100+ Movies like Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing
The "Dirty Dancing" closely follows the core plot and themes of the original "Dirty Dancing" film. Both center around a young woman named Frances "Baby" Houseman who falls in love with a working-class dance instructor named Johnny Castle while vacationing with her affluent family at a resort in the summer of 1963. Their romance crosses social class boundaries and faces opposition, particularly from Baby's father. The key story arcs of Baby's relationship with Johnny, her involvement in helping Johnny's dance partner Penny after an unplanned pregnancy, and the climactic dance performance where Baby and Johnny's partnership is revealed are all maintained. The main difference is the addition of a framing device set in 1975, where an older Frances reflects on her relationship with Johnny, which inspired a Broadway show based on their story and reignited her passion for dancing.
These Girls
Both "Dirty Dancing" and "These Girls" explore themes of forbidden relationships and societal taboos around class and age differences. The central plot revolves around a young woman becoming romantically involved with an older man from a lower social class, defying expectations and facing backlash. In both films, the young protagonist develops feelings for the older male lead despite their disparate backgrounds, leading to a secret, illicit affair. The relationships challenge traditional norms and face opposition, particularly from the protagonist's family. Ultimately, the films celebrate the triumph of love over societal constraints and prejudices. The protagonists assert their agency and right to choose their partners, culminating in a climactic dance performance that symbolizes their liberation and acceptance of their relationships.
Being Frank
Both "Dirty Dancing" and "Being Frank" explore themes of forbidden relationships across class divides and generational conflicts. In "Dirty Dancing", Baby falls for the working-class dance instructor Johnny, defying her father's expectations and prejudices. Similarly in "Being Frank", Philip discovers his father Frank's secret double life with another family, challenging his father's authority and societal norms. The central romantic relationships drive the plots, with the young protagonists pursuing their passions (dancing and music) against parental opposition. Climactic performances/revelations bring the conflicts to a head, forcing the patriarchal figures to confront their biases and accept their children's choices. Ultimately, both films celebrate breaking free from restrictive social boundaries and embracing personal fulfillment.
Very Good Girls
"Very Good Girls" parallels "Dirty Dancing" in its central story of two young friends spending a formative summer together and becoming entangled in a romantic triangle with an older, working-class love interest. Like Baby in "Dirty Dancing", Lilly in "Very Good Girls" is initially attracted to and pursues a relationship with David, a man of lower social status, going against her family's expectations. Their romance blossoms through dance and intimate moments, mirroring Johnny and Baby's journey. However, Lilly's best friend Gerri also develops feelings for David, creating tension and betrayal between the friends, similar to Penny's conflict with Baby over Johnny. The movies explore themes of social class divides, sexual awakening, and the challenges of maintaining friendships amid romantic entanglements during a pivotal summer before leaving for college.
The Tender Bar
Both "The Tender Bar" and "Dirty Dancing" follow a coming-of-age story where a young protagonist from a working-class background develops a close relationship with an older mentor figure who helps shape their personal growth and aspirations. In "Dirty Dancing", Baby forms a romantic connection with Johnny, the dance instructor from a lower social class, which challenges her family's prejudices. Similarly, in "The Tender Bar", JR finds a father figure in his uncle Charlie, the owner of a local bar, who encourages his intellectual pursuits despite his family's working-class roots. The central conflict in both films revolves around the protagonists navigating societal class divides and overcoming parental expectations to pursue their passions and self-discovery. Ultimately, the mentors play a pivotal role in the protagonists' journeys of self-realization and embracing their authentic selves.
According to Greta
Both "According to Greta" and "Dirty Dancing" center around a young woman from a privileged family who develops a romantic relationship with someone from a lower social class during a summer vacation. In "Dirty Dancing", Baby falls for Johnny, a working-class dance instructor, while in "According to Greta", Greta falls for Julie, a short-order cook with a troubled past. The relationships face opposition from the young women's families due to class differences, but the couples persevere and find acceptance by the end. Both stories involve the young women undergoing personal growth and gaining new perspectives through their relationships and experiences that summer. Key plot points include the young women deceiving their families to pursue the relationships, a crisis or near-tragedy that serves as a wake-up call, and a climactic performance or event where the couples profess their love and gain family approval.
Chaos Theory
Both "Chaos Theory" and "Dirty Dancing" explore themes of forbidden love and class divides. In "Dirty Dancing", Baby, from an affluent family, falls for Johnny, a working-class dance instructor, defying societal expectations. Similarly, in "Chaos Theory", Frank, a successful speaker, faces scrutiny for his relationship with Paula, a woman he meets at a seminar. The movies also depict family tensions arising from these relationships, with Baby's father disapproving of Johnny, just as Susan initially believes Frank has been unfaithful. Ultimately, the protagonists overcome obstacles and societal prejudices to embrace their love, culminating in climactic dance performances that symbolize their triumph over adversity and acceptance of their relationships.
The Last Song
"The Last Song" parallels "Dirty Dancing" in its central plot of a rebellious teenage girl from a broken family spending the summer with her estranged father, where she falls in love with a young man from a different social class. Both films explore themes of young romance across class divides, family reconciliation, and the protagonists finding their passions and purpose in life through their summer experiences. The protagonists, Ronnie and Baby, initially clash with their fathers over their relationships but ultimately reconcile with them by the end. The young couples, Ronnie/Will and Baby/Johnny, face societal prejudices and obstacles due to their class differences but overcome them through their love and personal growth. The films culminate in climactic performances where the protagonists showcase their talents and affirm their relationships, leading to acceptance from their families.
Dan in Real Life
Both "Dirty Dancing" and "Dan in Real Life" revolve around an unexpected romantic connection that faces societal barriers. In "Dirty Dancing", Baby falls for Johnny, a dance instructor from a lower social class, defying her father's prejudices. Similarly, in "Dan in Real Life", Dan develops feelings for Marie, who is dating his younger brother Mitch, challenging family dynamics. The protagonists in both films must navigate disapproval from their families and overcome class/status differences to pursue their love interests. The climax involves a public dance performance that serves as a declaration of their love and acceptance. Additionally, both movies explore themes of breaking free from societal constraints and finding one's authentic self through an unconventional relationship.
The Wedding Planner
Both "The Wedding Planner" and "Dirty Dancing" follow a similar plot where a young woman from a higher social class falls for a man from a lower class, despite initial resistance and societal expectations. In "Dirty Dancing", Baby, from a wealthy family, develops feelings for Johnny, a working-class dance instructor. In "The Wedding Planner", Mary, a successful wedding planner, falls for Steve, a pediatrician she initially mistakes for a man of higher status. The central conflict arises from the class divide and the protagonists' need to overcome societal barriers and parental disapproval to pursue their love interests. Both films culminate in a climactic dance performance where the couples profess their love and gain acceptance from their families. The themes of breaking free from rigid social norms, embracing one's true desires, and the transformative power of love transcending class boundaries are prevalent in both stories.