The Wednesday Dance became one of 2022’s most viral moments, with Jenna Ortega’s gothic dance sequence from Netflix’s Wednesday sparking a global TikTok phenomenon. The unconventional choreography inspired millions of recreations and cemented Wednesday as a cultural phenomenon.

The Scene

In Episode 4 (“Woe What a Night”), Wednesday Addams attends Nevermore Academy’s Rave’N dance. Wearing a vintage white ball gown, she performs a distinctive, jerky dance alone on the floor to The Cramps’ “Goo Goo Muck.”

The Choreography

Jenna Ortega choreographed the dance herself, drawing inspiration from:

• Siouxsie Sioux: Goth icon’s movements
• Lisa Loring: Original Wednesday actress
• Tim Burton films: Quirky, mechanical movements
• 1980s goth club culture: Post-punk aesthetics
• Bob Fosse: Angular, precise choreography

The result: A deliberately awkward, robotic, yet mesmerizing performance that perfectly captured Wednesday’s character—participating but on her own terms.

Viral Explosion

Within days of Wednesday’s November 23, 2022 release:

• Millions of TikTok recreations
• Celebrity versions (Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, others)
• Professional dancers’ interpretations
• Group synchronized performances
• School assemblies and events featuring it

The #WednesdayDance hashtag accumulated 4+ billion views within weeks.

Why It Worked

The dance went viral because:

• Accessibility: Simple enough for anyone to attempt
• Character-driven: Perfectly Wednesday Addams
• Song choice: “Goo Goo Muck” became a streaming hit
• Nostalgia: Tapped into goth/alternative aesthetics
• Timing: Released perfect for holiday season

Jenna Ortega’s Story

Ortega revealed she:

• Choreographed it the night before filming
• Had COVID during filming (later controversy)
• Drew no inspiration from other dance scenes
• Wanted something weird and authentic to Wednesday

Her creative ownership made the moment even more impressive to fans.

Cultural Impact

The dance:

• Made Wednesday Addams relevant to Gen Z
• Revived The Cramps’ catalog (streaming surge)
• Inspired goth aesthetic renaissance
• Became a Halloween 2023 staple
• Established Jenna Ortega as a major star

The Costume

Wednesday’s white vintage gown (by Colleen Atwood) became:

• Instant Halloween costume trend
• Etsy/Amazon bestseller
• Fashion inspiration
• Prom dress influencer

Show Success

Wednesday became Netflix’s third-most-watched series ever:

• 1.02 billion hours viewed in first 28 days
• #1 in 93 countries
• Highest premiere week for an English-language series
• Renewed for Season 2 in January 2023

The dance was credited as a major factor in the show’s viral success.

Music Boost

“Goo Goo Muck” (1981) by The Cramps experienced:

• 10,000%+ streaming increase
• Chart appearances decades after release
• Introduction to Gen Z audience
• Renewed interest in psychobilly and goth rock

Fashion Influence

The scene sparked:

• Goth fashion renaissance
• Romantic goth aesthetic
• Vintage white gown trend
• Dark academia crossover appeal

Comparative Moments

The Wednesday Dance joined rare pop culture dance moments:

• “Thriller” (Michael Jackson, 1983)
• “Single Ladies” (Beyoncé, 2008)
• “Gangnam Style” (PSY, 2012)
• “Renegade” (TikTok, 2020)

Jenna Ortega’s Star Power

The dance cemented Ortega’s status as:

• Gen Z icon
• Scream Queen successor
• Creative force (not just actress)
• Fashion influencer
• Authentic alternative representation

Legacy

By late 2022, the Wednesday Dance had:

• Defined Gen Z’s relationship with goth culture
• Made traditional network choreography feel dated
• Showed Netflix’s cultural dominance
• Proved authenticity matters more than polish

The dance’s enduring popularity suggested it would become a permanent part of pop culture dance history—awkward, gothic, and gloriously Wednesday.

Sources:

• Netflix viewership data
• TikTok analytics (#WednesdayDance 4B+ views)
• Jenna Ortega interviews (Entertainment Weekly, Variety)
• Spotify streaming data for “Goo Goo Muck”
• Costume designer Colleen Atwood interviews