Common Sense Media Review
1990s satire has language, underage drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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But I'm a Cheerleader
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 65 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious yet heartfelt exploration of identity and acceptance, tackling serious topics like conversion therapy and homophobia while still being lighthearted. Reviewers consistently highlight its positive messages for LGBTQ+ youth, but caution that some sexual content and strong language may require parental discretion for younger viewers.
- humor
- positive messages
- sexual content
- conversion therapy
- LGBTQ+ representation
- age recommendations
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In BUT I'M A CHEERLEADER, high school senior Megan (Natasha Lyonne) is sent to conversion therapy because her parents and friends suspect that she's a lesbian. At True Directions, the campy version of real-life ex-gay ministries where teenagers are forced to "turn straight," she falls in love with fellow camper Graham (Clea DuVall). Meanwhile, True Directions instructors Mike (RuPaul) and Mary (Cathy Moriarty) try to bring the teens back into the heterosexual fold with talk therapy and instruction on "proper" gender roles.
Is It Any Good?
In this over-the-top satire, girls wear pink dresses and live in pink bedrooms while boys learn how to fix cars and play sports. None of them "should" be gay, and yet, But I'm a Cheerleader shows what happens when one of the girls steps out of line and is forced into a conversion camp.
Though the film's message is important, director Jamie Babbitt doesn't trust viewers to understand it and repeats it too often in clichéd ways. In the end, what you have is a refreshing love story and a campy lesson for teens about being true to who you really are -- no matter how strong the pressure is to be otherwise.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about satire. How does But I'm a Cheerleader use satire to make its point? How does it feel to see something that's scary in real life be played for laughs on-screen?
Talk about gender roles and stereotypes. How does the movie play with social expectations to express its view?
This movie was released in the 1990s. What's changed for queer teens since then? What's stayed the same?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 10, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : July 22, 2003
- Cast : Cathy Moriarty , Clea Duvall , Natasha Lyonne , Ru Paul
- Director : Jamie Babbitt
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual situations and adult subject matter
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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