Opening

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—— Epic May 24
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83% We Steal Secrets: The Story Of Wikileaks May 24
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—— A Green Story May 24
—— Alyce Kills May 24

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37% Peeples $2.2M
8% The Big Wedding $1.1M

Coming Soon

—— After Earth May 31
—— Now You See Me May 31
88% The East May 31
100% The Kings of Summer May 31

Drumline (2002)

tomatometer

82

Average Rating: 6.7/10
Reviews Counted: 82
Fresh: 67 | Rotten: 15

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

92

Average Rating: 7/10
Critic Reviews: 26
Fresh: 24 | Rotten: 2

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

audience

73

liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 304,321

My Rating

Movie Info

Drumline brings the world of "show-style" marching bands (popular at traditionally black, Southern colleges) to the big screen for the first time. The story, by Shawn Schepps, was inspired by the high school drumline experiences of executive producer/executive music producer Dallas Austin. Devon (Nick Cannon of Nickelodeon's The Nick Cannon Show) is a Harlem drummer who earns a full scholarship to the fictional Atlanta A&T University. There, his talent gets the attention of the school's

Apr 15, 2003

$56.2M

20th Century Fox - Official Site External Icon

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Cast

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All Critics (93) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (69) | Rotten (16) | DVD (23)

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.

January 10, 2003 Full Review Source: Salon.com
Salon.com
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A superlative B movie -- funny, sexy, and rousing.

December 23, 2002 Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Offers little that's surprising or groundbreaking, but, because the script is smart enough not to insult us and to develop a group of interesting characters, the act of watching the film is an entertaining experience rather than a tedious exercise.

December 17, 2002 Full Review Source: ReelViews
ReelViews
Top Critic IconTop Critic

I love that we get into this world of marching bands. We barely see any football players -- we see the top of their helmets as they're getting out of the way.

December 16, 2002 Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic IconTop Critic

[Has] an abundance of heart and humor.

December 13, 2002 Full Review Source: Variety
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Drumline sags a little toward the middle ... But the final showdown is a skills-'n'-style spectacular that feels like vibrant outtake from a highly choreographed civil war.

December 13, 2002 Full Review Source: Boston Globe
Boston Globe
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Outstanding cast, great message, strong language.

December 22, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media

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.

September 25, 2010 Full Review Source: Suite101.com
Suite101.com

Director Charles Stone III, once again takes on overly familiar material and gives it an enthusiastic spin.

February 6, 2009 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | Comment (1)
TheMovieReport.com

A most unusual musical...Learning something from his subject, Stone gives the picture a snappy rhythm. [Blu-ray]

February 1, 2009 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews
Groucho Reviews

...though the movie does overstay its welcome, it's never boring and the majority of the music is infectiously catchy...

August 1, 2003 Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews
Reel Film Reviews

A fun story for the whole family -- with some very good lessons about growing up.

May 26, 2003 Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Slick choreography and a confident performance by Orlando Jones keep this tale from beating to the tune of the same old drum.

May 20, 2003
Palo Alto Weekly

On DVD, the movie struts and jives as the percussion pounds out a lively beat. This is a high-flying feature that those into the discipline and muscianship of show-style marching bands will enjoy.

May 7, 2003 Full Review
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Drumline is proof that you can make an original movie with a tired old formula.

April 16, 2003
Reel.com

Little happens in Drumline that we couldn't foretell from the outset. But it all unfolds in so earnest and heartfelt a manner, it's hard to outright hate the thing.

April 3, 2003
Movie Metropolis

...it must be a good story, it's been told so many times before.

April 3, 2003
Movie Metropolis

Audience Reviews for Drumline

Wow. A movie that can make watching marching bands interesting. The constant battles are very fun to watch. Young funny guy Nick Cannon really adds alot to this movie.
September 20, 2010
itsjustme2004

Super Reviewer

I had never planned on seeing this (for whatever reason), but I saw it a few years ago in a film and music class and forgot to review it on here.

It's predictable, a little corny, but it's still a harmless and heartwarming tale of inspiration that makes you feel good afterwards. The music is good, and the performances are above average, so if you have some spare time and are bored, this is an okay time filler.
June 9, 2006
cosmo313
Chris Weber

Super Reviewer

    1. Devon Miles: I'm the best drummer you got!
    – Submitted by Anna S (6 months ago)
    1. Dr. Lee: You have to learn how to follow before you can lead.
    – Submitted by Kaye E (13 months ago)

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