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Drumline

Play trailer Poster for Drumline PG-13 2002 1h 58m Comedy Drama Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 86 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
Set against the high-energy, high-stakes world of show-style marching bands, "Drumline" is a fish-out-of-water comedy about a talented street drummer from Harlem who enrolls in a Southern university, expecting to lead its marching band's drumline to victory. He initially flounders in his new world before realizing that it takes a more than talent to reach the top.
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Drumline

Drumline

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Critics Consensus

Essentially a sports movie with drums, the energetic Drumline somehow manages to make the familiar seem fresh.

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Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow Common Sense Media Outstanding cast, great message, strong language. Rated: 4/5 Dec 22, 2010 Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com The joy of the movie is in the getting there, and Drumline gets so much of the little stuff right that the denouement ends up being nothing less than rousing. Rated: 3/4 Jun 19, 2003 Full Review Charles Taylor Salon.com Charles Stone III is a craftsman with brains and taste, an instinctive sense of where to put the camera and the discipline not to belabor scenes. Jan 10, 2003 Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn The main protagonist is incredibly unlikeable and the plot is mindless. I didn't care about any of the characters. Rated: 1/5 Jul 2, 2023 Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn As questionable as Nick Cannon's character is, this is still entertaining. The drumming scenes were fantastic. Rated: 3/5 Jul 2, 2023 Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal True bandos can see themselves in this exuberant, charismatic and lovingly accurate college marching-band movie that faked no flavor while staying in step with themes of instruction, character and respect. Rated: 3.5/4 Sep 25, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Jace E The drumming was pretty cool... Yeah... That's about it. Best Character: Dr. Lee Best Quote: "You're the best, Devon! But when we're on the field, nobody hears you! They hear the band." - Sean Best Scene: Two in Front Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 05/21/25 Full Review Michael W This music movie was pretty good. Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, Leonard Roberts, Orlando Jones, and the rest of the cast did a pretty good job in this movie. The story of the movie was kind of entertaining and dramatic. It's about showing people what you're made of. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you might enjoy it. It wasn't as great as I thought it would be, but it wasn't terrible. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/25 Full Review Theo S Filled with impressive drumming, good music and an interesting enough plot to keep most entertained. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/24 Full Review Rosana B oderiam ter investido mais no drama que na rebeldia sem causa de um jovem talentoso, mas mimado (nem tinha motivos para isso, já que fora abandonado pelo pai e criada por mãe solo) e sem limites, beirando o irresponsável, um filme bonitinho sobre bandas escolares e toda sua dedicação necessária para uma apresentação majestosa... Bonitinho... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Same old story line with in different setting. Talented, cocky kid gets straightened out and makes good. This time it's a drummer in a college marching band instead of an athlete. Conflicts with authority, has a girlfriend and all the same trappings. In the end he straightens out and makes good. Who woulda guessed. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member I never rated this eh? Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Drumline

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Cast & Crew

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Charles Stone III

Director

Nick Cannon

Devon

Zoe Saldaña

Laila

Orlando Jones

Dr. Lee

Leonard Roberts

Sean

GQ

Jayson

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Drumline

Orlando Jones portrays Dr. Lee, the demanding and dedicated director of a university show-style marching band. Orlando Jones (left) instructs Nick Cannon on what it takes to be part of a college marching band drumline, in DRUMLINE. The drumline takes aim at the competition during the Big Southern Classic. Sean (Leonard Roberts, left) and Devon (Nick Cannon, center) and the rest of the drumline compete at the Big Southern Classic. The rivalry between drumline leader Sean (Leonard Roberts, left) and fledgling drummer Devon (Nick Cannon) threatens both their careers. Devon (Nick Cannon, left) and bandmate Ernest (GQ) enjoy some downtime. Devon (Nick Cannon) strikes up a romance with upperclassman Laila (Zoë Saldana). Orlando Jones portrays Dr. Lee, the demanding and dedicated director of a university show-style marching band. Nick Cannon stars as Devon Miles, a gifted drummer who is determined to shine on a university show-style marching band drumline. Orlando Jones portrays Dr. Lee, the demanding and dedicated director of a university show-style marching band. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Set against the high-energy, high-stakes world of show-style marching bands, "Drumline" is a fish-out-of-water comedy about a talented street drummer from Harlem who enrolls in a Southern university, expecting to lead its marching band's drumline to victory. He initially flounders in his new world before realizing that it takes a more than talent to reach the top.
Director
Charles Stone III
Producer
Wendy Finerman, Timothy M. Bourne, Jody Gerson
Screenwriter
Shawn Schepps, Shawn Schepps, Tina Gordon
Distributor
20th Century Fox of Germany, 20th Century Fox de Argentina [ar], 20th Century Fox, Fox
Production Co
Fox 2000 Pictures, Wendy Finerman Productions
Rating
PG-13 (Language|Innuendo)
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 13, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$56.4M
Runtime
1h 58m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, DTS, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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