10 Deadly Dancing Horror Movies To Watch After You See 'Abigail' (2024)

Ihad the pleasure ofbotheringSwitchblade Cinemawhile in line for the World Premiere ofAbigailat theOverlook Film Festival. As we were geeking out about the movie, one-half of the filmmaking duo let it slip that they love dance horror. Theydidn’tknow thatI’ma streaming guide goddess (trademark pending) who would steal that idea the first chance I got. Ironically, this theft is coming full circle as our new favorite dancing vampire movie twirls into theaters this week. This newRadio SilenceandMelissa Barreracollaboration has given our office a severe case of dancefever. Because Iwon’tshut up about it,I’mhere with a streaming guide of deadly dancers in some pretty scary movies.

Here are 10 horror titles with moves so sickening that people died.

Black Swan (2010)

Where You Can Watch:Max

A talented ballerina descends into madness just as she is about to achieve her goals. We love to see it. Because this shit goes downat theballetit has to be on any list honoring our new favorite tiny dancer. The psychological horror film stars Natalie Portman,Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey, and Winona Ryder. It also has a few distressing dance moments that will send you directly to hell. However, the clip belowsticks out asarguably one of the most stressful.

Fright Night (1985)

Where You Can Watch:Pluto TV

When a teen believes his neighbor is a vampire, he enlists a horror television host to help kill the undead. Not only is this one of my favorite vampire movies, but it also has a scene that was heardaround the world. Our vampire stops chasing his prey to dance away with hisenemy’sgirlfriend. This petty behavior is also really hot because of the Chris Sarandonof it all. Can you blame her for dancing off with this vampire man? I mean, look at this clip!

Livid (2011)

Where You Can Watch: VOD

A rumor about a treasure hidden inside a failing dance academy leads a group of friends into ballerina hell. This is another one that has to be on any dance horror list honoring our good sisAbigail. Which is whyit’sthe only title you have to rent on this list. However, these girls are getting broken and bloody in a very different situation, and that needs to be celebrated. This French horror movie has so many scenes that should be highlighted on this list. However, the imagery of breaking a ballerina keeps me up at night. Some dude narrateswhat’shappening in the video I pulled below so you can confirm whatyou’reseeing in real time.

The Loved Ones (2009)

Where You Can Watch:Pluto TV

A teen turns down agirl’sinvitation to prom, and she abducts him for a very violent evening. I love this Australian gem, and it does have a couple of disturbing dance moments. However,it’sextra scary because who wants to go to any school dance? Let alone a bloody prom where your captors are this deadly. BecauseThe Loved Onesis the private party from hell, it also puts other parts of prom night through a disturbing lens. Case in point, this really fucked up school dance photo moment.

M3GAN (2022)

Where You Can Watch:Prime Video

An engineer builds a life-like doll that turns on her.I’msureAbigailandM3GANwill be compared to each other for eternity. However,I’mjust here to celebrate the grace, athleticism, and violence both of the girls exhibit. May they dance into more business dealings and clear out characters standing between them and their goals. While thisAkela Cooperscript is a national treasure on its own, the viral danceis whatsent the internet into orbit.

The Red Shoes (2005)

Where You Can Watch:Fandango At Home

A pair of shoes found on a subway platform leads to jealousy, greed, and death for anyone who touches them. This South Korean supernatural horror film hasplenty ofcreepy and disturbing dance moments. However, it also hasbigdisturbingdance kid energy likeAbigailandM3GAN. Or maybeI’mjust projecting because Idon’ttrust kids. Either way,it’sworth the watch and should be part of your dance horror viewing plans.

Suspiria (2018)

Where You Can Watch:Prime VideoandSling TV

A world-renowned dance company is practicing something more spicy than your littlecousin’ship-hop class at the local YMCA. This movie takes the idea of dancing your problems away too literally. As a Gemini, this is the onlykind ofdance battle I care to see. Whilewe’rehere, I strongly suggest you rent theoriginaltoo. Peep this nightmare fuel ifyou’restill unconvinced that dancing is the most dangerous sport.

Stage Fright (1987)

Where You Can Watch:Fandango At Home,Prime Video, andTubi

A group of actors decide to lock themselves into the theatre for extra rehearsal time, unknowingly trapping an escaped psychopath inside with them. This is another movie where people die for their art! While this slasher hasa nicebody count and a lot going on, I have yet to recover from the dance number they were rehearsing. This clip is where therealnightmare begins because what is happening? I have many questions, comments, and concerns, but I also cannot look away from whatever this is.

Stage Fright (2014)

Where You Can Watch:Monsters & Nightmares

A killer terrorizes a musical theatre camp in this genre mashup. Most of us hit play because we saw the words Minnie Driver and slasher in close proximity. However, we were all surprised to discover it was also a horror-comedy B-movie. While this might be one of the mostpolarizingentries on the list,it’salso the only one with large musical numbers. However we feel about the movie, we must respect the ambition of basically turningGleeinto a summer camp slasher.

Vamp (1986)

Where You Can Watch:AMC+,Plex,Pluto TV,The Roku Channel,Shudder,Tubi

Frat boys try to pick up an adult entertainer in a sleazy bar and get way more thantheyanticipated. This partydoesn’tstart until Grace Jones walks in. Sorry to the rest of the moviebutJones as Katrina is the reason for the season. The dance she does as she is introduced raises the bar for dancing vampire baddies and remains an iconic part of film history.I’msurprised this scenedidn’tspawn more vicious vampire dance sequences, to be honest. After all, what iscoolerthan a blood-drenched dancer who wants to rip out a couple of organs?

Don’thave time to watch all these full-length movies before dancing to the local theater to seeAbigail? Well, I have a couple of shorts to help get you in the mood. Check outDisco Inferno(2023) on Netflix and my favorite,The Fourth Wall,onVimeo.

I’mnot saying the odd people inFootloosemight’vebeen onto something. However, we cannot ignore this dancing-to-death pipeline! After all, these are just the deadly dancers we caught streaming in the usual suspects. Tell me what other dance horror movies would help me make my case at@misssharai.