Finding a fantastic cheerleading movie is a challenging but worthy stunt to pull off. After all, cheerleading chick flicks features high school romance and drama that we all come to love. Perhaps you’re wondering what makes the best cheerleading movie.
If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry anymore. Our list features compelling cheerleading storylines featuring different genres of comedy, action, crime, and horror. Plus, it’s filled with impressive hotshot stars!
Perhaps, you have an idea of how intense cheerleading can be, but our picked films will give you a taste of its reality. The list captures nothing but the competitive spirit of cheerleaders. So, whether you’re fond of this vibe or it’s a thing in your school that always spark your curiosity, we’ve got your back.
For your next weeknight watch or movie break, here’s the definitive list of 15 Best Cheerleading Movies!
1. Bring It On (2000)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Director: Peyton Reed
Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford
Nothing but a smart, sassy, with raunchy humor, Bring It On is an underrated cheerleading movie featuring drama and teen romance. I believe this film made it to one of Hollywood’s favorite high school comedies in 2000, together with Clueless and Legally Blonde. Today, this movie amazingly has four sequels.
The Toro Cheerleading Squad has what it takes to be number one! They have spirit, sass, and spunk, plus a winning, killer routine that will land them their desired crown. But soon, they find themselves at a crossroads when they discover that their new team captain, Torrance steals their choreographed routines from the Clovers.
Need to come up with new ideas with time running out and pressure all over the place; the road to cheerleading glory has its dark turn. Would the team make it? Can they bring home the title they dreamed of forever?
2. Fired Up (2009)
English 1h 30m IMDb
Director: Will Gluck
Stars: Eric Christian Olsen, Nicholas D’Agosto, Sarah Roemer
One of the best teen comedies you’ll ever spot on the web, Fired Up is a witty movie and a breath of fresh air. This sports film follows two guys, Shawn and Nick, directed by Will Gluck. For the power of girls and in the name of hook-ups, they decided to ditch the football team and go on a two-week stint at a cheerleader’s camp.
For them, it’s a fantastic chance to mingle and form meaningless liaisons with cheerleading girls in short skirts and tight tops. After all, they think it would be great to have a romantic bond with no strings attached! But as cliché, as it may be, things won’t always go our way. Their lusty plan to seduce a bunch of pom-poms meets its doom when one of the guys gives his heart away.
While this film seems pretty silly, I find it surprisingly funny. So, if you’re looking for a classic movie in the 2000s for your pastime, make it enjoyable by watching Fired Up.
3. Sugar & Spice (2001)
English 1h 21m IMDb
Director: Francine McDougall
Stars: Marla Sokoloff, Marley Shelton, Melissa George
No list of cheerleading movies would ever be complete without Sugar and Spice. This film is a satirical dark comedy featuring the lives of five cheerleaders.
At the movie’s onset, we find Jack and Diane have a fairytale love story. After all, it seems like a dream to see a varsity cheerleading dating the football star quarterback.
But things get messy when Diane faces an unwanted pregnancy. Financial problems blow up reality. With no one to turn to, she recruits her cheerleading friends. Together, they must rob a bank to solve all their woes. Clever and funny, Sugar & Spice is full of laugh-out-loud scenes showcasing teen sweetness and naivety!
4. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
English, Spanish 1h 42m IMDb
Director: Karyn Kusama
Stars: Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Adam Brody
Starring two hotshot Hollywood celebrities, Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer’s body are one of the rare horror cheerleader films you’ll find out there. Jennifer Check, a stubborn and arrogant cheerleader, and Needy Lesnicki, a nerdy bookworm, share a formidable bond while they have different personalities.
Their unique friendship gets complicated and turns into a spiral when Jennifer starts to thirst for human blood. Things turn chaotic as Needy’s male classmates are found dead after gruesome attacks. All that is left is for the young girl to uncover the truth behind Jennifer’s transformation. She must stop the bloodthirsty rampage before it gets too late.
Jennifer’s body is the perfect genre combination if you’re looking for a film with a slice of horror and comedy! It does its job of pulling a stunt on dark humor! Overall, this cheerleading film took home three wins and four nominations.
5. Poms (2019)
English 1h 30m IMDb
Director: Zara Hayes
Stars: Diane Keaton, Jacki Weaver, Celia Weston
Poms is a heartfelt, beautiful tale telling us that we’ll never get too old to chase our dreams. This cheerleading film draws inspiration from a group named the Sun City Poms.
Starring Diane Keaton, Celia Weston, and Jacki Weaver, this movie follows Martha, an introverted woman. All she wanted was to be alone until she met Sheryl, a fun-loving neighbor who wanted to be her best friend.
Going out of her comfy zone, Martha and Sheryl launch a cheerleading squad together with other residents. In one sense, sass and spirit, they prove that it’s never too late to bring it on! This cheerleading movie reminds us to follow our dreams against all odds.
6. Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)
English 1h 39m IMDb
Director: Steve Rash
Stars: Hayden Panettiere, Jake McDorman, JoJo Wright
A senior cheerleader, Brittany, is at the peak of her high school cheerleading career. She’s living the American dream, being the captain of a cheerleading squad while dating the hotshot quarterback of the football team. But life gets wayward when her family is forced to relocate to a ghetto area.
Forcing herself to fit in, she tries to join the cheerleading team of her new school. But her choice comes with a hefty price. She must compete in a tight, cheer-off competition with her former school team. Would Brittany hold on to her past or pave the way for a new beginning?
Directed by Steve Rash, this film is entertaining, funny, and dramatic, perfect for this day’s new pop culture. All in all, it has a catchy storyline with stellar casts. Can’t get over cheerleading vibes? This chick flick is the one for you!
7. Zombies (2018)
English 1h 34m IMDb
Director: Paul Hoen
Stars: Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Trevor Tordjman
Here’s a movie featuring a team of ‘zoms’ and poms. Zombies premiered on Disney Channel in 2018. This cheerleading movie finds its setting in the magical world of Seabrook. In that place, the zombie raises no alarm, but they’re required to live and settle down with the local residents.
When the zombies get admitted to Seabrook High School, Zed, a charismatic zombie, meets Addison, a wannabe cheerleader! What would happen when the two form a friendship? Can they embrace their differences?
And bonus, this cheerleading film is a lively Disney musical! You’ll surely be enthralled to watch this movie full of adventures!
8. The Cheerleaders (1973)
English 1h 24m IMDb
Director: Paul Glickler
Stars: Stephanie Fondue, Denise Dillaway, Jovita Bush
The Cheerleaders is perhaps one of the oldest films about poms you’ll find out there. Overall, you may find it cheesy, corny, and funny. Directed by Paul Glickler, this cheerleading film centers the spotlight on a teenage girl, Jeannie.
An aspiring cheerleader, the girl joins her high school cheerleading squad with the hopes of achieving social independence and success. However, the situation gets bleak when her desperate friends want to get the crown badly. That they even craft an evil plot against those who stand in their way.
If you’re looking for a modest cheerleading flick featuring comedy and sport that will blow your mind, The Cheerleaders is highly recommended.
9. Gotta Kick It Up! (2002)
English 1h 18m IMDb
Director: Ramón Menéndez
Stars: Camille Guaty, America Ferrera, Jhoanna Flores
Gotta Kick It Up! is another Disney Channel Original Movie that made its debut on July 26, 2002, in the United States. Directed by Ramon Menendez, this film draws inspiration from a true story of a middle school dance group.
At the movie’s start, there’s Marshal Middle School, which decided not to have a dance team for the first time. This change is because of Ms. Barlett, the newly recruited Biology teacher. Now the girls must give their all to complete and win!
We assure you that you can watch this Disney cheerleading movie with kids since it’s inspiring and cross topics on self-confidence.
10. American Cheerleader (2014)
English 1h 29m IMDb
Directors: David Barba, James Pellerito
Stars: Kim Gaskin, Sorina Haddock, Britani Shoemaker
Set in a tight, competitive cheerleading world, American Cheerleader showcases the inspiring journey of two high school teams. These cheerleading squads vie for the highly coveted dream of being the National High School Cheerleading Champion.
Surpassing obstacles through dedication, discipline, and hard work, the twelve girls from Kentucky and New Jersey redefine what it takes to be an American Cheerleader. Moving, heartfelt, and entertaining, this film is an excellent sports documentary that will take you into the real world of cheerleading.
11. Ready? Ok! (2008)
English 1h 31m IMDb
Director: James Vasquez
Stars: Caroline Hyatt, Brittny Perrotta, Alison Grace Norwood
Ready? Ok! it is probably one of the best cheerleading films challenging mainstream media. This touching comedy follows the story of a ten-year-old boy, Joshua (starring Lurie Poston), who wants to break the norms. He wanted to join a cheerleading group at his Catholic school.
But the young boy must fight an uphill battle to win her mom, who tries to understand her love for pom poms and Hollywood musicals. Would Andy accept and love her son for who he is? Will they go against what society dictates?
This cheerleading movie, directed by James Vasquez, garnered three wins in the Film Out Festival Award.
12. Senior Year (2022)
English 1h 51m IMDb
Director: Alex Hardcastle
Stars: Rebel Wilson, Angourie Rice, Mary Holland
Starring Rebel Wilson, Senior Year is a feel-good cheerleading comedy film in a local high school setting. Having a fantastic bunch of humor, this film marks Wilson’s first comedic leading role after The Hustle.
Senior Year follows the story of an adult who goes back to high school life after being in a coma for decades. Soon enough, she grapples with her old life and embraces her new reality. Would she be able to live out her high school dream of being a prom queen?
So, if you’re looking for a film with its fair share of laughs and drama, with a hint of cheerleading vibe, Senior Year won’t disappoint!
13. Fab Five: The Texas Cheerleader Scandal (2008)
English 1h 28m IMDb
Director: Tom McLoughlin
Stars: Jenna Dewan, Ashley Benson, Aimée Spring Fortier
In Fab Five, we see a different and nuanced side of cheerleaders. The girls here are making the lives of everyone around them miserable. They break the norms and rule and fights those who dare to stand in their way.
However, a new leader who’s determined and idealistic wants to set things straight. Would the cheerleading coach clean things up? If you’re up for a pretty intense showdown, we challenged you to watch Fab Five. It feels authentic and exciting.
14. Man of the House (2005)
English 1h 40m IMDb
Director: Stephen Herek
Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Christina Milian, Kelli Garner
When a primary witness is suddenly killed, only five remain informants. They are the five cheerleaders of the University of Texas: Anne, Barb, Teresa, Heather, and Evie.
With the girls’ lives in potential danger, the Man of the House, Roland Sharp, must take them to a secret safe house. Will he succeed in the mission? Would he save the lives of the five cheerleaders?
A combination of crime and comedy, Man of the House is a movie featuring cheerleaders who must fight for their lives. All in all, it’s a feel-good, entertaining, action cheerleading comedy that’s worth your time.
15. Death of a Cheerleader (1994)
English 1h 31m IMDb
Director: William A. Graham
Stars: Kellie Martin, Tori Spelling, James Avery
The mystery question remains of who could have killed the beautiful and popular cheerleader, Stacy. Based on the actual narrative, this film presents Angela Delvecchio, who transfers to a public school.
Trying to fit in, she made friends with the most popular girl in school, Stacy. But soon, wonderful beginnings turned sour, leading to a fatal tragedy.
Directed by William Graham, Death of a Cheerleader is a film that touches on issues of peer pressure and morality. If you’re fond of realistic cinema, this cheerleading flick would surely catch your attention!
Wrapping Up the Fantastic Cheerleading Flicks
Are you ready to unleash your cheerleading vibe and spirit? Indeed, we all can relate to this sport’s lively energy! So, if you like movies that scream confidence, you arrived at the perfect destination because you’ll never be disappointed with these 15 Best Cheerleading Movies! So, ready your popcorn and watch now!