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Bee Movie
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Written by
Produced by
  • Jerry Seinfeld
  • Christina Steinberg
Starring
Edited byNick Fletcher
Music byRupert Gregson-Williams
Production
companies
Distributed byParamount Pictures[a]
Release dates
  • October 25, 2007 (2007-10-25) (New York City)
  • November 2, 2007 (2007-11-02) (United States)
Running time
91 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$150 million[1]
Box office$293.5 million[1]

Bee Movie is a 2007 American animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and Columbus 81 Productions, and distributed by Paramount Pictures.[a] Directed by Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner and written by Jerry Seinfeld, Spike Feresten, Barry Marder, and Andy Robin, it stars the voices of Seinfeld and Renée Zellweger. The film centers on Barry B. Benson (Seinfeld), an anthropomorphic honey bee who tries to sue the human race for exploiting bees after learning from his new florist friend Vanessa Bloome (Zellweger) that humans sell and consume honey.

Bee Movie premiered in New York City on October 25, 2007, and was released in theaters in the United States on November 2. It grossed $293.5 million worldwide on a budget of $150 million. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its humor and voice cast but criticized its plot and lack of originality. Nevertheless, it has since gained a cult following, partly driven by internet memes of the film shared on social media, which most often lampoon its surreal premise, script and celebrity cameos.

Plot

[edit]

Barry B. Benson, an idealistic paleolithic honey bee who has the ability to talk to humans, has recently graduated from college and is about to enter the hive's honey-making workforce, Honex Industries, with his best friend, Adam Flayman. Barry is initially excited, but his ambitious, insubordinate attitude emerges upon discovering that his choice of job will never change once picked. Later, the two bees run into a group of Pollen Jocks, bees who collect pollen from flowers outside the hive, and they offer to take Barry with them if he is "bee enough". While on his first pollen-gathering expedition in New York City, Barry gets lost in the rain, and ends up on the apartment of a human florist named Vanessa Bloome. Upon noticing Barry, Vanessa's boyfriend Ken attempts to kill him, but Vanessa gently catches and releases Barry outside, saving his life.

Barry later returns to express his gratitude to Vanessa, breaking the sacred law that bees are not to communicate with humans. Barry and Vanessa develop a close friendship, bordering on attraction, and spend time together. When he and Vanessa are in a grocery store, Barry discovers that the humans have been stealing and eating the bees' honey for centuries. He decides to journey to Honey Farms, which supplies the grocery store with its honey. Incredulous at the poor treatment of the bees in the hives, including the use of bee smokers to incapacitate colonies, Barry decides to sue the human race to put an end to exploitation of the bees, with Vanessa agreeing to help.

Barry's mission attracts wide attention from bees and humans alike, with countless spectators attending the trial. Although Barry is up against tough defense attorney Layton T. Montgomery, the trial's first day goes well. That evening, Barry is having dinner with Vanessa when Ken shows up. Vanessa leaves the room, and Ken expresses to Barry that he hates the pair spending time together. When Barry leaves to use the restroom, Ken ambushes and attempts to murder him, only for Vanessa to intervene and break up with Ken. The second day at the trial, Montgomery unleashes an unrepentant character assassination against the bees, leading a deeply offended Adam to sting him. Montgomery immediately exaggerates the stinging to make himself seem the victim of an assault while simultaneously tarnishing Adam. Adam's actions jeopardize the bees' credibility and his life, though he recovers in a hospital with a small, plastic sword as a replacement stinger. The third day, Barry wins the trial by exposing the jury to the torturous treatment of bees, preventing humans from stealing honey from bees ever again. Having lost the trial, Montgomery cryptically warns Barry that a negative shift of nature is imminent.

Human-obtained honey being returned in overload to the hives leads to Honex stopping honey production and all bees, including the vitally important Pollen Jocks, put out of a job, and all the world's flowers begin to die out without any pollination. Before long, the last remaining flowers on Earth are being stockpiled in Pasadena, California, intended for the last Tournament of Roses Parade. Barry and Vanessa travel to the parade and steal a float, which they load onto a plane. They hope to bring the flowers to the bees so they can re-pollinate the world's last remaining flowers. When the plane's captain explains that the flight will be delayed due to bad weather, Barry attempts to talk to the pilots, only for them to knock each other out while attempting to kill Barry. With help from Barry and the bees from Barry's hive, Vanessa lands the plane safely.

Barry becomes a member of the Pollen Jocks, and they fly off to a flower patch. Armed with the pollen of the last flowers, Barry and the Pollen Jocks reverse the damage and save the world's plants, restarting the bees' honey production. Later on, Barry runs a law firm at Vanessa's flower shop titled "Insects at Law", which handles disputes between animals and humans. While selling flowers to customers, Vanessa offers certain brands of honey that are "bee-approved".

Voice cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

The development of Bee Movie began in 2003, when Steven Spielberg approached DreamWorks Animation CEO and co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg after Jerry Seinfeld asked him to make an animated film featuring insects. Seinfeld spent a week in Los Angeles working on it. Teleconferencing system HP Halo was installed in Seinfeld's office in New York, enabling him to work on the film and interact between coasts. Seinfeld said he set the film in New York because it was "the Tigris and Euphrates of comedy", and Katzenberg was the main reason for making the film.[3] The budget was approximately $150 million.[1] Spielberg appeared in two live-action trailers for this film in November 2006 and early 2007 where he interacted with Seinfeld, who wore a bee costume. Using these trailers as a basis, promotional live-action short skits surrounding the production of the movie, branded as Bee Movie TV Juniors, would air on NBC during their Fall primetime lineup.[4]

Release

[edit]

Bee Movie debuted in New York City on October 25, 2007,[1][5] followed by a premiere on October 28, in Los Angeles.[6] It was released in the United States on November 2.[7] The film was produced by DreamWorks Animation and Columbus 81 Productions, and distributed by Paramount Pictures.[a][8][9] Bee Movie Game was released in October 2007 for multiple platforms.[10]

Brach's sold Bee Movie candy corn, made with real honey, and also held a sweepstakes with the grand prize being a trip for four to New York City. General Mills placed cereal spoons and hand buzzers inside cereal boxes promoting Bee Movie. Customers could save 50 cents if they bought two Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, and Fruit Roll-Ups products featuring Bee Movie on their packaging. McDonald's offered six Bee Movie toys in its Happy Meals, while the company's advertising pointed customers towards white meat chicken nuggets, apple dippers, and low-fat milk. The Happy Meal and Conservation International websites both invited kids to take the "Bee Good to the Planet" pledge to protect the environment, and McDonald's supported Conservation International's efforts to protect bee habitats in South Africa and Mexico.[11]

Paramount Home Entertainment released Bee Movie on DVD (single- and double-disc) on March 11, 2008,[12] and on Blu-ray on May 20.[13] The DVD extras include the "Inside the Hive: The Cast of Bee Movie" and "Tech of Bee Movie" featurettes, "We Got the Bee" music video, "Meet Barry B. Benson" feature, interactive games, a filmmaker commentary, alternate endings, lost scenes, the live-action trailers, and Jerry's Flight Over Cannes.[12][14] An HD DVD version of the film was canceled after the discontinuation of that format.[15] The DVD release of Bee Movie was promoted with a $3 mail-in rebate offer from Blue Diamond Growers and a coupon for $1 off Sue Bee honey products.

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

Bee Movie earned $126.6 million in the United States and Canada and $166.9 million in other countries, for a worldwide total of $293.5 million.[1] DreamWorks Animation reported that the film made $27.3 million in home media revenues.[16]

The film was released with American Gangster and Martian Child on November 2, 2007.[1][17] Bee Movie earned $10.2 million on its first day. The film debuted at second earning $39.1 million from 3,928 theaters.[18] Its second weekend earnings dropped by 32% to $26 million,[19][20] and followed by another $14.3 million the third weekend.[21] Bee Movie completed its theatrical run in the United States and Canada on February 14, 2008.[1]

Critical reception

[edit]

Bee Movie has an approval rating of 49% based on 172 professional reviews on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, with an average rating of 5.6/10. Its critical consensus reads, "Bee Movie has humorous moments, but its awkward premise and tame delivery render it mostly forgettable."[22] Metacritic (which uses a weighted average) assigned Bee Movie a score of 54 out of 100 based on 34 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[23] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[24]

Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune gave the film two and a half stars out of four, saying "It's on the easygoing level of Surf's Up, and a full tick up from, say, Over the Hedge or The Ant Bully. But given the Seinfeld pedigree it's something of a disappointment."[25] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film three out of four stars, saying "At its relaxed best, when it's about, well, nothing, the slyly comic Bee Movie is truly beguiling."[26] Desson Thomson of The Washington Post said, "Bee Movie feels phoned in on every level. The images, usually computer animation's biggest draw, are disappointingly average. And as for the funny stuff, well, that's where you were supposed to come in."[27]

A. O. Scott of The New York Times gave the film three and a half stars out of four, saying "The most genuinely apian aspect of Bee Movie is that it spends a lot of its running time buzzing happily around, sniffing out fresh jokes wherever they may bloom."[28] Claudia Puig gave the film one and a half stars out of four, saying "Bee Movie is certainly not low-budget, but it has all the staying power and creative value of a B-movie. The secret life of bees, as told by Seinfeld, is a bore with a capital B."[26] Steven Rea of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film three stars out of four, saying "Bee Movie is not Shrek, and it is not Ratatouille either (by far the standout computer-animated feature of the year). But it has enough buzzing wit and eye-popping animation to win over the kids—and probably more than a few parents, too."[29] Richard Roeper gave the film a positive review, saying "This is a beautifully animated, cleverly executed, warm and funny adventure."[26]

Roger Ebert gave the film two out of four stars, saying "All of this material, written by Seinfeld and writers associated with his television series, tries hard, but never really takes off. We learn at the outset of the movie that bees theoretically cannot fly. Unfortunately, in the movie, that applies only to the screenplay. It is really, really, really hard to care much about a platonic romantic relationship between Renee Zellweger and a bee, although if anyone could pull it off, she could."[30] Ty Burr of The Boston Globe gave the film three out of four stars, saying "The vibe is loose-limbed and fluky, and the gags have an extra snap that's recognizably Seinfeldian. If I believed in a sitcom afterlife, I'd swear the whole thing was cooked up by Kramer and George's dad."[31]

Accolades

[edit]

Bee Movie led the 35th Annie Awards season with five nominations (including Best Animated Feature).[32][33] At the 65th Golden Globe Awards, it was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film.[34] The 13th Critics' Choice Awards nominated the film for Best Animated Feature.[35][36]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipients Result
Annie Awards February 8, 2008 Best Animated Feature Bee Movie Nominated
Animation Production Artist Michael Isaak Nominated
Storyboarding In A Feature Production Nassos Vakalis Nominated
Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production Patrick Warburton Nominated
Music in an Animated Feature Production Rupert Gregson-Williams Nominated
Critics Choice Awards January 7, 2008 Best Animated Feature Steve Hickner and Simon J. Smith Nominated
Golden Globe Awards January 13, 2008 Best Animated Film Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner Nominated
Golden Reel Award 2008 Golden Reel Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR for Animated Feature Film Will Files (supervising sound editor/sound designer); Michael Silvers (supervising sound editor); Randy Thom (sound designer); Luke Dunn Gielmuda (supervising Foley editor); J.J. George (supervising music editor); Scott Guitteau, Kyrsten Mate (sound editors); Steve Slanec (ADR editor), Kevin Crehan (music editor) Nominated
Producers Guild of America Awards February 2, 2008 Best Animated Motion Picture Jerry Seinfeld, Christina Steinberg, and Cameron Stevning Nominated
Kids' Choice Awards March 29, 2008 Favorite Animated Movie Bee Movie Nominated
Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie Jerry Seinfeld as Barry B. Benson Nominated

Lawsuits

[edit]

Two lawsuits involving Bee Movie were filed. Multiple Swedish animation students, who were represented by an American attorney, sued because their developed concept in 2000, titled Beebylon, had similarities to Bee Movie. A separate suit was brought by Florida-based cosmetics company Beeceuticals over the use of their trademarked phrase "Give Bees a Chance". Both of these lawsuits were rejected.[37][38]

Legacy

[edit]

Years after the film's release, Bee Movie has seen an unexpected rise in popularity as an absurd and surreal Internet meme. In 2015, posts of the film's dialog transcript (erroneously referred to as simply the "script") spread across Facebook.[39][40] On November 17, 2016, YouTube user Avoid at All Costs uploaded a video titled "The entire bee movie but every time they say bee it gets faster", where the entire film is sped up every time the word "bee" is spoken, condensing the film to only 7 minutes; the video amassed seven million views.[41][42][43]

Vanity Fair later characterized the film's sudden popularity as "totally bizarre",[44] and later identified Jason Richards as one of the meme's larger promoters through his @Seinfeld2000 Twitter account.[44][45] Inverse felt the film's ironic internet popularity has helped the movie become critically reevaluated by millennial critics who now view the film as an unironic, genuinely well-made film.[46]

Seinfeld has commented on the film's reemergence as a meme as "kinda weird but pretty welcoming" and said "you just can't predict what the internet will do next, but you gotta love it", but expressed no interest in making a sequel to Bee Movie despite its online popularity[47]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bee Movie

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bee Movie is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures. Directed by Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner, it was written by Jerry Seinfeld, who also stars in the lead voice role as Barry B. Benson, a newly graduated bee disillusioned with his predetermined career of honey production who ventures beyond the hive and befriends a human florist, leading to a high-stakes lawsuit against humanity for exploiting bees. The film features voice performances by Renée Zellweger as Vanessa Bloome, Matthew Broderick as Barry's best friend Adam Flayman, and a supporting ensemble including John Goodman, Patrick Warburton, and Chris Rock. With a runtime of 91 minutes and a PG rating for mild suggestive humor, Bee Movie blends adventure, satire, and wordplay centered on bee society and human-bee interactions. The plot centers on Barry's journey outside the hive, where he discovers humans consume honey harvested by bees, prompting him to partner with Vanessa to file a class-action lawsuit against the honey industry on behalf of all bees. Their victory halts honey production but inadvertently causes bees to abandon pollination duties, resulting in a global floral collapse that threatens food chains and ecosystems; Barry must then rally his fellow bees to reverse the damage and restore natural balance. The screenplay, co-written by Seinfeld with Spike Feresten, Barry Marder, and Andy Robin, incorporates Seinfeld's signature observational humor, including puns on bee-related terms and critiques of corporate exploitation and environmental interdependence. In production for over four years under Seinfeld's Columbus 81 Productions banner, Bee Movie had a budget of $150 million and marked Seinfeld's debut as a co-producer and . Released on November 2, 2007, it opened at number one at the North American with $38 million and ultimately grossed $126.6 million domestically and $293.5 million worldwide, achieving moderate financial success amid competition from films like American Gangster. Critically, it received mixed reviews, earning a 49% approval rating from critics on for its uneven pacing and premise, though praised for its animation and voice work; audiences gave it a 53% score. The film's score was composed by , and it was nominated for various awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

Story and characters

Plot

Barry B. Benson, a recent graduate from bee college, is disillusioned with the prospect of a lifelong career in production at Honex Industries in New Hive City, where bees are assigned one job for life within their rigidly structured society. During his mandatory orientation flight outside the hive—a rare opportunity for bees—Barry accidentally falls to the ground and is rescued by Vanessa Bloome, a kind florist who promises to keep his ability to speak a secret, violating bee law by befriending a . While visiting a with Vanessa, Barry discovers that humans harvest and commercialize , exploiting bees without reciprocating the process, which he learns is essential for floral reproduction. Enraged by this revelation, Barry decides to sue the human race on behalf of all bees, returning to the hive to rally support despite initial resistance from his best friend Adam and the bee community. With Vanessa's help, Barry files the against the honey industry, leading to a high-profile where he serves as his own . In the courtroom, key witnesses including a horsefly and Barry's boss Layton T. Montgomery testify, but chaos ensues when Adam stings Layton T. Montgomery on the stand, depleting Adam's and rendering him unable to fly temporarily. Despite the mishap, the rules in favor of the bees, ordering an immediate halt to all production and the return of harvested , which devastates the reliant on bee products. However, the cessation of bee labor disrupts global , causing flowers and crops to wither rapidly and threatening the entire . Realizing the unintended consequences of his victory, Barry teams up with Vanessa to reverse the damage by smuggling flowers from a and manually them using a customized , restoring life just in time. In the resolution, bees resume their natural duties while humans cease honey exploitation, allowing coexistence; Barry opens a specializing in interspecies legal disputes, and he continues his friendship with Vanessa, occasionally visiting her shop.

Voice cast

The voice cast of Bee Movie features a mix of comedians, actors, and celebrities, selected largely through Jerry Seinfeld's involvement as star, co-writer, and producer to ensure comedic synergy and improvisational energy. Seinfeld himself voices the protagonist Barry B. Benson, infusing the role with his signature New York-accented and observational humor, while much of Barry's was improvised during recording sessions to capture a rebellious, curious bee's perspective. Renée Zellweger provides the voice for Vanessa Bloome, Barry's compassionate human ally and florist, delivering a warm, empathetic tone that marks one of her early forays into prominent following her live-action . voices Barry's best friend and fellow bee Adam Flayman, portraying him with a neurotic, supportive edge that complements Seinfeld's lead performance.
ActorRoleDescription of Contribution
Jerry SeinfeldBarry B. BensonProtagonist bee; improvisational delivery shaped witty, sarcastic lines.
Vanessa BloomeHuman ally; soft, caring vocal style highlights her protective nature.
Adam FlaymanBarry's best friend; anxious, loyal bee with relatable everyman inflections.
KenVanessa's jealous human boyfriend; gruff, over-the-top delivery adds comic tension.
Layton T. MontgomeryHoney industry executive; booming, authoritative voice underscores corporate villainy.
MoosebloodStreet-smart mosquito sidekick; rapid-fire, energetic riffs recruited by Seinfeld for humor.
Janet BensonBarry's mother; nurturing yet exasperated maternal tone in bee family scenes.
Bee Larry KingNews anchor bee; deadpan, journalistic style parodies media in hive society.
Larry MillerDean BuzzwellHive security guard; stern, bureaucratic voice enforces bee conformity.
The film includes notable cameos that enhance its satirical edge, such as as Judge Bumbleton, whose poised, authoritative delivery lends gravitas to the courtroom sequences, and as a fictionalized version of himself, the exploitative founder of "Ray Liotta Private Select Honey," poking fun at celebrity endorsements in the honey industry. Seinfeld's central role in the casting process emphasized performers who could thrive in an improvisational environment, contributing to the film's unique blend of and .

Production

Development

The development of Bee Movie originated in 2003 during a casual dinner conversation when comedian made an offhand remark to about creating an animated film centered on bees, prompting to immediately contact co-founder , who greenlit the project. joined as , providing guidance while took on roles as writer, producer, and star voice actor for the lead character, Barry B. Benson. mentored , a newcomer to , through an intensive "Animation 101" process to familiarize him with the medium's demands. Seinfeld co-wrote the script alongside a of three writers from his television series, including , , and Andy Robin, over a period of nearly two and a half years that resulted in 212 drafts. Drawing from his background, Seinfeld infused the dialogue with observational humor about everyday absurdities, while emphasizing society as a for rigid corporate structures. The story evolved from initial concepts satirizing the hierarchical and monotonous nature of bee life—highlighting themes like job dissatisfaction and —to incorporating a dramatic plot where Barry sues humanity for exploiting bees by harvesting their , adding conflict and stakes to the narrative. This shift provided a structured arc blending with interspecies , though early challenges arose in adapting Seinfeld's often adult-oriented wit to meet animation standards, requiring careful tonal adjustments to appeal to all ages. The production received an initial budget allocation of $150 million, reflecting DreamWorks' investment in Seinfeld's vision. A key creative decision was setting the film in , chosen to contrast the orderly, curved architecture of the bee hive with the urban chaos and straight lines of human environments like and streets, enhancing comedic opportunities and aligning with Seinfeld's personal connection to the city as his home. To facilitate collaboration, DreamWorks hired directors and Steve Hickner, both experienced in animation, with Smith bringing expertise from Shrek projects and Hickner from . was enabled by the HP Halo telepresence system, allowing Seinfeld in New York to conduct daily conferences with the Glendale-based team, reviewing animation dailies and recording sessions in real time to maintain creative control across coasts. Seinfeld's involvement also extended briefly into voice casting selections to ensure comedic chemistry among the ensemble.

Animation and design

DreamWorks Animation produced Bee Movie using , employing custom software alongside to handle the film's scale and physics simulations. The bees were designed anthropomorphically, featuring expressive faces, human-like clothing such as shirts and sneakers, and no shoulders to emphasize their insectoid yet relatable forms, with Barry B. Benson's chubby, comedic appearance. To achieve realistic bee flight physics, animators simulated wings beating 100 times per second, incorporating particle-based motion blur inspired by dry-brush techniques for efficiency, while adding specular highlights for a stylized glint effect. The film's art direction contrasted the orderly, organic hive interiors—rendered in warm, curved shapes inspired by blown glass and pastel yellow tones to evoke a utopian bee society—with the vibrant, chaotic exteriors of , including a stylized angular exaggerated in scale for the bees' perspective and a saturated [Central Park](/page/Central Park) filled with stylized, cotton candy-like trees generated via proprietary "GTree" software. This visual dichotomy highlighted Jerry Seinfeld's vision of a "bee's-eye view" of human life, blending observational humor with the bees' perspective on everyday human elements like skyscrapers and flowers. Macro shots emphasized insect-scale perspectives, such as close-ups of pollen and blooming flowers in the park, achieved through dynamic scaling of bee models (from 6-foot human equivalents down to 0.825 inches) and a minimum 28mm lens to minimize distortion in human-bee interactions. Animation challenges included integrating exaggerated bee behaviors for humor, like waggle dances and fashion-conscious swarms in black-and-yellow attire, without layers, requiring all elements to be filmed together in a single pass. Innovations addressed these through for translucent wings and Syflex cloth simulations for clothing, while crowd simulations used rule-based systems for small hive groups and particle methods for larger scenes, such as 350,000 bees on a tarmac or thousands in courtroom sequences. To facilitate collaboration, DreamWorks installed the HP Halo system, connecting Seinfeld's New York office to the Glendale team for real-time reviews of animation clips, gestures, and expressions, which reduced travel needs and production time, enabling more iterations to perfect the visuals.

Music

Score

The original score for Bee Movie was composed by , who crafted a large-scale orchestral adventure emphasizing winning melodies, busy , and a sense of fun to capture the film's whimsical bee society. Blending frenetic action cues with brassy and jazzy elements, the score draws inspiration from earlier animated insect-themed works while maintaining a synth-free approach to heighten its lively, heroic motifs representing the structured yet adventurous world of the bees. These motifs, including humorous and enthusiastic themes, underscore the narrative's exploration of bee conformity and rebellion, integrating seamlessly to enhance the story's lighthearted tone alongside moments of dramatic tension. Key thematic elements feature adventurous strings in sequences like Barry's escapes, as heard in the extended cue "Barry Flies Out," which builds excitement through dynamic . Tense punctuates high-stakes scenes such as the trial, contributing to the score's frenetic energy, while uplifting melodies resolve in the climax, evoking resolution and harmony. Specific cues, such as the "Honex" —an old-fashioned orchestral theme depicting the industrious workforce—and the emotional for the Vanessa-Barry interactions in "Vanessa Intervenes," employ rhythmic and strings to mirror the characters' budding alliance without overshadowing the dialogue's comedic timing. The score was recorded at multiple studios, including in , with an unnamed full conducted primarily by Gavin Greenaway and additional contributions from Alastair King and Geoff Alexander. Engineered by Alan Meyerson and executive produced by , the sessions incorporated orchestral layers to evoke buzzing bee activity through percussive and string techniques, though no electronic effects were used. Co-composed with additional music by , Halli Cauthery, and others, the full score runs approximately 44 minutes, balancing the film's 91-minute runtime to support its blend of humor and drama.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack album for Bee Movie, titled Bee Movie: Music From The Motion Picture, was released on October 30, 2007, by , featuring a blend of original score excerpts composed by and pop songs used in the film. Comprising 15 tracks with a total runtime of approximately 44 minutes, the album highlights include score selections such as "" (the main title theme) and pop covers like Sheryl Crow's rendition of "," which plays over the end credits, as well as "" by , serving as the anthem for the bee society. The track selections, particularly the inclusion of "," tie into the film's central honey theme by evoking sweetness and communal harmony among the bees. Sales were supported by tie-in promotions associated with the film's theatrical release, though the album achieved modest commercial performance overall. The album has since seen digital re-releases and remains available on major streaming platforms, including and , as of 2025. Select tracks, such as "," integrate with the film's score during pivotal bee sequences.

Release

Theatrical release

Bee Movie had its world premiere on October 25, 2007, at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater in . The event was star-studded, with attendees including , who voiced the lead character Barry B. Benson, and , the voice of Vanessa Bloome. The film received a wide theatrical release in the United States on November 2, 2007, distributed by . It opened in 3,928 theaters nationwide. After Viacom's acquisition of the live-action DreamWorks SKG in December 2005 for $1.6 billion, Paramount entered into a distribution agreement with the independent for its films, including Bee Movie. Internationally, the rollout began in November 2007, with early releases in markets such as on November 1. Subsequent openings included the on December 14, on December 6, and further expansion to over 50 markets worldwide throughout late 2007 and early 2008. The film has a runtime of 91 minutes and received a PG rating from the of America for mild suggestive humor. Pre-release box office tracking projected an opening weekend gross of approximately $40 million for the U.S. debut.

Marketing and home media

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation launched an extensive marketing campaign for Bee Movie in the lead-up to its November 2007 theatrical release, featuring television spots, posters that highlighted Jerry Seinfeld's comedic involvement, and an interactive official website at beemovie.com that included games and character explorations to engage families. The campaign emphasized Seinfeld's star power through live-action teasers, including appearances with Chris Rock and Steven Spielberg, and integrated promotions like Seinfeld's guest spot on NBC's 30 Rock alongside 20 short "Bee Movie Juniors" animated clips aired during commercial breaks. Tie-in partnerships amplified the buzz, with offering six Bee Movie-themed toys in Happy Meals starting in November 2007, promoting healthier eating options alongside the film. included collectible Bee Movie toys, such as hand buzzers and spoons, inside select cereal boxes as part of a promotional offer that also provided discounts on related products. Merchandise extended to lines, featuring licensed apparel like promotional T-shirts distributed through retailers. Promotional events included Seinfeld's international press tours, such as a stunt at the where he appeared in a , and bee-themed contests like Brach's sweepstakes offering film-related prizes with honey-infused . Internationally, the campaign adapted with localized trailers, such as UK-specific versions emphasizing humor, to tailor messaging for European markets. The film received a wide home media release following its theatrical run. The DVD edition, a two-disc "bee-llennial" platinum version with behind-the-scenes featurettes, commentary, and deleted scenes, launched on , , topping U.S. charts in its debut week with approximately 1.8 million units sold and generating approximately $50 million in . The Blu-ray version followed on May 20, , including high-definition visuals and similar extras. As of 2024, Bee Movie has been available for streaming on platforms including and Peacock at various times, expanding its digital accessibility.

Reception

Box office performance

Bee Movie earned $38.0 million during its opening weekend of November 2–4, 2007, in 3,928 theaters across the and , securing second place at the behind American Gangster, which grossed $43.6 million. The film's debut was bolstered by its family-oriented appeal during the early holiday season but tempered by competition from high-profile releases like the action drama American Gangster and subsequent animated contenders such as Enchanted and . Over its domestic run, Bee Movie accumulated $126.6 million, while international markets contributed $166.9 million, resulting in a worldwide gross of $293.5 million against a $150 million . This performance yielded profitability for , with the film roughly doubling its costs after accounting for typical marketing expenses estimated at $50–75 million. International earnings were particularly robust, comprising 57% of the total, driven by strong showings in Europe—such as the and —as well as key Asian territories including and . The film maintained momentum through the holiday period, climbing to first place in its second weekend with $25.6 million (a 33% drop from opening) before settling into steady family draw. It held a position in the domestic top 10 for eight consecutive weeks, benefiting from a boost in late when it earned $11.8 million over the holiday frame amid school breaks and family outings.
WeekendDatesRankGross (USD)Theaters% Change from Prior Weekend
1Nov 2–4, 20072$38,021,0443,928-
2Nov 9–11, 20071$25,565,4623,944-32.8%
3Nov 16–18, 20072$14,008,4443,984-45.2%
4 ()Nov 23–25, 20075$11,813,5023,507-15.7%
5Nov 30–Dec 2, 200710$4,444,7983,150-62.4%
In comparison to other releases that year, Bee Movie underperformed relative to , which grossed $799.7 million worldwide earlier in 2007, highlighting the challenges of following franchise successes in a competitive animated market.

Critical reception

Bee Movie received mixed reviews from critics upon its theatrical release in 2007. On the review aggregation website , the film holds a 49% approval rating, known as the Tomatometer score, based on 171 critic reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10; the site's consensus states that it "has humorous moments, but its awkward premise and tame delivery render it mostly forgettable." On , which assigns a weighted average score, Bee Movie has a score of 54 out of 100 based on 34 critics, signifying "mixed or average" reviews, with 41% positive, 53% mixed, and 6% negative. Critics frequently praised Jerry Seinfeld's witty script, the chemistry among the voice cast, and the visual gags. of highlighted the film's creative verbal humor and pop-cultural satire appealing to adults, along with splendid animated set pieces like the bee's-eye view of New York that demonstrate advanced techniques. awarded it 2 out of 4 stars, commending the voice performances—particularly as the mosquito Mooseblood for delivering the biggest laugh and Ray Liotta's inspired portrayal of a bee actor—for contributing to the humor alongside some effective visual gags. of gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, noting its clever concept and situational humor that works for both children and adults without a . Common criticisms focused on the predictable plot, uneven pacing, and underdeveloped supporting characters. Ebert observed that the screenplay theoretically does not "fly," lacking momentum, and that the platonic romance between the bee protagonist and a human woman is difficult to invest in emotionally. Scott pointed out the limited emotional range in Seinfeld's performance, which stays mostly peeved or perplexed, and the way the plot and messages about interspecies harmony feel secondary to the jokes. Travers criticized the script for struggling to maintain momentum and lacking the emotional depth found in other animated features. Audience response was generally more favorable than critics', with theatergoers polled by giving Bee Movie an average grade of B+ on an A+ to F scale, and families particularly appreciating its kid-friendly elements and lighthearted tone. Retrospectively, as of 2025, the film has gained improved cult appreciation for its quotable lines and surreal humor, surging into Netflix's top three films in June 2025 despite the initial mixed buzz, though it remains seen as a minor work in Seinfeld's career.

Accolades

Bee Movie earned nominations across several major awards ceremonies during the 2007–2008 season, primarily in the Best Animated Feature category. At the , the film was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film, ultimately losing to Pixar's . Similarly, at the 13th Critics' Choice Awards, it received a for Best Animated Feature, with Ratatouille again taking the win. The film garnered the most nominations at the 35th Annie Awards, with five nods recognizing various aspects of its production. These included Best Animated Feature; Directing in an Animated Feature Production for Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner; Voice Acting in a Feature Production for Jerry Seinfeld as Barry B. Benson; Storyboarding in a Feature Production for Nassos Vakalis; and Music in a Feature Production for Rupert Gregson-Williams. Despite the strong showing, Bee Movie did not secure any wins, as Ratatouille dominated the animation categories. Additional recognition came at the , where was nominated for Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie for his role as Barry B. Benson. though it received no major awards at animation festivals such as . Bee Movie was eligible for the Best Animated Feature at the but did not receive a nomination, overshadowed by strong competition including Ratatouille, Persepolis, and Surf's Up. In the 2020s, the film has seen renewed appreciation as a streaming favorite and , frequently appearing on Netflix's top charts due to its status.

Legacy and controversies

Cultural impact

The film's transformation into an began around 2011–2012, when the full "Bee Movie Script" emerged as a on platforms like and , often pasted in comment sections for humorous effect. This led to the creation of read-along videos on , where users recited the entire script in increasingly absurd variations, amplifying its absurd humor and contributing to its viral spread among online communities. A particularly enduring meme iteration is the sped-up version of the film, first uploaded to in November 2016 as "The entire bee movie but every time they say bee it gets faster," which has garnered over 100 million views as of November 2025. This video, created by Avoid at All Costs (also known as MrTlExistence), inspired countless remixes, including slowed-down and deep-fried edits, and fueled trends in the late and where users lip-sync or to distorted clips from the movie. The movie's environmental themes, particularly its portrayal of pollination's role in ecosystems and the consequences of disrupting bee labor, have sparked broader discussions on bee conservation since its release. These elements have been referenced in environmental analyses, such as those highlighting the film's inadvertent promotion of awareness, though it simplifies complex issues like explored in documentaries like Vanishing of the Bees (2009). In pop culture, Bee Movie has influenced online humor and fan content, with its whimsical tone echoed in various bee-themed media. Jerry Seinfeld has expressed amusement at the meme phenomenon in recent interviews, noting how the film's niche humor achieved unexpected fame. The 2020s saw a resurgence in popularity, driven by streaming availability on and Peacock, which introduced the film to Gen Z audiences and prompted renewed appreciation for its satirical take on . This era also featured increased fan engagement, including artwork and of characters like Barry B. Benson at events such as Comic-Con, where attendees recreated bee suits and scenes. Interest in a sequel has seen renewed discussion, with Seinfeld stating in 2018 that he had no plans despite earlier meme-driven buzz and fan petitions circulating in 2024 urging DreamWorks to reconsider. However, as of June 2025, Seinfeld indicated interest in a potential live-action sequel, suggesting the universe might be signaling it is time. Overall, the film endures as a symbol of mid-2000s animation's quirky style, influencing bee awareness campaigns by organizations like the World Wildlife Fund through its emphasis on pollinators' ecological importance.

Lawsuits

In late 2007, shortly before the film's release, Beeceuticals LLC, a -based cosmetics company specializing in bee-derived products, filed a federal lawsuit against and in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of . The company alleged that the film's promotional "Give Bees a Chance"—used in marketing materials and tied-ins with partners like —violated its registered for the identical phrase, which it had employed since to promote environmental awareness and bee conservation. Beeceuticals claimed the similarity could confuse consumers and dilute its brand, seeking an to halt use of the slogan along with unspecified damages. The case was settled out of in 2008, just weeks after the film's theatrical debut, with both parties agreeing to confidential terms that did not require DreamWorks or Paramount to cease using the slogan in existing promotions. issued a statement emphasizing that the settlement avoided protracted litigation without admitting liability, while Beeceuticals' representatives noted it resolved the dispute amicably. The resolution had minimal impact on the film's rollout, though it prompted temporary scrutiny of merchandise approvals during late-stage marketing preparations. Separately, in , a group of Swedish animation students alleged that DreamWorks had plagiarized elements of their 2000 concept pitch titled Beebylon, a story about a young in a hidden hive challenging human exploitation of bee labor, which they had shopped to studios including DreamWorks. Represented by an American attorney, the students claimed conceptual similarities in plot, themes, and character arcs, but the matter did not advance to a formal filing and was effectively dismissed due to insufficient evidence of access or under copyright law. , the film's star and co-writer, publicly denied the claims during a promotional tour in , stating the script was an original creation born from his personal fascination with bees and assuring it was developed independently. These incidents, occurring amid the pre-release hype, underscored broader challenges in the industry, where idea submission practices and protections for slogans can lead to disputes even over unprotected concepts like general themes. No additional litigation related to Bee Movie has been reported as of , though the events have occasionally fueled online discussions about suits inspired by the film's own fictional plot, providing an ironic real-world parallel to its narrative.

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