Julia Stiles’ Dance Floor Debut Boosts ‘Save the Last Dance’ on Hulu’s Chart

Nothing reignites the love for a classic dance movie quite like seeing its star take to the ballroom. Season 35 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ kicked off on September 15 and 16, featuring Julia Stiles as one of the celebrity contestants, paired with pro dancer Ezra Sosa. The excitement surrounding her debut has propelled a beloved teen romance back into the spotlight.

The film in question is ‘Save the Last Dance,’ which premiered in theaters on January 12, 2001, under Paramount Pictures and director Thomas Carter. In the movie, Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas portray a couple in Chicago, working together to prepare her character for a Juilliard dance audition. While critics offered mixed reviews, the film was a box office success, grossing $131.5 million against a $13 million budget.

Currently, ‘Save the Last Dance’ is ranked No. 4 on Hulu’s latest movie chart, having slipped three spots after four days on the list. According to the TV Ratings Guide, it briefly held the No. 1 position this week, likely due to Stiles’ ongoing participation in ‘Dancing with the Stars.’

The competition on the chart is fierce, with ‘Hypnotic’ jumping six spots to claim the No. 1 position, followed by ‘Coraline’ at No. 2 and ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ at No. 3. ‘The Accountant²’ sits at No. 5, while ‘Inglourious Basterds’ is at No. 6, with ‘Coraline’ leading for four days this week, as noted by the TV Ratings Guide.

Stiles’ participation was confirmed on ‘Good Morning America’ on September 2, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of ‘Save the Last Dance.’ She has expressed her love for the show, making her casting feel like a perfect match.

Adding a fun twist to the casting news, Stiles revealed that she used a body double for some of her dancing scenes in the film, according to Yahoo Entertainment. Fans have been overwhelmingly supportive, with many positive comments flooding in.

Her premiere night contributed to the excitement, as E! News reported that Stiles used a past remark from Andy Cohen about her dancing as motivation during rehearsals, playfully calling him out on air with support from judge Derek Hough. Such moments create great social media buzz, likely driving curious viewers to seek out the movie.

Former co-stars also joined in the fun, with ABC News reporting that Kerry Washington and Sean Patrick Thomas sent a video message of encouragement, with Thomas humorously referencing the film’s Juilliard storyline. This sweet reunion reminded fans of the original cast’s charm.

For those looking to relive the magic, Hulu is the go-to platform. JustWatch also lists it on Tubi and YouTube Free with ads, and it is available for rent on various digital platforms. A direct-to-video sequel was released in 2006, but none of the original cast returned for that project.