Save the Last Dance

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Save the Last Dance

PG-13

2001

1h 48m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

98 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Sara moves from a small Midwestern town to the south side of Chicago when her mother dies in a car accident, and must live with her father. She soon falls for an African American teenager at her new high school, and he has less than an idyllic past. They share a love for dance (ballet and hip hop respectively) and together they tackle the problems that go with an interracial relationship.

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Critics Consensus

This teen romance flick feels like a predictable rehashing of other movies.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 28, 2010

2/5

Formulaic teen romance with an MTV spin.

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Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

As teen melodrama, well, Carter's film is what it is; but for such a mainstream black-consciousness movie, at least it doesn't shy from addressing some touchy issues about masculinity, parenthood, and black attitudes to whites.

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Kimberley Jones

Austin Chronicle

Mar 10, 2003

2.5/5

To the film's credit, it tries, and while it never really sings, it does deliver the dance.

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Tatiana Albandos

Medium Popcorn

Feb 10, 2022

3/5

This is a reflection of the early 2000s. If this was released now it would have been a mess but it does what it's supposed to, which is to give us fun dance scenes and slightly over-the-top performances. It's a decent film.

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Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

Feb 8, 2021

3/5

A hip, hopeful MTV romance.

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

Oct 2, 2020

3/5

A solid dance-themed movie, with acting of a slightly higher calibre than the genre usually demands.

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Ashley H

@RT83301375 Sep 19, 2026

I thought this movie was great. Not sure why the hate.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 14, 2026

Save the Last Dance = a *3* star Movie!

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Nichole D

@RT11417287 Sep 11, 2026

Clearly written by a white dude. blegh

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Blake- N

@PBSAniDom Jun 1, 2026

Save the Last Dance is a very decent romantic film that blends romance, drama, and dance into an enjoyable package. It may not reinvent the genre, but it tells its story with enough heart to keep viewers invested from beginning to end. One of the film's strengths is the chemistry between the lead characters. Their relationship develops naturally, and the movie does a good job balancing emotional moments with lighter scenes. The dance sequences also add energy and help give the film its own identity. The supporting cast contributes well, and the soundtrack helps create a memorable early-2000s atmosphere. While some plot points are predictable, the film remains engaging thanks to its likable characters and sincere approach. Overall, Save the Last Dance is a solid romantic drama that succeeds because of its charm, music, and emotional core. It isn't perfect, but it's an easy film to enjoy and revisit. I'd rate it a 7/10.

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Travis S.

@Ghostarereal2025 Nov 28, 2025

Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas are a dream team. Nostalgia to the max with this one. 24 years later and it’s still a charmer.

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Junk T

@RT42716028 Jun 6, 2025

Awesome movie, back when movies were good. I'm just an old 40 year old now but it's one of my favorites 😍.

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Thomas Carter

Director

Julia Stiles

Sara Johnson

Sean Patrick Thomas

Derek Reynolds

Kerry Washington

Chenille Reynolds

Fredro Starr

Malakai

Terry Kinney

Roy

Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - The Big Audition

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Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Let's Just Walk Away

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Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - It Ain't Over

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Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Maybe We Should Cool It

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Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - I Don't Hate You, I Miss Her

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Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Brady Bunch in the Club

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Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Truman Capote Debate

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Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - I Was Dancing While She Was Dying

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Save the Last Dance: Official Clip - Lesson One

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Synopsis

Sara moves from a small Midwestern town to the south side of Chicago when her mother dies in a car accident, and must live with her father. She soon falls for an African American teenager at her new high school, and he has less than an idyllic past. They share a love for dance (ballet and hip hop respectively) and together they tackle the problems that go with an interracial relationship.

Director: Thomas Carter
Producer: Robert W. Cort, David Madden
Screenwriter: Duane Adler, Duane Adler, Cheryl Edwards
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: MTV Films, Paramount Pictures International, Cort/Madden Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 12, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $91.0M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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