Video: 6 Unexpected, Yet Awesome Dance Scenes

Dancing in movies is nothing new, since the early days of cinema dancing has been a great way to perform a scene. However, most of these routines, as you’d expect, are in musicals. Yet there are a few non-musical films that throw in the odd surprising dance scene to great effect. Here are 6 unexpected yet awesome dance scenes.

6. Club Cringe – The Inbetweeners Movie (2011)

For some dancing isn’t easy, but in this case these guys make it look almost impossible. With the juxtaposition of Neil (Blake Harrison) flailing his limbs with some sort of rhythm next to Simon (Joe Thomas) jittering nervously and Will (Simon Bird) galloping his way to sheer embarrassment, this one hits the list for cringe factor alone. The final stage in this act results in Simon and Will choosing to copy Neil and if you ever think that Neil is the one to follow, you’re in the shit.

5. Twisting – Pulp Fiction (1994)

Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) take part in Jack Rabbit Slim’s Twist contest throwing down the moves with a clear intent on winning. Travolta a man who can make Dad dancing look cool, maintains a steely expression throughout making things slightly uncomfortable, but Thurman’s matched commitment makes it feel so normal. After the brief solo dance in Reservoir Dogs (1992) it’s clear director Quentin Tarantino wanted to up his game with this shindig.

4. Briefs Encounter – Risky Business (1983)

Dance, dance, dance, in your underpants as seen in 80s classic Risky Business. Tom Cruise is a man who can pretty much do anything and you can probably add dancing to that ever growing list. The choice of socks may seem off, but if like me you’re an expert on dancing, you’ll know they are imperative for that opening slide in. What follows are a series of simple if a little oddly sexual moves with an air guitar finish.

3. Detention Jive – The Breakfast Club (1985)

Ah the 80s, a time when you could dance like no one was watching and this lot clearly knew it. Rocking out to Karla DeVito’s ‘We are not alone’ who ever said detention couldn’t be fun. They may be from different social circles, but their love of dance was one thing they had in common, even if at times it is a little cringey. Whilst they all go for the typical upbeat 80s moves throwing heads back and forth, jigging on the spot at one point Anthony Michael Hall opts for ‘air steward directing toward fire exits?’

2. Explosive Moves – Napoleon Dynamite (2004)

No doubt Jamiroquai produces some of the best music to dance to, and that’s in evidence here. Napoleon (Jon Heder), determined to gain support for his best friend, Pedro (Efren Ramirez) in his campaign to become class president, makes a wise choice choosing ‘Canned Heat’. With expectations low, Napoleon manages to string a bunch of recognisable and original dance moves together and make it work, causing the whole room to erupt in applause.

1. Robot Rock – Ex Machina (2015)

I don’t think anybody saw this coming in Alex Garland’s sci-fi thriller, probably the most unexpected moment in the film which makes it all the more awesome. The precision choreography from Oscar Isaac and Sonoya Mizuno is entertaining and hypnotic, even Domnhall Gleeson is mesmerised by the synchronicity. It does make me think though, if I ever built a robot, I’d definitely make it learn a dance routine with me, wouldn’t you?

Are there any awesome and unexpected dance scenes you think we missed? Let us know in the comments below.