• Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop Rated MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
      What's on TV & StreamingWhat's on TV & StreamingTop Rated ShowsMost Popular ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
      What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
      OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
      Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
      Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
    For Industry Professionals
      AllTitlesTV EpisodesCelebsCompaniesKeywords
    • Advanced Search
    Watchlist
    Sign In
    Welcome to the new version of this page.
    Learn more
    Report an issue

    Breakdance

    Original title: Breakin'
    • 19841984
    • M/6M/6
    • 1h 30min
    IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Michael Chambers, Lucinda Dickey, and Adolfo Quinones in Breakin' (1984)
    Trailer for Breakin'
    Trailer1:39
    1 Video
    39 Photos
    ComedyDramaMusic

    A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.
    A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.
    A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.
    A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.
    A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.

    • Director
      • Joel Silberg
    • Writers
      • Charles Parker(story)
      • Allen DeBevoise(story)
      • Gerald Scaife(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Lucinda Dickey
      • Adolfo Quinones
      • Michael Chambers
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Joel Silberg
    • Writers
      • Charles Parker(story)
      • Allen DeBevoise(story)
      • Gerald Scaife(screenplay)
    • Stars
      • Lucinda Dickey
      • Adolfo Quinones
      • Michael Chambers
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 70User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
    • 53Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Breakin'
    Trailer 1:39
    Breakin'

    Photos39

    Michael Chambers, Lucinda Dickey, and Adolfo Quinones in Breakin' (1984)
    Breakin' (1984)
    Breakin' (1984)
    Michael Chambers and Adolfo Quinones in Breakin' (1984)
    Michael Chambers, Lucinda Dickey, and Adolfo Quinones in Breakin' (1984)
    Breakin' (1984)
    Breakin' (1984)
    Beat Street (1984)
    Christopher McDonald and Lucinda Dickey in Breakin' (1984)
    Lela Rochon in Breakin' (1984)
    Aaron Norris in Breakin' (1984)
    Aaron Norris in Breakin' (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lucinda Dickey
    Lucinda Dickey
    • Kelly…
    Adolfo Quinones
    Adolfo Quinones
    • Ozone…
    Michael Chambers
    Michael Chambers
    • Turbo…
    Ben Lokey
    Ben Lokey
    • Franco
    Christopher McDonald
    Christopher McDonald
    • James
    Phineas Newborn III
    • Adam
    Bruno Falcon
    • Electro Rock 1
    • (as Bruno 'Pop N' Taco' Falcon)
    Timothy Solomon
    • Electro Rock 2
    • (as Timothy 'Poppin' Pete' Solomon)
    Ana Sánchez
    • Electro Rock 3
    • (as Ana 'Lollipop' Sanchez)
    Ice-T
    Ice-T
    • Rap Talker
    • (as Ice T)
    Peter Bromilow
    Peter Bromilow
    • Judge
    Eleanor Zee
    • Judge
    Scott Cooper
    • Judge
    Eb Lottimer
    Eb Lottimer
    • Judge's Assistant
    Teresa Kelly
    • Vicky
    • (as T.C. Laughlin)
    Ric Mancino
    • Joe the Cook
    • (as Ric Mancini)
    Lyla Grahm
    • Caroline Divine
    Bea Silvern
    • Jennifer Sweet
    • Director
      • Joel Silberg
    • Writers
      • Charles Parker(story) (screenplay)
      • Allen DeBevoise(story) (screenplay)
      • Gerald Scaife(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    A struggling young jazz dancer meets up with two break-dancers. Together they become the sensation of the street crowds.
    breakdancingspandexstreet dancingblaxploitationrap music64 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • the beat of the streets is...
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Music
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • M/6
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the first "street dancing" scene, in which Kelly accompanies Ozone and Turbo to the beach, the audience watching the dancing is comprised of surfers and beach bums. A man in a black singlet claps with the music. It's Jean-Claude Van Damme in his first on-screen appearance. According to Van Damme, he tried hard to draw attention to himself by jumping in the air and doing flips, but they were not included in the film.
    • Goofs
      In the last audition scene, Kelly and Turbo are seen ripping off their sleeves, but in a brief long shot, their jackets are still on.
    • Quotes

      Turbo: You owe me seven dollars man.

      Franco: For what?

      Turbo: For teaching you how to dance sucker.

    • Connections
      Featured in Ollie & Jerry: Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Tibetan Jam
      Written by Chris The Glove Taylor (as Chris "The Glove" Taylor)

      Rap by Ice-T (as Ice T)

      Produced by Chris The Glove Taylor (as Chris "The Glove" Taylor)

    User reviews70

    Review
    Top review
    A glimpse of what hip hop was to become
    Back in 1984, hip hop as a social phenomenon didn't exist. Hip hop was still the "trendy" music from New York City that somehow was gaining the attention of Hollywood. For some, it was great, for others it was the beginning of something that has yet to be recaptured, the innocence of a new and fresh musical artform, and a culture.

    Nonetheless, "Breakin'" is a film that takes place in California where Kelly (Lucinda Dickey) is hoping to make it with her dancing. He goes to the beach and catches a dance routine with a few breakdancers, Turbo and Ozone. She loves it, and eventually becomes their friend. One of them finds her attractive, the other chooses to pop his way through life. Kelly's family doesn't want her to be hanging around with the "hoodlums", but Turbo and Ozone simply want to hang out and have fun. Kelly finds herself learning the street-style of dance, and treats it as a serious artform rather than a bunch of guys dancing on cardboard for the hell of it. Looking back, it seems very much like a Hollywood version of what can really happen when two cultures clash (shades of "West Side Story"), but the film has good music, good dancing, a decent story, and it looks back at a time when hip hop as a whole was trying its hardest to gain respect.

    Five extra points for Lucinda Dickey, who was easily one of the more beautiful actresses of the 80's.
    helpful•8
    0
    • John Book
    • Jun 16, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 3, 1984 (Portugal)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • MGM
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Breakin'
    • Filming locations
      • 4323 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Golan-Globus Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $38,682,707
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,047,686
      • May 6, 1984
    • Gross worldwide
      • $38,682,707
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 30min
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

    Related news

    Deadline’s Inaugural Contenders Television: Documentary + Unscripted: Livestream, Schedule, Lineup
    Deadline’s Inaugural Contenders Television: Documentary + Unscripted: Livestream, Schedule, Lineup
    May 1Deadline Film + TV
    A striking look at the UK justice system – podcasts of the week
    A striking look at the UK justice system – podcasts of the week
    Apr 30The Guardian - TV News

    Contribute to this page

    Edit page
    • Getting started
    • Contributor Zone

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    IMDb's Summer Movie Preview
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    What TV Shows Are Renewed or Canceled?
    See the list

    Recently viewed

    You have no recently viewed pages
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.