A new kid in town assembles a fledgling rock band — together, they achieve their dreams and compete against the best in the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands.
Directed by Todd Graff
new jersey
musical
battle of the bands
rock band
Rank
#130 in 2009·#6119 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
2.9 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Aly Michalka
Charlotte Banks
Vanessa Hudgens
Sa5m
Gaelan Connell
Will Burton
Scott Porter
Ben Wheatly
Ryan Donowho
Basher Martin
Charlie Saxton
Bug
Lisa Kudrow
Karen Burton
Tim Jo
Omar
Elvy
Irene Lerman (Cello)
Blair Bomar
Megan
Casey Williams
Ms. Wittenberg
Maggie Maye
Kyra 17-1
Crew
Todd Graff
Director
Josh A. Cagan
Screenplay
Todd Graff
Screenplay
John Gilbert
Editor
Eric Steelberg
Director of Photography
Marisa Yeres Gill
Producer
Todd Graff
Scenario Writer
Josh A. Cagan
Scenario Writer
Ernesto Martinez
Costume Design
Jeff Okabayashi
Second Assistant Director
Popular Reviews
104 reviews
Vanta
5.0★ · 03/29/26
Disney kids singing in rock bands with their disney facial expressions was not what I wanted to see.
Disney kids singing in rock bands with their disney facial expressions was not what I wanted to see.
sam
4.0★ · 02/25/26
i was only here for charlie saxton but hello mr bowie
i was only here for charlie saxton but hello mr bowie
mia
10.0★ · 12/20/25
late 2000s high school band movies are seriously peak feel-good cinema
late 2000s high school band movies are seriously peak feel-good cinema
Alyssa Hendry
6.0★ · 09/02/25
dear david bowie,
can’t believe you were actually in this. and that scott porter is that BAYDDD. dewey wanna rock?!
all the best,
alyss5a
dear david bowie,
can’t believe you were actually in this. and that scott porter is that BAYDDD. dewey wanna rock?!
all the best,
alyss5a
Marina
8.0★ · 08/12/25
Guys I enjoyed this I literally dgaf. Like take me out back and shoot me I guess. I spent like 45 minutes writing a really long review in my notes app because this movie has fascinated me to no end and filled me with hope and curiosity. I think some of the reviews on here are throwing unfair accusations at this movie. Maybe I’m just feeling optimistic but Sa5m is a camp queen. There’s a lot that’s bad and annoying about Bandslam (2009) but there is also so much that’s good and that’s life and life is Bandslam.
Guys I enjoyed this I literally dgaf. Like take me out back and shoot me I guess. I spent like 45 minutes writing a really long review in my notes app because this movie has fascinated me to no end and filled me with hope and curiosity. I think some of the reviews on here are throwing unfair accusations at this movie. Maybe I’m just feeling optimistic but Sa5m is a camp queen. There’s a lot that’s bad and annoying about Bandslam (2009) but there is also so much that’s good and that’s life and life is Bandslam.
