Diksha Sundriyal
Cheerleading is an exciting sport. Usually, people think of it as simply a tool to cheer the players of some other game. It might have started that way, but cheerleading has become something better today. It has become a sport in itself and closely connects with gymnastics, which then follows a close relationship with dance. This way, cheerleading is not just about shouting slogans and reciting the letters of the team’s name. It is about dedication, strength, and talent. If you are interested in cheerleading or like to watch films that indulge in athletics and gymnastics, Netflix offers a wide range of stories in the genre to keep you entertained.
10. America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (2024)
Expectations, challenges, politics, success, failure, rejoicing, embarrassment, heartbreak, pain (both physical and psychological), passion, purpose; the list goes on and on for the women of DCC. Created by Greg Whiteley, the seven-episode series offers a BTS look at the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, a cheerleading franchise that has been pumping up Dallas Cowboys players and fans since 1961. The series documents the journey and personal stories of the divas who perform at all Cowboys home games at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, in front of over 90,000 fans- right from their training to the NFL Season. You can watch ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ here.
9. Dare Me (2019-2020)
‘Dare Me,’ a thrilling TV series, jumps into the competitive world of cheerleading, unveiling the dark underbelly beneath the glittering pom-poms and high-flying stunts. This engaging drama is based on the 2012 novel by Megan Abbott, who co-developed the series with Gina Fattore. It masterfully explores the intense friendships, power struggles, and secrets that underpin a high school cheer squad led by the enigmatic Coach Colette French (Willa Fitzgerald). The series skillfully peels back the layers, revealing the physical and emotional demands of the sport, as well as the psychological and social complexities the cheerleaders face. ‘Dare Me’ stars Herizen Guardiola, Marlo Kelly, and Alison Thornton, captivating viewers with its edgy narrative, painting a vivid and, at times, chilling picture of the extreme dedication and ruthless ambition at the heart of competitive cheerleading. You can watch the series here.
8. Rebel Cheer Squad – A Get Even Series (2022 – 2023)
‘Rebel Cheer Squad,’ a British series created by Holly Phillips, puts a vibrant twist on the traditional cheerleader narrative. This teen thriller follows a trio of spirited cheerleaders (played by Amelia Brooks, Lashay Anderson, and Ashling O’Shea) at an elite private school who rekindle their classmates’ anti-bullying club. Embracing their unique blend of athleticism and resilience, the main characters channel their energy into combating various injustices. As cheerleaders with a mission, they prove that strength, unity, and spirited determination can make a difference, reshaping the typical cheerleader image in a captivating story of empowerment and justice. You may watch the show here.
7. Step Sisters (2018)
A single person never wins competitions. There is always a team involved. Even for sports, like gymnastics, that involve a single person to compete, there is a team of coaches and trainers and people who act as motivating figures in their lives. Jamilah (Megalyn Echikunwoke) knows the importance of teamwork. She knows the importance of a lot of things, that’s why she’s one of the best students in her school. She has an excellent reputation with the dean; she is the president of her sorority and has ambitious plans for her future. And the cherry on the top is her excellence at step dancing. However, upholding the institution’s name isn’t just hers to have. When a group of girls spoils that reputation, Jamilah is forced to train them and win a competition in step dancing. ‘Step Sisters’ showcases teamwork, strength in unity, and the never-give-up attitude, the necessary ingredients for a cheerleading drama. Directed by Charles Stone III, You can watch the series here.
6. Senior Year (2022)
‘Senior Year,’ directed by Alex Hardcastle, is a charming comedy film that follows the journey of Stephanie Conway (Rebel Wilson), a high school student who dreams of popularity and winning the prom queen title. After a cheerleading accident leaves her in a coma in 2002, she awakens in 2022 and returns to finish her senior year. However, she finds the social landscape has shifted dramatically. The film explores Stephanie’s quest to regain her popularity through social media and reflects on the value of authenticity and friendship. With a heartwarming story of self-discovery and redemption, ‘Senior Year’ is a nostalgic and relatable tale of growing up and staying true to oneself. You can check out the movie here.
5. Poms (2019)
Directed by Zara Hayes, ‘Poms’ is a comedy film that stars Diane Keaton, Jacki Weaver, Pam Grier, Celia Weston, and Alisha Boe. The movie centers upon Martha, an introverted woman looking to settle down unnoticed after moving to a retirement community. However, God has other plans for her as her fun-loving neighbor Sheryl is eager to become her best friend. Although Martha initially has reservations, she eventually becomes comfortable with Sheryl, and the two become great friends and open about their deepest desires to one another. While there is no shortage of activities to participate in the retirement community, the duo forms a cheerleading squad. You can stream the movie here.
4. Battle (2018)
Amalie (Lisa Teige) comes from a wealthy family, so she knows the importance of every little thing, no matter how superficial it might be. Appearances are important, and so is your money, more than skill sometimes. But all Amalie has is the skill of dancing, which remains with her when her father goes bankrupt. With her financial status withered so drastically, her equation with her friends stumbles. This gives her a chance to form new friendships. It is during this time that she meets Mikael (Fabian Svegaard Tapia), a street dancer. His way of dancing and that of hers are very different. But Amalie learns that expression matters more than your form, and she decides to express herself to the world with her dance in the best possible manner. This is what the Norwegian movie ‘Battle,’ directed by Katarina Launing, entails, and you can stream it right here.
3. Cheer (2020)
The docuseries ‘Cheer,’ created by Greg Whiteley, is a gripping and emotional exploration of the world of competitive cheerleading. This six-episode series, which premiered on Netflix, follows the journey of the Navarro College Bulldogs cheerleading team as they strive for success at the national championships. ‘Cheer’ offers a compelling look into the dedication, passion, and sacrifices made by the athletes and their coach, Monica Aldama, as they aim for perfection in their routines while facing personal challenges. The series combines intense athleticism with personal narratives, creating a heartwarming and often heart-wrenching portrayal of the physical and emotional toll of competitive cheerleading. You can stream it here.
2. Work It (2020)
Laura Terruso’s ‘Work It’ is a dance comedy film that features stand-out performances by Sabrina Carpenter, Liza Koshy, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Michelle Buteau. The movie revolves around an 18-year-old intelligent young adult named Quinn Ackerman (Carpenter) who plans to attend Duke University, following in the footsteps of her father. To stand out, she works relentlessly to achieve near perfection as a dancer to compete and prove herself to others. But are dreams of making it to a college as prestigious as Duke worth the risks she takes? Can dance bring the best out in her? While such questions may discourage most people, Quinn takes the challenges in her path head-on and works relentlessly to be the best. You can check out the movie here.
1. Cuties (2020)
Written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, ‘Cuties’ is a French coming-of-age drama film. The movie revolves around an 11-year-old Senegalese-French girl named Amy (Fathia Youssouf). She is bored by the Islamic culture because of her mother’s marriage and is eager to join her neighbor Angelica’s pre-teen twerking clique. As she opens herself more to the online world, the innocent teenager makes several wrong decisions that backfire and push her friends away. With a conflicted and uncertain future ahead of herself, can Amy make the right decisions and follow her heart at such a young age? You can stream the film here.
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