Top 10 School Dance Scenes in Movies

This iconic high school movie with a screenplay by Tina Fey finds its resolution at the Spring Fling dance. Main character Cady arrives wearing her Matheletes uniform, having come from the state finals. She is deemed the Spring Fling queen, and uses her moment on stage to make amends. After breaking apart the plastic crown and sharing it among her peers, she returns to the dance floor where her friends and love interest forgive her. The scene is a satisfying conclusion to the dramatic teen story. Girl World is finally at peace, and we’re hoping it stays that way.

While some school dance scenes highlight characters’ romantic relationships, this one is a testament to female friendship. It shows the titular character splitting from her date and his friends when they decide to bail on prom. She instead attends the event with her best gal pal, Julie. Both girls are in need of emotional support, which they provide for each other. They take pictures together and dance the night away, meanwhile leaving enough room for Jesus. The moment is heart-felt and humorous, much like the rest of the film. Reportedly, director Greta Gerwig wore a prom dress of her own to direct the scenes.

#8: “A Night to Remember” “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” (2008)

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This scene isn’t technically a school dance, but we think it still counts as a fun, prom themed moment. It shows the students of East High rehearsing a number for their original spring musical. During the song’s run, the teens simulate shopping for outfits, getting ready and making their way to the event. It wraps up with the whole group coming together for a choreographed sequence. The tune gets a reprise towards the end of the movie featuring Sharpay and her wannabe assistant. As for East High’s actual prom, Troy and Gabriella don’t make it, although they are there in spirit.

The titular character doesn’t get the chance to dance with his own date, but we think that’s probably for the best. After she bails, Pedro suggests Napoleon dance with Deborah. The two take to the floor as “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper starts to play. They awkwardly move side to side at an arms length apart while making small talk. Just like the rest of the film, this moment is weird and hilarious. It’s also another step towards Napoleon and Deborah getting together. We only wish the scene included more of Jon Heder’s dance skills.

The adaptation of Stephen King’s first published novel includes a truly iconic prom scene. While school dances have a tendency for being dramatic, this one takes it a step further. It shows the titular character being subjected to a cruel and elaborate prank. After being named prom queen in an election rigged by some of her classmates, Carrie is doused in pigs’ blood on stage in front of the other dance attendees. She uses her telekinetic abilities to take revenge, resulting in a catastrophe that very few people survive. Serving as the natural climax of the film, it's also included in the 2013 remake. Although we enjoy watching this chaotic event unfold on screen, we would never want to attend ourselves.

The classic Shakespeare play, “The Taming of the Shrew,” gets a teenaged twist in this high school rom com from the nineties. Unsurprisingly, the film has a prom scene where some drama goes down. It features an ensemble cast, many of whose conflicts come to a head during the school event. Kat and Patrick begin the evening on a good note only for things to turn sour. Meanwhile, Bianca stands up for herself and the people she loves. Favors are called in and punches are thrown. The fashion might be questionable, but overall, we love this scene.

#4: Hamilton High School Prom “Prom Night” (1980)

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Like the name suggests, much of this film’s plot centers around a high school dance. The lesser known 1980 horror story depicts a long night of revenge enacted during prom. It’s a fusion of “Halloween” and “Carrie,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis as final girl Kimberly Hammond. At one point, Kim and her date, Nick McBride, played by Casey Stevens, do the disco in a performance that both entertains and seemingly takes forever, given the knowledge that a killer is running loose. The scene is both amazing and tortuous, eventually giving way to a night of murder.

The students of Rydell high and their plus ones attend a televised National Dance off in this beloved musical movie. The “National Bandstand” scene has fun choreography, gags, and even a little bit of romantic drama. It begins with all the couples on the dance floor. The contestants are tapped out two at a time until only a handful are left. A mix up of partners leads to Danny winning the competition paired with Cha-Cha, much to Sandy’s disappointment. The scene ends with members of the cast coming together for an over the top group pose. DJ Vince Fontaine’s front handspring and microphone catch alone is enough to qualify this pick for our list.

The eighties comedy drama resolves at a dance held just outside town limits in a grain mill. The night gets off to a rocky start with Ren and Willard getting caught up in a brawl. While it’s not exactly what the Bomont teens had imagined for a senior prom, they still enjoy dancing the night away. Many of the kids demonstrate that they have moves, despite living in a town that restricts dancing. One student performs the robot, while another breakdances. The camerawork is as fun as the choreography, and the 2011 remake references a few of its predecessor’s more memorable shots. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. William Henry Harrison High School Prom, “She’s All That” (1999) Who Doesn’t Love a Good, Choreographed Dance-Off? High School Dance, “Teen Witch” (1989) Not Many Things Can Top This School Dance Scene South Glen South High School Prom, “Never Been Kissed” (1999) The 25-Year-Old Probably Shouldn’t Have Even Been at the Prom, but We’re Glad She Was Shermer High School Dance, “Sixteen Candles” (1984) Sam May Not Be Into Her Dance Partner, but We Think He’s Great Corny Collins’s Record Hop, “Hairspray” (2007) Tracy’s Dancing Didn’t Just Grab Corny & Link’s Attention, It Also Caught Ours

One of the most memorable scenes from the critically acclaimed film is the ​​Enchantment Under the Sea Dance. In order to get his parents to kiss on the dance floor, and therefore save his own life, Marty fills in for an injured band member. George and Lorraine slow dance together until another student cuts in. It looks like the end for Marty, but George musters up the courage to stand up for himself and goes in for a kiss. Marty celebrates by leading the band in playing “Johnny B. Goode.” We love it when he starts absolutely shredding, even if it is a little much for the school dance attendees.