But I'm a Cheerleader

R

Now Playing

1 hr. 21 min.

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

List

42%

90 Reviews

Tomatometer

75%

25,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Jeff M

This is an entertaining movie that unfortunately suffers from lack of a consistent tone. It's neither outrageous enough to be an AIRPLANE! type satire nor dark enough to achieve the level of something like HEATHERS. And by the end, it loses all steam and actually turns into a cookie cutter romantic comedy. That's too bad, because in the right hands, this could have been something fiercely funny and irreverent, especially considering recent releases of films like BOY ERASED and THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST. The film does manage to create quite a surreal world filled with pastel colors and madcap characters - the look of it almost reminded me of something like EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. If only the filmmakers had decided what they wanted to convey, this would have been a recommendation. Unfortunately, sometimes it feels like they're just making it up as they go along.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Laura D

This movie is very odd and at times generic with overplayed stereotypes, but the dramatic in your face symbolism is definitely noteworthy.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

10/21/23

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PridePosterStudios

1, 2, 3, 4, straight RuPaul says don’t explore 🙀

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

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Scuba S

Andre Charles is in it

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

09/07/23

Full Review

Brendan K

Of course the stupid critics gave this a rotten rating.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 21 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Strong Language, and Sexual Content Involving Teens, ages 17 and older!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring RuPaul as a straight volunteer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/24/23

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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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

Jami Bernard

New York Daily News

First-time feature director Jamie Babbit's pink-drenched comedy is amusing and good-natured, but necessarily thin.

Rated: 2.5/4

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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Michael Burns, Marc Butan, Andy Kaplan, Donald Kushner, Alexis Magagni-Seely
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
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround

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