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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • Film

Footloose

Footloose is a 1984 American musical drama film directed by Herbert Ross and written by Dean Pitchford.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Footloose is a 1984 American musical drama film directed by Herbert Ross and written by Dean Pitchford. It stars Kevin Bacon as a teenager who moves to a small town where dancing and rock music are banned.

What it is

The film centers on Ren McCormack (Kevin Bacon), a city teen who relocates to Bomont and challenges the town's ban on dancing and rock music. The cast includes Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, and Chris Penn. It was released by Paramount Pictures on February 17, 1984.

Why it matters

Footloose was a box office success, grossing about US$80 million in North America. Its soundtrack, featuring hits like "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" by Deniece Williams, earned two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song. The film became a defining piece of 1980s teen cinema and popular culture.

Key details

The film received mixed reviews from critics but found a strong audience. It was later adapted into a Broadway musical (1998/1999) and a 2011 remake. In Canada, Footloose is widely recognized as part of North American pop culture, with its soundtrack and teen-film status familiar to Canadian audiences.

In short

  • Footloose is a 1984 musical drama about a teen challenging a town's ban on dancing.
  • It stars Kevin Bacon and was directed by Herbert Ross.
  • The film grossed about US$80 million in North America.
  • Its soundtrack included two Oscar-nominated songs.
Canadian angle

Footloose has been widely distributed and viewed in Canada as part of North American popular culture, and its soundtrack and 1980s teen-film status are familiar to Canadian audiences.

Quick questions

What is Footloose about?
It is about a teenager who moves to a small town where dancing is banned and then tries to overturn the rule.
Who directed Footloose?
Footloose was directed by Herbert Ross.
Was Footloose successful at the box office?
Yes. It grossed about US$80 million in North America and was among the highest-grossing films of 1984.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footloose
    Supports: Release date, plot, director, writer, cast, box office, soundtrack nominations
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Footloose
    Supports: General description of the film and Kevin Bacon's role
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1007657-footloose
    Supports: Synopsis, credits, genre, runtime, and release information
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/footloose-1984
    Supports: Plot details and critical context
  5. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/1984/02/17/movies/film-footloose-story-of-dancing-on-the-farm.html
    Supports: Release context, plot premise, and production credits
  6. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Footloose
    Supports: Broad confirmation of the film, Broadway musical adaptation, and remake