Top 10 Funny Dances Scenes in Movies
Script written by Nick Spake
Top 10 Funny Dance Scenes in Movies
These moves may not be winning any trophies but they will earn a ton of laughs! Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 funny dance scenes in movies.
For this list, we’re taking a look at the most memorable comedic dance scenes in cinema. However, we’ve excluded dance-offs, like in“American Wedding” and “Get Smart.” We’re also keeping this list limited to traditional comedies, so no “Ex Machina” either.
#10: Can’t Resist Austin
“Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” (1997)
With his thick glasses, hairy chest, and bizarre teeth, Austin Powers may not seem like the ultimate sex magnet. Yet, there isn’t a woman alive who can resist Austin’s charms, even if they’re machines. When a group of fembots attempts to seduce the international man of mystery, he uses his own assets to fight back. Stripping down to his English briefs while shaking it like he just don’t care, Austin proves to be the most enticing individual in the room. It’s more than the fembots can handle, and it literally blows their minds.
#9: Saturday Night Fever!
“Airplane!” (1980)
In addition to spoofing various disaster movies, “Airplane” throws a number of obscure references from other films into the mix. One of the funniest moments in this comedy classic is a totally out of left field parody of “Saturday Night Fever.” A sleazy club suddenly becomes a lot funkier when “Stayin’ Alive” starts playing. The enchanting Elaine immediately allures the brooding Ted onto the dance floor. Fortunately, he decided to wear his disco attire under his uniform. What ensues is a number with dance moves that defy all logic and too many great visual gags to count.
#8: Aquarius
“The 40-Year-Old Virgin” (2005)
It shouldn’t come as a massive surprise that “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” ends with our protagonist losing his virginity. What does come as a surprise, however, is its rendition of “Aquarius,” which leads into “Let the Sunshine In.” The entire cast reunites for the big finale, wearing the proper hippie apparel and frolicking about. As random as this dance sequence might be, it actually perfectly sums up the sensation of having sex for the first time and entering a new age of enlightenment. Plus, how can you not crack up watching the Frat Pack pay homage to “Hair?”
#7: The Pee-wee Dance
“Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985)
You wouldn’t think somebody like Pee-wee Herman could ever fit in at a biker bar. Then again, you wouldn’t expect somebody as peculiar as Pee-wee to fit in anywhere. Nevertheless, he manages to win over the rowdy crowd through the power of dance and laughter. Despite the fact that he knocked down their bikes, the gang can’t bring themselves to pummel Pee-wee after such a joyous display. Whenever “Tequila” starts playing on the radio, it’s impossible not to be reminded of good old Pee-wee and his shockingly nimble dancing chops.
#6: Pole Dancing
“Date Night” (2010)
Pole dancing is a performance art that we typically associate with women, but men can get in on the action too. A date night gone horribly wrong only becomes weirder when Phil and Claire Foster have to pose as a pimp and prostitute. To avoid blowing their covers, the two are forced to do a pole dance that’s more sidesplitting than it is sexual. While they only manage to arouse one guy in the room, they succeed in making everybody in the audience laugh hysterically. When it comes to unsexy comedy, nobody does it better than Steve Carell and Tina Fey.
#5: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
“Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)
“Guardians of the Galaxy” is often considered one of the funniest movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is ironic considering that it opens with one of the franchise’s most dramatic moments as a young boy loses his mother. Jumping ahead twenty-six years to a galaxy far, far away, a grown up Star-Lord sets the mood as he rocks out to “Come and Get Your Love.” Dancing and exploring the foreign planet simultaneously, Peter Quill establishes himself as a different kind of hero in a different kind of sci-fi adventure.
#4: Make ‘Em Laugh
“Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
There are many words to describe Donald O’Connor’s rendition of “Make ‘Em Laugh” from “Singin’ in the Rain”; charming, energetic, and of course funny come to mind. Perhaps the best word to epitomize this dance routine, though, is miraculous. O’Connor, a vaudeville veteran, demonstrates some of the most inventive choreography and brilliant comedic timing you’ll ever see in a musical. And he did all of this without a stunt double, although he required several days of rest after shooting this priceless scene. Who can blame him? Just watching O’Connor, the audience feels like they might pass out from exhaustion and laughter.
#3: Canned Heat
“Napoleon Dynamite” (2004)
Napoleon Dynamite is an odd fellow to say the least. The audience spends a majority of the movie laughing at him, as do most of his classmates. Through a single dance routine, though, Napoleon goes from being a hopeless nerd to quite possibly the coolest kid in school. His over-the-top dance is not only funny, but also kind of badass in its own unique way. It’s as if the most unlikely dancer on the planet just served everyone in the auditorium. As the music draws to a close and Napoleon aimlessly runs off stage, how can you not erupt in applause and vote for Pedro?
#2: Cuban Pete
“The Mask” (1994)
Essentially a live-action cartoon character, the Mask can get out of any situation via Looney Tunes-style craziness. Even when an entire police force has him surrounded, our green-faced hero improvises a foolproof escape plan: break out the maracas and perform Desi Arnaz’s “Cuban Pete.” The number proves so infectious that the cops can’t help but get in on it too. In no time, the Mask is leading a conga line with everyone singing and dancing along. Well, almost everyone. Of course Lt. Mitch Kellaway is the one killjoy and draws the curtain on the party. The police are left baffled while we’re left in stitches.
Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
Day-O Dance
“Beetlejuice” (1988)
Looking for Hot Stuff
“The Full Monty” (1997)
Mary Katherine Gallagher Dance
“Superstar” (1999)
Poindexter Smokes Weed
“Revenge of the Nerds” (1984)
Super Freak
“Little Miss Sunshine” (2006)
#1: Les Grossman Dance
“Tropic Thunder” (2008)
“Tropic Thunder” is one of those comedies that causes one great laugh after another. As the credits roll, Les Grossman delivers arguably the film’s funniest moment with a victory dance of epic proportions. Alone in his office, the studio executive celebrates his success by shakin’ what his momma gave him. It’s hard to say what’s more hysterical: the dance itself or the sudden realization that the balding, chubby Grossman is actually Tom Cruise. All we know for sure is that this scene is the comedic equivalent of a mic drop.
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite funny dance scene? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.