But I'm a Cheerleader

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But I'm a Cheerleader

R

Released Sep 12, 1999

1h 21m

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

43%

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91 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

Full Review

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

Full Review

Allyson Johnson

Cambridge Day

The film is infused with high-octane energy, larger-than-life humor and a cheeky John Waters aesthetic.

Mar 21, 2022

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Jack Hawkins

HeyUGuys

This new release has been given a great Blu-ray transfer, but this 90's teen comedy remains a vanilla pantomime.

Rated: 2/5

Jun 28, 2021

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Tonya K

Great movie and the exploration of the themes in the movie were actually done pretty well which shocked me they did it so well

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

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Jaiden R

This was one of the best movies i've ever seen. I cried twice watching it and also discovered the band April March. (They made the song "Chick Habit which plays at the beginning of the movie)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/14/24

Full Review

Marnie B

People who hate this movie are lame. Maybe you didn't like it because it wasn't made for you? Wow you're not the target audience for once, shocker! Just say you're boring and filled with spite. I'm sorry you can't relate with beautiful, lovely, funny things and haven't experienced love and boundless whimsy. Keep rotting in your mother's basement you unlovable virgin. I'm gonna go french kiss a woman, something you can only dream of.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/25/24

Full Review

James E

A cute movie with sweet messages, but it could use some better filmography or lighting

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/17/24

Full Review

Ella H

That was such a weird movie. I liked the message. But so oddly delivered

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/15/24

Full Review

Johann D. M

🏳️‍🌈 This satirical comedy follows a naive teenager sent to a residential in-patient conversion therapy camp when her strait-laced parents and friends suspect her of being a lesbian. An entertaining movie that also acts as a humorous social commentary about the uselessness of therapy camps, discrediting them and raising awareness about them. The use of the colour palette is very smart and the cast is quite charming, even though their characters may seem a bit stereotypical. The bright aesthetic is generally delightful, the humour is great and its screenplay is quite impressive for its day, as it is a very original idea.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/19/24

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

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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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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: Ignite Entertainment, Kushner-Locke International, HKM Films, 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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