Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Jan 12, 2026 4.5/5

Dirty Dancing delivers classic romance, iconic choreography, and a killer soundtrack, earning its place as a beloved film while reminding us of the social and cultural world it reflects.

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Richard Freedman Newark Star-Ledger Jan 6, 2026

The characters are as interesting off the dance floor as on.

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Michele Meek Ms. Magazine Feb 23, 2023

“Dirty Dancing” is one of the only films from this era that depicts a girl’s embracing her sexual desire and agency—without regret.

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Zita Short InSession Film Feb 7, 2023

The use of locations is another virtue that Dirty Dancing has on its side as you do come to feel at home in the resort and regret the fact that establishments like this disappeared.

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Amberleigh Jack The Post NZ Dec 15, 2022

The film is still an easy, classic watch that still tugs at the emotions at the end. Nobody puts Baby in the corner, indeed.

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Mark Jackson Epoch Times Sep 29, 2022 5/5

The recent US Supreme Court developments send us back to the dark side of 1987s Dirty Dancing and make it relevant again in 2022. Jennifer Grey's performance is what truly anchors this classic.

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Sarah Marrs Lainey Gossip Sep 3, 2022

Dirty Dancing features a timeless romance and a lead couple with compelling chemistry, plus all those memorable dance scenes, but it endures because it is unabashedly pro-sex.

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Allison Rose FlickDirect Aug 24, 2022 5/5

Swayze and Grey were inspired casting choices, each fitting into their respective roles like a glove.

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Sean Burns WBUR’s Arts & Culture Aug 18, 2022

The scorching chemistry between Swayze and Grey is enough to crush any petty plot concerns or questions about how they could be dancing to instruments that haven’t been invented yet.

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Sezín Koehler Black Girl Nerds May 23, 2022 5/5

Johnny Castle might be featured as the romantic hero of 'Dirty Dancing'. But Baby’s father Dr. Houseman is the actual hero of the story, and his behavior is something in the movie that remains ahead of its time.

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Jason Shawhan Nashville Scene Sep 10, 2021

Say what you will about its rough-around-the-edges qualities - this movie is a classic that endures because it addresses a lot of important issues.

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Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Mar 24, 2021 9/10

Though the premise is simple and the bulk of the film is comprised of montages, there's an undeniable effort put into the abundance of romantic scenarios.

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PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Aug 8, 2020 2/5

The film exists in the main for a handful of seductively lit and framed dance sequences that aestheticise Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze's bodies and physical chemistry.

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Ángel Luis Inurria El Pais (Spain) Apr 1, 2020

Dirty Dancing is dull and charmless. The initial curiosity turns into disappointment and the only memorable aspect is the effort of the protagonist Jennifer Grey. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Molly Haskell Vogue Feb 28, 2020

Dirty Dancing, directed by Emile Ardolino, is a conventional film in its Borscht Belt setting, ethnic satire, and feel-good ending, but with a deliciously subversive core.

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Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn Oct 12, 2019 2/5

I'm just glad it was an hour-and-a-half. I can see why it was a hit, but this is just all kinds of boring.

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Justin Brown Medium Popcorn Oct 12, 2019 1/5

There was no chemistry, the story was "blah."

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Jennifer Lind-Westbrook Culturess Jul 4, 2019

Between the great soundtrack, the physical appeal of the very approachable Grey and smoking hot Swayze, the undeniable chemistry between the leads and the toe-tapping dance numbers, Dirty Dancing is inherently watchable.

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Rachel Wagner rachelsreviews.net Feb 28, 2019 9/10

I like it much better than any of the Molly Ringwald coming of age comedies from the 80s.

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Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap Oct 10, 2018 2/5

Dirty Dancing may just be one of the most seminal garbage movies ever. But, garbage it is.

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