Top 10 Emotional Scenes That Used Dance Instead of Dialogue
#10: Orla’s Step Routine
“Derry Girls” (2018-22)
Like the best comedies, “Derry Girls” has always been adept at blending humor with emotion. Orla’s talent show performance, in the season one finale, is one of the best examples. Her step routine is unconventional at best and could have ended in humiliation. But instead of letting embarrassment take over, her friends rush the stage and join in the dance, turning the moment into a joyous demonstration of their friendship. Even Sister Michael has to smile. Intercut with the reaction of Erin’s family to a tragic news report, the scene demonstrates that, despite living through a war, the girls are still just normal teenagers, experiencing life’s highs as well as its lows.
#9: “Under Pressure”
“Aftersun” (2022)
In 2022’s “Aftersun” a young woman called Sophie looks back on a holiday she took with her dad as an eleven year old. For her the trip is a happy memory, but it’s implied that her dad was struggling with depression and anxiety. The film’s final moments see Sophie and her dad share a dance together on the last night of their holiday. It’s a moving, bittersweet moment. The song - Queen’s “Under Pressure” - is a clue to the way Sophie’s dad has been feeling and what lies in store for their already broken family. Intercut with dreamlike rave scenes, the sequence indicates that this is one of their last happy moments together.
#8: “Stay with Me”
“Reign” (2013-17)
The relationship between “Reign’s” Mary, Queen of Scots and her first husband, Francis, was steadily built up over three seasons. They had their trials but ultimately the strength of their love and respect for each other always won the day. Historically speaking, it was always going to end in tragedy. But we weren’t prepared for how much it would hurt. In this tender dance scene, Francis is dying and both he and Mary know it. They also know how important it is for them to present a strong, united front before the court. “Bridgerton” has been praised for its use of modern music in a historical setting, but “Reign” did it first. Here, Sam Smith’s “Stay with Me” is used to devastating effect.
#7: Hyacinth’s Recital Dance
“Bridgerton” (2020-)
The latest “Bridgerton” scene to pull on our collective heartstrings was the kids’ dance at Bridgerton house - organized by little Hyacinth herself. Unlike some of her siblings, the youngest Bridgerton can’t wait to enter the ton and live the life of a debutante. But, as she’s still too young, a recital dance like this one - fully chaperoned by the parents of course - is the next best thing. Dancing to an orchestral arrangement of Charli XCX’s “360” Hyacinth and her peers might not be the most graceful or natural. However, the youthful shyness and awkwardness of the dancers has a nostalgic charm all of its own, conjuring up memories for the audience of school dances and tentative first love.
#6: “So Close”
“Enchanted” (2007)
The central couple in “Enchanted” seem, at first glance, to be complete opposites. Robert’s a cynic who doesn’t believe in romance or spontaneity. Giselle is a real life Disney princess who’s never experienced a negative emotion. However, the “So Close” dance at the Kings and Queens ball shows how far they’ve both come since the beginning. Robert even starts to sing to Giselle - a sure fire sign that he’s entering into the spirit of her world. Alas, it’s too late. Although their feelings are obvious from the way they dance together, Giselle and Robert are bound to other people and so unable to express their love. It’s a heartbreaking scene, even when we know that their happy ending is just around the corner.
#5: Dance at the Gym
“West Side Story” (1961)
The love-at-first-sight scene in any “Romeo and Juliet” tale is always a major moment. To believe in anything that comes after, we have to believe in the instant connection between the lovers. “West Side Story” is a musical adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play set in 1950s New York. In place of complex language, it conveys emotion most powerfully through music and dance. Like Romeo and Juliet, Tony and Maria meet at a party and are immediately drawn to each other. Everyone around them is dancing energetically. However, as they spot each other across the crowded room, the music changes and a gentle, dreamlike dance sequence begins. It’s as if there’s no-one else in the room and they can’t take their eyes off each other.
#4: Dance at the OzDust Ballroom
“Wicked” (2024)
While “West Side Story” is all about the romance, the core relationship in “Wicked” is the bond between Glinda, the Good Witch, and Elphaba, Wicked Witch of the West. What begins as loathing develops into a sincere and important friendship that will shape both girls’ lives for good. The dance at the OzDust Ballroom is the turning point. Jealous of Elphaba’s magical talent, Glinda sets her up for public humiliation when she lends her an ugly hat to wear to the dance. Hurt and isolated, Elphaba defies the mockery and dances alone. Instead of joining in the laughter, a guilty and admiring Glinda joins Elphaba on the floor. It’s a moving moment of connection that turns them into fast friends in an instant.
#3: Angry Dance
“Billy Elliot” (2000)
Set during the 1980s UK miner’s strike in Durham, “Billy Elliot” follows the eleven year old protagonist as he discovers a talent for dancing. As he struggles against the restrictions imposed on him by class and gender roles, Billy doesn’t express much through words. Dance is his outlet as well as his passion. In the angry dance scene, we finally see the depths of Billy’s rage and frustration. Dancing through the streets with “A Town Called Malice” blasting in the background, the young Jamie Bell gets to show off both his dancing and his acting chops. It’s arguably the most powerful scene in the film and it’s all done without words.
#2: Anna & Alexei
“Anna Karenina” (2012)
Director Joe Wright set out to create a version of “Anna Karenina” that was reminiscent of a ballet in its form. According to the choreographer, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Wright treated the choreography “not as decoration but as part of the storytelling.” The film’s most memorable dancing scene is Anna’s waltz with Count Vronsky. In Wright’s “Pride & Prejudice,” Elizabeth and Darcy’s dances together are emotionally charged, but in Regency routines, couples barely touched. The waltz is different and for the entangled Anna and Vronsky, dancing together is a risky step to take. In this breathtaking scene, we witness a whirlwind of emotions, particularly from Anna and Alicia Vikander’s Kitty. Although there is no dialogue, we know exactly what each character is feeling throughout.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Harry & Hermione’s Dance, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” (2010)
A Brief Moment of Light and Friendship in One of their Darkest Times
Anne & Gilbert’s Dance, “Anne with an E” (2017-19)
Romantic Feelings Begin to Blossom
Kingdom Dance, “Tangled” (2010)
Rapunzel Finally Experiences the Lantern Festival - & Starts to Fall in Love
Emma Dances with Mr. Knightly, “Emma” (2020)
They’re Not So Much Like Brother and Sister, After All
Dancing to the Radio, “Dancing at Lughnasa” (1998)
A Rare Moment of Spontaneous Happiness for the Sisters
#1: The Laendler
“The Sound of Music” (1965)
Throughout “The Sound of Music” there are plenty of hints that Maria and the Captain are falling for each other. However, it’s not until the Laendler scene when their feelings are made crystal clear to the audience - and also to the poor Baroness. Maria is originally attending the party as staff only. She’s teaching Kurt to dance an Austrian folk dance when the Captain steps in. The children are suddenly bystanders to something new and somehow serious and grown-up. It’s a deceptively simple scene. The couple dance with no distractions, completely absorbed by the routine and each other. The Laendler in itself is a beautiful dance to watch and the chemistry between Maria and the Captain is unparalleled. It’s all just very romantic.
Which emotional dance scenes say the most without words? Tell us your favourite in the comments!
