The 15 Greatest Prom Scenes In Movie History
Everyone knows that the high school prom is the greatest most important day of your life! Or at least one of them. Definitely in the top 10 days...or 20. Right guys? Maybe not, but it would probably make the top 100, though. Perhaps? OK, but we can all agree that prom is definitely a day in your life. Unless you didn't go. In which case, that's cool too.*
Yes, it's true: Prom is kind of lame. It's just a fact. No matter how great the DJ, our big nights NEVER matched up to the epic spring flings we saw in the movies. Those on-screen nights filled with young romance, snazzy outfits, cool cars, great music, choreographed dancing and underdogs coming out on top set our hearts on fire and our imaginations into flight. Our Mens Warehouse tux and awkward slow-dancing to Edwin McCain just couldn't compare. But in honor of prom season, we've decided to revisit some cinematic proms that were wayyyy more memorable than our own.
15. American Pie (1999)
Although the four friends make a pact to swipe their v-cards by prom night, the actual dance is probably the least memorable part of the entire movie! It's kind of lame, the music sucks, and dudes struck out with their dates left and right -just like our prom! At least we didn't publicly wet ourselves, though...
14.Twilight (2008)
The slow dance that launched a thousand fansites. Edward and Bella's gazebo prom moment was on the understated side, but it still dazzles us five years later.
13. Romy And Michele's High School Reunion (1997)
Technically this one takes place ten years after prom night, but it just goes to show that it's NEVER TOO LATE to live those high school dreams! Who hasn't dreamed of free-styling an interpretive dance to Cyndi Lauper with your best friend and former nerd-turned-billionaire at their 10-year reunion? It's pretty much the best case scenario.
12. It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
We're taking it back way old school with this one. Although forever linked with Christmas cheer, we forgot that It's A Wonderful Life features a spry Jimmy Stewart breakin' it down, before ending up in a swimming pool with his date. It's like MTV's Spring Break, but 50 years early.
11. Footloose (1984 and 2011)
After being denied for who knows how many years, the folks of Bomont finally bust out their moves! Who can resist Kevin Bacon's joyful cry of "Let's dance!"? Obvs, the 1984's original is better.
10. Jawbreaker (1999)
Prom is the time for romance, but it's also the time for revenge. Sweet sweet revenge. We wouldn't go so far as framing our enemies for murder, but hey...
9. Can't Buy Me Love (1987)
One of the best set-ups in movie prom history, Patrick Dempsey tries to watch American Bandstand to learn the latest dance movies, but mistakenly views a National Geographic special instead. Thus he gives birth to the African Anteater dance. It's sweeping the nation!
8. Pretty In Pink (1986)
'80s queen Molly Ringwald makes thrift shop chic way before it was cool! This movie would rank way higher if it wasn't for the way that lovable eccentric Ducky gets shafted.
7. Teen Wolf (1985)
Only in the '80s could a small hairy man show up in a white leisure suit and be the hit of the dance. Although to be fair, he has some sweet moves.
6. Carrie (1976)
This one kind of challenges the definition of "greatest". Great to view on screen, not so great to attend. Although to be honest, having pigs blood dumped on us is a pretty accurate representation of our prom experience.
5. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
The bit on the bleachers will always be our favorite, but never forget that 10 Things has a pretty great prom scene too! Lettters To Cleo tears it up ska-style on the stage, while Bianca lays out the douchey Joey in two punches. And of course, the good guy gets the girl. What more can you ask for in a prom scene?
4. Mean Girls (2004)
Before she stole that jewelry, Lindsay Lohan stole our hearts when she took on the Plastics and delivers the moving prom speech to end all moving prom speeches.
3. Grease (1978)
Not technically a prom, the sizzling "Hand Jive" number proves how Cha-Cha DiGregorio earned her name as the best dancer at St. Bernadette's (with the worst reputation).
2. She's All That (1999)
Our prom would have definitely been made so much cooler if Usher was the DJ! And if Rachael Leigh Cook was our prom queen. With or without her glasses.
1. Back To The Future (1985)
What other movie has super cool Michael J. Fox inventing rock 'n' roll, moments after fending off the advances of his teenage mother in the school parking lot?! Not, we tell you, NONE! MJ guitar shredding is not only rockin', but also hilarious.
[Photo: Touchstone Pictures/Paramount Pictures]
* JK, prom was alright.