This list specifically omits group numbers, but one that deserves special recognition is the show’s season 32 tribute to the late Len Goodman. An original of the series and DWTS‘ longtime head judge, Len’s has had one of the greatest impacts on the history of the show. After retiring in 2022, he died in April 2023.

DWTS paid tribute to Len twice during season 23; first on Most Memorable Year night, an always emotional performance in the ballroom, with a dance choreographed by Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy. A number of former pros returned to pay homage to the former head judge in a group number that is so classically Len and what he loved about DWTS. That year, the trophy was also renamed the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. 

Jenna reflects on choreographing the number below.

How does watching this number back make you feel? 

JENNA It makes me feel super proud. There was a lot of responsibility that came with trying to capture the essence of Len Goodman in a three-minute dance piece. When I watch it back, I really do think it’s something he would have loved and appreciated.

What memories do you have from choreographing this piece?

JENNA Something that stands out about the rehearsals going into this piece, is how many individual dancers came together as a collective. There was no ego involved. It was really about honoring Len’s legacy. There was a true camaraderie throughout the rehearsal process. We weren’t competing against each other – we were all united in creating something for Len. 

What are three words you would use to describe this number?

JENNA Timeless, nostalgic, pure.

Did Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke popularize “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)?” They definitely contributed to the rave around the song with their season two freestyle. This number proved that a freestyle can be anything — as long as it fits the celebrity. Although it was originally performed in 2006, it’s still one of the most renowned freestyles, 20 years later.

All of Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough’s dances were stellar. Their season 21 freestyle not only showcased Bindi’s dance abilities, but Derek’s choreography skills; the number’s emotional rawness made this one to remember. 

This number was the final performance of season 21, capped with a beautiful tribute to her late father, Steve Irwin, in the last moment of the dance. Bindi had no idea Derek planned for a photo of her and her father would be displayed at the end of the dance, making sure there was no dry eye in the ballroom, and for anyone who watches this number back years later.

It’s not unusual to love this dance… you knew it was coming. When Alfonso Ribeiro was cast on DWTS season 19, everyone was waiting for the moment when he’d break out his beloved Carlton dance. That moment presented itself during week four, Most Memorable Year Night, when he and Witney Carson danced a jazz to “It’s Not Unusual.” This number proved one thing: Alfonso is a star, and was meant to be on DWTS, and Witney is a mastermind choreographer. 

Before Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough won season five of DWTS, they delivered one of the show’s most memorable numbers. Looking back at the imagery of Helio and Julianne in their matching yellow outfits is an instant nostalgia booster, and actually rewatching the number solidifies just how vital Julianne’s innovative choreography was to the beginnings of DWTS, and how it would shape what the show is today. 

There are many freestyles on this list, and that’s because a celebrity and pro can make the number their own, free from ballroom dance restraints. During season four, Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough busted their moves during the season finale with this hip-hop number. Throwing the handkerchiefs in the air, pulling the handkerchiefs over their eyes to dance without being able to see and Julianne ending up on Apolo’s shoulders were highlights. 

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy had an undeniable chemistry during season 18. Their freestyle put that on display, showcasing the connection these two had as dance partners, accompanied by a series of effortless lifts that made it visually mesmerizing.  

Halloween Night is a great way for pro’s to show off the diversity of their choreography, and Daniella Karagach wasted no time making sure Iman Shumpert’s season 33 contemporary would go down in DWTS history. Inspired by Jordan Peele’s Us, Iman and Daniella were eerily great in this number. 

Daniella jam-packed so many tricks into this performance, including that iconic moment where she stands on Iman’s shoulders, and swiftly jumps off. This number earned Daniella an Emmy nomination for outstanding choreography, and it more than deserved the nomination.

Juan Pablo Di Pace and Cheryl Burke delivered one of, if not the, best Argentine Tango ever seen on DWTS during the semi-finals; and they were eliminated that same episode. Their performance to “Libertango” was charged up — at moments, you can hear the Fuller House star yelling out, engulfing himself into the number. 

The music, the red-LED lights and, of course, Cheryl’s choreography made this one to remember, boosted all the while by Juan Pablo’s performance. They earned a perfect 30/30. But by the end of the night, they were eliminated, causing controversy for DWTS viewers. Bobby Bones would go on to win the season. 

Season 27 shifted DWTS, literally leading to a change in the format for season 28; the next year, after the bottom two were announced, the judges were given a “judges save,” allowing them to save one of the remaining couples (so they could save, in most cases, the better performing pair). Juan Pablo may have not won DWTS, but his impact on the series was grave.

Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy performed this number as part of the side-by-side challenge, which saw two former or already eliminated pros dance alongside a competing couple. They were joined by Anna Trebunskaya and Maksim Chmerkovskiy (Val’s brother, of course), but all eyes were on Zendaya and Val, proving just how fierce of a competitor she was.

It’s baffling to remember that the Euphoria actress graced the DWTS ballroom so early into her career, certainly making her mark on the show and its legacy. She proved all the way back in 2013 just how much a celebrity’s career could skyrocket post-DWTS.

Riker Lynch and Allison Holker made Disney Night their own during season 20. The singer was admittedly excited to take on the role of Captain Jack Sparrow, and he more than embodied the character in this Paso Doble. Like most of the best DWTS numbers, Allison’s choreography was impeccable, highlighting Riker’s strengths while playing into the Pirates of the Caribbean of it all. 

Samba’s can be difficult for celebrities to master, although Laurie Hernandez made hers look effortless on season 23. Dancing a trio with her partner Val Chmerkovskiy’s and his brother Maks Chmerkovskiy, Laurie and Val took viewers through the full training-to-competition cycle of a real ballroom dance couple. They worked on their number in a mini rehearsal with Maks as their “coach,” before the set was swapped to make way for a real dance competition. 

The cherry on the top of this number was each performer’s inability to break character (see Maks slapping a competition “number” onto Val’s back to signify the start of a competition, and Maks continuing to fix Laurie and Val’s finishing poses once the music had stopped). The number was pure fun, but also so creative that it won’t leave your mind.

Shawn Johnson and Derek Hough were such a fun pairing. After winning season eight with Mark Ballas, Shawn returned for a victory lap for season 15’s All Stars, where she joined forces with the now-judge. Derek utilized Shawn’s stamina as a gymnast for the fast-paced yet modern quickstep.  

Amber Riley was a force on DWTS season 17, and her freestyle embodied that completely. Amber performed her final number alongside a group of pro dancers, but she made sure that the spotlight was always on her. She had an abundance of great performances during her run on the show, and would go on to win the show on the following night after this performance. 

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An homage to his years on High School Musical, Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff’s season 17 jazz was quite a hit. Lots of stars have paid tribute to their shining projects, but Corbin went above and beyond for his, thanks to Karina’s stellar choreography. Plus, they danced to One Direction’s hit track “Kiss You,” making this 2013 number fit the time but also have a nostalgic Wildcat twist. 

This dance is the perfect blend of the style (Paso Doble) and that iconic Alfonso Ribeiro-Witney Carson edge. Their season 19 trio with Lindsay Arnold, who was on the show’s troupe at the time, was so 2014: They actually danced to “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon, and it fit perfectly for the commanding number Witney created. Another classic Alfonso number in the ballroom! 

Rumer Willis and Val Chmerkovskiy’s freestyle was everything their partnership was: Steamy and executed to the nines. This performance highlighted Rumer’s strengths while platforming the insane chemistry the duo had, which ultimately won them DWTS’ 20th season.

Some consider Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s season 18 tango one of the most challenging numbers a celebrity has performed on DWTS. It’s no secret why this piece is on this list: Maks choreography combined with Meryl’s fluidity on the ballroom made it near-perfect.

Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas had many standout numbers during season 22. However, their jive is one that viewers still point back to, thanks to the upbeat and energizing nature of the dance. 

Witney Carson knows how to create a great contemporary number, and Milo Manheim’s Halloween number was exactly that. Performed to Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and featuring Milo playing the role of a mental patient, the performance didn’t get lost in the Halloween theme. It gave the upcoming live-action Rapunzel star a chance to show off his acting chops through the storytelling Witney told via the choreography.  

Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough’s freestyle was so striking — the number of tricks and visuals the two created together make it stand out as one of the best dances from DWTS.

Nyle Dimarco and Peta Murgatroyd had a beautiful end to their season 22 journey with this freestyle performance. The number tapped into Nyle’s experience as a deaf person, with Peta representing the adversities he’s faced in his life. It was such a touching, heartwrenching number, that it’s impossible to forget, naturally making it one of the best DWTS dances yet.  

There’s no denying Corbin Bleu and Karina Smirnoff were meant to dance together. Their combined rhythm and starpower complemented each other so well, with their freestyle highlighting every single one of their strengths as a pair. The introductory clip of them entering the ballroom upside down from the ceiling, as if they were being lowered from a helicopter, is one of the most profound beginnings to a DWTS number ever. 

Shawn Johnson and Mark Ballas did their own thing and more for their season eight freestyle. Mark jam-packed so much into this number, allowing Shawn to again show off her athleticism on that ballroom floor. 

Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart left the ballroom silent — literally — during their season 31 jazz. Entitled “Enjoy the Silence,” a portion of the dance was performed with no music at all. “This week, I really want to give the audience and the judges an idea of what it’s like to dance from a deaf perspective,” Daniel said ahead of the number.

The performance was incredibly profound, with Britt thanking Daniel on Instagram in 2022 “for letting us into your world last night.” She added, “You are changing my life.”

Milo Manheim and Witney Carson were match made in DWTS heaven during season 27, and adding season 20 runner-up Riker Lynch to their salsa made one of the best trios the show has seen. Milo and Riker dance so similar, yet so themselves, that there was no way this dance would have failed. 

Jordan Fischer and Lindsay Arnold were unstoppable on DWTS season 25, and their jive was the perfect number to showcase their rich partnership and capabilities as partners. This number was actually introduced under the challenge of reinterpreting a past iconic dance from the show (see Paige VanZant’s earlier dance on this list), but Jordan and Lindsay made it their own.  

Sharna Burgess put her full trust into her partner James Hinchcliffe during their season 23 Argentine Tango. Celebrities had previously danced blindfolded, but Sharna, a pro, choosing to do so exemplified the deep level of their partnership. The choice paid off, as neither of them missed a beat while making an unforgettable DWTS performance. 

Every number Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas performed on season 31 was near-perfect, but their Simpsons-inspired jazz was a great moment to highlight their combined starpower and versatility. 

Mel B attacked the ballroom floor in her season five Paso Doble with Maks Chmerkovskiy. It was a commanding number that proved what everyone already knew: Mel B is a spectacular performer. 

Jana Kramer and Gleb Savchenko’s tango to Selena Gomez’s “Hands to Myself” is a DWTS fan favorite. Like many of the pairs on this list, these two appeared to have a great chemistry on the dance floor, with the added rainfall moment pairing so well with the music that viewers are still constantly raving about this number.  

Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas were the grooviest pairing in the ballroom during season 22’s Famous Dance Night. They performed a jazz to Quincy Jones’ “Soul Bossa Nova,” which allowed for Mark’s strengths as a choreographer and Paige’s talents as a performer to shine through loud and clear. 

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold’s freestyle was such a great way to end their season 33 journey. Making his way onto the show for being dubbed the “Pommel horse guy” after the 2024 Olympics, Rylee’s choreography paid tribute to Stephen’s Olympic run, shining light on his gymnastic talents while also making room to honor their DWTS tenure. This was Rylee’s first freestyle as a pro on the series, and she made sure it was a knockout.

Mark Ballas knows how to choreograph a good dance, and his freestyle for Sadie Robertson during season 19 is one that is instantly recognizable to viewers. Dressed as Super Mario characters and dancing to the many different music of the game, the dance was pure fun. The iconography of the IP makes this one standout, but Sadie and Mark’s witty performance is why it has maintained its prominence.

Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson performed a very spooky contemporary number during season 25. Frankie performed the role of a stalker set to a terrifying rendition of “Every Breath You Take,” making the number eerie but too well-performed to look away. 

Recency bias? Don’t think so: Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas’ samba was just that good. Performed for season 35’s TikTok night, Whitney and Mark blended all the elements of a great number with what the theme night called for: a modern edge.

Whitney’s Chicago-inspired Argentine Tango or Disney Night Hamilton foxtrot were strong contenders to make this list of top DWTS dances, but there’s no denying her samba was just so effortlessly Whitney and so greatly executed that it couldn’t be included in the best 35 performances. 

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