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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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

04/30/2024

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.

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Paul Tatara

CNN.com

03/31/2019

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

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

03/31/2019

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.

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Jeff Beck

The Blu Spot

Sep 30

2.5/5

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.

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

06/25/2025

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

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Wayne Broadway

Black Girl Nerds

06/16/2023

3/5

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.

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Dana

Jun 29

First time watching on the big screen and woah was that so worth it.

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Isabella

Jun 13

Please do more lesbian movies, amazing 10/10!

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Dani T

@RT26777647 Jul 1

I loved this movie. The bold colors and camp is what makes it what it is. Watch this movie for a good time.

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Greg B

Jun 27

Cult classic satire! What a fun film about the evils of a gay conversion camp. Ru Paul, Natasha, Clea are all amazing I this film! You can tell everyone had fun making this. Director Jamie Babbit and Produced Andrea Sperling were ahead of their time for this queer masterpiece!

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Natalie D.

@rueyouowememoney Feb 14

Amazing movie I love its representation, Megan is so fine she needs to marry me ASAP no rocky

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 11

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

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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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Know Your Critic: Sharronda Williams, Founder of Pay or Wait

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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