The 1958 film “Damn Yankees” takes the classic Faustian theme and combines it with America’s favorite pastime — baseball. Bringing new meaning to the words sports-fanatic, Joe trades his soul for the opportunity to become a young baseball player to take on the New York Yankees.
Helping facilitate this trade is the devil’s seductive assistant, Lola. In one of the raciest scenes of the film, Lola dances mesmerizingly and sings a song to remind Joe of their agreement. Seeing that scene, it’s no wonder Joe traded his soul!
The Opening Credits of “Do the Right Thing”
While the themes of Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” are still relevant today, the film is also known for its soundtrack and memorable scenes, particularly the film’s opening credits. The film opens with soft jazz music and quickly changes to the politically charged Public Enemy song “Fight the Power.”
With the streets of New York City as the background, Rosie Perez, making her film debut, dances passionately to the song. Her amazing choreography and the song’s powerful lyrics make this one of the most famous opening sequences in a movie.
Billy Angrily Dancing to “Town Called Malice” in “Billy Elliot”
Though the British cult-hit “Billy Elliot” has many emotional scenes, we couldn’t help but love this dance sequence to The Jam’s “Town Called Malice”. In the scene, aspiring ballet dancer Billy is struggling with the expectations put on him by his family and blue-collar background (in complete contrast with his dreams to dance in the Royal Ballet).
As the music begins, Billy throws himself physically into the dance, tapping his way across the neighborhood; we can feel just how trapped and angry he feels with each step.
Final Dance Scene in “The Princess Diaries”
There are some movie scenes that just make you smile. Our favorite scene from "The Princess Diaries" has to be the scene in which Princess Mia Thermopolis attends the royal ball with her grandmother, Queen Clarisse.
Though their dance is initially stiff, Mia later returns to the dance floor with her love interest Michael and the two of them inspire the royal court to shed their uptight dancing style for a more free-spirited and animated one. Seeing Anne Hathaway do the “robot” dance in a tiara makes this scene something to remember.
Napoleon Shaking It to Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat”
The cult-favorite film “Napoleon Dynamite” isn’t a film that most people would think would feature an epic dance scene, but just like the film’s popularity, this movie manages to surprise. In the film, Napoleon is a hilariously awkward high schooler with an even more eccentric group of friends.
His quirkiness reaches its peak when Napoleon puts on a memorable show to Jamiroquai’s “Canned Heat.” The dance scene is a surprising treat for the audience and is also heartwarming as Napoleon decides to embrace who he is, regardless of what others may think.