newcomer Lily for the coveted spot. A fierce, psychological unraveling rivalry between the two dancers emerge as Nina’s dark side comes to surface.
Director: Darren Aronofsky / Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Honey
Choreographer Honey Daniels is offered the chance to work in music videos, she faces tough a tough choice between excelling in her career and staying true to her roots.
Director: Bille Woodruff / Starring: Jessica Alba, Mekhi Phifer, Joy Bryant,
Dirty Dancing
The iconic “Nobody puts baby in a corner.” stems from this classic 80s film. When Frances “Baby” Houseman spends the summer with her family at a resort in the Catskills, she’s drawn to the world of dance after meeting charismatic instructor Johnny Castle. As she trains with him for a performance in a crucial show, the partnership blooms into a romance that challenges class divide.
Director: Emile Ardolino / Starring: Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze
Step Up
A rebellious street dancer is sentenced to community service at a prestigious performing arts school. He meets Nora, a gifted ballet student and the pair discover a shared passion within their unique ties to the world of dance.
Director: Anne Fletcher / Starring: Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan
Save the Last Dance
After her mother’s death, an aspiring ballerina moves to Chicago to live with her father. As she struggles to adjust to a new environment, she finds support and inspiration through hip hop dance within the complexities of a new relationship.
Director: Thomas Carter / Starring: Julia Stiles, Sean Patrick Thomas, Kerry Washington
You Got Served
Two best friends plan to open their own recording studio but risk losing everything when betrayal tears their crew apart. To reclaim their pride and prove their talent, they face off in the ultimate dance competition within the underground world of street dance battles. Only the best will survive.
Director: Chris Stokes / Starring: Marques Houston, Omarion
Footloose
Teenager Ren McCormack attempts to challenge a ban on dance within his small town. With the help of a trusty classmate, Ren works brings movement back to a community stifled by tradition.
Director: Herbert Ross / Starring: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow
Flashdance
Alex Owens lives the typical double life, working by day, and pursing her dream of becoming a professional dancer at night. She fights to earn a spot at a prestigious ballet conservatory while navigating love, ambition, and self-discovery.
Director: Adrian Lyne / Starring: Jennifer Beals
Stomp The Yard
After the death of his brother, a street dancer moves to Atlanta to attend a historically Black university. He soon discovers the competitive world of stepping. When he joins a fraternity’s step team, he navigate rivalries, friendships, and romance while working to win a national step competition.
Director: Sylvain White / Starring: Columbus Short, Meagan Good, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown
