What’s your favorite drumming movie? There are dozens of top ones, and some of our favorite actors have played the roles over the years. This article provides an in-depth list of the top-rated movies about drumming. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to movies about drummers.
Movies are more than just movies! They are a form of art themselves. They can inspire people to make their art, just like movies. They are a form of creative expression and can be a source of motivation for people to do more.
Whether you are looking for inspiration to start drumming again, or simply looking for motivation to uplift your life again, as a drummer there is nothing more euphoric than a movie about drummers.
Our Requirements To Make the List of Best Movies
The requirement to make it into the best movies about drummers list is mainly understanding the journey a drummer goes through. The movie should be about the struggles, travails, and joy that a drummer faces in his life following his passion.
Another requirement is the movie’s ability to convey the harsh realities a drummer faces and also how the industry works in its totality, showing the bliss as well as everything it takes to succeed in following their passion. The movie should also entertain and engage the audience apart from also educating them.
Best Movies Today
1. Whiplash
Any authentic list of the best drumming movies is incomplete without the inclusion of Whiplash. This jazz drummer movie was released in 2014 and features a great cast of well-known actors, including Miles Teller, J. K. Simmons, and Melissa Benoist.
Whiplash, directed by Damien Chazelle, stormed onto the cinematic scene and won critical acclaim as well as accolades. It tells the story of Andrew Neiman (Teller), an ambitious jazz drummer, and his relationship with Terence Fletcher (Simmons), his ruthless and abusive instructor at Shaffer Conservatory in New York City.
The movie also has a phenomenal soundtrack, which includes original jazz pieces written and performed specifically for the film. It was inspired by Chazelle’s own experience as a jazz drummer in high school.
The film received three Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actor for Simmons, and received almost universal acclaim from film publications.
A nail-biting climax saw audiences on the edge of their seats who became enchanted with its raw and unflinching depiction of musical ambition and integrity.
2. Drumline
A fantabulous drumming and percussion movie comes in the form of 2002’s Drumline, starring Nick Cannon and Zoe Saldana. It is considered as one of the best drumming movies by many.
The drama tells the story of Devon Miles, a recent high school graduate, played by Cannon. He attends Atlanta A&T University on a scholarship and gets caught up in a marching band rivalry with Morris Brown College.
Faced with challenges and rivalry from his fellow band members, Devon constantly pushes the boundaries to prove himself as one of the best drummers in the band. As he traverses through grueling rehearsals, competitions, and personal conflicts, Devon learns invaluable lessons about discipline, teamwork, and perseverance.
With breathtaking performances and foot-tapping rhythms, Drumline showcases the passion and talent required to excel in the world of marching bands.
Alongside the music, it’s a great coming-of-age story with some excellent performances, which helped to earn the movie nominations for two MTV Movie Awards and three Teen Choice Awards, as well as a CinemaScore A+ rating. The movie is available for rent on Amazon Prime.
3. Count Me In!
Count Me In is a landmark documentary drum movie on Netflix. The movie looks into the world of rock drumming and celebrates the passion and artistry behind this instrument.
The documentary portrays the personal stories and experiences of famous drummers, offering insights into their love for drumming and the impact it has had on their lives.
Through interviews, performances, and behind-the-scenes footage, Count Me In captures the crux of the drumming community and the power of human connection through music.
Whether you’re a drummer yourself or simply a music enthusiast, the film provides an engaging and enriching educational experience, allowing you to appreciate the skill, creativity, and talent of these drumming legends.
In addition to its compelling content, “Count Me In” has received positive reviews from both critics and viewers. Its empowering and positive message was deeply relatable to audiences, making it a must-watch for drummers and music lovers alike.
4. The Sound Of Metal
The Sound of Metal is a new movie starring Riz Ahmed as a metal drummer who begins to experience hearing loss. The film follows his character as he handles his new reality and tries to find a way to keep playing the music he loves.
The Sound of Metal is a moving and powerful film that explores the challenges of living with hearing loss. Riz Ahmed gives an incredible performance, and the film is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever faced a challenge in their life. The Sound of Metal is a must-see movie for all fans of Riz Ahmed and anyone who loves a good story.
5. Sound of Noise
The Sound of Noise is a 2010 Swedish film directed by Ola Simonsson and Johannes Stjärne Nilsson. The film tells the story of a group of musicians who use everyday objects to create music and has been described as “a love letter to the power of noise.”
The film’s soundtrack was composed by Mulla Kassamali and features a range of percussion instruments, including drums, cymbals, and gongs. The Sound of Noise was released to critical acclaim and won several awards, including the Best Sound Design award at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. It was also nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 2011 Academy Awards.
6. The Rocker
The Rocker might not have been a commercial success, but it is still a good choice for anyone with an interest in fun, feel-good drum movies!
Released in 2008, it stars Rainn Wilson as Robert Fishman, an aspiring drummer who is ditched by his band, Vesuvius, as they chase a record deal.
20 years later, Vesuvius has become a global star, while Fishman has stopped playing the drums entirely. That is until his nephew’s band, A.D.D, needs a replacement when their regular drummer is suspended from school. After enjoying local success and signing a record deal of their own, A.D.D provides Fishman with a shot at redemption.
With Fish’s drumming skills and amazing energy, he helps the band achieve success while rediscovering his passion for music. This feel-good comedy will have you laughing and tapping your feet to the beat.
7. Fred Armisen: Standup for Drummers
Even though Fred Armisen may be best known for his work on sketch comedy shows like Saturday Night Live and Portlandia, he’s also a talented drummer.
In 2010, he released a standup comedy album called Standup for Drummers, full of jokes about the joys and grievances of drumming. Armisen is a self-taught drummer, and his passion for the instrument shines through in his act. This is a movie about drummers you just can’t miss.
He covers everything from the challenges of playing in a band to the pitfalls of buying drums online. Whether you’re a musician or just a fan of comedy, Standup for Drummers is sure to entertain.
8. Beware of Mr.Baker
Mr. Baker is a documentary that tells the story of Ginger Baker, the prolific drummer for the band Cream. The film records his life and career, from his early days as a member of the British band Cream to his later work with Fela Kuti.
The film provides an intimate look at Baker’s personal life, including his struggles with addiction and mental illness. Despite its title, Mr. Baker is not an advisory tale; instead, it is a tribute to a truly unique and gifted artist. Recommended for fans of Cream, Eric Clapton, and Fela Kuti.
9. That Thing You Do!
That Thing You Do! stars Tom Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, and Charlize Theron, and features cameos from Kevin Pollak, Bryan Cranston, Rita Wilson, and more, meaning it is among the most star-studded movies about drumming.
The plot is about Guy Patterson, a drummer who fills in for another drummer at a talent show for a band called The Oneders.
This then begins the story of the band, later rebranded The Wonders, as they sign a record deal, have a hit single, and become known as a one-hit-wonder band.
With catchy music and a nostalgic 1960s setting, this film is both entertaining and inspiring for jazz drummers and music lovers alike. This is a jazz drummer movie that captured the hearts of many during its release. The movie is for rent on Amazon Prime.
10. Adventures of Power
The 2009 film Adventures of Power must be among the most unique and eccentric drumming movies ever created.
Starring Ari Gold, Michael McKean, and Jane Lynch, it tells the story of Power, played by Gold, who engages in compulsive air drumming, having been raised in a poor family to buy him a drum kit of his own.
This compulsion takes Power on a quest to conquer the world of competitive air drumming.
Described by some critics as an amalgamation of This is Spinal Tap and Napoleon Dynamite, it should hold particular appeal for any drummers who happen to be fans of either of those films. It also features a cameo from the late great Neil Peart.
11. Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage is a 2010 documentary film about the Canadian rock band Rush. Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen directed the film, and it features interviews with all three Rush members: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart.
Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage offers an in-depth look at Rush’s 40-year career, focusing on their creative process and the personal dynamics between the band members. The film also includes live performances of Rush’s best-known songs, including “Tom Sawyer” and “YYZ.”
Even if you’re not familiar with Rush’s music, this documentary is an informative and entertaining look at one of rock’s most enduring bands.
12. Ain’t in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm
Ain’t in It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm is a 2010 documentary film directed by Jacob Hatley. The film looks into the life and career of Levon Helm, best known as the drummer and vocalist for the rock group The Band.
Helm first rose to prominence as a member of The Band, one of the most famous rock groups of the 1960s and 1970s. The Band’s music was steeped in country, folk, and blues, and Helm’s drumming style was integral to their sound.
After The Band broke up in 1976, Helm pursued a solo career, releasing a series of highly acclaimed albums. Ain’t in It for My Health chronicles Helm’s struggle with cancer, which forced him to curtail his musical activities in the late 2000s.
Despite his illness, Helm continued to record and perform, and he won multiple Grammy Awards for his work. Ain’t in It for My Health is a beautiful portrait of a musical legend and certainly in the best movies about drummers, exploring the life and career of a man who has left an unforgettable mark on American music.