Top 10 Cringiest Dance Scenes in Movies
#10: Yeah or Nah? “Hitch” (2005)
In this quirky romantic comedy, Albert Brennaman seeks guidance from dating coach Alex “Hitch” Hitchens in hopes of winning over love interest Allegra Cole. While going over Hitch’s dating ‘how-to’s,’ the topic of dancing arises… and this scene is a sight for sore eyes. Hitch initially claims to have a no dance policy, but he wants to cover all possible situations. Kevin James’ character isn’t worried and believes he can win Allegra over with his questionable moves. Wanting to see for himself, Will Smith turns on Usher’s “Yeah.” From his reaction, we can see that he’s thinking, “oh no.” Starting the routine off with a self-clap, Brennaman strongly believes that his moves can bring the heat, but we really wish he would take a seat.
#9: Beach Burn “Step Up Revolution” (2012)
In the fourth installment of the “Step Up” franchise, this scene is purely outlandish. Resembling an animalistic courtship display, Sean Asa and Emily Anderson demonstrate their mutual admiration through a dance battle on the beach. Sean initiates by telling Kathryn McCormick’s character that she should dance around him to make him look good. However, she purposely embarrasses him with her atrocious moves. After her intentional off-beat fist-pumping, Sean locks in her attention with his breakdancing. He even playfully blows sand in her face! How romantic, right? Apparently, she’s into that and they continue their controversial routine. Conclusively, the intimate scene ends under a shower that comes out of nowhere, and after all this, perhaps a shower is required to rinse out what we just saw.
#8: Jump “Love Actually” (2003)
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This celebratory shimmy in the Christmas-themed rom-com is performed by Hugh Grant to the Pointer Sisters’ “Jump (For My Love).” After standing up for his beliefs and giving Billy Bob Thornton’s President a piece of his mind, a British radio station commends the Prime Minister’s noble actions. As he begins to undress, David feels the beat and is proud of himself. The uncalled-for routine includes shaking of hips, sporadic pointing, and risky backwards descension of stairs. The entire piece makes us want to jump out of our skin. And we’re not the only ones who weren’t keen on this performance. Even Grant, himself, describes filming this scene as “absolute hell!”
#7: Humblebrag Horror “Bring It On” (2000)
Kicking off the famous franchise in 2000, the opening scene in the popular teen cheerleading comedy doesn’t necessarily start off on the right foot. Immediately presented with Rancho Carne High School’s cheerleading squad and their graduating captain “Big Red,” the Toros seek a new leader. Although Torrance Shipman’s team’s skills are adequate as national cheer champions, their non-traditional lyrics are what’s most uncomfortable here. The squad’s confidence can easily be perceived as arrogance when each member of the Toros not-so humbly introduces themselves. The number narrows in on the selection for their new captain and inevitably, Kirsten Dunst strips “Big Red” of her title. Thankfully, this performance was a dream, saving Torrance from her nightmare; however, still leaving the audience a little embarrassed for her.
#6: Slow Motion Struggle “A Knight’s Tale” (2001)
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Starring the talented late Heath Ledger, one would expect great things from Brian Helgeland’s “A Knight’s Tale.” Although set in the 14th century, this medieval film features inappropriately dated music and choreography. When Count Adhemar requests that Ledger’s William Thatcher present a traditional dance from his country, Gelderland, he spontaneously creates this debacle on the fly. Despite our opinions, Thatcher’s routine catches the attention of noblewoman Jocelyn and several others. Extremely slow to join in, the whimsical dance gathers several participants who happen to know the steps! If the choreography wasn’t complicated enough, halfway through the peculiar piece, the music switches from medieval melodies to David Bowie’s mid-70’s hit "Golden Years." From periodic prances to pop punches, the inconsistency is confusing and a real Knight-mare.
#5: Troubled Twist “Pulp Fiction” (1994)
Directed by neo-noir enthusiast Quentin Tarantino, this crime film covers some pretty scary topics. One of them being Uma Thurman and John Travolta’s dancing. Not exactly in his right state of mind, Vincent Vega is tasked with babysitting his boss’ wife, Mia Wallace. Vega is hesitant when Thurman’s character volunteers the pair to participate in the world-famous Jack Rabbit Slim's twist contest. He eventually agrees and the two take the stage in the 1950s-themed restaurant. With two prior roles in dance dramas, Travolta’s skills in this scene are subdued compared to his performances in “Grease” and “Saturday Night Fever.” Granted, his character is supposed to be intoxicated here and we could chalk it up to that, but this anticlimactic routine really had us twisted.
#4: Don't Bet on It “High School Musical 2” (2007)
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In this overly dramatic scene from the Disney Channel’s beloved teen musical, Troy Bolton suffers a wince-worthy adolescent temper tantrum. After seeing Mr. Fulton’s notice and heartbroken from the iconic breakup with girlfriend Gabriella Montez, Troy is upset. He angrily saunters across a golf course in this tee-rific musical production of “Bet On It.” Not only does he prove that his golf skills are up-to-par with his dancing, Zac Efron’s character also has a cheesy revelation while looking for his lost ball. As if the game of golf isn’t nerve-racking enough, imagine having to play while patiently waiting for Efron to finish this spectacle! On the green and with the moves, not even professional gamblers should bet on Troy here.
#3: Krump It “Bring It On: All Or Nothing” (2006)
With the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score on this list, the expectations for this cheer comedy were low. However, the level of cringe for Hayden Panettiere’s krumping is at an all-time high. As an outcast at her new high school, Britney Allen tries a little too desperately to fit in. While attending a Crenshaw Heights Warriors practice, the bubbly cheerleader stumbles upon a new style of dance. After being inappropriately antagonized into trying the cutting-edge technique, Allen battles it out with male cheerleaders Tyson and Jesse. We’re not sure what’s worse: the way she was convinced to try krumping or her dancing itself. Kudos to her for attempting an unfamiliar routine, but with the uncoordinated pulsating and her graceless grunting, we almost wished she hadn’t.
#2: This Boogie Is for Real “Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)
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Although Jon Heder’s dance in this comedy is iconic, it’s praised for entertainment and not technique. When his friend Pedro Sánchez runs for student body president, Napoleon Dynamite helps him with his campaign. On election day, it’s a toss-up between the most cringeworthy moment: Pedro’s speech or Napoleon’s skit. After Pedro unenthusiastically addresses his fellow students, his pal tries to save the day. With his leather boots and supportive ‘Vote for Pedro’ t-shirt, Napoleon hilariously hustles to a tape of Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat” and awkwardly sprints offstage. While the audience laughs at and not with him, the truth behind the scene is that the filmmakers let Heder do whatever he wanted in this unpredictable freestyled boogie. And, GOSH, and we are strangely here for it!
#1: Snap Out of It “Spider-Man 3” (2007)
Peter Parker may spawn webs from his wrists, but his jazz hands are unimpressive here. In the third installment, Parker brings Gwen Stacy to the jazz club where his former girlfriend Mary Jane performs. What’s the best way to make your old flame jealous? Obviously, with a toe-tapping ensemble directed towards another woman! Starting off playing the piano, Tobey Maguire’s character immaturely dedicates his performance to MJ. Sparing a perfectly good martini, he replaces his usual buildings and swings from a chandelier. Kirsten Dunst’s expression says it all after he glides across the floor on a chair and launches his jacket at her. After this ridiculous piece, we believe that Spider-Man should remain a vigilante and save us from his less than heroic dancing.
