With prom fastly approaching, high school-set movies with dance scenes influencing the plot are a great way to embrace the prom spirit and get students excited for the upcoming dance season. While getting tickets, a suit, and picking out a dress or outfit can amount to some pre-prom stress, a great way to detox and get excited for the big day is watching prom movies with friends, on your own, or even with family.
No. 1: Pretty in Pink (1986)
This classic ‘80s teen movie, directed by John Hughes, has stood the test of time, delivering clever one-liners and a strong message about how class divide can affect high school social culture. Andie Walsh (Molly Ringwald) is a teenager growing up in Chicago, trying to make it through high school while also working at a record store, Trax. Andie is creative, loyal, and has a unique fashion sense, making her the target of unwanted attention from her wealthier status-quo peers. Unexpectedly, high school boy Blane (Andrew McCarthy) falls for Andie; however, their honeymoon phase doesn’t last long. Due to their differing social classes, Andie and Blane have a tumultuous relationship that is further complicated by Andie’s close friend, Duckie (Jon Cryer), who is interested in her. This movie has classic high school party scenes, a love triangle, and of course, the iconic pink prom dress that started it all and is the inspiration behind the movie’s name. Between the costumes, soundtrack, and social class trope and commentary, Pretty in Pink remains a cult classic worthy of a watch this prom season.
No. 2: Mean Girls (2004)
Mean Girls has become a staple in any movie lover’s repertoire. Released in 2004, this classic teen comedy has brought endless joy to its fans for years and has garnered over 130 million dollars at the global box office. The plot focuses on the everyday trials of mean high school girls who prioritize cliques over friendship, but shifts during senior prom when social sabotage turns to reconciliation. The school is unexpectedly brought together by the careless act of a previous “mean girl,” Cady Heron (Lindsey Lohan), who wins the prom queen crown. Instead of talking about herself, Cady seizes the opportunity to redefine herself and her values. Cady stands tall in front of her classmates, whom she had both hurt and betrayed, to accept a crown that she felt she did not deserve. She declared that the crown did not belong to her but to everyone, and popularity is worthless. This is a central turning point in the film that highlights the true message of inclusivity and how kindness is stronger than popularity.
No. 3: A Cinderella Story (2004)
This must-see Hilary Duff movie from the 2000s brings a modern twist to a classic fairy tale, capturing both romance and drama. Chad Michael Murray also makes an appearance in practically every scene, making up for the missed spotlight in the show Gilmore Girls. A Cinderella Story features everything a 2000s rom-com should have: flip-phones, allusions to Shakespeare, college pressure, and, of course, a dance.
The dance in this movie is the Halloween Dance. However, it captures the essence of prom and the excitement of discovering a date or friend to go with, and the automatic drama that ensues after. Sam Montgomery (Hillary Duff) is a sweet, hardworking girl trying to make it through high school with the support of her best friend, Carter (Dan Byrd). Sam and Carter don’t fit in due to their social status and lack of athleticism. However, their friendship throughout the film is wholesome, and the absence of a plotline in which he suddenly falls in love with Sam is a breath of fresh air. The real romantic interest is Austin Ames (Chad Michael Murray), the quarterback who is Sam’s anonymous pen pal – though neither knows the other’s identity – and who wants to take control of his own future.
Sam struggles against her jealous stepsisters and overbearing stepmom (Jennifer Coolidge), who mastered the art of being hilariously unlikable. At the school dance, Sam wears a masquerade mask and shares a romantic evening with Austin, but hides her identity from him as he tries to find out who his mystery Cinderella is. When Austin finally uncovers her guise,he learns she is just the ‘girl who works at the diner,’ and seems uninterested. Sam is offended and confronts Austin, disappointed he isn’t who she thought he was. But, as every good rom-com ends, Austin wins Sam back over with a dramatic smooch in the rain. While the rain scene is romantic, nothing beats Sam and Austin’s night at the Halloween dance. This is the perfect inspirational movie to watch before braving prom with your own date.
No. 4: Twilight (2008)
There is a stigma around the Twilight franchise—one might say it has a cheesy reputation. But it’s the overarching prom theme that can’t be ignored, even by Twilight fandom haters. Much of the film focuses on the budding romantic connection between Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart); many viewers can get past the blue-green definitive Twilight filter, which is full of hilarious moments reminiscent of many high school rites of passage.
In Twilight, small-town girl Bella moves from Arizona to live with her dad, Charlie Swan (Billy Burke), in Forks, Washington, and expects to be surrounded by suburban monotony, but instead develops a crush on one of her classmates, Edward, a covert vampire. While the two start an unlikely relationship, Edward makes sure Bella holds onto her human identity, encouraging her to engage in classic high school experiences like beach days, prom dress shopping, and everything in between. Bella, after a vampire attack, is stuck in a boot, but still manages to make the look work with her fabulous purple prom dress.
As Bella and Edward dance in peace to a swoon-worthy Iron & Wine song, Twilight, a supposed dramatic fantasy film, ends on a surprisingly ordinary high school essential moment. If viewers went into this movie expecting a comedy and prom inspiration, they would be pleasantly surprised. While the true prom scene of this movie is saved until the movie’s end credits, there’s a reason why people say the best is always saved for last.
No. 5: Grease (1978)
Grease is an iconic movie that encapsulates teenage life in the 1950s: rock n roll, poodle skirts, and dancing. The film focuses on the relationship between Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) in 1958 during their secret summer fling, where they develop deep feelings for each other. Through song and dance, they exchange emotions and confer the difficult decision between maintaining their respective reputations and their relationship. During the teens’ high school prom, a particularly heated dance battle breaks out, with Danny and Sandy jiving together, rocking to the beat under the gymnasium ceiling. Unfortunately, they are separated after a disruption, and Danny ends up winning the contest with another girl, adding to the pre-existing tension in their relationship. This key event highlights the social norms during the 1950s and how teens saw maintaining their reputation as more important than following their heart.
