Spring is in the air and with it brings flowers, young love, and the symbolic representation of both these things – prom! While my tween son has a few to go before prom, I’m introducing him to the joys of school dances early with these six unforgettable prom scenes that remind us that most of life’s answers can be found on the dance floor.
Rated PG-13; 1999
When Zack, a popular high school jock (played by Freddie Prinze Jr.) bets that he can transform Laney, a bookish misfit (played by Rachael Leigh Cook) into a prom queen, he gets more than he bargains for when he falls in love. But will he miss his chance when Laney finds out she’s the victim of a bet? With one of the greatest synchronized dance numbers in all of cinematic prom history and an all-star cast including Anna Paquin, Lil’ Kim, Gabriel Union, and Paul Walker, we learn that without someone special to share it with, a prom is just a prom.
Rated PG-13; 1986
Andie, a girl of humble means (played by Molly Ringwald) finds herself in a socially awkward love triangle between a rich heartbreaker and her childhood friend (played by Jon Cryer). Who will Andie choose? All is revealed on an epic prom night.
Rated PG-13; 2004
In her quest to bring the school’s most popular and cruel clique down, new girl Cady (played by Lindsay Lohan) finds herself the new mean queen bee. Her memorable redemption at the school’s spring fling reminds us that there’s more to high school than popularity.
Rated PG; 1984
When a rebellious city boy (played by Kevin Bacon) moves to a small town and falls for the preacher’s daughter, he fights to lift the town’s ban on rock music and dance as a form of creative expression. A killer soundtrack paired with amazing choreography makes this small town’s prom victory something worth dancing about!
Rated PG; 1978
When good girl Sandy (played by Olivia Newton-John) falls for loveable greaser Danny (played by John Travolta), they’ll have to find a way to bridge their differences through song, dance, and of course, the hand jive! School dances never looked so much fun!
Rated PG-13; 1999
Pretty and popular Bianca isn’t allowed to date until her rebellious sister Kat (played by Julia Stiles) does, so she constructs a plan to match quick-witted Kat with brooding Patrick (played by Heath Ledger). Come prom night, Kat learns that all that glitters isn’t gold in this modern adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew.
