The impact of break dancing on cinema

Bboy realizando un top rock en la legendaria batalla en la discoteca The Roxy en la película Beat Street (1984), enfrentando a New York City Breakers contra Rock Steady Crew.
Scene from Beat Street (1984) – A bboy performs a top rock in the iconic battle at The Roxy nightclub between New York City Breakers and Rock Steady Crew.

You want to know how it was the impact of break dancing on cinema? Breaking has been one of the most influential urban dance disciplines since its origins in the 1970s in the Bronx, New York.

Its explosion in popularity, both globally and within street culture, was not limited to the dance floor; it also left a profound mark on the film industry.

Through a series of iconic films, it captured the attention of thousands of people, becoming one of the most popular dances in the world.

In this article, we'll explore how breaking has impacted cinema, the most iconic breakdancing films, and how they've influenced new generations of dancers.

The Birth of Breaking in Popular Culture

Breakdancing was born as a form of expression on the streets of New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Influenced by funk, hip-hop, martial arts, acrobatics, and capoeira, breaking is characterized by its acrobatic movements and a great deal of creativity.

Over the years, breaking became an integral part of hip-hop culture, and its dissemination through various media contributed to its globalization.

In the cinematic world, breaking was adopted as an art form, and through films, dance became a symbol of rebellion, freedom, and personal expression.

During the 1980s, cinema began using breaking as a means to tell stories of self-improvement, competition, and the struggle for recognition, which helped consolidate it as one of the main urban dance forms.

Key Films That Defined Breakdancing in Cinema

 1. Flashdance (1983)

Portada de la película Flashdance (1983), un film icónico que popularizó la danza en los años 80 e incluyó movimientos de breakdance.
Cover of Flashdance (1983), a film that inspired an entire generation with its impact on the world of dance.

Even **Flashdance** It's not just a Breaking Bad movie, it's one of the most influential films in dance cinema. Starring Jennifer Beals, this film helped popularize dancing in general during the 1980s. In one of its most iconic scenes, Beals plays an aspiring dancer performing at a nightclub, where she showcases an impressive dance number that includes elements of Breaking.

 2. Beat Street (1984)

Portada de la película Beat Street (1984), un film icónico que mostró la cultura del breakdance, el graffiti y el hip-hop en Nueva York.
Cover of Beat Street (1984), one of the most influential films in the history of breakdancing and hip-hop culture.

**Beat Street** It is, without a doubt, one of the most representative Breaking Bad films in cinema. Set in the Bronx, the film tells the story of a group of young people who, through music and dance, struggle to find their place in life.

Breaking is one of the key elements in the film's narrative, showcasing epic dance battles between the protagonists and other groups in the city. **Beat Street** not only left a mark on breakdancing culture, but also helped popularize hip-hop as a global cultural movement, giving people a better understanding of it since they couldn't access all the information.

 3. Breakin’ (1984)

Portada de la película Breakin' (1984), un film que ayudó a popularizar el breakdance y la cultura hip-hop en los años 80.
Cover of Breakin’ (1984), a key film in the spread of breakdancing worldwide.

**Breakin’** It's probably the most iconic breaking film of all time. Released in 1984, the film tells the story of a group of dancers struggling to gain respect and recognition in the breaking scene.

With a primary focus on dance, the film features some of the most intense and exciting breakdancing battles ever seen on the big screen. **Breakin'** became a benchmark for dancers of the era and remains a cult film within breaking culture.

4. Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984)

Portada de la película Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984), secuela icónica que consolidó el breakdance en la cultura pop.
Cover of Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984), a film that took breakdancing to another level in the 80s.

The success of **Breakin’** led to the production of its sequel, **Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo**. This film follows the story of the same characters, but with a greater focus on the economic and social difficulties the dancers face as they try to keep their passion for breaking alive.

Although the film lacks the same authenticity as the first, it remains a landmark in Breaking Dawn cinema. The sequel is remembered for its choreography and its portrayal of Breaking Dawn as a form of resistance and struggle.

5. Wild Style (1983)

Portada de Wild Style (1983), la primera película de hip-hop que mostró el breakdance, el graffiti y el rap en su esencia original.
Cover of Wild Style (1983), a pioneering film that captured hip-hop and breakdancing culture in New York.

**Wild Style** It's another key film in the world of breakdancing and hip-hop culture. Rather than focusing exclusively on dance, this film also explores graffiti art, rap music, and DJing, making it a complete representation of 1980s urban culture.

Although **Wild Style** isn't a 100% breaking film, the film includes spectacular dance sequences that allow us to see the evolution of breaking as an art form in underground culture. The film has been considered one of the most influential in the history of hip-hop cinema.

5. Battle of the Year (2013)

Portada de Battle of the Year (2013), película sobre una competencia mundial de breakdance.
Cover of Battle of the Year (2013), a film that shows the intensity and passion of breakdance battles worldwide.

Battle of the Year Directed by Benson Lee, it is inspired by the documentary Planet B-Boy (2007) and showcases the world of international breakdancing competitions. The story follows a team of American dancers seeking to regain glory in the prestigious tournament. Battle of the Year, dominated for years by foreign teams.

The team, led by a former basketball coach played by Josh Holloway (Lost), faces physical and emotional challenges to reach the necessary level and compete against the best b-boys in the world. The film highlights the importance of teamwork, discipline, and passion for breaking, and also features renowned dancers from the real scene.

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How Breakdancing Movies Impacted the Dance World

The impact of breakdancing on popular culture through these films was significant. Breaking's appearance in cinema allowed the dance to transcend the boundaries of New York City neighborhoods and reach global audiences.

 1. Visibility and International Expansion

The films provided unprecedented visibility for Breaking, allowing the dance style to spread to other countries.

En Europa, América Latina y Asia, el cine ayudó a crear el nacimiento de nuevas escuelas de danza y competiciones internacionales.

2. Inspiration for New Generations of Dancers

Breakdancing films not only served to promote dance, but also served as a source of inspiration for generations of dancers. Breakdancing ceased to be just a fad to become a way of life, driven by the values ​​of hard work, perseverance, and community.

3. The Cultural Impact of Breaking in Cinema

As it gained popularity, breakdancing's impact on film began to influence other forms of art and popular culture.

Pop music artists, such as Michael Jackson, incorporated breaking moves into their choreography.

Films helped solidify this connection between dance and music, showing how the two could merge to create a complete artistic experience.

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The Future of Breaking in Cinema

With the inclusion of Breaking at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the impact of Breaking is experiencing a resurgence around the world. New films and documentaries are emerging to capture this evolution.

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Conclusion: A Legacy That Continues

Breaking has been a fundamental part of cinema since the 80s.

Although decades have passed, the influence of these films lives on, inspiring new dancers and keeping the spirit of Breaking intact.

Evenimpact of break dancing on cinema continues to mark eras, now it is done more through social media content.

If you want to know the origin of break dancing, we will show you in this article. here

Are you ready to take your breakdancing skills to the next level? Join our school today and be part of the evolution of breaking!