Flip into the high-flying action of cheerleading where spirit and stunts captivate audiences.
From fierce competitions to the dynamics of a squad, these picks showcase the true athleticism and drama of cheerleading.
Eager to discover which cheerleading movies, shows, and documentaries will have you chanting for an encore?
Best Cheerleading Movies, Shows, and Documentaries:
- Bring It On (2000)
- Fired Up! (2009)
- Sugar & Spice (2001)
- But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
- Man of the House (2005)
- Cheerleader Camp (1988)
- The Replacements (2000)
- The Swinging Cheerleaders (1974)
- Cheer Squad Secrets (2020)
- Cheerleader Generation (2019) – TV Series
Table of Contents
#1 Bring It On (2000)
- 🎬 Directed by: Peyton Reed
- 🌟 Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford, Gabrielle Union
“Bring It On” is a teen comedy that delves into the competitive world of high school cheerleading. The story follows Torrance Shipman (Kirsten Dunst) as she takes on the role of captain for her school’s cheerleading squad, the Toros. When she discovers their previous routines were stolen from another team, the Clovers, led by Isis (Gabrielle Union), Torrance faces a moral dilemma and the challenge of creating an original routine.
The movie became a cult classic and sparked several sequels for its spirited portrayal of cheer culture, fierce competition, and comedic moments.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#2 Fired Up! (2009)
- 🎬 Directed by: Will Gluck
- 🌟 Starring: Nicholas D’Agosto, Eric Christian Olsen, Sarah Roemer
“Fired Up!” is a comedy about two high school football players, Shawn Colfax (Nicholas D’Agosto) and Nick Brady (Eric Christian Olsen), who decide to ditch football camp in favor of joining their school’s cheerleading squad, with the ulterior motive of surrounding themselves with girls. Their plan takes a turn as they become more involved in cheerleading than they anticipated, leading to both humorous and heartwarming moments.
The movie plays on typical teen film tropes with a satirical edge, focusing on themes of friendship, identity, and passion.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#3 Sugar & Spice (2001)
- 🎬 Directed by: Francine McDougall
- 🌟 Starring: Marla Sokoloff, Marley Shelton, Melissa George
“Sugar & Spice” is a dark comedy that follows a group of cheerleaders who decide to rob a bank when one of their own becomes pregnant and needs financial support. The film satirizes the American dream and teen movie genres, portraying the lengths to which the all-American girls will go for their friends.
Featuring a talented cast and a blend of crime with humor, “Sugar & Spice” takes viewers on a unique and entertaining ride through the extremes of high school friendship and cheerleading.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#4 But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
- 🎬 Directed by: Jamie Babbit
- 🌟 Starring: Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, RuPaul, Melanie Lynskey
“But I’m a Cheerleader” is an LGBTQ+ satirical romantic comedy. The movie centers on Megan Bloomfield (Natasha Lyonne), a high school cheerleader whose parents send her to a conversion therapy camp to cure her lesbian tendencies. While there, Megan comes to terms with her sexual orientation and falls in love with another girl.
The film deals with themes of identity, self-acceptance, and the absurdity of conversion therapy, all while bringing a comedic and empathetic touch to its storytelling.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#5 Man of the House (2005)
- 🎬 Directed by: Stephen Herek
- 🌟 Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Cedric the Entertainer, Christina Milian
“Man of the House” is an action-comedy film featuring Tommy Lee Jones as Texas Ranger Roland Sharp, who is assigned to protect a group of cheerleaders who have witnessed a murder. The clash of Sharp’s no-nonsense attitude with the cheerleaders’ peppy and carefree personalities provides comedic situations as he poses as their assistant coach.
Throughout the film, he forms an unexpected bond with the girls, and together they navigate through the challenges of the situation.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#6 Cheerleader Camp (1988)
- 🎬 Directed by: John Quinn
- 🌟 Starring: Betsy Russell, Leif Garrett, Lucinda Dickey
“Cheerleader Camp,” also known as “Bloody Pom Poms,” is a horror thriller that focuses on a cheerleader with a troubled past who attends a cheer camp with her squad. When members of the group start dying in gruesome ways, paranoia and fear set in as they try to uncover the killer among them.
The film blends elements of slasher horror with the aesthetics of cheerleading, creating a suspenseful and darkly comedic tone.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#7 The Replacements (2000)
- 🎬 Directed by: Howard Deutch
- 🌟 Starring: Keanu Reeves, Gene Hackman, Brooke Langton
“The Replacements” is a sports comedy that features Keanu Reeves as Shane Falco, a washed-up quarterback who is given a second chance when he is recruited during a pro football strike. Cheerleaders also play a role in the film, particularly Annabelle Farrell (Brooke Langton), the team’s head cheerleader who works to inspire the ragtag replacement players and develops a connection with Falco.
The film is about overcoming odds, teamwork, and finding redemption.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#8 The Swinging Cheerleaders (1974)
- 🎬 Directed by: Jack Hill
- 🌟 Starring: Jo Johnston, Cheryl Smith, Colleen Camp
“The Swinging Cheerleaders” is an exploitation film that follows a college student and feminist journalist, Kate (Jo Johnston), who goes undercover as a cheerleader to write an exposé on female exploitation. However, she becomes drawn into the lives of her fellow cheerleaders and starts to see the complexities of their situations.
The film mixes elements of drama, comedy, and social commentary, typical of the genre’s exploration of controversial topics during the 1970s.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#9 Cheer Squad Secrets (2020)
- 🎬 Directed by: Lifetime Television (Network), specifics may vary
“Cheer Squad Secrets” is a Lifetime thriller about a concerned mother who suspects a team member may be sabotaging her daughter’s chances to make the top cheer squad. As she uncovers the truth, she realizes how far some people will go for success.
The film deals with the dark side of competitive sports and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their ambitions.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#10 Cheerleader Generation (2019) – TV Series
- 🎬 Directed by: Lifetime Television (Network), specifics may vary
- 🌟 Starring: Donna Martin, Ryan O’Connor
“Cheerleader Generation” is a reality TV series airing on Lifetime that follows the lives of two competitive cheerleading coaches who happen to be mother and daughter. Donna Martin leads her high school team in Kentucky, while her daughter Ryan O’Connor coaches at the collegiate level.
The show provides a window into the dynamics of cheerleading as a competitive sport, the personal lives of the coaches and athletes, and the generational impact of the sport within a family.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
FAQ
What is the best Cheerleading movie of all time?
“Bring It On” (2000) is the best Cheerleading movie of all time, credited with injecting a fresh, comedic take on competitive cheerleading and teen rivalry.
What are some good Cheerleading movies?
“Bring It On All or Nothing” (2006), “Fired Up!” (2009), and “Sugar & Spice” (2001) are good Cheerleading movies, each with their unique spin on cheer culture.
What Cheerleading movies, shows, and documentaries are on Netflix?
The best Cheerleading movies, shows, and documentaries on Netflix currently are “Cheer” (2020), a docuseries showcasing the competitive world of cheerleading, and “Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack” (2017).
