“Best of the Best” is more than just another Netflix dance movie. It combines the hammed-up college competition of “Pitch Perfect” with representation of America’s South Asian diaspora. Directed by Lena Khan, “Best of the Best” has reached Netflix’s Top 10 in multiple countries since its release on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. Critics have also responded positively, with the film currently holding a 79 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and comedian Hasan Minhaj, who also served as a producer and co-wrote the script alongside Prashanth Venkataramanujam.
The movie follows college freshman Maya and Anjali, two childhood best friends who are adjusting to their new life at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Both are quickly interested in UCLA Agni, the school’s Bollywood-fusion dance team. Each girl enters the team with different goals, and ultimately have both their identity and friendship challenged throughout the film.
One of the strongest parts in “Best of the Best” is the dance sequences. They combine Bollywood inspired choreography with hip-hop, creating energetic and visually appealing segments. The movie follows some familiar dance film tropes, with impromptu dance-offs, a tense relationship with a rival team, and devastating losses. To a viewer that perhaps isn’t necessarily familiar with organized dance, the movie is not complex and easy to love.
Another selling point of the film is the strong portrayal of South Asian American culture. Through dance, clothing, and family, the characters have a constant connection to their Indian heritage, despite navigating life in America. Instead of separating Indian dance from modern American culture, it also depicts how South Asian Americans can combine the different styles and influences into one. The dance performances mix traditional Bollywood movements with Western dance compositions, giving each performance its historical and modern significance.
While the movie is strong in many aspects, it often feels predictable, as the story beats are similar to other dance movies. The supporting characters are shallow, usually playing to dance-team tropes. Additionally, the edit frequently cuts during dance scenes which makes it difficult to follow and fully appreciate the choreography.
That being said, the movie is about more than dance. The film centers on the friendship between Maya and Anjali. It delves into the ways in which deep patriarchal standards can damage female friendships, while simultaneously highlighting the sisterhood within those same relationships. Furthermore, like most movies set on college campuses, the dialogue and events aim to be easily understood.
Overall, “Best of the Best” is a lively coming-of-age movie. It explores female friendship and highlights the unique culture that has been formed by the South Asian American community in the United States. While it conforms heavily to many of the tropes of its genre, that does not undercut its value as an enjoyable film.