10 Great Movies All Dancers Should Watch

9. Step Up

We have Step Up to thank for unleashing Channing Tatum upon the world (whether you consider that a good thing or a bad thing is between you and your god). It was his first opportunity to headline a film, and it spawned one of the biggest dance film franchises ever. Producers insist upon churning out Step Up sequel upon Step Up sequel, even though Tatum has long since left. But none of them come close to the original, which told the age-old story of a rough-and-tumble street dancer who found himself paired up with a privileged modern dancer in a showcase that would determine their future success. Frequently, the one factor in dance films that makes them stand out from the others is the style of dance that they choose to highlight. Step Up is unique in that rather than focusing on more traditional forms of dance, such as ballet or ballroom, it features relatively new styles that are just beginning to get respect and legitimacy as an art in their own right.