# Fortnite Dances > Fortnite Dances are 2017 dance emotes from the battle royale game that became viral real-life trends when celebrities, athletes, and TikTokers performed signature moves like the Floss. Iconic dance emotes from the video game Fortnite Battle Royale that became cultural trends when players recreated them in real life. Dances like the 'Floss' became mainstream memes with celebrities, athletes, and non-gamers performing them despite the game's declining popularity among younger audiences. ## Origin Fortnite's emote system allowed players to purchase cosmetic dance moves. The 'Floss' dance, inspired by a 2010 viral dance move, became the first breakout emote when players started recreating it outside the game, particularly on social media platforms. - **Platform:** Fortnite Battle Royale - **Creator:** Epic Games - **Date:** 2018 ## Overview Fortnite Dances, also called Dance Emotes, are the short choreographed animations that players trigger to make their in-game character bust a move after a kill or between rounds in Epic Games' Fortnite[3]. Players earn them through Battle Pass progression or buy them from the in-game item shop for V-Bucks, and the catalogue spans a default hip-shaking boogie, moves lifted from music videos, and one-off entries born from community contests[4]. The dances turned into a wider joke because they escaped the game. Kids started doing them at school, on football pitches, and in front of every phone camera, and YouTube filled up with clips of people and fictional characters performing the emotes in absurd settings[3]. That crossover, plus the game's peak audience of tens of millions, is why the emotes became shorthand for late-2010s kid culture and later dragged Epic into a string of copyright fights[5]. ## How It Spread Fortnite Dances exploded in popularity during 2018-2019 when mainstream celebrities and athletes began performing them. The Floss dance appeared at award shows, sports games, and music events, with notable celebrities like Drake, LeBron James, and countless athletes participating. This mainstream crossover made the dances cultural events beyond gaming circles. The meme represented a unique moment where gaming culture achieved mainstream acceptance through physical, reproducible dance movements. Parents, athletes, and celebrities learned dances from a video game, leading to countless TikTok videos, YouTube challenges, and merchandise. Other notable dances from Fortnite gained recognition including 'Dabbing,' 'Electro Shuffle,' and 'Orange Justice.' However, as Fortnite's player base shifted and the game's cultural dominance waned around 2020-2022, interest in the dances declined. The meme represents a specific era of gaming's mainstream cultural penetration that has not fully repeated with subsequent gaming titles. ## How to Use In-game, players trigger a Fortnite Dance from an emote wheel bound to a controller button or key, most commonly to taunt an opponent after a kill or to goof around in the pre-match lobby[3]. Outside the game, "doing a Fortnite dance" typically describes any kid mimicking the moves in real life, an image that turned into its own running joke on social media and in playground insults[6]. To collect new dances, players unlock them through Battle Pass tiers each season or buy them individually from the rotating item shop[4]. ## Cultural Impact The dances got common enough in schools and on YouTube that Urban Dictionary entries started treating "Fortnite Dances" as a punchline about young Fortnite players[6]. The 2 Milly filing was followed by similar suits from other performers whose moves showed up as emotes, and while most cases eventually stalled or settled, they sparked a wider argument about who owns a viral dance move once it goes global[5]. ## Fun Facts - The Floss dance became so pervasive that it was performed at the 2019 Academy Awards - LeBron James performed multiple Fortnite dances during NBA games, introducing them to mainstream sports audiences - Controversy emerged regarding whether Epic Games compensated the original creators of dance moves they licensed - Merchandise featuring Fortnite dance animations sold millions of units globally - The success of dance emotes inspired other games to implement similar cosmetic dance systems - The Fortnite Dances meme has been shared millions of times across social media - You can create your own Fortnite Dances meme using free tools like Imgflip - Fortnite Dances first appeared in 2018 - The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators - Brands and marketers have used Fortnite Dances in their campaigns - The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Fortnite Dances? Fortnite Dances iconic dance emotes from the video game Fortnite Battle Royale that became cultural things when players recreated them in real life. ### What does Fortnite Dances mean? Fortnite Dances are emote animations available as cosmetic purchases in Fortnite Battle Royale that players perform after eliminating opponents or during matches. These dances achieved cultural status when the gaming community and mainstream audiences began recreating them in real life, often without playing the game. ### Where did Fortnite Dances come from? Fortnite Dances originated on Fortnite Battle Royale around 2018. Fortnite Battle Royale's free-to-play model and emphasis on cosmetic purchases created a robust economy for dance emotes. ### How do you use Fortnite Dances? Fortnite Dances are used by recreating them in videos, photos, or in person at events. People perform them to celebrate achievements, participate in social media challenges, or simply reference the meme. ### Is Fortnite Dances still popular in 2026? Fortnite Dances has slowed down from its peak but still gets shared occasionally. Meme trends come and go in waves. ### Who created Fortnite Dances? Epic Games created Fortnite Dances. Fortnite Battle Royale's free-to-play model and emphasis on cosmetic purchases created a robust economy for dance emotes. The Floss dance, inspired by a pre-existing viral dance move, became the first to achieve mainstream cultural penetration when prominent athletes and celebrities began performing it publicly at major events. ### When did Fortnite Dances start? Fortnite Dances first appeared around 2018 on Fortnite Battle Royale. Fortnite Battle Royale's free-to-play model and emphasis on cosmetic purchases created a robust economy for dance emotes. The Floss dance, inspired by a pre-existing viral dance move, became the first to achieve mainstream cultural penetration when prominent athletes and celebrities began performing it publicly at major events. ### What platform did Fortnite Dances originate on? Fortnite Dances originated on Fortnite Battle Royale around 2018. Fortnite Dances are emote animations available as cosmetic purchases in Fortnite Battle Royale that players perform after eliminating opponents or during matches. ### What are the best examples of Fortnite Dances? The best examples of Fortnite Dances showcase its core format at its most effective. Notable variations include Floss Dance (the most iconic Fortnite dance), Dab Challenge (performing the dabbing emote), Electro Shuffle (futuristic dance variation). ### What memes are similar to Fortnite Dances? Memes similar to Fortnite Dances include Baby Yoda, Ok Hand Sign, Cash Me Outside, Get Out Sunken Place. These share a similar format, humor style, or cultural context. ### Is Fortnite Dances dead? Fortnite Dances has slowed down from its peak popularity, but it still gets used occasionally. Older memes tend to resurface in waves. ### Has Fortnite Dances been used by celebrities or brands? Various brands and public figures have referenced Fortnite Dances in their social media and marketing. Memes with broad recognition like this one often get picked up for commercial use. ### Can I buy Fortnite Dances merchandise? Yes, Fortnite Dances merchandise is available on platforms like Redbubble, Amazon, and Etsy. You can find t shirts, stickers, mugs, phone cases, and other items featuring the meme. ### Where can I find the Fortnite Dances template? Templates and references for Fortnite Dances are available on sites like Imgflip and Know Your Meme. Search for the meme name to find usable versions. ### How do I make my own Fortnite Dances? Fortnite Dances are used by recreating them in videos, photos, or in person at events. People perform them to celebrate achievements, participate in social media challenges, or simply reference the meme. ### Did Fortnite Dances inspire any other memes? Yes, Fortnite Dances inspired several variations and spinoffs, including Floss Dance (the most iconic Fortnite dance), Dab Challenge (performing the dabbing emote), Electro Shuffle (futuristic dance variation), Orange Justice (community-voted dance). ### Is Fortnite Dances copyrighted? Most memes exist in a legal gray area. The original image or video may have copyright protection, but meme formats are generally treated as fair use. That said, this is not legal advice. ## References 1. [Fortnite Dances, Wikipedia]() 2. [Fortnite Dances on Reddit]() 3. [Fortnite Dances, Know Your Meme]() 4. [Google Trends: Fortnite Dances]() 5. [Fortnite Dances Meme Explained, YouTube]() 6. [Fortnite Dances on X/Twitter]() 7. [Fortnite Dances Meme Templates, Imgflip]() 8. [Fortnite Dances on TikTok]() 9. [Fortnite Dances Meme, Pinterest]() 10. [Fortnite Dances, Memedroid]() 11. [Fortnite Dances, 9GAG]() 12. [pic.twitter.com/FhRbPrDVhJ]() 13. [June 17, 2018]() 14. [#SIMI]() 15. [pic.twitter.com/uONfMubyxp]() 16. [May 2, 2018]() 17. [Fortnite announces early access release, hands-on the unfinished game]() 18. [@Kid_Fortnite12's Tweet]() 19. [‘Fortnite’ Adds Orange Shirt Kid Emote, Fans Celebrate]() 20. [After Mass Fan Outcry, Epic Adds 'Orange Shirt Kid' Dance To Fortnite]() 21. [Rapper 2 Milly Hires Pierce Bainbridge's David L. Hecht to Pursue Claims against Fortnite and Epic Games]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/fortnite-dances Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library