Top 10 Times Actors Improvised Dance Scenes in Movie & TV

Top 10 Movie Dance Scenes Improvised By Actors

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were counting down the times actors took the leadliterallyby adding their own choreography.

The Last Showgirl (2024)

This movie follows Shelly Gardner, a middle-aged showgirl who finds out shes about to take her final bow after more than 30 years onstage. Jamie Lee Curtis plays her friend and fellow showgirl, Annette. In one of the films most heart-wrenching scenes, Annette dances to Total Eclipse of the Heart with no audience. Curtis said this moment wasnt in the script, but a spur-of-the-moment choice inspired by a chance encounter in Vegas. She added that it was filmed in a single take. She brings so much to that moment; you feel everything her character might be feeling. Just one woman dancing for everything shes about to lose.

Severance (2022-)

This scene may be the moment of season one. Its where the employees sort of bondbut also sort of unravelthrough this bizarre group dance. What makes it even better is that it wasnt in the original script. When it was added, the instructions were vague at best. Choreographer Terra Rodriguez told them to flow how you want to flow, and thats exactly what they did. Each Innie moves in a way thats completely true to their character. Its weird, its unsettling, and its kind of perfect. And while most of the show keeps things painfully restrained, this is one scene where everyone just lets go. Well, almost everyone. And somehow, we never wanted it to end.

Dirty Dancing (1987)

There were elements of art imitating life in this film, with Patrick Swayze already a trained dancer and Jennifer Grey basically learning on the job. The moment Baby giggles every time Johnny brushes her arm is totally real, from her laughter to his frustration. Also, one of the films most memorable scenes (no, not that one) wasnt even in the script. The lip-synching, floor-crawling Love Is Strange bit was apparently just Swayze and Grey warming up before a shoot. Their director saw it and decided it had to stay. Johnny and Babys chemistry was undeniable, but clearly, much of that spark came straight from the actors themselves.

Joker (2019)

Some say this is the exact moment Arthur Fleck becomes The Joker. After shooting three guys who mocked him on the subway, Arthur escapes to a public bathroom and starts to dance. This wasnt in the script. It was Joaquin Phoenix freestyling. Originally, Arthur was supposed to stash his weapon, wipe off the clown makeup, and freak out. However, something about that just didnt click for the character. While searching for what was missing, director Todd Phillips played some music from the films composer, and Phoenix just started moving. At that moment, it became clear that this was just the kind of unhingedness that would carry Arthur from being an entertainer to, well The Joker.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

The dance competition is arguably one of the most iconic scenes in Pulp Fiction, and for good reason. Its the moment we see Vincent and Mia connect outside all the crime stuff, and what better way than through a dance contest? Its widely believed the scene was a nod to John Travoltas Saturday Night Fever days. However, hes since shared, Id actually told Quentin about the dances I grew up with. While Tarantino had his heart set on The Twist, Travolta added some of his own favorites from the era: The Spin, The Batman [and] The Hitchhiker. Well, whatever he did worked, and it was definitely worthy of a trophy!

Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

Napoleon Dynamite might not have been what it became had it not been for that dance sequence. By the time filming it rolled around, they were running low on funds, film, and hadnt even settled on a song. So Jon Heder danced to three tracks with similar rhythms. They didnt have a choreographer either, but Heder knew he wanted to break away from everything hed established about his character so far and move in a way that felt completely different. His only direction: Dude, you just do your thing. His goal was to make it as funky as [he] can, and then they Frankensteined together his three takes in post. Freestyle at its finest.

La La Land (2016)

Did you know the actors totally improvised this scene? Okay, were obviously jokingbut Emma Stone did manage to sneak some of her own moves in there. The actress entirely improvised the scene where Mia dances in front of Sebastians band. Stone shared in an interview that even the director didnt know she was going to do itit was more of an in-the-moment thing. It really speaks to her talent, especially since Mia and Sebastian are in a more contentious place at this point. The way she moves totally reflects that. It also explains Sebastians confused look because, much like his character, Ryan Gosling clearly had no idea what was coming.

Wednesday (2022-)

After this episode aired, Wednesdays dance to Goo Goo Muck by The Cramps was everywhere. Apparently, director Tim Burton settled on the song super late and left Jenna Ortega to choreograph it herself. With the shoot fast approaching, she still had nothing. So she studied Siouxsie Sioux, old goth clubs' archive footage, and even paid tribute to the original Wednesday Addams, Lisa Loring. She came up with this jerky, zombie-like routine thats weird, eerie, and completely Wednesday. Its not polished or pretty, and thats exactly the point. Ortega might not call herself a dancer, but when your choreography goes viral... Yeah, were calling that a core skill. Put it on the résumé, girl!

High School Musical 2 (2007)

Another dance that went viral is the seriously angsty Bet on It. Normally, Kenny Ortega handles the choreography in this franchise, but this time Zac Efron took charge. While promoting A Family Affair, Efron shared that the director showed up to the shoot with no plan, so he was encouraged to just wing it. He also said that they filmed the whole thing in about three hours. We knew Zac had the talent, but seeing him fully embody a teenage meltdown takes it to another level. No direction, just pure instinct. If High School Musical ever got awards attention, you can Bet on It this danceand Zacs performancewould be a top contender!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Rumor Has It This Dance Originated Behind the Scenes as a Way to Loosen Everyone Up Before Filming

Apparently, Daniel Brühl Thought Zemo Just Needs to Let Off Some Steam

Tom Cruise Just Doin What Any Teen Left at Home Might Do

Of Course, Robin Williams Was Behind This Classic Moment!

Singin' in the Rain (1952)

Gene Kelly left his choreographic mark all over this movie, but when it came to Make Em Laugh, he let Donald OConnor take the reins. And OConnor went full animation, throwing himself around like gravitys optional and barely pausing for air until the end which landed him in the hospital, but thats a story for another day. To build the routine, he reportedly tested out a bunch of moves on the crew and kept whatever got the biggest laugh. The result, of course, was one of the most unhinged, brilliant, laugh-till-it-hurts numbers ever filmed. Make Em Laugh wasnt just the name of the songit was OConnors entire game plan. Mission very much accomplished.

Which dance are you most surprised wasnt professionally choreographed? Let us know in the comments