Julia Stiles’ Dance Floor Debut Is Sending a Beloved Teen Romance Spinning Back Up Hulu’s Chart

Nothing gets people revisiting a favorite dance movie quite like watching its star hit the ballroom floor. Season 35 of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ premiered on September 15 and 16, and Julia Stiles was among the celebrity contestants, partnered with pro dancer Ezra Sosa. The buzz around her debut has put a beloved teen romance back in front of viewers.

That film hit theaters on January 12, 2001, from Paramount Pictures and director Thomas Carter. Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas play a couple in Chicago who work together to prepare her character for a Juilliard dance audition. Critics gave it mixed reviews, but it grossed $131.5 million on a $13 million budget.

That movie is ‘Save the Last Dance,’ and it is now sitting at No. 4 on Hulu’s latest movie chart. It slipped 3 spots and has 4 days on the list so far. The TV Ratings Guide reported that it spent 2 days at No. 1 this week, likely boosted by Stiles’ current run on ‘Dancing with the Stars.’

The competition on the chart is a mixed bag. ‘Hypnotic’ jumped 6 spots to take No. 1, followed by ‘Coraline’ at No. 2 and ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ at No. 3. ‘The Accountant²’ holds No. 5, while ‘Inglourious Basterds’ sits at No. 6, and the TV Ratings Guide noted that ‘Coraline’ led for 4 days this week.

Stiles’ casting was confirmed on ‘Good Morning America’ on September 2, and the timing carried some extra meaning. ABC News pointed out that her stint coincides with the 25th anniversary of the film. She had also been telling fans how much she loves the show, so the announcement felt like a natural fit.

There was also a lighthearted twist attached to the casting news. Stiles revealed that she used a body double for some of the dancing in the film, according to Yahoo Entertainment. Fans seemed unbothered, and plenty of supportive comments poured in.

Her premiere night added to the momentum. E! News reported that Stiles used a past comment from Andy Cohen about her dancing as motivation during rehearsals, and she playfully called him out on air with backup from judge Derek Hough. That kind of playful moment makes for great social media fodder, and it likely sent curious viewers looking for the movie.

Her former co-stars also chimed in. ABC News reports that Kerry Washington and Sean Patrick Thomas sent a video message of encouragement, with Thomas joking about the film’s Juilliard storyline. It was a sweet reunion that reminded fans just how memorable the original cast was.

For anyone wanting to revisit the movie, Hulu is the place to start. JustWatch also lists it on Tubi and YouTube Free with ads, and it can be rented on several digital stores. A direct-to-video sequel followed in 2006, though none of the original cast returned for it.