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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 Dec 22, 2010
4/5
Outstanding cast, great message, strong language. Go to Full Review Sara Michelle Fetters MovieFreak.com Jun 19, 2003
3/4
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. Go to Full Review Charles Taylor Salon.com Jan 10, 2003
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. Go to Full Review Justin Brown Medium Popcorn Jul 2, 2023
1/5
The main protagonist is incredibly unlikeable and the plot is mindless. I didn't care about any of the characters. Go to Full Review Brandon Collins Medium Popcorn Jul 2, 2023
3/5
As questionable as Nick Cannon's character is, this is still entertaining. The drumming scenes were fantastic. Go to Full Review Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal Sep 25, 2010
3.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 7, 2026 Drumline = a 4 star Movie See more Gabe D @RT33625558 Aug 24, 2026 this movie is a much watch after watching this movie with my dad I fell in love with it I've watched this movie more then twenty times my brothers are tired of me watching it besides one of them lol but overall its a great movie suggest you watch it I'm encouraged to be a drummer and I think I'm pretty good so after that movie my journey has begined See more Kevin P @RT55971421 Jul 20, 2026 An entertaining sports movie about marching band drummers of all things. Nick Cannon and Zoe Saldana are both very charming in the lead roles. The movie does a great job getting you tucked into the oddly intense and hypnotizing art of drumming. Even if the movie takes itself WAY TOO seriously and joyless at times. The banter between Devon and the marching band drill sergeant is amusing. The movie has a great fast paced exciting edits of drumming music that keep you hooked. I love the fun sassy rival school conductor. You definitely feel the tension for school funding support. Not a fan of the melodramatic reaction with the band fighting the other band even though Devon was decked at, they should all be in trouble with leaving him as the scapegoat. But thankfully the rest of the story is pretty solid and is elevated by the movie's great direction, solid acting, and brisk editing. See more Carrington S @RT97516098 Jul 19, 2026 Been watching this movie since I was a child. Excellent film! See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 20, 2026 Funny in 1 hour and 58 minutes. Rated PG-13 for Language and Innuendo. The worldwide gross is $57,600,000.00 over a budget of $20,000,000.00. See more Jeremy W. @reliablecritic Jun 11, 2026 WORTHY WATCH! Love this movie. Nick Cannon 100% delivered on this movie. I’d go out of my way to watch this movie again. 🙌🏻 See more 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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