You’ve seen it. Even if you haven’t watched the show, you’ve definitely seen the TikToks. A group of wealthy-looking people in formal wear, standing on a beach, doing a strangely synchronized, slightly awkward, but undeniably hypnotic dance.
The Meghan Trainor Criminals dance became the defining viral moment of late 2024 and throughout 2025, thanks to its placement in the opening credits of the Netflix hit The Perfect Couple. It’s one of those rare instances where a TV intro doesn't just get skipped—it gets studied.
The Story Behind the Sequence
It wasn't supposed to be this big. Honestly, some of the cast members were reportedly hesitant about the idea. Director Susanne Bier wanted something that broke the tension of a murder mystery. She chose Meghan Trainor’s song "Criminals" from her Timeless (Deluxe) album, and the rest is history.
The choreography was handled by Charm La’Donna, who is basically the secret weapon behind most of Meghan Trainor’s iconic moves (think "Made You Look"). La’Donna had a tall task: make a dance that looks like "rich people having a weirdly good time" while also being simple enough for a global audience to copy on social media.
The lyrics—"Call us criminals, criminals"—layered over a cast of suspects dancing in the sand? It’s meta. It’s camp. It’s exactly what the internet loves to dissect.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
Breaking Down the Moves
If you’re trying to learn it, you aren't alone. Thousands of creators have posted tutorials, and Meghan herself has been performing the "Criminals" choreography on her Timeless Tour.
The dance isn't about being a professional. It’s about the "points."
- The Pointing Phase: The routine starts with sharp, rhythmic pointing. You’re basically pointing at the "criminals" in the room—yourself, your friends, the camera.
- The Slide and Cross: There’s a distinctive side-step and arm-cross movement that feels very 1960s-meets-TikTok.
- The Circle: You’ve got the hand circles over the head, which give it that "bubblegum pop" flair Meghan is known for.
- The Lean: Four distinct leans (right, left, right, left) that look easy but require a bit of rhythm to keep up with the beat.
It’s approachable. That’s why it worked. You don't need to be a backup dancer to look decent doing it in your living room.
Why the "Criminals" Dance Went Viral
Google and TikTok search trends for the Meghan Trainor Criminals dance spiked because the song is a "sonic earworm." Released officially on the deluxe version of Timeless in August 2024, the track blends doo-wop influences with a modern, heavy bassline.
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Interestingly, many fans didn't even realize it was a Meghan Trainor song at first. The vibe of The Perfect Couple—all old money and Nantucket secrets—seemed to clash with Meghan’s bright brand. But that contrast is exactly why it grabbed people. It felt "jarring," as some critics put it, but in a way that you couldn't look away from.
The "DC" (dance credit) to Charm La’Donna became a staple in TikTok captions. By 2025, the song had moved beyond the show and became a standard at weddings and parties. It’s the "Macarena" of the streaming era.
Common Misconceptions About the Song
People often think "Criminals" was written specifically for the Netflix show. It wasn't. It was part of the Timeless sessions, co-written by Meghan, Tyler Johnson, and Josh Kear. The music supervisor for the show found it and realized the lyrics fit the plot of "everyone has a secret" perfectly.
Another myth is that the cast hated it. While some actors, like Liev Schreiber and Nicole Kidman, were initially skeptical of doing a dance number for a dark mystery, they eventually leaned into it. Schreiber even mentioned in interviews that once the music started, it was hard not to get into the groove.
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
How to Master the Trend
If you're looking to record your own version, keep these things in mind:
- The Background Matters: The original was on a beach. If you can’t get to a beach, find a contrast—do it in a grocery store or a library. The "unexpected" factor helps with the algorithm.
- Facial Expressions: The cast of The Perfect Couple stayed mostly deadpan or had "creepy" smiles. That’s the secret sauce. Don't just dance; act like you’re hiding a body.
- The "Point" Timing: The points happen exactly on the "Call us criminals" beat. If you miss that, the whole thing feels off.
Actionable Next Steps
To really nail the Meghan Trainor Criminals dance, start by watching the official Netflix intro several times to catch the specific arm angles. Then, look up Charm La’Donna’s original rehearsal footage if you can find it—she adds a certain "snap" to the movements that isn't as obvious in the actors' version. Finally, record your version using the "Criminals" audio on TikTok to ensure your video is grouped with the trending content.
Study the "point-point-slide" sequence. It’s the core of the routine. Once you have that down, the rest is just filling in the gaps with attitude.