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'Step Up' (2006) - Besides being the real-life tale of how Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum fell in love, the film also tells the classic tale of a young, troubled man helping a prim ballet dancer add some hip-hop to her life.

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'Black Swan' (2010) - In this chilling film, Natalie Portman plays a young woman desperate to land the lead role in her ballet company's production of Swan Lake. Portman actually went to extraordinary lengths to prepare for the role!

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'Dirty Dancing' (1987) - Of course, the story of a girl who has the time of her life with a dance instructor at the resort where her family is staying must make the list. Audiences will never forget that lift.

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'Fame' (1980) - Everyone wanted to go to the New York High School of Performing Arts from this musical drama, and it notably had an amazing, award-winning soundtrack.

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'Dance with Me' (1998) - This romantic dance drama starring Vanessa Williams and Chayanne tells the story of a Cuban dancer whose passion inspires students at a Latin dance studio, but who can't quite get the beautiful professional dancer to like him.

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'You Got Served' (2004) - This flick boasts Omarion's moves, street dance battles, and a contest where the prize is getting to dance in a Lil' Kim video.

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'Flashdance' (1983) - Welder by day, burlesque dancer by night, Alex Owens actually dreams of becoming a full-time professional dancer in this '80s gem.

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'Bring It On' (2000) - Some people will argue this movie is about cheerleading and not dancing, but true fans will know that the entire point of the franchise is that cheerleaders don't get enough credit for their all-around athleticism and sharp choreography.

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'Save the Last Dance' (2001) - No matter your opinion on Julia Stiles' hip-hop talent, this film is still a classic. Stiles plays a Julliard-reject who moves to Chicago and goes from prim and pointed to pop, lock, and dropping.

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'Strictly Ballroom' (1992) - Baz Luhrmann's over-the-top debut film sees two unlikely partners whose worlds collide as the prestigious Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship approaches. 

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'Paris is Burning' (1990) - This documentary on drag queens and ballroom culture in New York City is about so much more than dance, but it also introduced the world to the wonder that is voguing.

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'Footloose' (1984) - Certainly not the 2011 remake, because really what is 'Footloose' without Kevin Bacon?

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'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' (1985) - Before Carrie Bradshaw was dreaming of men, Janey Glenn was dreaming of auditioning for her favorite dance show.

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'Honey' (2003) - Jessica Alba plays the titular character, a woman who just wants to become a choreographer, in this forgotten gem. Missy Elliott also stars in it, which is reason enough to watch it right now.

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'Take the Lead' (2006) - Antonio Banderas plays a professional dancer turned public school teacher whose streetwise students laugh at his ballroom dancing. Of course, the marriage of hip-hop and classical style earns Banderas their respect.

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'Saturday Night Fever' (1977) - The film itself doesn't necessarily age well, but John Travolta's moves will last forever.

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'Magic Mike' (2012) - Since The Kings of Tampa aren't strippers, they're male entertainers, this technically counts as a dance movie. Also, Channing Tatum really does have moves.

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'Center Stage' (2000) - This film about the renowned American Ballet Academy also features Peter Gallagher's eyebrows, a young Zoë Saldana, and a steamy finale number set to Michael Jackson and Jamiroquai—need we say more?

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'Suspiria' (2018) - Luca Guadagnino's remake of the 1977 Italian psychological thriller has a lot of blood, sure, but there are also wicked dance sequences.

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'Stomp the Yard' (2007) - Centered around a street dancer who goes to college and joins a fraternity, this movie most importantly immortalizes the impeccable moves of Ne-Yo and Chris Brown.

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'La La Land' (2016) - No matter what side of the Oscars controversy you're on, watching Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone waltz their way through a gorgeously lit Hollywood is an instant feel-good. 

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'Hairspray' (2007) - This remake of John Waters' 'Hairspray' and the popular Broadway musical of the same name just got it all right. Remember this John Travolta role?

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'Happy Feet' (2006) - One for the whole family, this animated movie about a penguin who can't sing but shares an uncanny control of rhythm in his feet will get anyone grooving.

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'Shall We Dance?' (2004) - One of J-Lo's best movies also stars Richard Gere, who plays a stiff lawyer who decides to take ballroom dance lessons.

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'White Nights' (1985) - The film where Helen Mirren fell in love with her husband, director Taylor Hackford, and the film where Mikhail Baryshnikov shows off some serious ballet skills pre-'Sex and the City.'

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'Burlesque' (2010) - Christina Aguilera and Cher working in a burlesque club—what more could you ask for?

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'Billy Elliot' (2000) - Set in England in 1984, the film follows 11-year-old Billy as he leaves boxing behind and enrolls in a ballet class to follow his true passion.

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'All That Jazz' (1979) - This semi-autobiographical tale was written and directed by the legendary Bob Fosse, so you know the dancing is sublime. 

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'Swing Time' (1936) -

And of course, in an ode to the dance movies that came before, this musical comedy starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers features choreography that will not soon be forgotten. 

See also: The 30 most essential cult films of all time 

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