The Most Memorable Prom Moments From TV & Film

It's April, which to most high school-aged peeps out there only means one thing: prom is right around the corner. Seriously, if you haven't already, you better start laying some intensive plans right about now. Not only do you have to find your fantasy prom outfit, but you also have to register your dress (yes, that's a real thing) to dissuade all the copy-cats trying to steal your swag. Then you just have to figure out the rest of your beauty look to match and make sure you've locked down your dream date — unless you're going solo, that is, in which case you're golden on that front.

But, as we all know, even with the best laid plans, your prom night will probably never live up to the crazy, hyped-up visions you have running through your head. Movies, TV, and magazines have fueled all of the mania around that particular night, teaching everyone that prom is supposed to be the high point of the adolescent experience and making us feel that if anything goes wrong, then we've somehow totally failed at everything. But as we all know, this one night has no real baring on the rest of your life. There will always be another dance, and another dress, and another date.

Besides, you can take solace in the fact that even if nothing seems to be going your way on that special night, there are still the dream prom scenarios from your favorite movies and TV show to help you live vicariously. Plus, the most common trope amongst these clips is prom going catastrophically wrong and everything working out ok in the end anyway. Now don't you feel better about showing up to prom in the same dress as Tiffany?

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

While you definitely should not take mysterious speed pills before your prom to make you feel more confident, you should probably steal every single one of Carlton's dance moves.

Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion

Romy & Michelle are proof that even if your prom, and high school experience in general, sucked the first time around, you can still come back and absolutely kill it.

Never Been Kissed

Besides the next clip, this is probably one of the darkest prom experiences any human being could have. At least it goes mildly better the second time around?

Carrie

Well, at least you definitely won't get a bucket of pig blood dumped on your head.

Gossip Girl

Perhaps I'm not the right person to espouse on the amazingness of this episode since I am undoubtedly obsessed with this show, but this is just one of many moments where Chuck and Blair make even the most cynical amongst us believe that true love is real.

She's All That

She's All That is a classic ugly duckling makeover story, and even though it's probably the ultimate in '90s cheese, there's something about the effortlessly charming combo of Rachael Leigh Cooke and Freddie Prinze Jr. that can't be denied.

Pretty in Pink

This is an '80s classic for a reason. This movie unleashes so many mixed emotions, you won't know who to root for.

10 Things I Hate About You

Heath Ledger is the ultimate bad boy. So even when it all unravels at the prom and Julia Stiles's character realizes their relationship is based on the premise of a bet, you're still rooting for them to reconcile and get back together in the end.

American Pie

At least your prom will never be as embarrassing as the one in American Pie.

Dawson's Creek

There are a lot of proms throught Dawson's Creek, but the one from "Promicide" has got to be the best and most dramatic.

Friends

Even though Rachel crushes Ross on prom night by ditching him for another date, the two end up living happily ever after (once they work through many more seasons of tumultuous ups and downs, of course).

The O.C.

All of your favorite O.C. characters end up paired with a mismatched date on the big night, to disastrous effect. Just know, much like Seth and Summer's multi-season romance, true love can't be denied.

Footloose

What is prom without dancing? Thanks to Footloose and Kevin Bacon's brave campaigning to bust a move, the world will never have to know.

Jawbreaker

Jawbreaker is the cult classic dark comedy about three of the most popular girls in high school who "accidentally" kill the prom queen. Rest easy knowing your own prom could never go so horribly wrong.

Twilight

This is the scene that had Twi-hards nationwide squealing in their movie theater seats. Not only are Bella and Edward finally together dancing at prom, but for a second there it seems like he's also going to take things to the next level by making her a vampire. Unfortunately for fans, that's not exactly what happened.

Napoleon Dynamite

Even though the scene where Napoleon Dynamite displays his inimitable dancing technique at the school talent show steals all the thunder, the prom scene where he and his puffy-sleeved love Deb dance to "Forever Young" is still pretty epic.

Drive Me Crazy

Drive Me Crazy is a refreshing twist on your typical nerdy makeover rom-com. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure it's every teenager's fantasy to communicate via walkie-talkie late at night with their big crush.

Full House

While the central focus of this episode may have been around DJ and her steady boyfriend Steve, the real star of the show is clearly Kimmy Gibbler and her stellar prom outfit. Seriously, where can I pick up that dress today?

Not Quite Prom But Still Amazing:

The Virgin Suicides

So this may just be your average school dance, but regardless, the Lisbon sisters and their all-white ensembles are pretty unforgettable. Though this movie turns out terribly for literally every character involved, you have to admit, there's something about the combo of Lux and Trip Fontaine that fulfills every high school fantasy you've ever had.

Mean Girls

The Spring Fling in Mean Girls offers some surprisingly serious catharsis in the midst of this hilarious film. Cady wins the title of Spring Fling Queen and breaks her tiara, dolling out the pieces to her equally worthy classmates. A valuable lesson for all.

Grease

As one of the most iconic dance scenes in movie history, this clip from Grease had to make the list. Even though the majority of us will never come close to the combined dance skills of Cha Cha and Danny Zuko, that doesn't mean it will stop me from practicing their entire dance routine from top to bottom.