There’s a movie hitting theaters on November 6th I’m thrilled to tell you about. I’ve long been a fan of for KING + COUNTRY, and the Brothers Smallbone have composed a beautiful gift for us this Christmas Season.
DRUMMER BOY is a Christmas live-action musical epic set during the American Revolutionary War.
The story follows two brothers that end up on opposites sides of the conflict. One brother joins the British forces, while his younger brother becomes a drummer boy for the Patriots. Their childhood friend Emmaline, an enslaved woman, is pursuing her own freedom. Their stories come together around family, sacrifice, faith, and forgiveness—with original music from for KING + COUNTRY.
for KING + COUNTRY started performing Little Drummer Boy in 2012, and it became a meaningful part of their Christmas program. Around 2017, the idea emerged of two brothers ending up on opposite sides of a war; that gave them a way to explore the hope of Christmas through a new story.
While brothers Luke and Joel Smallbone make up the musical group, for KING + COUNTRY, yet another brother, Ben, joins them on this project. The film is co-directed by Ben and Joel—who also stars—with Luke producing.
Say the men, “Brotherhood is something we’ve lived our entire lives. We understand how deeply you can love someone and still see things differently. Making this film together—with Ben and Joel directing and Luke producing—made the story especially personal. Those relationships gave us a real connection to what this family is going through. Brothers making a film about brothers in conflict is material we can definitely relate to.”
Eight plus years in the making, the film contains originals music that the Smallbones can’t wait for the audience to experience; a unique mix of an historical adventure with a soaring soundtrack.
They’re hoping to provide an experience where people are swept up in the music and the storyline leaving the theater with hope in their hearts. Perhaps the film will bring someone to mind—a brother, a parent, a friend—and encourage a first step toward reconciliation.
Gather your family and friends and experience DRUMMER BOY on the big screen. In theaters Friday, November 6, 2026.
Tickets are available now at Angel.com/DRUMMER BOY.
Drummer Boy stars Joel David Smallbone as Jeremiah Clem, Lucas Leach as Benjamin Clem, India Brown as Emmaline, Iain Glen as Major John Ambrose, Charles Esten as Lord Balfour, Beth Easdown as Lady Elizabeth Balfour, Melora Hardin as Rachel Clem, and Ioan Gruffudd as Nathaniel Clem.
Rated PG-13 and a little over 2 hours long.
