But I'm a Cheerleader

Play trailer

1:41

But I'm a Cheerleader

R

1999

1h 21m

Comedy

Drama

LGBTQ+

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

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.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

Jun 25

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

Go to Full Review

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Natalie D.

@rueyouowememoney Feb 14

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

See more

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Lily J.

@l3sbian Nov 8

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

See more

VITALII H

@freakynickison Nov 3

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.

See more

Zach L

@RT56204752 Sep 27

It's fun and silly and cute and heartwarming!

See more

MaryAnn M.

@MWAMD Sep 19

Campy and fun. Food for thought wrapped in a comedy

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Jamie Babbit

Director

Natasha Lyonne

Megan

Cathy Moriarty

Mary

Bud Cort

Peter

Mink Stole

Megan's Mom

RuPaul

Mike

View more videos

Get Real

79%

84%

Get Real

Watchlist

The Opposite of Sex

81%

60%

The Opposite of Sex

Watchlist

Your Friends & Neighbors

76%

64%

Your Friends & Neighbors

Watchlist

Transamerica

77%

83%

Transamerica

Watchlist

Boys on the Side

73%

69%

Boys on the Side

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

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

But I'm a Cheerleader: Trailer 1

1:41

View more videos

View more photos

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