Drums are an integral part of any music ensemble but rarely get the chance to shine in Hollywood. However, there have been a few movies that focused on drumming and the players who attempt to achieve greatness through their playing.
You should spend your time as a drummer learning about the best cymbals and reading guides on the drum thrones reviewed this year, but sometimes it pays off to kick back and relax with a movie that’s about your favourite instrument.
Here are four great movies that show what it takes to play this demanding instrument. Just as the drums are capable of playing both soothing and rousing, these four drumming movies are both fun to watch and emotionally intense. So, prepare for an emotional experience with these four flicks.
Whiplash
If you do a quick search on the internet to find any movies about drumming, you are likely to see Whiplash at the top of most lists. This memorable drama tells the story of a young man battling against his professor for an opportunity to play drums professionally.
Whiplash is intense, but it’s known by audiences for powerful performances from Miles Teller and Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons.
Drumline
Drumline takes place at a college in Atlanta and focuses on a character who realizes there is more to music than just having the skills to play.
This film shows a realistic view of what it takes to be part of a real drumline while also focusing on the main character’s personal journey.
There may be some laughs and some tears, but this is an all-around entertaining movie to watch if you are looking for an inspirational story all about drumming.
Sound of Metal
If you are looking for a newer film to watch, then Sound of Metal is going to be the best choice for you. This movie tells a deep and powerful story of a recovering addict who loses his hearing, yet still learns to overcome that incredible challenge and continues to play the drums.
This is one of those stories that is going to stay with you for many years to come and we guarantee that you will love the drum interludes that are featured throughout the film.
Even though it was just released in 2020, this movie has played at big festivals like AFI and continues to receive glowing reviews from critics. The world agrees that Sound of Metal is the best drumming movie released in the past few years.
The Drummer
One final, drumming movie suggestion that we have for you is The Drummer. This film features a different, more traditional side to drumming that has been practiced for many centuries in Chinese culture.
This film really focuses on the artistic elements of drumming and shows how therapeutic and powerful it can be to play these instruments as a group.
Drums have been used in rituals and ceremonies for thousands of years, and this movie gives a little glimpse into one of the many cultures that celebrate this incredible instrument.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are truly so many movies out there that have been made to feature the drums. Each of the films we reviewed has their own unique take but still manages to showcase this amazing instrument while entertaining the masses.
We hope that you will take the time to sit down and watch all of these incredible films to see just how powerful and inspiring a movie all about drumming can be! Maybe they will inspire you to practice harder and connect to your music on a deeper level.
