15 of the best high school dance moments in teen TV

Peter bites Lydia, Teen Wolf

The best accessory for a school dance is most definitely not a bloody, nearly-fatal werewolf bite. But for Lydia (Holland Roden), getting bitten by Peter (Ian Bohen) during the winter formal turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to her. Sure, she almost bled out on the lacrosse field and ended up wandering naked in the woods in a fugue state for days after. But that single bite also unlocked her Banshee abilities, which forever altered the course of the entire series. And not only that, but it also kickstarted Lydia down the path to one of the best character development arcs of the series, evolving her from one-note mean girl to eventual selfless, loving hero who would stop at nothing to save someone. So, we guess … thanks Peter? —Sydney Bucksbaum

Clark and Lana dance, Smallville

After many seasons of terrible timing, false starts, and missed connections, Clark Kent (Tom Welling) and Lana Lang (Kristen Kreuk) finally got one moment of peaceful romance toward the end of season 4 when they shared a dance at their senior year prom. Even though you know Clark is destined to be with Lois Lane (Erica Durance) — who is present and pushes Clark to ask Lana to dance — you can't help but root for them in this moment. Honestly, that's mostly due to Lifehouse's performance of "You and Me," which is the perfect song choice because it applies to the dynamics at play in the scene: Clark and Lana's sad-sweet connection; Chloe (Alison Mack) pining for Clark; and of course Lana's then-boyfriend Jason (Jensen Ackles) arriving in time to see the not-couple together. In this case, we know why we can't take our eyes off of this scene. —Chancellor Agard

Rickie gets down, My So-Called Life

In 1994, My So-Called Life captured audiences with its portrayal of high school life (and its impact has lasted despite it only running for one season). But when it comes to dances, one moment stands above the rest: Rickie Vasquez (Wilson Cruz) letting go on the dance floor with Delia (Senta Moses). As Haddaway's "What Is Love" plays, Rickie, a gay man, stops worrying about blending in and starts enjoying himself on the dance floor. Without words, that scene delivered one of Rickie's best moments and, of course, a dance moment to remember. —Samantha Highfill

A bloody prom, One Tree Hill

You never forget your own senior prom. But for One Tree Hill's Peyton (Hilarie Burton) and Brooke (Sophia Bush), they'll never forget that night for reasons other than your normal high school dance experience. For one thing, Peyton begins the milestone evening by getting punched in the face by Psycho Derek (Matt Barr) at the end of season 4, episode 15, "Prom Night at Hater High." He's the reason why she misses out on going to prom with Lucas (Chad Michael Murray) when he holds her hostage all night in episode 16, "You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love," which might be the most offensive thing he's ever done. And when Brooke goes to Peyton's home to find out why she's skipping prom altogether, Derek attacks her too. The estranged former BFFs end up outsmarting and beating up Derek, finally getting him out of their lives for good while making up as best friends, which makes their eventual arrival at prom all battered, bloody, and bruised a triumphant moment, regardless of their less-than-glam appearance. Goodbye Psycho Derek, hello prom queen Brooke Davis. —Sydney Bucksbaum

Devi and Paxton make it official, Never Have I Ever

Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) and Paxton (Darren Barnet) went through a lot during Never Have I Ever's second season. First, they started dating. Then, when Paxton found out that Devi was also dating Ben (Jaren Lewison), he ended things. And he was mad. So then he treated Devi like crap, even forcing her to do his homework for a time. But eventually, the two became friends, and then they became secret makeout buddies, and finally, in the season 2 finale, they made it official. At the school's winter dance, once Devi recovered from Paxton hitting her with his car, the two made their public debut with a dance. By that point, even a fast song playing couldn't ruin their vibe. —Samantha Highfill

Angel shows up, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

It wouldn't be prom night in Sunnydale without some literal hellhounds trying to crash the party. Instead of picking out a dress and getting ready with her girlfriends, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) spends the lead-up to the biggest night on the high school calendar breaking up with her boyfriend, Angel (David Broneanaz), in the city's sewers (He might be a 243-year-old vampire and ending things to give Buffy a more "normal" life, but his pre-prom timing still sucked!) and tracking down the sociopathic, incel-to-be classmate who's been raising beasts to attack students at the dance. Of course, Buffy slays the demons just in time and shows up to prom with perfect hair to dance with her brooding beau one last time and receive the award for Class Protector (a new category) from her classmates, for saving countless lives and always being there when "something creepy happened." The episode demonstrates how far the former wannabe prom queen's come, as she continues to put her life and happiness on the line to allow everyone else to survive and thrive. —Ruth Kinane

Lizzie realizes her feelings, Lizzie McGuire

When it comes to shipping Gordo (Adam Lamberg) and Lizzie (Hilary Duff), the yearning was pretty one-sided and belonged largely to Gordo. But in "A Gordo Story," we get both one of the show's best friendship moments and a flicker of Lizzie's attraction to Gordo. After a girl turns Gordo's invitation to the dance down because he's short, Lizzie and Miranda (Lalaine) both agree to be his date. But when Gordo gets to dance with dream girl Parker, Lizzie realizes she might have deeper feelings for him than she thought. It's so exciting we need to have a whole animated internal monologue about it. —Maureen Lee Lenker

Seth chooses Summer, The O.C.

It was either Little Miss Vixen or Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson), and although it took Seth (Adam Brody) nearly missing his final chance — and a strange pep talk from George Lucas — he eventually made the right choice. As the Harbor students prepared for prom in The O.C.'s second season, Summer's two love interests, Seth and Zach (Michael Cassidy), flipped a coin: One of them would meet with George Lucas about their Atomic County comic book, and the other would experience Under the O. Sea with Summer. Although Zach initially escorted Summer to the dance, they both quickly realized they weren't meant to be. Cue Seth taking Zach's jacket, running to school, and declaring his love for prom queen Summer on stage in front of everyone. Hey, he might just be the jester, but together, they're teen TV royalty. —Samantha Highfill

"Come Sail Away," Freaks and Geeks

No show mixed humor and heart better than Freaks and Geeks, and never was that combination in fuller effect than the closing moments of the show's pilot episode at the William McKinley High School 1980 homecoming dance. While nerdy freshman "geek" Sam Weir (John Francis Daley) lived out every teen's worst nightmare when he finally mustered up the courage to ask crush Cindy Sanders (Natasha Melnick) to slow dance to Styx's "Come Sail Away"… only to have the song speed up once they finally make it onto the floor, his older sister and burgeoning wannabe "freak" Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) righted a previous wrong by letting loose under the disco ball with special needs student Eli (Ben Foster). And, as always, the show had the pitch perfect soundtrack as it covered the full emotional adolescent gamut. —Dalton Ross

Tami and Eric's homecoming dance, Friday Night Lights

True to life, Friday Night Lights offers up a school dance no one actually wants to attend. While Lyla (Minka Kelly), Tim (Taylor Kitsch), and JD (Jeremy Sumpter) ditch the dance for a wilder party, Julie (Aimee Teegarden) and Matt (Zach Gilfrod) make FNL history by doing "it" for the first time. But there is one sweet couple who makes some high school dance magic — the chaperones, Tami (Connie Britton) and Coach (Kyle Chandler). The two share a tender slow dance after Coach shows up late, with paint in his hair from helping Jason Street (Scott Porter) with his new house. There's possibly nothing more awkward than chaperoning a high school dance, and still somehow Friday Night Lights made it a touching touchdown moment by relying on the quiet, steady chemistry of the show's most beloved couple. —Maureen Lee Lenker

Cory dances with Topanga, Boy Meets World

Creating a fake band to impress girls seems like a brilliant idea — until a mix-up means said band is booked for the school dance. It's just another wacky mishap for best friends Cory (Ben Savage) and Shawn (Rider Strong). Their band, whose credo is We never, ever play a note, gets booked for the school dance, only to be horrendous and get booed. Cory makes a bid to save face by playing the name game, which prompts everyone to leave. But it's still a win in the end, when Topanga (Danielle Strong) shows up and asks Cory to dance. F-f-f-fantastic. —Maureen Lee Lenker

Clay and Hannah's dance, 13 Reasons Why

Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) and Hannah Baker's (Katherine Langford) love story was ultimately a tragic one, but that doesn't mean it wasn't filled with sweet, romantic moments along the way. No moment stands out more than their first dance together, set beautifully to Lord Huron's "The Night We Met." It was a simple moment of connection for the characters, one laced with the weight of the tragedy that would come but somehow also full of hope for what could've been. The moment made such an impact that the show paid homage to it in its second season, as Clay's friends surrounded him on the dance floor when the same song started to play. —Samantha Highfill

A snuff film at prom, Riverdale

It wouldn't be Riverdale if the school dance didn't come without some extreme drama (an arrest here, a Gargoyle King there), but they saved the most extra moment for senior prom. In season 5, everything comes to a head at prom when Archie (K.J. Apa) confesses to Veronica (Camila Mendes) that he kissed Betty (Lili Reinhart), leading to a Varchie break-up. Say it ain't so. But because the love triangle — or quadrangle? — isn't enough, the previous season's core mystery also comes to its climax as a snuff film starts to play, showcasing masked versions of Archie and the gang murdering the creepy video store owner. And you thought crowning prom king and queen was dramatic. —Maureen Lee Lenker

Brenda and Dylan sleep together, Beverly Hills, 90210

Consider this the ur-high school dance episode. It may sound quaint compared to what goes on with today's polyamorous TV teens, but when Brenda (Shannen Doherty) and Dylan (Luke Perry, RIP) rented a hotel room and finally consummated their relationship, fans were shocked and rocked. (Heck, I'm still stunned they made the bed afterwards!) The hormones also came with a side dress drama: Brenda and Spring Princess nominee Kelly (Jennie Garth) are mortified to see that they're wearing the same black-and-white off-the-shoulder number, and poor Donna (Tori Spelling) can't even sit down in her lipstick-red hoopskirt ballgown. ("Spring Dance" was such an indelibly Donna Martin moment, Spelling brought back the dress for a delightfully silly stunt in the meta-reboot, BH90210.) And of course it wouldn't be a teen dance without heartbreak: Yes, Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering) spent the night acting like a drunken boor, but it's only because everyone forgot his birthday — and oh yeah, he just found out he was adopted. As we'd say in the '90s, that's mad sad, bro. —Kristen Baldwin

Alaric-Klaus makes his debut, The Vampire Diaries

After nearly half a season of build-up surrounding big bad original vampire Klaus (Joseph Morgan), the show finally introduced the character ... but not in the way fans expected. In an epic twist, Klaus used magic to inhabit the body of history teacher Alaric (Matthew Davis), and thus, Alaric-Klaus was born. To make the twist even more memorable, Alaric-Klaus decided to make his big debut — and attempt to kill Bonnie (Kat Graham) — at one of Mystic Falls High School's beloved decade dances. Once again delivering the incredible combination of life-or-death drama set against the backdrop of high school fun, The Vampire Diaries gave viewers one of its most unforgettable dances ever. Surpriiiiise! —Samantha Highfill

Read more from I Want My Teen TV, EW's summerlong celebration of teen shows past and present.