The Dirty Dancing lift: practising it for real, or the video version
Most people searching for the Dirty Dancing lift want one of two things: to actually do it, or to have a video of the two of you doing it. For the second, ReelMe's Dirty Dancing Lift template takes one photo of each partner and, for $3.99, gives you the final "Time of My Life" lift (she runs, leaps, he holds her overhead) in about a minute. For the first, read on, because the real thing needs care.
How to do it in 4 steps
- Pick a template, for example Dirty Dancing Lift.
- Upload one clear photo (one per person or pet in multi-person templates).
- Pay $3.99 once. No app, no sign-up, no subscription.
- Download your video in about a minute and post it anywhere.
$3.99 per video · ready in about 1 minute · automatic refund if it fails
Pick a template
35M viewsThe lift is from the end of Dirty Dancing (1987). At the Kellerman's end-of-season show, Johnny (Patrick Swayze) and Baby (Jennifer Grey) dance to "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Baby, who had been too scared to try the lift all film, runs through the crowd, jumps, and Johnny presses her straight up overhead as she holds a perfect arch. It's one of the most recreated moments in film, at weddings, proposals and on TikTok.
Doing it for real: this is a press lift, and both partners can get hurt. Start in water, chest-deep in a pool or lake, like Johnny and Baby practise in the film: the water takes most of the weight while you learn the timing. On land, the lifter's hands go on the flyer's hip bones, and the flyer jumps on a count with straight arms and a tight core so her body stays rigid. Use spotters and mats, and ideally get a lesson from a dance or acro instructor first. Don't try the running version until the standing version is solid.
"How hard is it?" Harder than it looks: the lifter needs real upper-body and core strength, and the flyer needs to hold the arch without flailing, because that's what makes the weight manageable. Couples usually practise for weeks before a wedding dance.
For the video, use one clear, front-facing photo per person; the template has a slot for her (the dancer who runs and is lifted) and him (the lifter), but any pair works. ReelMe isn't affiliated with the film or its studio.
ReelMe at a glance
- What it is
- ReelMe is a web app with ready-made viral video templates. You upload a photo and the AI puts you, your partner or your pet in place of the person or animal in the clip.
- Price
- $3.99 per video, one-time payment. No subscription, no credits, no free tier.
- Account
- None. No sign-up, no app to install; works in any modern phone or desktop browser.
- Input
- One clear photo per person or pet (JPG, PNG or WebP). Some templates have 2 or 3 spots.
- Output
- An MP4 of the template clip with the original audio and no watermark, on a private link kept for 30 days.
- Speed
- Usually about one minute after payment.
- Templates
- 56 trends: dances, music video scenes, movie and TV moments, memes, couple and pet trends.
- Refunds
- Automatic full refund if generation fails; refund on request within 14 days.
- Limits
- You cannot upload your own motion video or write a prompt; only the listed templates are available. Results depend on the photo, and one video is generated per payment.
FAQ
How do you do the Dirty Dancing lift?
The flyer runs or steps in and jumps on a count while the lifter, hands on her hip bones, presses her up overhead. She keeps her body rigid in an arch. Practise in water first, with spotters, before trying it on land.
Is the Dirty Dancing lift dangerous?
It can be. A fall from overhead height can injure both people. Learn it with a coach, in water or on mats, and only try the running version when the standing one is easy.
What song is played during the Dirty Dancing lift?
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes, from the 1987 film.
Can I make a video of us doing the Dirty Dancing lift without doing it?
Yes. Upload a photo of each partner to the Dirty Dancing Lift template on ReelMe and the AI recreates the final lift with the two of you, with the song.
How much does it cost?
$3.99 per video, paid once. It's ready in about a minute.
Related guides
- Put yourself in a famous movie scene
- Titanic "I'm Flying" scene with you and your partner
- The Grease dance scene, starring the two of you
- The Pulp Fiction dance scene, with the two of you on the floor
- AI couple dance video from two photos
Updated 2026-11-01
