Top 10 Spontaneous Dance Numbers
It isn’t uncommon for film characters to burst out into song. Usually this sort of frivolity is restricted to the ‘musical’ genre, but occasionally someone will start singing as an alternative way of depicting their feelings, or just because the screenwriter has run out of ideas. But what about dancing? Similarly to spontaneous song, jumping around in a rhythmical motion is something that rarely makes appearances outside of musicals, but when it does it can be hugely rewarding. Albeit it slightly ridiculous.
Again due to the diverse nature of the spontaneous dance number, it makes eliciting a comprehensive history somewhat difficult. The amount of time spent dancing can also be an issue, as it cannot truly labelled a dance number if it only lasts a few seconds. Apologies in advance to Christopher Walken, who did not make the list for this reason. 10 points to the first person who can name the film I’m referencing! This list is dedicated to best surprise dance numbers out there, which contribute little plot and narrative, but make for fantastically flamboyant entertainment! And a one and a two…
10. Tropic Thunder (2008) – Get Back
Ever heard the expression ‘the best bit of the film was when the credits rolled?’. Well in Tropic Thunder, it is very much applicable. Having flown aeroplanes upside down, taken on Western hordes as a Samurai, and gone a bit crazy on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the next logical move for Mr. Cruise was quite obviously to get involved in a spontaneous dance number. His character of Les Grossman in Tropic Thunder may not have been a patch on Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, but after spending most of his screen time shouting at people, Cruise decides to bust a move to Ludacris during the credits. There is absolutely no reason for it to happen, but it somehow just makes so much sense.
9. Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Goodbye Horses
By now most people will have seen the equally thrilling and disturbing The Silence of the Lambs and will not need to be told how effective this particular entry is, but for those who haven’t, picture this – Ted Levine dancing naked to glam hit ‘Goodbye Horses’ with his lower extremities tucked between his legs, and piercings in his nipples. Enduring image? You bet it is, and that is what is so effective about it. The fleeting dance number gives us an insight into Levine’s psychotic character of Buffalo Bill, and provides us with a potent dose of sensory deprivation. Uncomfortable, awkward, and extremely well acted out.
8. Kung Fu Hustle (2004) – The Axe Gang
It starts with one. Then three. Then five. Then a couple more. And then a lot more. With Stephen Chow behind the helm of a film, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for anything to happen , so one could perhaps question the spontaneity of the dance sequence in martial arts comedy Kung Fu Hustle. However the choreography that we are accustomed to in a martial arts film is high flying kicks and hard hitting punches; not synchronized gangster dancing. Used to inter-cut between various snapshots of The Axe Gangs wrong-doings and the Chinese streets, the motivation behind the dance is puzzling to say the least, but solidifies The Axe Gang as the coolest criminals around.
7. The Breakfast Club (1985) – We are Not Alone
80s teen comedies are one of those sub-genres of film which everyone seems to love, and The Breakfast Club is certainly no exception. Boasting one of the best and most recognizable soundtracks of all time, it is Karla DeVito who provides the backing to this short but ingenious spontaneous dance number, with We Are Not Alone. The dancing itself isn’t particularly technical, but like many things from the 1980s, such big hair, ‘Hammer Pants’, and Bon Jovi, the dancing just exists to be fun. My detentions used to consist of either napping for an hour, or staring at the cafeteria wall. They were definitely never this fun.
6. Bande à Part (1964) – The Cafe
The most off the wall thing that happens when I go out for coffee, is usually me knocking something over or going crazy by ordering a triple chocolate muffin. When Jean Luc Godard and pals go for drinks though, an impromptu dance sequence is never too far away, and that is exactly what happens in Bande a Part. Godard is famed for his experimental style and tendency to break taboos, and whilst there was nothing shocking about the step and clap dance sequence, the spontaneity of it provides us with an amusing and light-hearted moment in a captivating crime drama.
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41 Comments
I knew Bande a Part had to be on that list. I would mention The Go-Getter with Lou Taylor Pucci, Zooey Deschanel, and Jena Malone but it’s a dance number that is in tribute to Bande a Part
It was indeed the inspiration for the list! I watched it a few weeks ago and it got me thinking. Haven’t yet seen The Go Getters but just looked up the dance scene – great tribute!
Bonus points for including band of Outsiders on this list. Definitely one of my favorite dance scenes. I’ve also always had a bit of a crush on early sixties era Anna Karina.
She is somewhat of a fox!
500 Days and Tropic Thunder… great shouts there!
Why thank you! Both good films as well!
Shaolin Soccer‘s kung-fu Thriller dance deserves to be here, even if Chow’s already gotten a shout-out with Hustle. But other than that, I can’t complain!
Good call! After thinking about it over a mug of tea, I think I still prefer The Axe Gang dance, but Shaolin is pretty close. Either way, Chow is awesome!
HAHA Great list!! But no Enchanted??? LOL I am messing, but that is exactly what my daughters would say!!
Great to see Breakfast Club in any list…. EVER!
Cheers buddy! :] Haha! I have yet to see that contemporary classic of conflicting sociological backgrounds, but I’ve got a day off work tomorrow so might put it on in the background! High five for Breakfast Club love!
Wonderful top 10. I’m surprised how many films featured here I would class as my favorites. Perhaps I have a thing for spontaneous dance and I didn’t now it!
Thanks Dan! The world definitely needs more spontaneous dance! It brings people together and makes films better!
What??? The best spontaneous dance number is the Grand Central Ballroom dance in “The Fisher King”!! How could you miss that one Jim??
Wow – that was quite the ommission. I haven’t yet seen The Fisher King but will make a point of doing so sharpish. Just watched the dance on YouTube though – definitely top 10 material. Spontaneous dance is hard to research though!
“The most off the wall thing that happens when I go out for coffee, is usually me knocking something over or going crazy by ordering a triple chocolate muffin. When Jean Luc Godard and pals go for drinks though, an impromptu dance sequence is never too far away.” Ha! That made me laugh.
Great list. I love these sorts of lists. #1 is so totally #1. Right on. I would nominate Age of Aquarius from 40 Year Old Virgin, but maybe that’s more of a fake music video than spontaneous dance number.
Thanks Nick :] Age of Aquarius is a good one! It’ll definitely get a place if I get around to doing top 10 fake music videos!
Hi, Jim and company:
Superb listing of films!
I would opt for Chris Walken’s mystery, extra points dance number in ‘Pennies from Heaven’.
Also wondering why Ted Danson’s brief Soft Shoe under the lights of the boardwalk while waiting to talk to William Hurt’s Ned Racine in ‘Body Heat’ is missing?
Honorable Mention would also include Sam Shepard and Barbara Hershey’s dance to ‘The Tennessee Waltz’ at Pancho’s in ‘The Right Stuff’.
Thanks Jack!
Nice try, but I was referring to the little shuffle he does in King of New York. Since nobody else guessed you can have the 10 points though!
I watched Body Heat not but a week ago and didn’t consider it at all! Looking back I probably wouldn’t put it in still, but I think its definitely worth an honourable mention! Great shout with The Right Stuff as well!
Great examples here, particularly Band of Outsiders, 500 Days of Summer, and the big ones like Ferris Bueller and Pulp Fiction.
Another cool dance sequence is at the end of Whit Stillman’s Last Days of Disco, where Chloe Sevigny and Matt Keeslar are joined by a bunch of subway passengers to dance along to Love Train by the O’Jays as the credits roll. It’s definitely worth checking out, especially since Stillman finally has a new movie this year with Damsels in Distress.
Thanks Dan D
Just checked it out – took me a while to find it! Great shout! I’ll be sure to check out Damsels too.
As long as the one from (500) Days of Summer was on this list, I knew I would be happy. Great list, Jim!
Definitely a staple in any spontaneous dance list! Thanks Kristin! :]
Eliza Dushku’s little dance number in The New Guy, depending on your definition of “dance number”.
Oh, and I saw this video about Sam Rockwell the other day, thought it would be quite fitting for this post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB7Vb2_QpA0
That is genuinely one of the best videos I’ve ever seen! Can feel a top 10 dancing actors list coming on…
great list! but i’m surprised none of the dances from musicals aren’t included here (because i think all those dances are spotaneous!)
Thank Candice! :] yeah I was considering it but I thought it was within the nature of the genre. Left me with too much choice as well and I don’t want my job to be easy
Really glad to see 500 Days of Summer and The Breakfast Club here. For some reason though, whenever I start dancing I always end up being the only one!
Same here. Its not our fault though – nobody else has the rhythm.
Hugh Grant in ‘Love Actually’ was one that always gets a laugh. Probably more in line with Napoleon Dynamite as not being a big spectacle like Kung Fu Hustle or 500 Days. Fun list!
If I did some honourable mentions that would probably get one – great pick! I love how that one ends as well! Thanks Marc!
Great list. I love love love that Band of Outsiders is in here.
Cheers Kev! Was the first film on the list but ended up get moved down a few places. Such a good film.
What about Tom Cruise’s underwear dance in “Risky Business”?
Another good pick! Mr. Cruise is loveable little rogue isn’t he?
Cool topic. Here’s one – My Sharona (Reality Bites)
I don’t like the pick favourites, but I think this is the best shout so far! Its a hard topic to research but if I’d have seen the film I think it would have made it in! I love Hawke’s reaction!
I would have liked to have seen Beetlejuice on this list.
They’re all coming to light now! Another great pick – in hindsight, this could have been a top 20!
What a great idea for a list. I’m desperately trying to think of what dances I would put on the list – off the top of my head the dole queue rehearsal of Hot Stuff in The Full Monty and the Thriller number in 13 going on 30 is quite good fun too.
Thanks Louise! :] I only watched The Full Monty for the first time the other day, and that is definitely the best bit! Can’t go wrong with Michael Jackson dances either really!
I was getting worried when I didn’t see (500) Days of Summer on the first page. That along with The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s dance scenes are my faves!
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