As a cinephile who’s spent countless nights huddled in the dim light of a cinema screen, I find myself utterly captivated by the power of music in movies. From Hathaway’s unforgettable rendition that echoed through the halls of an unknown pub to the iconic dance sequences that have become synonymous with their respective films, music numbers have a way of immortalizing moments on celluloid.
Instead of seeking musicals when craving characters bursting into song, it’s delightful to stumble upon unexpected musical sequences sprinkled throughout films of various genres. Believe it or not, this phenomenon is more common than you may imagine. Keep an eye out for these exhilarating moments of song-and-dance surprises in comedies, sci-fi, dramas, and more – they’ve added an iconic touch to numerous films!
“Johnny B. Goode” – Back To The Future (1985)
Despite primarily being recognized as a humorous time-travel film, “Back To The Future” boasts one of the most memorable musical scenes in cinema. This occurs during the Enchantment Under The Sea dance, where Marty McFly’s parents are meant to fall in love. Michael J. Fox delivers an electrifying rendition of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” It’s little wonder that the movie has since sparked a Broadway musical
“Come and Get Your Love” – Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
As a gamer, I’d say, “Among all Marvel music moments, none quite match the epic vibe of Peter Quill, aka Star-Lord, busting out his dance moves on an alien planet in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ grooving to Redbone’s ‘Come and Get Your Love.’ The scene is pure magic, setting the stage for the entire trilogy in a way that only this cosmic misfit could.”
“Thriller” – 13 Going On 30 (2004)
In the delightful romantic comedy “13 Going On 30,” Jennifer Garner takes on the role of Jenna Rink, a young girl yearning for a life that’s “thirty, flirtatious, and prosperous.” In one of the movie’s most memorable moments, Jenna organizes a gathering of thirty-somethings to perform the iconic “Thriller” dance from Michael Jackson’s music video
“I’m Just Ken” – Barbie (2023)
Greta Gerwig’s Barbie boasts numerous captivating music scenes and vibrant pink hues, yet none compare to Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” scene. In the climax of the film, Ken unexpectedly bursts into song to convey his feelings about being perpetually an accessory to Barbie. The original tune, resembling “Singin’ In The Rain,” was written by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt for the movie and garnered an Oscar nomination (to Gosling’s surprise)
“Day-O” – Beetlejuice (1988)
Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice is a delightful mix of gothic humor, where an unexpected death befalls a couple who then engage a bio-exorcist named Beetlejuice to scare off the new homeowners. One of the ways he creates chaos in the household involves making them unwillingly sing and dance to “The Banana Boat Song” during dinner
‘You Never Can Tell’ – Pulp Fiction (1994)
In Quentin Tarantino’s distinctive crime movie, there’s an unforgettable dance sequence where John Travolta as Vincent Vega and Uma Thurman as Mia Wallace share the floor at a vintage diner. Mia playfully persuades Vincent to join her in a dance competition. As they twist their way across the room, it’s one of numerous scenes that cement Pulp Fiction as a standout film from the ’90s
“You Make My Dreams” – (500) Days Of Summer (2009)
From my perspective as an ardent admirer, (500) Days of Summer guides viewers through the rollercoaster ride that is the unconventional romance between Tom and Summer. It masterfully manipulates narrative structure, offering a unique take on love, heartbreak, and everything in between. One particularly memorable scene showcases the exhilaration of falling in love as Tom dances exuberantly in the street with a band of dancers, grooving to Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams.”
“Peaches” – The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
We certainly never imagined that Bowser would serenade us with a piano ballad in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”! In the 2023 animated adaptation of the popular Nintendo series, Jack Black’s portrayal of Bowser expresses his affection for Princess Peach through the heartfelt song “Peaches, peaches, peaches.” This unexpected tune became an internet sensation that left us all humming along when it premiered in cinemas
“You Don’t Own Me” – The First Wives Club (1996)
996’s comedy film, “The First Wives Club“, concludes triumphantly: with a musical number! Upon achieving their objective of exacting revenge on their former husbands, Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler, and Diane Keaton’s characters commemorate the occasion by donning white suits and singing and dancing to “You Don’t Own Me”
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” – 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
In the romantic comedy “10 Things I Hate About You,” Heath Ledger’s character, Patrick Verona, left both Kat Stratford, played by Julia Stiles, and viewers astonished when he unexpectedly burst into song with assistance from the school band. Determined to win Kat’s heart after receiving payment for doing so, this scene showcases that Patrick is going the extra mile
“Get Down Saturday Night” – Ex Machina (2014)
In the sci-fi film Ex Machina by A24, an unexpected moment occurred when Oscar Issac’s character Nathan Bateman began dancing with one of his AI androids to Oliver Cheatham’s “Get Down Saturday Night.” Although this dance scene seems out of place in a movie known for its seriousness and suspense, it enhances the intriguing development of Isaac’s character
“Cuban Pete” – The Mask (1994)
Jim Carrey comically performs both singing and dancing to “Cuban Pete” during the scene from The Mask where he successfully persuades the entire police force to join him in a dance-off while they are chasing his arrest. Given the exaggerated nature of The Mask, this isn’t entirely surprising, but it does leave us yearning for more musical sequences throughout the movie
“I Say A Little Prayer” – My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997)
In Julia Roberts’ movie “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” Julianne goes to her longtime best friend’s (Dermot Mulroney as Michael) wedding. During a notable scene, everyone at the wedding, including the wedding party and guests, join in singing “I Say A Little Prayer” after George prompts them to do so. It seems that they all knew the lyrics; how did they manage to?
“Bye Bye Bye” – Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
In the opening scene of the third Deadpool film, Marvel enthusiasts were undoubtedly taken aback as Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool character danced the official NSYNC “Bye Bye Bye” routine in the snow while battling the TVA, all while tossing around Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine corpse from Logan. What a unique and entertaining way to kick off a movie and introduce Deadpool into the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
“I Put A Spell On You” – Hocus Pocus (1993)
In the film Hocus Pocus, when Bette Midler is cast, it’s expected that she’ll sing. However, there’s always the possibility that the filmmakers might disappoint us. Luckily, Kenny Ortega, who later directed the High School Musical films, ensured this by having Midler perform “I Put A Spell On You” in the 1993 movie. This musical number allowed the witch character to cast a real curse over Halloween partygoers during non-musical scenes
“Bohemian Rhapsody” – Wayne’s World (1992)
In 1992, the popular song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen gained significant recognition when it was played in a memorable scene from the movie “Wayne’s World.” This film, centered around music enthusiasts, added an original and entertaining twist to the scene. Later on, Mike Myers was chosen to portray a character in the Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” as a tribute to this connection
“Twist and Shout” – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
John Hughes’ cherished coming-of-age film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, showcases a large musical sequence where Matthew Broderick’s character, a high school student playing truant, lip-synchs The Beatles’ “Twist and Shout” after leaping onto a parade float
“Age of Aquarius” – The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
Towards the closing moments of “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”, Steve Carell experiences his first intimate act. To celebrate this, there’s a dance routine involving Carell and other cast members to the tune of “Age of Aquarius.” It’s quite amusing to witness actors like Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen dancing bare-chested to this song in a comedy not typically associated with musical numbers
“Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” – This Is The End (2013)
In the thrilling climax of “This Is The End,” Seth Rogen and I, along with our buddies, found ourselves in a fantastical heaven after surviving an outrageously funny apocalypse. When we arrived, we were informed that we could materialize whatever our hearts desired. Out of nowhere, Jay Baruchel conjured up the Backstreet Boys, who started performing and dancing to “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” – and let me tell you, they nailed every move!
“Afternoon Delight” – Anchorman (2004)
In the 2004 film comedy “Anchorman”, Will Ferrell’s character Ron Burgundy spontaneously burst into song with “Afternoon Delight” when asked about what being in love feels like. At this point, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner join him harmoniously, singing in unison as if they were a barbershop quartet
“Por Ti Volare” – Step Brothers (2008)
At the “Catalina Wine Mixer” from the movie “Step Brothers,” Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly’s characters are forced to perform on stage. Surprisingly, Ferrell sings Italian opera with the song “Por Ti Volaré.” This music number even morphs into a dream sequence and an incredible drum solo that leaves everyone in awe
“Wise Up” – Magnolia (1999)
In Paul Thomas Anderson’s powerful drama, “Magnolia,” the film takes a poignant turn as all characters break into Aimee Mann’s song, “Wise Up.” This musical sequence beautifully conveys the shared emotions that, despite appearing isolated, each character experiences. While Aimee Mann penned original music for the entire soundtrack, the other songs were not performed by the film’s characters
“Try A Little Tenderness” – Pretty In Pink (1986)
In the movie “Pretty In Pink” by John Hughes, Jon Cryer’s character, Duckie, captured the audience with his energetic performance during a scene at a record store. He dramatically lip-synced and danced to Otis Redding’s “Try A Little Tenderness”, captivating Molly Ringwald’s character, Andie
“Love Me Tender” – Wild At Heart (1990)
In the finale of David Lynch’s film “Wild At Heart”, Nicolas Cage’s character, Sailor, performs Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” as he leaps over cars to reach Laura Dern’s character, Lula, and their child. This scene echoes an earlier moment when Sailor mentions that he would only sing this song to his wife
“A Place Called Slaughter Race” – Ralph Breaks The Internet (2018)
Unlike other Walt Disney animated films that are famous for their musical numbers, the “Wreck-It Ralph” series didn’t develop a reputation as a musical. Thus, when Vanellope Von Schweetz received her own “I Want” song in the sequel from composer Alan Menken, it was an unexpected yet splendid opportunity for Disney to showcase its exceptional talent in music!
“You Always Hurt The One You Love” – Blue Valentine (2010)
The captivating narrative of a long-term married couple’s journey, titled “Blue Valentine“, features Ryan Gosling, and unlike the musical romance of La La Land, it showcases his musical abilities in one number where his character plays a ’60s pop standard on a ukulele during a lighthearted scene shared with Michelle Williams
“Somebody To Love” – Ella Enchanted (2004)
In the enchanting romantic comedy titled “Ella Enchanted”, we were surprised when the main character, played by Anne Hathaway, unexpectedly burst into song with Queen’s “Somebody To Love” while entertaining a crowd of giants in a pub. At that time, it was not widely known that Anne Hathaway possessed such strong vocal abilities as she is now renowned for
“Ballet Sequence” – I’m Thinking Of Ending Things (2020)
As Charlie Kaufman’s Netflix film, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” nears its conclusion, two ballet dancers take the stage to symbolize the ideal romance within the story, while the movie itself delves into the raw realities of the protagonist’s relationship throughout this surreal journey
“Old Time Rock & Roll” – Risky Business (1983)
Typically recognized as a memorable moment, viewers anticipate Tom Cruise appearing without trousers, only in a dress shirt and white socks, to groove to “Old Time Rock & Roll.” However, given the rest of the film is primarily a teen comedy, this scene seems quite unexpected within its context
“As Time Goes By” – Casablanca (1942)
Among the many enchanting aspects that linger in my memory from the timeless Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman film is the haunting tune “As Time Goes By.” This song carries a profound emotional weight for their characters, Rick and Ilsa, former lovers who find themselves unexpectedly reconnected. It’s one of those songs that forever etched itself into movie history – as Rick Blaine so poignantly requested, “Play it again, Sam.”
“Why Don’t You Do Right” – Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is a Disney movie filled with cartoon characters, but it’s unlike any other film as it flips the script multiple times. Unlike most musicals, this one doesn’t have many songs, but Jessica Rabbit’s rendition of “Why Don’t You Do Right?” at a jazz club gives us a taste of what music scenes are like in this movie
“Canned Heat”- Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
In the movie “Napoleon Dynamite”, there’s a scene where Napoleon, played by Jon Heder, showcases an impressive dance routine to support his friend Pedro in his bid for class president. Interestingly, it seems that this entire dance sequence was improvised by Heder, as reported by Business Insider
It’s delightful to observe how various film categories have incorporated musical sequences throughout the decades, making the movies more captivating and enhancing the appeal of the tunes
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2024-09-05 23:15