The Wednesday Dance Scene: How It Became a Global Phenomenon

I remember exactly where I was when I first saw the Wednesday dance scene: my couch, 11 PM, about to go to bed. Instead, I watched that scene five times in a row, then immediately went to TikTok to see if anyone else was as obsessed as I was.

They were. Oh, they were.

In November 2022, this single scene became the most replicated, referenced, and remixed moment in TikTok history. Wednesday Addams dancing to The Cramps' "Goo Goo Muck" wasn't just a scene—it was a cultural event. Let me break down why.

The Scene Itself

The Setup: The Rave'N Dance at Nevermore Academy. Wednesday attends reluctantly (of course), dressed in her signature black while everyone else wears color. She looks like she'd rather be anywhere else—until the music changes.

The Music: "Goo Goo Muck" by The Cramps (1981)—a goth-punk classic I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't know before this scene. Now it's in my permanent rotation.

The Choreography: Jerky, unconventional, deliberately awkward movements that somehow look incredibly cool. Wednesday doesn't dance like everyone else—she dances like Wednesday. That's the whole point.

The Duration: About 45 seconds of actual dancing, but it feels both eternal and too short. I've watched it probably 200 times.

Jenna Ortega's Contribution

Here's what makes this scene even more impressive: Jenna Ortega choreographed it herself. No professional choreographer. Just Jenna, her character knowledge, and her research.

• She created the routine in about a week
• Drew inspiration from 80s goth club dancing, Lisa Loring (the original Wednesday), Siouxsie Sioux, and Bob Fosse
• Wanted movements that looked "almost painful" and unnatural
• Performed it while sick with COVID (though she didn't know it at the time—which explains the slightly feverish intensity)

The choreography works because it's entirely character-driven. Wednesday wouldn't do trendy moves. She does whatever unsettles people the most while still being undeniably cool. That's Jenna understanding her character on a molecular level.

The TikTok Explosion

• The #wednesdaydance hashtag accumulated over 1.5 billion views. BILLION.
• "Goo Goo Muck" re-entered charts 41 years after release
• The Cramps saw a 9,000%+ streaming increase (a band whose frontman died in 2009 got a new generation of fans)
• Countless celebrities, athletes, and regular users recreated the dance

Why It Went Viral (my analysis): 1. Accessible: The moves aren't technically difficult—anyone can try 2. Distinctive: Immediately recognizable from the first arm movement 3. Character-Specific: You're not just dancing—you're BEING Wednesday 4. Flexible: Works with tons of different songs (people proved this) 5. Halloween-Ready: Perfect for the spooky season crowd year-round

Lasting Impact

The Wednesday dance changed things:

For Netflix: Demonstrated social media's power to boost shows. The dance drove viewership more than traditional marketing.

For The Cramps: A new generation discovered their music. "Goo Goo Muck" became a gateway to goth rock.

For Choreography: Proved that character-driven movement matters more than technical perfection.

For Jenna Ortega: Cemented her as a creative force, not just an actress following direction.

For TV Dance Scenes: Raised the bar. Future shows will try to replicate this moment—few will succeed.

How to Do the Dance

Want to try it yourself? Key elements:

1. The Arms: Rigid, angular movements. Think robot meets zombie.
2. The Legs: Stomping, not gliding. Each step is deliberate.
3. The Expression: Dead-eyed. Absolutely no smile.
4. The Head: Sharp turns. Stare at nothing.
5. The Attitude: You're not trying to look cool. You ARE cool. There's a difference.

The secret is commitment. Half-hearted attempts look silly. Full commitment looks iconic.