Shubhabrata Dutta
Gymnastics is an amazing sport that exhibits great strength and flexibility, displaying an overall feat of fitness. A lot of people can do a few party tricks here and there, but that does not make them a gymnast. Becoming a gymnast on a professional level requires a high amount of dedication, persistence, hard work, and talent. As tough a sport as it is to crack, gymnastics is even more difficult to portray in the films. But a few have managed to do a great job in showcasing the commitment of a gymnast towards their artistic routines. There are some great movies on Netflix that revolve around the sport of gymnastics and are definitely worth checking out.
10. Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance! (2022- )
Created by Clay Glen and Vanessa Shapiro, this series centers on 14-year-old US gymnast Kyra Berry (Jada-Lee Henry), who dreams of taking part in the Olympics. Unfortunately, she loses her offers at different US academies after a knee injury. This is when former world champion Maddy Cornell (Emily Morris) reaches out to her and asks her to join the tryouts at the Correga Academy, an elite gymnastics academy in Adelaide, Australia. If she qualifies in this 3-month tryout, she can win an academic and athletic scholarship. The catch is that only one international student can get the scholarship. How Kyra comes out of her injury and tackles the new competition, especially from Scarlett (Zoe Rae Burns) and Maya (Luciana Valdez Tirado), and whether she can win the scholarship, are what we find out in this sports drama. You can stream ‘Gymnastics Academy: A Second Chance!’ here.
9. Rebel Cheer Squad: A Get Even Series (2022- )
A spin-off to the British teen thriller series ‘Get Even’ (2020), ‘Rebel Cheer Squad’ is based on the book series ‘Don’t Get Mad’ by Gretchen McNeil. The series follows three girls, Grace (Amelia Brooks), Clara (Lashay Anderson), and Rumi (Ashling O’Shea), who are cheerleaders at the Bannerman Independent School. Deciding to take action against the bullying, they revive the DGM (Don’t Get Mad) group aimed at exposing the bullies. How the trio maneuvers through its objective while working hard to excel at the sport is what we get to see in this relationship-and-conflicts-heavy gymnastics-based teen drama. You can stream ‘Rebel Cheer Squad: A Get Even Series’ here.
8. Dare Me (2019)
A teen drama that is also a mystery thriller underscored by cheerleading, ‘Dare Me’ follows a cheerleading squad led by a coach who is bent on making things competitive. Based on a novel of the same name by Megan Abbott, we get to see volatile friendships, hatred, jealousy, and the different dynamics between the girls and how it affects them. As competition gets tougher, the stakes get higher, and so do the dangers. The cast of Season 1 (10 episodes) includes Marlo Kelly, Willa Fitzgerald, Herizen Guardiola, Alison Thornton, Zach Roerig and Rob Heaps. You can watch it here.
7. Cheer (2020)
‘Cheer’ is an exhilarating docuseries created by Greg Whiteley that delves into the captivating world of competitive collegiate cheerleading. The show follows the nail-biting journey of the Navarro College Bulldogs, a top-tier cheer squad, as they strive for championship glory. Led by the indomitable coach Monica Aldama, the cast features a diverse and talented group of athletes, each battling personal demons while aiming for excellence in the demanding world of gymnastics and acrobatics. ‘Cheer’ is a gripping and heartwarming series, celebrated for its intense athleticism, remarkable character development, and the raw, emotional stories of its cast members, making it a must-watch for both sports enthusiasts and drama aficionados alike. You can watch the series here.
6. My Perfect Landing (2020-)
‘My Perfect Landing’ is an engaging gymnastics TV show created by Frank van Keeken. The plot follows Jenny Cortez (Olivia Presti), a talented gymnast, as her family relocates to a gymnastics academy. This series seamlessly combines family drama, friendship, and the challenges of competitive gymnastics. The cast, including Helena Marie, Shawn Alex Thompson, and Jordan Clark, delivers outstanding performances. It’s an exceptional gymnastics show, emphasizing teamwork, determination, and the pursuit of excellence, making it a must-watch for its inspiring themes and impressive gymnastic routines. You may watch the show here.
5. A Second Chance (2011)
‘A Second Chance’ is a captivating sports drama directed by Clay Glen that shows the world of gymnastics. The film follows the story of Maddy Cornell, played by Nina Pearce, a talented young gymnast who faces a devastating injury that shatters her dreams of Olympic glory. With unwavering determination, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and resilience under the guidance of her coach, Brian, portrayed by Adam Tuominen. The movie offers a compelling exploration of the physical and emotional challenges of gymnastics, beautifully showcasing the dedication and strength required to overcome adversity in pursuit of one’s dreams. You can watch the movie here.
4. A Second Chance: Rivals (2019)
A sequel to ‘A Second Chance,’ this coming-of-age Australian movie shows former gymnast Maddie Cornell (Emily Morris) struggling to accept reality after an accident on the beam brings to an end her dream to compete in the Olympics. But when she reluctantly agrees to coach a young group at her family friend’s place in the South Australian countryside, where she has gone with the hope of recovering physically and mentally, it gives her purpose. This is something that made her take up gymnastics in the first place, and she sees herself in all these young girls. But the journey to the national championships isn’t easy at all. Will Maddie be able to pull it off? You can stream the movie here and find out.
3. Athlete A (2020)
Directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, ‘Athlete A’ is a documentary film that focuses on the years of unaccounted sexual abuse of talented teenage athletes. It follows a reporter from The Indianapolis Star who, while investigating the cases of sexual assault in schools, decides to look into the USA Gymnastics after getting suggested by a concerned source. When the investigation begins, the shocking reality of Larry Nassar’s unreported crime of sexual assault on young female gymnasts finally comes out, which puts him in a spot. The controversy and the horrifying details soon grip the entire country, which subsequently engulfs USA Gymnastics as well. You can stream the film here.
2. Raising the Bar (2016)
Starring Kelli Berglund, ‘Raising the Bar’ is the story of a young 16-year-old girl who raises the bar when it comes to her sport. She not only shows true love and passion for gymnastics but also proves that chasing glory and succeeding at something are two very different things. It takes courage to follow your heart’s intuition and walk on a path that most people would not. But Kelly does that very well even at the age of 16, and later, she even reaps from what she sows. Kelly decides to quit the elite USA gymnastics program and move to Australia, where she gets a second shot at competitive gymnastics. She will have to make certain amends with her past before she can again rise above all others as a champion. To find out if she can do that, you can check out ‘Raising the Bar’ here.
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1. Going for Gold (2018)
Directed, produced, and written by Clay Glen, ‘Going for Gold’ is a sports drama movie that stars Kelli Berglund, Emily Morris, Daisy Anderson, and Boone Sterck. The film focuses on Emma, a teenager who comes from a military family and has struggled to form a stable relationship with people her age because of constant transfers. Luckily, when she moves to Australia, it does not take long for her to make new friends, but she also gets into a controversy with the mean girls there. Instead of retaliating negatively, she uses the conflict as a means to solidify her bond with her friends and bring out the best in each other. You can watch the film here.
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