Movies like Dancing in the Wings (1985)
The best movies like Dancing in the Wings (1985) are The Wiz Live! (2015), Lovestruck: The Musical (2013) and Drumline: A New Beat (2014). If Dancing in the Wings hooked you with its music and tv movie, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedFeel the Beat (2020)7.5/10 from 1,187 votes
- NewestBel Canto (2025)Released 2025
The Wiz Live! (2015)
Winner of 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, The Wiz was a massive Broadway hit which spawned a dismal feature film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Executive Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have assembled a Tony-winning creative team, the imaginative Cirque du Soleil Theatrical and a diverse cast of showstoppers designed to create an eye-popping new take on the musical unlike anything ever seen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLovestruck: The Musical (2013)
Harper was one of the best dancers to hit Broadway, but an injury caused her to leave the spotlight, become a choreographer, and raise her daughter Mirabella. When Mirabella decides to quit the show to get married, her mother is determined to put a stop to the wedding and show Mirabella that she cannot give up her career for love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDrumline: A New Beat (2014)
A girl from New York attends a college in Atlanta to join their once-famous marching band.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpin (2021)
Rhea discovers her passion for creating DJ mixes that blend the rich textures of her South Asian culture and the world around her. Her life revolves around her eclectic group of friends, her after-school coding club, her family’s Indian restaurant and her tight-knit, multigenerational family. Everything changes when she falls for aspiring DJ Max, and her long-lost fervor for music is re-ignited. Rhea discovers that she has a natural gift for creating beats and producing music but must find the courage to follow her true inner talent.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBattle of the Year (2013)
A down-on-his-luck coach is hired to prepare a team of the best American dancers for an international tournament that attracts all the best crews from around the world, but the Americans haven't won in fifteen years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSave the Last Dance (2001)
After the death of her mother, Sara moves to the South Side of Chicago to live with her father and gets transferred to a majority-black school. Her life takes a turn for the better when befriends Chenille and her brother Derek, who helps her with her dancing skills.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoney 3: Dare to Dance (2016)
While attending college in Cape Town, Melea Martin feels constrained by the school's strict policies, and decides to set out on her own. Searching for a way to use her talents as a dancer and inspire the community around her, Melea rents a failing theater in order to put on a Hip-Hop Romeo and Juliet performance. But much like the Capulets and Montagues, conflicts between cast members threaten to bring the whole performance to a halt...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh Strung Free Dance (2018)
Zander Raines, a dazzling and tempestuous young choreographer, gives the break of a lifetime to two hopeful artists when he casts a stunning contemporary dancer, Barlow, and innovative pianist, Charlie, in New York’s most-anticipated new Broadway show: Free Dance. But the move throws off the show’s delicate creative balance when Charlie falls hard for Barlow, while Zander embraces her as his muse.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBroadway Melody of 1940 (1940)
Johnny Brett and King Shaw are an unsuccessful dance team in New York. A producer discovers Brett as the new partner for Clare Bennett, but Brett, who thinks he is one of the people they lent money to, gives him the name of his partner.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBrigadoon (1954)
Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh Strung (2016)
When a hip hop violinist busking in the New York subway encounters a classical dancer on scholarship at the Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts, sparks fly. With the help of a hip hop dance crew they must find a common ground while preparing for a competition that could change their lives forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHoney: Rise Up and Dance (2018)
Street dancer Skyler comes out of the shadow of her trained dancer sister, Tosha, & joins a dance competition with the Honey dance studio; the prize is a college scholarship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYou Got Served (2004)
At Mr. Rad's Warehouse, the best hip-hop crews in Los Angeles compete for money and respect. But when a suburban crew crashes the party, stealing their dancers — and their moves — two warring friends have to pull together to represent the street.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFeel the Beat (2020)
After failing to make it on Broadway, April returns to her hometown and reluctantly begins training a misfit group of young dancers for a competition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZiegfeld Follies (1945)
The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStreetDance 3D (2010)
In order to win the Street Dance Championships, a dance crew is forced to work with ballet dancers from the Royal Dance School in exchange for rehearsal space.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStar! (1968)
Gertrude Lawrence rises to stage stardom at the cost of happiness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDance-Off (2014)
Two cross-town rival dance teams go head to head for the National Nationals Championship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisMake Your Move (2013)
A pair of star-crossed dancers in New York find themselves at the center of a bitter rivalry between their brothers' underground dance clubs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisStreetDance 2 (2012)
After suffering humiliation by the crew Invincible, street dancer Ash looks to gather the best dancers from around the world for a rematch.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDriver for One Trip (1981)
Driver Mikhail meets Sofia, a distinguished collective farm worker who has come to Moscow. He helps her buy a car and agrees to deliver it to her collective farm. He is a widower, and she has separated from her husband. At Sofia's request, he agrees to take her, her daughter, and son-in-law back home. Mikhail develops deep feelings for Sofia, but her daughter is against it.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer—and unexpectedly falling in love.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe 3 Penny Opera (1931)
In London at the turn of the century, underworld kingpin Mack the Knife marries Polly Peachum without the knowledge of her father, the equally enterprising 'king of the beggars'.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThree Little Words (1950)
Song-and-dance man Bert Kalmar can't continue his stage career after an injury, so he has to earn his money as a lyricist. By chance, he meets composer Harry Ruby and their first song is a hit. Ruby gets Kalmar to marry his former partner Jessie Brown, and Kalmar and Jessie prevent Ruby from getting married to the wrong girls. But due to the fact that Ruby has caused a backer's withdrawal for a Kalmar play, they end their professional relationship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Free and Easy (1930)
Gopher City Kansas hosts a beauty contest. The winner, Elvira Plunkett, and her mother go to Hollywood. The Chamber of Commerce also provides Elvira with an agent, Gopher City's own Elmer J. Butz. Elmer likes Elvira and the shy Elvira likes him, but Mrs. Plunkett, a formidable woman, has little use for hapless Elmer. On the train west, they meet movie star Larry Mitchell, who takes a shine to Elvira and helps her meet MGM directors once they get to Tinsel Town. Elmer, meanwhile, wants to help Elvira with her career and he also wants to be her man. Movie stardom does come to the Gopher City entourage, but to whom is a surprise. And who will win the lovely Elvira's hand?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Cinderella (1997)
Cinderella chafes under the cruelty of her wicked stepmother and her evil stepsisters, until her Fairy Godmother steps in to change her life for one unforgettable night. At the ball, she falls for handsome Prince Christopher, whose parents, King Maximillian and Queen Constantina, are anxious for him to find a suitable paramour.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBilly Rose's Jumbo (1962)
The daughter of a circus owner fights to save her father from a takeover spearheaded by the man she loves.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Bel Canto (2025)
After a boozy night, Anne wakes up, except everything around her has turned into music… What happened? Accompanied by Pierre, her boyfriend who mysteriously started to talk in Italian overnight, they will try to unravel the mystery.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Tom Sawyer (1973)
Tom Sawyer and his pal Huckleberry Finn have great adventures on the Mississippi River, pretending to be pirates, attending their own funeral, and witnessing a murder.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBon Jovi | One Last Wild Night (2001)
In the course of the flourishing US hard rock scenery of the mid 80s Bon Jovi became one of the biggest rock groups of the western world. Due to their mass and radio compatible stadium rock the band succeeded to remain successful in the new century and did that to the highest level. In May 2001 the album "One Wild Night: Live 1985 - 2001" was released. The "One Wild Night" - tour existed of 54 shows in 15 countries in front of more than 1.9 Million fans. For the final they played two home concerts in the "Giants Stadium", New Jersey. One Wild Night -- Raise Your Hands -- You Give Love A Bad Name -- Born To Be My Baby -- Livin' On A Prayer -- Bed Of Roses -- Blaze Of Glory -- Wild In The Streets -- It's My Life -- Keep The Faith -- Wanted Dead Or Alive -- Lay Your Hands On Me -- Bad Medicine -- Shout
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Like Dancing in the Wings and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Dancing in the Wings?
The closest matches to Dancing in the Wings are The Wiz Live! (2015), Lovestruck: The Musical (2013) and Drumline: A New Beat (2014). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Dancing in the Wings?
Start with The Wiz Live! (2015), the closest match to Dancing in the Wings.
What is the highest-rated movie like Dancing in the Wings?
Feel the Beat (2020), rated 7.5/10 by 1,187 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Dancing in the Wings?
Bel Canto (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Dancing in the Wings?
Yes: The Wiz Live! (2015), Lovestruck: The Musical (2013) and Drumline: A New Beat (2014).
How are movies similar to Dancing in the Wings chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Dancing in the Wings, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.