The stars are shining tonight, and we’re not talking about the ones in the sky. Since its inception in 2005, Dancing with the Stars has been a mainstay in American television. Pairing celebrities and professional dancers, teams of two compete against each other in weekly dance performances until one couple reigns supreme.
From Olympic medalists, social media influencers, or even A-list actors, participants come from all walks of the entertainment industry to get out of their comfort zones and shimmy on stage. With a total of 33 seasons and counting, it’s hard to pinpoint the moments that made the show the reality competition classic that it is today. Without further ado, here are the 10 best Dancing with the Stars episodes, ranked.
10. "Halloween Night": Season 31, Episode 8 (2022)
With jack-o’-lanterns scattered all over the ballroom, “Halloween Night” brings out all things spooky to Dancing with the Stars. Dancers are divided into Team Wicked and Team Scream for blockbuster group routines. Considering it’s been a while since the format last appeared on the show, this comes as a surprise to contestants.
The dancers don’t disappoint with their Halloween-inspired routines. Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart did a video game-themed past double to “Bury a Friend,” combining post-apocalyptic visuals. Meanwhile, Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas pulled references from The Exorcist, specifically their backwards walk, with their Argentine tango to “Tanguera.” Ultimately, it was Shangela and Gleb Savchenko who earned a coveted 40/40 score with their jazz routine to Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.”
09. "Rock Week": Season 11, Episode 11 (2010)
Not only were dancers in a rock n’ roll mood this week—they were also given a chance to perform a Redemption Dance. With the opportunity to redo a previously weaker performance, the dual format requires dancers to work twice as hard to the sounds of heavy guitar riffs and banging drums. The genre might be hard to perform an elaborate routine to, but “Rock Week” proves that it’s possible.
From familiar classics to modern rock songs, talented Dancing with the Stars contestants danced everything from intense paso dobles to sultry tangos. Unfortunately, not everyone got a hold of the beat. Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya had trouble with the form when they performed to Europe’s “The Final Countdown.” But top scorer Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy clinched an 8, 9, 9 scoreboard with their tango to Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero.”
08. "Vegas Night": Season 24, Episode 3 (2017)
Slot machines, poker tables, and lots of feathers—“Vegas Night” is a great chance to bring out all things excess. The episode kicked things off with a bachelorette-style dance, combining Charleston, samba, and jazz to show off a night full of flair and personality. If any contestant wants to make a bold impression in this episode, they’d have to deliver all the drama.
What no one expected was former MLB catcher David Ross to get out of his comfort zone and perform a jazz routine to “Candy Shop.” Together with dance partner Lindsay Arnold, the playful tribute is inspired by the sultry showmanship of Magic Mike Live. But rope scorers Heather Morris and Alan Bersten delivered a swift tango routine to Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” with Morris being praised for going “beyond the steps.”
07. "Britney Night": Season 30, Episode 3 (2021)
“It’s Britney, b-tch.” A Dancing with the Stars themed night pays tribute to the ultimate pop princess in “Britney Night.” Filmed during the pandemic, the episode is done remotely with certain contestants dancing from home. Despite the lack of an audience, the momentum was still swinging.
Tango seemed to be the more popular form this week. Olivia Jade and Val Chmerkovskiy, with the former’s newfound confidence, executed a flawless routine to “Hold it Against Me.” Meanwhile, Jojo Siwa and Jenna Johnson stole the show with a tango routine as well, delivering countless lifts to Spears' classic, “…Baby One More Time.” But all props should go to Suni Lee, who had a hard time dealing with physical discomfort, and ended up with a unique foxtrot interpretation to “I’m a Slave 4 U.”
06. "Michael Bublé Night": Season 31, Episode 7 (2022)
When audiences think of Michael Bublé, they think of class, jazz, and all that pizazz. The crooner got into the swing of things with live performances of “Sway” and “Higher.” But he’s not just there as a paid entertainer. The singer is appointed guest judge, and he’ll get to decide who gets to receive the extra 50 points that have been bumped up specifically for the episode.
Always the playful Shangela, she took Len Goodman’s praise for “crispy legs” literally by pulling two fried chicken legs from her bra mid-tango. But technique-wise, D'Amelio and Ballas delivered what judges consider “the best quality Foxtrot he’s ever seen.” With Bublé also complementing their sultry take on “Fever”, D’Amelio and Ballas a full 50/50 — the first in DWTS history.
05. "A Celebration of Taylor Swift": Season 32, Episode 9 (2023)
Swifties rejoice! Theatricality has always played a huge role for the pop star. Fellow dancers also share the same sentiment. The stakes get even higher when Mandy Moore, key choreographer for Swift’s Eras Tour, gives her insider energy and offers her take on the Swift-inspired routines. The secret to acing “A Celebration of Taylor Swift” is by interpreting Taylor Swift's penchant for storytelling, which dancers were quick to latch on.
Contestants like Xochitl Gomez and Val brought bubbly joy and a gleeful, buoyant quickstep to “Paper Rings.” But the surprise of the night was the fierce cha-cha performance by Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber to “You Belong With Me.” With no judges’ save left, anybody could be kicked out of the show.
04. "Whitney Houston Night": Season 32, Episode 8 (2023)
It’s a homage to all things Whitney Houston. No one is more charismatic and passionate about the singer than guest judge Billy Porter during "Whitney Houston Night." But before dancers competed for their scores, Porter set the energetic mood with an opening performance of “How Will I Know.” Hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro also joined the opening dance number.
No “Whitney Houston Night” is complete without a routine to the singer’s summer club anthem, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).” Xochitl Gomez understood the assignment. Together with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, the pair delivered a flawless tango despite struggling with a sprained ankle. Ariana Madix brought a wave of drama with a paso doble to “Queen of the Night,” earning the two a 39/40 score.
03. "Disney Heroes Night": Season 30, Episode 4 (2021)
As for the first half of the two-night Disney Week, there are no eliminations in “Disney Heroes Night.” But dancers shouldn’t be complacent. In addition to Villains Night, which takes place next, dancers must incorporate a surprise “Mickey Dance Challenge” snippet into their routine. Not only do contestants have to maintain their stamina, they’ll also have to get creative with their routines.
The ballroom is decked out in everything that makes Disney a magical place to be. From Cinderella ball gowns to Jungle Book-inspired outfits, the nostalgia is bursting in the episode. Jade and Val brought royal regality with its “I Just Can’t Be King” samba routine from The Lion King. But Jimmie Allen and Emma Slater brought tears to the audience with a paso doble to “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan—an homage to Jimmie’s late father.
02. "Grease Night": Season 30, Episode 6 (2021)
Decades before High School Musical was a thing, the world had the uproarious, rebel-without-a-cause teen musical Grease. In celebration of all things 1950s, leather jackets, and poodle skirts, “Grease Night” serves up dance interpretations from one of the most iconic movies in Hollywood. While technical expertise is crucial, the ability to bring out the spirit of Grease to the stage is just as important.
Although the movie itself is famous for its playfulness, dancers had their unique interpretations in store. Amanda Kloots and Alan Bersten performed a Viennese Waltz to “Beauty School Dropout”, performed live by Frankie Avalon. Their risky routine paid off — it earned the duo the highest score of the night with 39/40. In one of the show’s biggest twists, Melanie C and Gleb were eliminated for their quickstep performance to arguably Grease’s biggest hit, “You’re the One That I Want.”
01. "Most Memorable Year": Season 32, Episode 5 (2023)
Nothing is more emotional than the celebration of life. “Most Memorable Year” pays tribute to the late, long-time judge Goodman. Pro dancers Derek, Julianne, and more performed a waltz to “Moon River,” choreographed by Val and Jenna. As dancers glided on stage in a routine worth 10s, the ballroom was brought to tears in remembrance of Goodman.
While the competition on the reality show continued, things got emotional. Mira Sorvino danced a mother-daughter routine with her child Mattea. While the performance unfortunately received low scores, the personal attachment to it makes it special. Receiving her first-ever 10 of the season is Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev, whose contemporary performance to “Lose You to Love Me” is based on Lawson’s story of leaving a toxic relationship.
