Love an inspirational story or drama? We’ve rounded up the best drum movies and documentaries about real-life drummers! Each of these awesome films is perfect for music lovers.
The rock music scene makes a great backdrop for a movie. And while singers and guitarists often get all the glory, the drummers are the real stars of the show!
That’s what makes these drumming movies perfect for movie night — whether you’re in a rock band or not!
So grab your favorite dinner or movie night snacks, and pick a movie to watch!
Drumming Movies and Documentaries
When it comes to the best drum movies, there are so many great films to choose from! Whether you like rock comedies, mocumentaries, or informational documentaries, you’ll find a few titles to add to your must watch list here!
Drumline
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldana, Leonard Roberts
A talented street drummer from Harlem gets a crash course in the competitive world of drumming when he enrolls in a Southern university. He struggles to find his place in this new world before realizing that it takes more than talent to lead the band to victory.
Whiplash
Rated: R
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist
An ambitious jazz drummer finds a mentor in an instructor known for his terrifying teaching methods. When the professor transfers the drummer into the top jazz ensemble he changes the young man’s life forever.
The Rocker
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Rainn Wilson, Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone
As a drummer in a popular ‘80s hair band, Robert “Fish” Fishman lived his dream until he got kicked out by his fellow bandmates. But he’s able to get a second shot at stardom two decades later when his nephew’s group hires him as the new drummer.
Count Me In
Rated: TV-MA
Starring: Mick Jagger, Stephen Perkins, Taylor Hawkins
Rock’s greatest drummers come together to discuss the power of music and human connection in this music documentary.
A Drummer’s Dream
Not Rated
Starring: Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr, Dennis Chambers, Kenwood Dennard
A group of some of the greatest drummers in the world join together to share their passion for music and drumming abilities with students at a weekend workshop in this drumming documentary.
That Thing You Do
Rated: PG
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Steve Zahn
An experienced band manager helps a small town band achieve big time success with their Beatles-style pop song in the 1960s. But their success really peaks when their drummer breaks his arm and is replaced by a jazz enthusiast, who takes their sound over the top.
The Sound of Metal
Rated: R
Starring: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
A heavy metal drummer’s life is changed forever when he begins to lose his hearing and learns he must go through the world in silence.
Adventures of Power
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Ari Gold, Adrien Grenier, Michael McKean
In hopes of becoming the world’s greatest air drummer, a small town man faces obstacles and ridicule as he works toward his goal.
The Man with the Golden Arm
Not Rated
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, Eleanor Parker
A recovering heroin addict just released from prison tries to get honest work as a drummer. But when a small-time con man and his old drug dealer enter the picture, he finds it hard to stay clean.
This is Spinal Tap
Rated: R
Starring: Christopher Guest, Rob Reiner, Michael McKean
The fictional band Spinal Tap, England’s loudest band, returns to the stage for what is sure to be an unforgettable tour. Luckily, a documentary filmmaker is there to chronical their path back to the spotlight in this comical mockumentary.
Wayne’s World
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Dana Carvey, Michael Myers, Tia Carrere
When their public access show is discovered by a TV executive, Wayne and Garth are off to the big time. But amid musical interludes and celebrity sightings, they’re caught fighting to save their beloved show.
Studio 666
Rated: R
Starring: Whitney Cummings, Jenny Ortega, Dave Grohl
After moving into a mansion steeped in rock ‘n’ roll history, the members of the Foo Fighters work to record their much anticipated 10th album. But soon, Dave Grohl finds himself fighting against supernatural forces that threaten the album and the lives of the band members.
Beware of Mr. Baker
Not Rated
Starring: Ginger Baker, Jay Bulger, Jack Bruce
Documentary filmmaker Jay Bulger interviews Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer of the rock groups Cream and Blind Faith, in this interesting drumming movie.
Airheads
Rated: PG-13
Starring: Adam Sandler, Brenden Fraser, Steve Buscemi
A group of aspiring rockers will stop at nothing to have their band’s demo tape played on the air. When they sneak into a Los Angeles radio station, they resort to threatening the on-air DJ with realistic-looking water guns, causing the situation to get out of control quickly.
Hop
Rated: PG
Starring: James Marsden, Russell Brand, Kaley Cuoco
The Easter bunny is preparing to pass his reign over to his son – who would rather be drumming than passing out Easter eggs. So he runs away to Los Angeles, where he befriends an out-of-work slacker who may be able to help him get his music career on track.
You may also like The Strip about a jazz drummer, but we couldn’t find it streaming or available on DVD anywhere.
We also couldn’t find Amazing Journey: The Story of the Who available on streaming, but it has some great material on Keith Moon.
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