Top 10 Best Dance Numbers in Animated Movies
#10: “Love Is an Open Door”
“Frozen” (2013)
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Sure, it’s hard to root for the pairing of Princess Anna and Prince Hans once the latter reveals his true intentions. But the song-and-dance routine they perform shortly after meeting is compulsively rewatchable. The pair hit it off at Elsa’s coronation and frolic around the palace grounds as they declare their love for one another. The number contains numerous memorable moments, like when we see their shadows dancing on a ship’s sail. Plus, we even get to see them do the robot. The sequence combines classic ballroom-inspired moves with a playful tone, making for one of the film’s sweetest moments.
#9: Dance Fight
“Puss in Boots” (2011)
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We came to know and love Antonio Banderas’ Puss in Boots in the “Shrek” film series, and the character got his own well-deserved spinoff in 2011. In the film, Puss is seeking magic beans reputed to lead to a reserve of treasure but getting hold of them proves to be tricky business. When he pays a visit to Jack and Jill’s lair to steal the goods, he encounters another thief who eventually challenges him to a dance battle. The scene is both hilarious and exciting, as the showdown evolves into a high-stakes sword fight. And, while we witness a fiery flamenco routine, we also get to see some moves that any cat owner is all-too-familiar with.
#8: “Kingdom Dance”
“Tangled” (2010)
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For all the trials and tribulations that she goes through, it’s incredible to see Rapunzel enjoy herself as thoroughly as she does in this scene. In the movie, we find the famed princess trapped in a tower by Mother Gothel, who’s supposedly her biological relative. But, after leaving her home with the petty thief Flynn Rider, our heroine is shocked at the everyday beauty that lies beyond its walls. While dancing to a beat provided by the local townspeople, she drags bystanders into the courtyard to participate. Eventually, even Flynn joins the festivities. It’s a celebratory moment that shows what Rapunzel’s life could be like, if not for the lies about the outside world that she’s been fed.
#7: “Dance of the Hours”
“Fantasia” (1940)
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This classic film from the Disney canon is unusual in not containing a cohesive storyline. Rather, the movie is composed of eight separate animated sequences, each with its own soundtrack of classical music. The sixth segment takes the form of a ballet, with the characters Hyacinth Hippo and Ben Ali Gator leading the dance. Despite ballet’s reputation as a high art form, the animators set out to include deliberate missteps for humorous effect. We also get to see other kinds of animals dance, with ostriches and elephants added to the mix for good measure. Disney’s artists studied real ballerinas for the segment, and their effort is visible in the film itself.
#6: “Livin’ La Vida Loca”
“Shrek 2” (2004)
The first movie in the “Shrek” series has its fair share of memorable dance numbers. In particular, Robin Hood and his Merry Men deliver a routine that’s both hilarious and cringeworthy. But “Shrek 2” takes the cake this time, with the dance party that concludes the film. After the dramatic storyline ends with Shrek and Fiona’s reunion and a return to their ogre forms, the couple and their fairytale friends kick off a celebration. It’s an incredibly fun sequence, with many familiar characters getting to show off their unique moves. Highlights include Pinocchio’s solo and Puss in Boots’ homage to “Flashdance”.
#5: Ballet Recital
“Despicable Me” (2010)
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With a storyline focussing on a supervillain named Gru tasked with raising three orphan girls, “Despicable Me” isn’t your average animated blockbuster. Our protagonist has to do things that you wouldn’t necessarily expect, like taking his adopted daughters to ballet class. And so, at the movie’s end, the trio puts on a recital specially for Gru and the minions. But when the soundtrack is unexpectedly switched, it leads to an all-out, disco-fuelled party. And, after Gru is dragged on stage, he shocks us all with his, shall we say, colorful dance moves. That’s certainly one way to round this story off.
#4: “I 2 I”
“A Goofy Movie” (1995)
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The sequel to this movie based on the “Goof Troop” TV series, “An Extremely Goofy Movie,” boasts its own entertaining dance sequence(Xref). But the performance of “I 2 I” that concludes the original film is simply one for the ages. After Goofy’s son Max begins acting out, the pair embark on a road trip that goes anything but smoothly. Although they continually clash, they end up reconciling and heading to Los Angeles. There, Max wants to see (and somehow perform alongside) Powerline, a star singer voiced by R&B artist Tevin Campbell. And so, when the father/son duo do end up on stage with the headliner - and Goofy even manages to fit in the “perfect cast”, a fishing move he had previously taught his son - everybody’s happy!
#3: “Once Upon a Dream”
“Sleeping Beauty” (1959)
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Sometimes, you just can’t beat the classics. After the villainous Maleficent places a curse upon the newborn Princess Aurora, she’s sent away to the forest to live in secret and therefore safety. Fast forward some years and, while out in the woods on her sixteenth birthday, Aurora waltzes with forest creatures who dress up as an eligible bachelor. It all makes for a truly iconic Disney scene. And then the hubbub attracts her actual betrothed, Prince Phillip, who unexpectedly joins her in the routine. The number ends with the pair dancing in front of a tranquil pond, making for a moment that’s both funny and romantic.
#2: “Boogie Wonderland”
“Happy Feet” (2006)
As a film about a dancing penguin, this heartwarming flick unsurprisingly has no shortage of excellent dance numbers. It’s hard to pick the best one, but this routine to the Earth, Wind & Fire and the Emotions song is simply incredible. Mumble is a youngster in an Antarctic community of emperor penguins for whom singing is a central part of life. Although he can’t hold a tune, his considerable affinity for movement goes criminally underappreciated. His attempt to woo a female penguin by tap dancing is a joy to watch, as others in his age group join in the celebration. And, even though it sadly results in Mumble’s exile, it’s still one of the film’s best scenes.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“He Mele No Lilo”, “Lilo & Stitch” (2002)
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Esmeralda’s Dance, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996)
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“I Like to Move It”, “Madagascar” (2005)
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“Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat”, “The Aristocats” (1970)
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#1: Ballroom Scene
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
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We won’t argue with anyone whose favorite sequence in this film is “Be Our Guest”(xref). But we just can’t say no to this dance between Belle and the Beast a little later in the movie, either. Given how this particular Disney Princess traded her freedom for her father’s release from the Beast’s castle, we wouldn’t have been surprised if tensions around the place had persisted. But she and the cursed Prince actually grow close, and this scene marks a huge turning point for them. If its narrative significance weren’t enough, the dance is also soundtracked by an adorable vocal performance by Mrs. Potts. Suffice it to say, this tale (and moment) is timeless.
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