7 Best Dancing Reality TV Shows to Enjoy If You Love ‘Dancing with the Stars’
With an impressive 33 successful seasons, Dancing with the Stars stands out as one of the most enduring dancing reality TV shows. Fortunately for its dedicated fans worldwide, this beloved series shows no signs of slowing down. Since its debut in 2005, Dancing with the Stars pairs well-known celebrities with professional dancers in a thrilling dance competition.
Each duo must impress the judges through various dance routines to avoid elimination. Weekly, the pairing with the fewest points and votes faces elimination, continuing until a selected dance duo claims the prestigious Mirrorball Trophy. Viewers relish the opportunity to see celebrities step outside their comfort zones, while the performances in Dancing with the Stars remain captivating and distinctive.
Yet, Dancing with the Stars is not the only noteworthy dancing reality TV series deserving of your attention. Fans of this globally celebrated show should explore the exciting options on this list that promise to get viewers moving and grooving.
Disclaimer: This compilation includes information from various sources.
Dancing on Ice and Six Other Dancing Reality TV Shows Like Dancing with the Stars That Celebrate the Art of Dance
1) Dance Fever (1979)
Modern dancing reality shows, including Dancing with the Stars, owe their existence to earlier variety shows that laid the groundwork. Dance Fever is a prime example, as it captured the audience’s interest in watching talented dancing pairs perform in hopes of winning a coveted prize.
One enchanting aspect of Dancing with the Stars is the creativity behind each routine. In this classic show, viewers witness participants striving to craft unique performances, as they are judged on originality, showmanship, style, and technique. Notably, this show features celebrities in the role of judges rather than participants.
In addition to dance, Dance Fever included performances from artists across disco, pop, and R&B genres showcasing their latest hits.
Where to watch: This show, comprising 234 episodes, is available for streaming on Plex.
2) Strictly Come Dancing (2004)
The dedicated fans know that there would be no Dancing with the Stars without Strictly Come Dancing. This British dancing reality TV show premiered in 2004 and garnered such a massive following that it spawned several adaptations, including the American version, which captivates audiences worldwide.
Fans of Dancing with the Stars will find this show format familiar. Celebrities team up with professional dancers who teach them various routines. These couples then perform for judges, who assign them scores. The audience at home also plays a role by voting for their favorite pairs, influencing who progresses or gets eliminated in the competition.
Like Dancing with the Stars, Strictly Come Dancing keeps viewers engaged with its unpredictability, making it thrilling to see which couple will deliver the standout performance of the night.
Where to watch: Episodes of Strictly Come Dancing can be streamed on Prime Video.
3) So You Think You Can Dance (2005)
Many viewers tune into Dancing with the Stars with a desire to explore diverse dance styles and techniques. Similarly, So You Think You Can Dance challenges its contestants to perfect various dance forms within a limited timeframe.
Comprising 18 seasons and 319 episodes, this thrilling reality show selects dancers through open auditions held nationwide, with only the best making it to the main competition. The title of “America’s Favorite Dancer”is awarded to those who win over judges and audiences alike.
Each season, So You Think You Can Dance introduces remarkable talent that often pursues successful careers in entertainment. The show is also renowned for its innovative and captivating choreography.
Where to watch: So You Think You Can Dance can be streamed on Hulu, Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
4) Dancing on Ice (2005)
Similar to Dancing with the Stars, this engaging reality show features celebrities who step outside their comfort zones. They are partnered with professionals who guide them through figure skating. The pairs then perform their icy dance routines for judging, earning points based on their performances. The public also plays a role by voting for their favorite couples.
Programs like Dancing with the Stars and Dancing on Ice resonate with viewers because they highlight the merit in taking on new challenges. Most of the participating celebrities have limited experience in dance or skating, yet they manage to deliver memorable routines that linger in the audiences’ memories.
Where to watch: Dancing on Ice, featuring 16 seasons and 236 episodes, is available on Apple TV+ and Prime Video.
5) Got to Dance (2009)
To maintain audience engagement over the years, Dancing with the Stars requires a good dose of variety. The expectations for creativity and originality are high—something that Got to Dance managed to deliver through its unique performances across its five seasons and 71 episodes.
The show begins with auditions, leading contestants to live semi-finals and finals. While Dancing with the Stars is typically limited to duos, Got to Dance welcomes groups, allowing for intricate and synchronized group choreography that leaves spectators in awe.
Where to watch: Got to Dance is available for streaming on Apple TV+ and Plex.
6) World of Dance (2017)
Known primarily for their music careers, both Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo have also showcased their dance prowess, making their involvement as judges on this reality show a thrilling development for fans.
This show follows a format similar to others on this list, starting with auditions and followed by dance duels. Those who succeed in the duels advance to the semi-finals, with the top four scoring acts moving on to the finale.
Like Dancing with the Stars, the competitive aspect of World of Dance encourages participants to push their creative boundaries to outshine their rivals. This show features four seasons and 49 episodes.
Where to watch: World of Dance can be streamed on Roku.
7) Legendary (2020)
Dancing with the Stars captivates its audience with performances that tell a story. In a similar vein, Legendary empowers LGBTQ artists to showcase their talents and voices. Contestants are grouped into “houses”and must complete various challenges. Performance outcomes determine which participants move forward or face elimination.
What sets Legendary apart is its focus on the ballroom culture, incorporating voguing and other dance styles. This unique dancing reality TV show features three seasons and 29 episodes.
Where to watch: Episodes of Legendary are available on Prime Video and Tubi.
For years, Dancing with the Stars has held its position as a beloved favorite, yet it’s clear that numerous other dancing reality TV shows are equally engaging and captivating.
Leave a Reply