But I'm a Cheerleader 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		0.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.0

But I'm a Cheerleader 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 14, 2025

Lionsgate has offered exclusive SteelBook releases either recently from its own etailer Lionsgate Limited, or for many years courtesy of their partnership with Amazon, but this is the first 4K upgrade of a previous 1080 release from Lionsgate that I've personally reviewed that is an Amazon exclusive offered in a DigiPack. For more on the packaging, see the supplements section below, but the actual disc has some new bonus content and unlike the 1080 release Lionsgate offered a couple of years ago, this 4K disc has a lossless surround track. Those with long memories or who consult my original 1080 review (linked to below) may recall there was a bit of controversy with the 1080 release in that some people buying this from Amazon got a BD- R, while others got a pressed disc.

As mentioned above, But I'm a Cheerleader had a 1080 release from Lionsgate back in 2021, and my But I'm a Cheerleader Blu-ray review of that edition offers a plot recap, list of supplements and my reaction to the technical presentation.

But I'm a Cheerleader 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: This release does not include a 1080 Blu-ray, so these screenshots are taken directly from the 4K UHD disc and downscaled to 1080 and SDR. Color space in particular is therefore not accurate, and I recommend those interested to look at some of the screenshots in our But I'm a Cheerleader Blu-ray review for a better representation of the palette. Since this release does not include a 1080 disc, the 2K video score above has been intentionally left blank.

But I'm a Cheerleader is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Lionsgate Films with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer in 1.85:1. I was quite pleasantly enthused by Lionsgate's 1080 presentation from 2021, and this new 4K upgrade certainly delivers in spades, or whatever the more colorful version of that idiom might be, with its HDR / Dolby Vision grades. The palette virtually bursts with new energy now, something that's visible from the get go in some of the early cheer material with unbelievably vividly bright red uniforms. The candy colored palette the film employs is beautifully suffused throughout the presentation, but little pops of color like a purple van or some of the insanely bright pinks and greens in the "camp" material are very impressive. Detail levels probably don't see a huge uptick from the 1080 presentation, but some relatively minor fine detail levels like the pill on some of the girls' outfits do have increased precision. Grain is a bit heavy and splotchy at times, but doesn't have any real compression issues.

But I'm a Cheerleader 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As mentioned above, Lionsgate's 1080 release only offered a Dolby Digital 2.0 track (something that's repeated here as the stereo option, though someone has mistakenly set the specs here to indicate a lossless stereo track, which is not on the disc). The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track has some definite pluses and one potential minus. As I mentioned in the review of the 1080 release's audio, a lossy track seemed to be positively at odds with the just flat out fun soundtrack this film offers, and the good news is the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track significantly opens up all of the hugely enjoyable source cues. A lot of the outdoor camp material also benefits from the surround audio, with clear engagement of the side and rear channels for ambient environmental effects. The one potential minus here is there is a very discernable high frequency hiss and overall brashness on the surround track that is much less discernable on the lossy stereo track. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English and Spanish subtitles are available.

But I'm a Cheerleader 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: This 4K disc commendably ports over all of the supplements from Lionsgate's old 1080 release, and also offers a new interview with Jamie Babbit and the film's theatrical trailer.

• Beyond the Pink and Blue: A Conversation with Jamie Babbit (HD; 11:46) is new to this release and offers some interesting background and context.


• Audio Commentary with Director Jamie Babbit, Costume Designer Alix Friedberg, and Production Designer Rachel Kamerman


• But I'm a Cheerleader Class Reunion (HD; 20:47) is a fantastically enjoyable Zoom event moderated by Kate Arthur from Variety and featuring Jamie Babbit, Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Melanie Lynskey, Cathy Moriarty, Douglas Spain, Joel Michaely, Dante Basco, and Katrina Phillips.


• Making But I'm a Cheerleader . . . in 1999 (HD; 8:17) incorporates archival interviews and behind the scenes footage from an archival featurette sourced from some pretty ragged looking video.


• But I'm a Composer . . . A Chat with Pat Irwin (HD; 5:27) is another Zoom affair, with Jamie Babbit speaking with the film's music man.


• Student Film: Discharge (HD; 2:59) is an early black and white piece by Babbit.


• Theatrical Trailer (HD; 1:52)

Lionsgate has long offered collectors very appealingly designed SteelBooks, and this first foray (for me, anyway) into exclusive DigiPack packaging is similarly inventive. There's whatever the DigiPack version of a Mylar O ring enclosing the DigiPack, and which offers an outline of Natasha Lyonne and various (pink of course) accoutrements. The actual DigiPack offers Lyonne herself (who fits into the aforementioned outline), again surrounded by accoutrements, with a bright green-blue background. The back panel offers some cheerleading drawings and symbols for male and female. The inside offers photos of Lyonne and Clea Duvall along with cheerleaders. A digital copy is also enclosed.

But I'm a Cheerleader 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I have to say I enjoyed the lunatic ambience of But I'm a Cheerleader on this second viewing more than I did when I reviewed the 1080 disc a few years ago. The film is often funny and disturbing simultaneously, and that disjunctive tone can take a little getting used to. The cartoonish ambience and especially carnival-esque production design benefit immensely from this new 4K upgrade, and the new supplement and interview with Babbit, along with some fun packaging design, will provide further allure for anyone considering making a purchase.