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- Netflix's Cheer Is the Tip of the Iceberg When It Comes to Cheerleading Movies and TV
Netflix's Cheer Is the Tip of the Iceberg When It Comes to Cheerleading Movies and TV
by
amanda prahl
Everett Collection / ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
The Netflix docuseries Cheer follows the ups and downs of a real-life elite cheer squad, adding a touch of reality to a genre that’s already super popular in fiction. While some movies and TV shows have had cheerleaders as major characters or plot points, there are also a handful that actually focus on the sport of cheer as the main event. If Cheer has you ready to rewatch some of the best cheerleading movies and TV shows – or hoping to discover some new favourites – we’ve got you covered! Keep reading for our favourite cheerleading movies and TV shows, from the total classics to childhood faves and more.
Everett Collection / Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Bring It On
It’s the gold standard for cheerleading movies. The rivalry between two cheer squads kicks into high gear when one of them discovers their routines were stolen by a former captain from a different squad, and now they’re out to take back their crown.
Everett Collection / Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Bring It On: All or Nothing
The Bring It On franchise has churned out a seemingly infinite number of spinoffs and sequels, but this one, starring Hayden Panettiere, is probably the most memorable. Panettiere plays a cheerleader who transfers to a new school and is recruited to join their cheer squad, but struggles to meet their high standards as they prepare to face off against her old team.
Everett Collection / Screen Gems/Courtesy Everett Collection
Fired Up!
A pair of high school football players are bored by the idea of yet another summer football camp, so they get a bright idea: try out for cheer camp so they can hang out with cheerleaders instead. Raunchy hijinks ensue, but they get a lot more than they bargained for when they arrive, discovering that cheer isn’t just about short costumes and chants.
Everett Collection / Lions Gate/Courtesy Everett Collection
But I'm a Cheerleader
Cheerleading is a backdrop for this dark, satirical comedy that tells the story of a popular cheerleader whose parents think she’s a lesbian and send her to conversion camp. Instead, the camp actually opens her eyes to her sexuality, thanks to a rebellious lesbian she meets there.
Everett Collection / New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection
Sugar & Spice
Sugar & Spice is about cheerleading . . . but also about bank robbery. The 2001 teen film is a cult hit, residing in the same dark comedy vein as Jawbreaker and Drop Dead Gorgeous. You won’t see a ton of stunts, but you will get some clever dialogue and debunked myths about cheerleaders.
Everett Collection / Disney Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection
Gotta Kick It Up
A largely Latina cheer squad gets a new coach in the form of a Juilliard-trained former dancer turned biology teacher. The very different experiences and styles of the coach and her students lead to conflict, and they have to work together to lift the squad up and ensure its future.
Everett Collection / CW Network/Courtesy Everett Collection
Hellcats
The short-lived CW comedy followed a college student who loses her scholarship and tries out for the university’s cheer team to make ends meet instead. Once she’s on the team, she dives headfirst into the hilarious, high-stakes world of competitive cheer and her new teammates’ drama.