For KING + COUNTRY's Joel Smallbone to Co-Direct and Star in 'Drummer Boy' Movie Musical

The Christmas song has inspired a new holiday film about two brothers on opposite sides of the American Revolution.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:00am

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An abstract close-up photograph of shimmering, textured Christmas ornaments and tinsel, captured in dramatic studio lighting to create a high-fashion, glamorous aesthetic that reflects the theatrical nature of a holiday movie musical.The new Christmas movie musical 'Drummer Boy' aims to blend the holiday spirit with the drama of the American Revolution.Washington Today

Joel Smallbone, one half of the Christian pop duo for KING + COUNTRY, will co-direct and star in a new Christmas movie musical called Drummer Boy. The film, which is set to hit theaters on November 6, is described as a 'Christmas musical about two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of the American Revolutionary War.' Joel's co-director is his brother Ben Smallbone, and the two say the 'fabric of the film' is 'a nation built on 250 years of independence' and 'a Christmas story that began over 2,000 years ago.'

Why it matters

The Smallbone brothers have found success with their band's holiday hit version of 'The Little Drummer Boy,' which has been charting every Christmas season. Now they're expanding the story into a full-fledged movie musical, blending their musical talents with their filmmaking ambitions in a project that aims to capture the spirit of the American Revolution and the Christmas season.

The details

Joel Smallbone and his brother Ben Smallbone will co-direct Drummer Boy, which is set to hit theaters on November 6. The film is described as a 'Christmas musical about two brothers who find themselves on opposite sides of the American Revolutionary War.' Joel Smallbone will also star in the movie. The Smallbone brothers, who make up two-thirds of the Christian pop group for KING + COUNTRY, say the 'fabric of the film' is 'a nation built on 250 years of independence' and 'a Christmas story that began over 2,000 years ago.'

  • Drummer Boy is set to hit theaters on November 6.
  • for KING + COUNTRY's version of 'The Little Drummer Boy' has been returning to the charts every holiday season for the past few years.

The players

Joel Smallbone

One half of the Christian pop duo for KING + COUNTRY, who will co-direct and star in the new Christmas movie musical Drummer Boy.

Ben Smallbone

Joel Smallbone's brother, who will co-direct Drummer Boy with Joel.

for KING + COUNTRY

The Christian pop duo consisting of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, whose holiday hit version of 'The Little Drummer Boy' has been charting every Christmas season.

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What they’re saying

“We're humbled beyond words to bring it to life.”

— Joel and Ben Smallbone, Co-directors of Drummer Boy

“The fabric of the film is a nation built on 250 years of independence and a Christmas story that began over 2,000 years ago.”

— Joel and Ben Smallbone, Co-directors of Drummer Boy

What’s next

Drummer Boy is set to hit theaters on November 6, 2026, just in time for the holiday season.

The takeaway

The Smallbone brothers are expanding their musical talents into the world of filmmaking, blending their hit Christmas song with a story about the American Revolution to create a new holiday movie musical that aims to capture the spirit of both the season and the nation's founding.