History Main / DanceOfRomance

* ''TheSoundOfMusic'': Maria and Captain Von Trapp, when the kids ask to be shown the 'Laendler'.

* In the film ''HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'' after Ron walks out on their quest, Harry dances with Hermione to cheer her up, and there's a brief [[ShipTease moment of mutual attraction]]...until [[LikeBrotherAndSister Hermione turns away]].
** That's not really an example, those two have been [[ShipTease teased]] aplenty, it was even a minor plot point in Goblet of Fire, and about two scenes later Harry officially [[{{Jossed}} josses]] them, again, just in case you didn't believe him when he said as much to Dumbledore in the previous movie.

* ''Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast'' does this as well, with a waltz scene proving more important to the plot than the climactic final battle later in the film. They arguably were falling for each other before that, but the dance was still a major step.

* ''MissSaigon'' is another atypical variation; [[MeLoveYouLongTime Kim and Chris]] dance together, which seems to be the usual practice in the club before going off with a client, but there's only a vague suggestion of actual affection; they don't fall in love until afterwards, and the scene that ''looks'' like a typical Dance of Romance is the reprise of the song they danced to when they first met.

This often pops up during high school dances and fancy parties, the kind with hooped skirts and masks. For some reason, waltzing with a friend, or friend-of-a-friend, always winds up with one or both participants aquiring (or realizing) feelings of love towards the other, as though it were some kind of movement-driven truth/love spell. Often prefaced by an observation that SheCleansUpNicely, and frequently occurs during a HighSchoolDance, though it is by no means exclusive to teenagers.

* [[TheSoundOfMusic Maria]] and Captain Von Trapp, when the kids ask to be shown the 'Laendler'.

Compare [[MatingDance Mating Dance]].

* ''SweeneyTodd'' has an interesting variation. Mrs. Lovett is [[MadLove interested]] in Sweeney for the entire first half, but he's totally oblivious. Then come "A Little Priest", he notices her in a different light and they waltz. The catch? This sudden romantic interest is due to her...[[ImAHumanitarian unsual]] idea of how to dispose of the body of the man he just killed.

** That's not really an example, those two have been [[ShipTease teased]] aplenty, it was even a minor plot point in Goblet of Fire, and about two scenes later Harry officially [[{{Jossed}} josses them]].

[[folder:Manga & Anime]]
* ''ZeroNoTsukaima'': After catching Fouguet, the academy holds a ball where Louise asks Saito for a dance. In the novels, at least, Saito declares that that was the time when he fell in love with Louise.
* ''[[RevolutionaryGirlUtena The Adolescence of Utena]]'': Utena and Anthy, a clear starlit sky, a rose garden covered in water creating a mirror-like floor, and of course, the song as they reach to each other and dance, "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72e0s4pxDG0 Toki ni, Ai wa (At times, Love is)]]".
* ''YamiNoMatsuei'': This trope ''is'' Hisoka and Tsubaki. The start of their StrangledByTheRedString, abrupt romance consists pretty much of her bumping into him, and immediately getting him to dance with her. Cue slow, romantic music, and GaussianGirl effects as they stare into each other's eyes.
* A recent chapter of ''MahouSenseiNegima'' had two sets of these going, one straight, and one with several subversions. The straight one is Kotaro/Natsumi, and the oddball one being Negi/Asuna, because [[spoiler: it isn't really Asuna.]]
[[/folder]]

* [[Film/IronMan Tony Stark]] first seemed to notice Pepper romantically when he got her out onto the dancefloor for a nice slow waltz in the 2008 movie.

* Arguably, ''Disney/SleepingBeauty''. Though Prince Philip is drawn to Aurora by the sound of her voice, her first introduction to him is when he sneaks up behind her and starts waltzing with her.

This often pops up during highschool dances and fancy parties, the kind with hooped skirts and masks. For some reason, waltzing with a friend, or friend-of-a-friend, always winds up with one or both participants aquiring (or realizing) feelings of love towards the other, as though it were some kind of movement-driven truth/love spell. Often prefaced by an observation that SheCleansUpNicely, and frequently occurs during a HighSchoolDance, though it is by no means exclusive to teenagers.

* The only possible way they could justify Edward and Nancy in {{Enchanted}}, even though both of them were glaring at their respective partners the whole time.
* Looks like this is happening to Janis and Damien towards the end of MeanGirls, but thankfully the pair quickly think better of it.

* {{Disney/Cinderella}}, and just about everything based off her.
* ''FinalFantasyVIII''. The scene where Rinoa persuades Squall to dance with her is where you first know that they're the OfficialCouple.
* {{Anastasia}}: "I never should have let them dance..."
* ''WestSideStory'' during the dance at the gym. Tony and Maria see each other for the first time and dance. It's a cha-cha, not a waltz, but it fits.

* ''RomeoAndJuliet'' first meet at the Capulet's party, so some adaptions have them dance before they first speak to one another.
* Arguably, ''Disney/SleepingBeauty''. Though Prince Philip is drawn to Aurora by the sound of her voice, her first introduction to him is when he sneaks up behind her and starts waltzing with her.
* ''Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast'' does this as well, with a waltz scene proving more important to the plot than the climactic final battle later in the film.
** Although they arguably were falling for each other before that. The dance was still a major step, though.
* [[Film/IronMan Tony Stark]] first seemed to notice Pepper romantically when he got her out onto the dancefloor for a nice slow waltz in the 2008 movie.
* In ''ZeroNoTsukaima'' After catching Fouguet, the academy holds a ball where Louise ask's Saito for a dance. In the novels, at least, Saito declares that that was the time when he fell in love with Louise.
* Doc and Seven in the StarTrekVoyager episode "Someone to Watch Over me"
* Odo and Kira in the StarTrekDeepSpaceNine episode "His Way." Granted, Odo had already been in love with Kira for years by this point, but their dance seemed to be the turning point that allowed Kira to [[LoveEpiphany realize her own feelings]].
* [[RevolutionaryGirlUtena The Adolescence of Utena]]. Utena and Anthy, a clear starlit sky, a rose garden covered in water creating a mirror-like floor, and of course, the song as they reach to each other and dance, "[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72e0s4pxDG0 Toki ni, Ai wa (At times, Love is)]]"
* This trope is parodied on FamilyGuy when Peter relives his teenage years and loses Lois to Quagmire because of this trope. Sent back in time to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong, Peter eventually resorts to punching Quagmire in the face, and then kissing Lois to show how much he loves her.
** Does that count? They were already going out.
* ''YamiNoMatsuei'': This trope ''is'' Hisoka and Tsubaki. The start of their StrangledByTheRedString, abrupt romance consists pretty much of her bumping into him, and immediately getting him to dance with her. Cue slow, romantic music, and GaussianGirl effects as they stare into each other's eyes.
* A recent chapter of MahouSenseiNegima had two sets of these going, one straight, and one with several subversions. The straight one is Kotaro/Natsumi, and oddball one being Negi/Asuna, because [[spoiler: it isn't really Asuna.]]
* Elizabeth and Darcy at Bingley's ball in ''PrideAndPrejudice''
* ''{{iCarly}}'': Carly and Freddie in ''iSpeed Date''.
* Done twice in [[http://www.rhjunior.com/NT Nip and Tuck,]] first with Tuck and Thelma Possum at the harvest dance, then with Nip and Zelda Porcupine at the B-Movie cruise.
* Keri Hilson's song "Slow Dance", which is the quoted at the top of this page, is about this.
* The song "I Saw Her Standing There" by TheBeatles is this trope in distilled form, combining the related tropes HighSchoolDance, HoldingHands and LoveAtFirstSight.

* ''ToyStory3'': When Buzz is in [[LatinLover Spanish mode]], he makes the move on Jessie with a dance.[[spoiler: And they do it again in his normal form in the credits]]
** Although Buzz and Jesse are at least already crushing on each other, if not outright dating by then.
*** Just crushing. Buzz gets incredibly nervous around her unless he's Spanish mode, which she learns to take advantage of...

* James Bond and Domino dancing a tango in ''NeverSayNeverAgain''. Does not quite cross over into MatingDance territory, but one can see why Largo interrupts it at the first possible moment.

* In the film ''HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'' after Ron walks out on their quest, Harry dances with Hermione to cheer her up, and there's a brief [[ShipTease moment of mutual attraction]]...until [[LikeBrotherAndSister Hermione turns away]].

* In the film ''HarryPotterAndTheDeathlyHallows'' after Ron walks out on their quest, Harry dances with Hermione to cheer her up, and there's a brief [[ShipTease moment of mutual tension[[...but then [[LikeBrotherAndSister Hermione turns away]].

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** Played straight after Damien runs off. Kevin slips into Janis's still-open arms and starts dancing with her while asking about her ethnicity. SoYeah

* This trope is parodied on FamilyGuy when Peter relives his teenaged years and loses Lois to Quagmire because of this trope. Sent back in time to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong, Peter eventually resorts to punching Quagmire in the face, and then kissing Lois to show how much he loves her.