But I'm a Cheerleader

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1:41

But I'm a Cheerleader

R

1999

1h 21m

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

43%

Tomatometer

92 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

Megan (Natasha Lyonne) considers herself a typical American girl. She excels in school and cheerleading, and she has a handsome football-playing boyfriend, even though she isn't that crazy about him. So she's stunned when her parents decide she's gay and send her to True Directions, a boot camp meant to alter her sexual orientation. While there, Megan meets a rebellious and unashamed teen lesbian, Graham (Clea DuVall). Though Megan still feels confused, she starts to have feelings for Graham.

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Critics Consensus

Too broad to make any real statements, But I'm a Cheerleader isn't as sharp as it should be, but a charming cast and surprisingly emotional center may bring enough pep for viewers looking for a light social satire.

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Riese Bernard

Autostraddle

The film manages to take these dark feelings of shame and confusion, of family rejection and religious persecution and betrayal, and make it funny and cool and even a little romantic.

Apr 30, 2024

Full Review

Paul Tatara

CNN.com

But I'm a Cheerleader is a smug little comedy that tries to mock other people's self-righteousness while ignoring its own.

Mar 31, 2019

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

I would have preferred to know more in documentary terms about the actual reality of these terrible camps, rather than sit through this heavy-handed and oddly lenient comedy.

Mar 31, 2019

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

But I'm a Cheerleader is an admirable attempt to tell the touching story of a young woman discovering her true sexual identity & potentially her true mate at the same time, but sadly it ends up being greatly hindered by rather poor execution.

Rated: 2.5/5

Sep 30, 2025

Full Review

Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

But I’m a Cheerleader insists on being big and weird and fake and sexual and joyfully itself.

Jun 25, 2025

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Wayne Broadway

Black Girl Nerds

1999’s 'But I’m a Cheerleader' had all the potential to be a devastating drama. With just a little tweaking here and there, the film’s campy, satirical edge could have been blunted into something more dire and harder to watch.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 16, 2023

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 02 seconds!!!!!!!! Rated R for Sexual Content/Nudity and Language Throughout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 1999-2025 by Lionsgate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/12/25

Full Review

Lily J.

my favorite movie of all time. i love love love it. could watch it a million times over and i have.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/08/25

Full Review

VITALII H

Megan got sent to a special facility, by her parents, that’s supposed to make her straight. In the so called school she fells in love with another girl and the whole movie is about the students that “professors” are trying to “fix”. The movie is funny, campy and has a message. The only cure for homosexuality is to just pretend that there is one. There is no big budget or production behind this film but considering the fact that it was released in 1999 it’s decent. It’s about figuring yourself out and dealing with your sexuality. I didn’t know what when movie’s gonna be about, when I found out I was really thrilled. Ahead of it’s time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/03/25

Full Review

Zach L

It's fun and silly and cute and heartwarming!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/27/25

Full Review

MaryAnn M.

Campy and fun. Food for thought wrapped in a comedy

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

Full Review

jolin t

Incredibly sweet and funny!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

Full Review

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Jamie Babbit

Director

Natasha Lyonne

Megan

Cathy Moriarty

Mary

Bud Cort

Peter

Mink Stole

Megan's Mom

RuPaul

Mike

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - Family Therapy

1:31

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - Kissing and Dreaming

1:30

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - Rediscovering Your Gender Identity

1:56

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - I Love You

2:05

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - Foreplay is For Sissies

2:44

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - The Intervention

1:47

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - The Final Test

3:01

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - Never Felt That Way Before

2:47

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - True Directions

2:54

But I'm a Cheerleader: Official Clip - Reporting Roots

1:19

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But I'm a Cheerleader: Trailer 1

1:41

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Synopsis

Megan (Natasha Lyonne) considers herself a typical American girl. She excels in school and cheerleading, and she has a handsome football-playing boyfriend, even though she isn't that crazy about him. So she's stunned when her parents decide she's gay and send her to True Directions, a boot camp meant to alter her sexual orientation. While there, Megan meets a rebellious and unashamed teen lesbian, Graham (Clea DuVall). Though Megan still feels confused, she starts to have feelings for Graham.

Director: Jamie Babbit
Producer: Leanna Creel, Andrea Sperling
Screenwriter: Jamie Babbit, Brian Wayne Peterson
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Kushner-Locke International, HKM Films, Ignite Entertainment, Cheerleader LLC
Rating: R (Strong Language|Sexual Content Involving Teens)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 1999, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 5, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.2M
Runtime: 1h 21m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround

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