Television series

World of Dance

Name: World of Dance
Genre: Music
Released: 2017
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Derek Hough, Jenna Dewan, Scott Evans

Dance musical
Light-hearted

World of Dance is a slick competition series where the world's elite dancers battle across every style imaginable—hip-hop to ballet to break-dancing—judged by J.Lo, Derek Hough, and Ne-Yo. It's beautifully shot, moves fast, and rewards genuine artistry alongside spectacle. For anyone who loves watching humans do impossible things with their bodies.

TVMaze rating

3.9

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you love watching bodies do something astonishing under pressure, the kind of reality competition where the performances carry the drama and the judges' reactions land like punchlines.

Skip it if you want a show that digs into personal lives or slows down to talk through feelings, since most of the runtime goes to routines, rapid-fire eliminations and stage spectacle.

What it asks of you: Each episode runs about eighty-odd minutes of tightly cut performances, so you can dip in for one sitting, though the format repeats its rhythm of audition, battle and verdict across a long run.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

So You Think You Can Dance2005

The blueprint for televised dance competition: meticulous choreography, emotional storytelling through movement, and judges who actually care about craft. Ten seasons of pure ability.

But Runs long and can feel repetitive; some seasons drag more than others. The format hasn't changed much since 2005.

The Greatest Dancer2019

Similar energy and scale with a tighter format. Kids and adults competing, surprising depth of talent, and a mentor system that adds real stakes beyond the money.

But Shorter-lived than World of Dance, which means less to sink into if you get hooked. Some mentoring relationships feel rushed.

Dancing with the Stars2005

Different beast entirely—celebrities learning choreography with pro partners over a season. Forgiving of non-dancers, genuinely fun, and the repetition becomes comforting.

But If you want pure dance ability, this isn't it. It's about the journey and charm, not technical excellence. Some seasons ride celebrities' fame rather than talent.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from World of Dance

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Black Mirror2011

Both are structured around real-time voting and judgment; Black Mirror inverts the power fantasy into something sinister.

An episode about online voting and collective behaviour gone wrong. Like World of Dance's voting format—but if it turned dark. Explores how we judge performance in the age of the internet, and what happens when the crowd decides.

But Science fiction thriller, not a competition show—slow-burn and bleak. If you want dancing, this is a hard left turn. Demands intellectual engagement rather than emotional release.

Rhythm + Flow2019

Same competition energy applied to hip-hop music; gorgeous cinematography, real mentors (Cardi B, Chance, T.I.), and it respects the craft while being wildly entertaining.

But Hip-hop focus narrows appeal. Some judging feels influenced by politics or personality rather than pure skill. Shorter run than you'd want.

America's Got Talent2006

Broader church—dancers share time with singers, magicians, novelty acts—but the dance performances are often stunning, and the emotional range is wider than pure dance shows.

But The filler is real. You'll sit through a lot of mediocre acts to find the gems. Voting sometimes ignores actual talent for likability or sob stories.

Britain's Got Talent2007

The international equivalent—different talent pool, different sensibilities, and some of the dance performances are genuinely jaw-dropping without the slickness of American shows.

But Mixing disciplines means you're waiting between dances. The show's length can feel indulgent, and some acts clearly made the cut for novelty alone.

The Masked Dancer2020

A spin on the Masked Singer formula: celebrities dance in elaborate costumes. Lower stakes, more playful, and occasionally features genuinely impressive dancers being silly.

But The novelty wears thin if you're after serious dance content. Some celebrities are clearly not dancers. The guessing game overshadows the actual dancing.

Pina2011

World of Dance celebrates dancers executing styles; Pina celebrates the artist who reimagines what dance can be. One is about winning, one about creating.

A documentary-film hybrid about the legendary choreographer Pina Bausch, shot in 3D to capture dance in space the way cameras usually can't. Transforms how you see movement. It's a masterpiece about why dance matters.

But Not a competition, no narrative arc, no prizes. Bausch's work is avant-garde and demanding—nothing like the entertainment-focused energy of World of Dance. Slow and meditative.

Pose2018

Both feature underground and ballroom dance as centerpiece; Pose finds the humanity that exists under the performance in a way World of Dance's format cannot.

A series where ballroom voguing culture is the heart of the story. The competition and performance are there, but what matters is family, survival, artistry, and self-creation. Devastatingly beautiful about people using dance to exist.

But The competition element is background to grief, disease, prejudice, and poverty. If you're looking for uplifting spectacle, this goes somewhere darker and more real. Emotionally demanding.