Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably have the "Brrr, it’s cold in here" chant permanently etched into your brain. It's inescapable. But here is the thing: most people talk about the original 2000 film like it’s a standalone masterpiece, completely ignoring the fact that there are actually seven Bring It On movies in existence. Seven.
It's a weird, sprawling franchise. You have the theatrical classic, a string of direct-to-video sequels that defined the mid-2000s, a social media-themed reboot, and then—out of nowhere—a slasher horror movie. Yes, really.
The Bring It On Movies: More Than Just Pom Poms
The first film, released in August 2000, wasn't even supposed to be a hit. Universal Pictures barely marketed it. They expected it to open at maybe $6 million. Instead, it debuted at number one and eventually raked in $90 million worldwide. Kirsten Dunst was coming off serious roles and almost turned it down until she realized it was basically a satire.
The plot is actually way heavier than people remember. It’s not just about "spirit fingers." It’s a direct critique of cultural appropriation. Torrance Shipman (Dunst) discovers her championship team, the Toros, has been stealing routines from the East Compton Clovers for years.
Why the Clovers Mattered
Gabrielle Union’s portrayal of Isis remains the emotional anchor of the series. Interestingly, Union recently revealed that the Clovers were barely in the original cut of the film. Test audiences loved them so much that the studio went back and shot extra scenes—many of which were only used in the trailer—to make it look like they had more screen time.
That first movie set a bar the sequels struggled to clear.
Tracking the Sequels: A Lesson in Chaos
After the 2000 hit, the franchise pivoted to a direct-to-video anthology format. This means none of the original cast members ever came back. No Torrance. No Missy. No Cliff.
- Bring It On Again (2004): This one moved the action to college. It’s... fine. It stars Anne Judson-Yager and Bree Turner. It tried to capture the "underdog" vibe again but felt a bit like a Xerox of a Xerox.
- Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006): This is the one everyone actually remembers because of the star power. You’ve got Hayden Panettiere at the height of her Heroes fame and Solange Knowles. Even Rihanna shows up as herself to judge a competition. It’s peak 2006.
- Bring It On: In It to Win It (2007): Things got theatrical here. The plot is basically West Side Story but with cheer squads named the Sharks and the Jets. It’s campy, high-energy, and features a "cheer rumble" that is objectively ridiculous but somehow works.
- Bring It On: Fight to the Finish (2009): This one stars Christina Milian. It returns to the "culture clash" roots of the first film, moving a talented cheerleader from East L.A. to a snobby Malibu high school.
The Modern Reboots and the "Horror" Twist
The franchise went dark for eight years before resurfacing with Bring It On: Worldwide #Cheersmack in 2017. It tried to be "online." It focused on a global virtual competition and social media "cheer-gods." It didn't exactly set the world on fire, mostly because the charm of the Bring It On movies usually comes from the live, physical energy of the stunts, not digital screens.
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Then, things got truly bizarre in 2022.
Bring It On: Cheer or Die was released as a SYFY original movie. It isn't a comedy. It’s a slasher. A group of cheerleaders gets locked in an abandoned school over Halloween weekend and starts getting picked off one by one. It’s a massive departure from the bright, sun-drenched California vibes of the previous six films, but it earned a weird cult following for just how bold the genre shift was.
The Missing Direct Sequel
For years, fans have been clamoring for a "legacy sequel." Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union have both publicly stated they are down for it. Gabrielle Union has mentioned in interviews that she’d love to see where Isis is now—likely running a business or coaching. As of early 2026, rumors of a script involving the original cast are still swirling, though nothing has been greenlit.
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Watching Them Today: Actionable Tips
If you’re planning a marathon of the Bring It On movies, don't expect a continuous story. Think of it like American Horror Story but with stunting.
- Skip "Again" if you’re short on time. It’s the weakest link in terms of personality.
- Watch "All or Nothing" for the nostalgia. The fashion and the soundtrack are a perfect time capsule of the mid-2000s.
- Pay attention to the stunts. In the 2000 original, the actors went through a grueling four-week boot camp. Most of what you see on screen is actually the actors, though they did use stunt doubles for the high-flying "baskets."
- Check the rules. Fun fact: many of the stunts performed in the movies (like pyramids more than two bodies high without certain spotting) are actually illegal in real-world high school cheer competitions.
To get the most out of the franchise, start with the 2000 original to understand the satire, then jump straight to All or Nothing for the celebrity cameos. If you're feeling brave, finish with Cheer or Die just to see how far a franchise can pivot when it decides to stop playing by the rules.