So, let's be real for a second. When you hear the phrase #1 cheerleader camp film, your brain probably does one of two things. You either think of the 2010 cult "classic" actually titled #1 Cheerleader Camp, or you think of the absolute gold standard: Bring It On.
Honestly, it’s a weirdly crowded niche.
People get these movies mixed up constantly. You’ve got the raunchy comedies, the 80s slashers, and then the actual, competitive sports movies that people still quote twenty years later. If you're looking for the definitive "camp" experience—whether that means a literal summer camp in the woods or just "campy" over-the-top acting—the history of this genre is way deeper than a few pom-poms and a megaphone.
The Weird Legend of #1 Cheerleader Camp (2010)
Let’s tackle the elephant in the room. There is a movie literally called #1 Cheerleader Camp. It came out in 2010.
If you’re expecting Bring It On, you’re in for a shock. This isn't a movie about "spirit fingers" or winning Nationals. Directed by Mark Quod, it’s basically a spiritual successor to those 80s "sex comedies." The plot is thin. Two guys—Andy and Michael—get jobs at a cheerleader camp. They aren't there to coach. They’re there to, well, be "lusty college friends," as most official synopses put it.
💡 You might also like: Van Halen Right Now Lyrics: The Story Behind the Song That Changed Everything
It’s one of those movies that leans heavily into the "Direct-to-DVD" energy.
Is it the best movie ever made? No. Not even close. But for a certain demographic of people scouring late-night streaming services or bargain bins in the early 2010s, it became the quintessential #1 cheerleader camp film by name alone. It’s got that specific brand of remedial training and "sex appeal" focus that defines a very specific, albeit low-brow, corner of cinema.
Why it ranks so high in searches
It’s a naming trick. By titling the movie #1 Cheerleader Camp, the producers basically guaranteed they’d show up when people searched for the best cheer movies. It’s sort of genius in a "low-budget marketing" kind of way.
When Cheer Camp Becomes a Slasher: The 1988 Original
Before the 2010 comedy, there was the 1988 slasher actually titled Cheerleader Camp (originally called Bloody Pom Poms). This is where things get interesting for film nerds.
Imagine Friday the 13th, but instead of a hockey mask, the killer uses garden shears. It stars Betsy Russell—who later became famous as Jill Tuck in the Saw franchise—as Alison, a girl having horrifying visions at Camp Hurrah.
The movie is a mess. A fun, bloody, 80s mess.
You’ve got Leif Garrett playing a sleazy boyfriend. You’ve got a mascot in a giant rooster costume. It’s the kind of movie where you’re never quite sure if the bad acting is intentional or if everyone was just having too much fun at the craft services table. Critics at the time hated it, but horror fans love it because it doesn’t take itself seriously. It’s "camp" in every sense of the word.
- The Kills: Gory, inventive, and weird.
- The Atmosphere: Isolated cabins, creepy groundskeepers, and 80s synth.
- The Reveal: Surprisingly, the "whodunit" aspect actually holds up better than most slashers from that era.
The Cultural Heavyweight: Fired Up!
If we’re talking about movies set at a cheer camp that actually had a budget, we have to talk about Fired Up! (2009).
This movie is basically the "A-side" to the 2010 film's "B-side." Two football stars, Shawn and Nick, realize that football camp is hot, sweaty, and full of dudes. Cheer camp? That’s where the girls are.
It’s surprisingly witty. Will Gluck directed it—the same guy who did Easy A—so the dialogue is fast and full of pop culture references. While it follows the "guys infiltrating a girls' world" trope, it actually treats the athleticism of cheerleading with a tiny bit more respect than you’d expect. Plus, the "Rock Me Sexy Jesus" line? Iconic.
Reality Check: What Real Cheer Camp is Like
Movies make cheer camp look like a non-stop party or a murder mystery. In reality? It’s brutal.
If you’ve ever actually been to a UCA or NCA camp, you know it’s 12-hour days in the sun. You’re learning stunts until your arms feel like noodles. There’s a lot of yelling, a lot of Gatorade, and a lot of very specific rules about "spirit."
Most "cheerleader camp films" skip the part where everyone is exhausted and covered in bruises. They focus on the drama. And honestly? We probably wouldn't watch a two-hour movie of people just practicing a basket toss over and over again. We want the rivalry. We want the stolen routines.
Bringing it All Together
Whether you came here looking for the 2010 comedy #1 Cheerleader Camp, the 1988 slasher, or just the best movie in the genre, the takeaway is the same: this trope isn't going anywhere.
These films tap into a very specific American mythos. The idea of the "isolated camp" where social hierarchies are tested and everything is higher stakes because you're away from home.
If you're planning a movie night, here's how to navigate this:
🔗 Read more: The Littlest Hobo TV Series: What Most People Get Wrong
- Watch Bring It On (2000) if you want a genuinely good movie with social commentary and great choreography.
- Watch Fired Up! if you want a fast-paced, "dumb-but-smart" comedy.
- Watch Cheerleader Camp (1988) if you’re into retro horror and want to see a mascot kill someone.
- Watch #1 Cheerleader Camp (2010) only if you have a very high tolerance for low-budget raunchiness.
The "number one" spot really depends on what you're in the mood for. Just don't expect any of them to be particularly realistic about the actual sport of cheerleading.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of cheer cinema, start by watching the original Bring It On to see where the modern tropes began. From there, compare it to the 2022 slasher Bring It On: Cheer or Die to see how the franchise eventually circled back to the horror roots established by the 1988 Cheerleader Camp. It's a full-circle moment for the genre that most casual viewers completely miss.