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Footloose

Play trailer 1:26 Poster for Footloose PG Released Feb 17, 1984 1h 47m Drama Music Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
55% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Moving in from Chicago, newcomer Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) is in shock when he discovers the small Midwestern town he now calls home has made dancing and rock music illegal. As he struggles to fit in, Ren faces an uphill battle to change things. With the help of his new friend, Willard Hewitt (Christopher Penn), and defiant teen Ariel Moore (Lori Singer), he might loosen up this conservative town. But Ariel's influential father, Reverend Shaw Moore (John Lithgow), stands in the way.
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Footloose

Footloose

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Critics Consensus

There's not much dancing, but what's there is great. The rest of the time, Footloose is a nice hunk of trashy teenage cheese.

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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) It’s very, very silly, but, ahem, kind of fun. Jun 30, 2023 Full Review Kathleen Carroll New York Daily News "Footloose" turns out to be a sort of Boy Scout version of "Flashdance," a carefully toned-down, overly respectable piece of schmaltz ... Rated: 2.5/4 Feb 17, 2016 Full Review Variety Staff Variety Essential to the result is young Kevin Bacon, superb in the lead part. Feb 12, 2008 Full Review Rachel Wagner Hallmarkies Podcast A lot better than people give it credit for. Takes on deeper themes about grief, loss, censorship, and growing up Aug 7, 2025 Full Review Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness One of the great things about revisiting a film after any period of time is discovery: new details, new concepts, even new theories. In the case of FOOTLOOSE ... there comes multiple discoveries ... Feb 13, 2024 Full Review Allison Rose FlickDirect For those of us that remember when Footloose came out, this release is a walk down memory lane and offers a slight improvement from previously released version. Rated: 4/5 Feb 12, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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RICHARD H i saw it years ago and wanted to compare it to the newer version Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/19/24 Full Review Paul Aaron Always loved the original. Made me feel like a teen again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/25/23 Full Review Joshua Coleman This movie still holds up 40 years later. Only annoying thing is that Fathom films start exactly on time and most people anticipate trailers so more then half the audience walked in late to the movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/13/23 Full Review Robert T A lot better than people give it credit for. Takes on deeper themes about grief, loss, censorship, and growing up Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/19/25 Full Review BRizz 2 The 1984 classic Footloose starring Kevin Bacon is one of those films that truly defines an era. It’s a movie that blends small-town drama, rebellious spirit, and the pure joy of dance into something unforgettable. I honestly thought this was a really good film—one that has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with audiences decades later. Kevin Bacon as Ren McCormack is absolutely iconic. He brings the perfect balance of defiance and vulnerability to a character who just wants the freedom to express himself in a town where dancing is literally outlawed. Watching him clash with the older generation, led by Reverend Shaw Moore (played with gravitas by John Lithgow), gives the film a strong emotional core. Their dynamic is more than just teen vs. adult—it’s a reflection of generational divides, personal grief, and the struggle to hold onto tradition in a changing world. Then there’s Lori Singer as Ariel, the preacher’s daughter, who perfectly embodies the tension between rebellion and expectation. She adds heart and edge to the story, and her chemistry with Bacon helps ground the movie’s romantic angle. Christopher Penn as Willard is another highlight—his awkward but endearing journey to learning how to dance provides both humor and heart. His scenes with Bacon are some of the film’s most memorable because they showcase friendship and growth, not just romance and rebellion. What makes Footloose truly special, though, is its energy. The dance sequences are electric, with Bacon giving some of the most iconic moves in movie history. Even though this version doesn’t break into full musical numbers like later adaptations, it doesn’t need to. The choreography and the soundtrack carry everything. Songs like “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” and of course, Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose,” are absolute anthems. The soundtrack became just as legendary as the film itself, elevating the entire experience and cementing its place in pop culture. Thematically, the movie explores grief, repression, and the need for joy and self-expression. The Reverend’s ban on dancing stems from tragedy, but the story reminds us that art, music, and movement are necessary parts of healing and community. By the end, when the town finally lets go and embraces dancing again, it feels both earned and triumphant. From start to finish, Footloose is beautifully put together. It may have some ’80s cheese by today’s standards, but that’s part of its charm. It’s one of Kevin Bacon’s defining roles, a film that helped shape teen rebellion stories in cinema, and ultimately a timeless celebration of freedom, expression, and youthful energy. It’s not just a cult classic—it’s an ultimate classic. Footloose is the kind of movie you watch once and never forget. And honestly? Definitely one I recommend revisiting, especially if you want to experience a movie that captures the joy and spirit of dancing against the odds. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/18/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 47 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/23/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Footloose

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Footloose

Footloose: Official Clip - Let's Dance! Footloose: Official Clip - Let's Dance! 2:48 Footloose: Official Clip - Dancing At The Mill Footloose: Official Clip - Dancing At The Mill 2:45 Footloose: Official Clip - Screaming at the Train Footloose: Official Clip - Screaming at the Train 1:50 Footloose: Official Clip - Ren & Ariel Kiss Footloose: Official Clip - Ren & Ariel Kiss 2:31 Footloose: Official Clip - The Parking Lot Fight Footloose: Official Clip - The Parking Lot Fight 1:58 Footloose: Official Clip - A Time to Dance Footloose: Official Clip - A Time to Dance 2:51 Footloose: Official Clip - Footloose Fight Footloose: Official Clip - Footloose Fight 2:32 Footloose: Official Clip - Let’s Hear It For the Boy Footloose: Official Clip - Let’s Hear It For the Boy 3:00 Footloose: Official Clip - Dancing at the Drive-in Footloose: Official Clip - Dancing at the Drive-in 2:17 Footloose: Official Clip - Hero Tractor Chicken Footloose: Official Clip - Hero Tractor Chicken 2:38 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis Moving in from Chicago, newcomer Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon) is in shock when he discovers the small Midwestern town he now calls home has made dancing and rock music illegal. As he struggles to fit in, Ren faces an uphill battle to change things. With the help of his new friend, Willard Hewitt (Christopher Penn), and defiant teen Ariel Moore (Lori Singer), he might loosen up this conservative town. But Ariel's influential father, Reverend Shaw Moore (John Lithgow), stands in the way.
Director
Herbert Ross
Producer
Lewis J. Rachmil, Craig Zadan
Screenwriter
Dean Pitchford
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures, Phoenix Pictures, IndieProd
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama, Music, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 17, 1984, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 47m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.85:1)
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