---
title: "Bee Movie"
year: 2007
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/bee-movie"
fi1m_id: "bee-movie"
imdb_id: "tt0389790"
tmdb_id: 5559
wikidata_id: "Q275167"
fi1m_score: 55
critics_score: 56
critics_reviews: 12
published: "2026-10-05T05:19:45.393967+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T05:19:56.522654+00:00"
region: "AT"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Bee Movie (2007)

Directed by Simon J. Smith, Steve Hickner · 1h 31m · Family, Animation, Adventure, Comedy

## Identity

Bee Movie

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/bee-movie
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** bee-movie
- **IMDb ID:** tt0389790
- **TMDB ID:** 5559
- **Wikidata ID:** Q275167
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389790/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/5559, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q275167

**Fi1m score: 55** · Critics 56 from 12 reviews

*In a sentence:* A talking bee is a reasonable idea until someone gives him this much dialogue

> Jerry Seinfeld gives *Bee Movie* an amiable, fussy comic voice, but the jokes never quite become a story. Some of the absurdity is welcome; the thin animation and muddled writing make it hard to recommend.

## Synopsis

Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld) learns how to be a working bee, with Adam Flayman (Matthew Broderick) among the figures in his life. Work is not his only practical difficulty: he also gets trapped in a car and needs to find a way out of a space built for creatures much larger than himself. Vanessa Bloome (Renée Zellweger) enters Barry’s life, and their relationship brings another set of complications. Between employment, Vanessa and the car, Barry has to negotiate a world that is awkward to navigate at insect size.

## Review

A bee learning how to work ought to give a comedy plenty to complain about. *Bee Movie* gets some amusement out of that premise, then struggles to find a story that can sustain its chatter. Directors Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner keep things amiable, and Jerry Seinfeld’s voice gives the film a pleasingly aggrieved tone. It is a mixed family comedy with appealing performers and too many jokes that seem to have arrived before anyone asked where they belonged.

We laughed at Barry learning how to be a working bee. Jerry Seinfeld’s delivery makes the business of employment sound faintly unreasonable, which is a useful attitude for a creature expected to get on with it. The performance is conversational enough to let a small complaint remain small, without treating every line as the cue for an enormous reaction. Matthew Broderick, voicing Adam Flayman, supplies an agreeable gentleness, although the film does not give the surrounding characters enough weight.

The larger difficulty is Barry’s relationship with Vanessa Bloome, voiced by Renée Zellweger. She gives Vanessa warmth, and the strangeness of the pairing has comic possibilities, yet the writing never makes their interest in each other convincing enough. We are willing to accept a talking bee; we still need a reason to care whom he talks to. Too many of these exchanges feel like opportunities for another line rather than scenes between characters with anything at stake.

Barry getting trapped in a car is more immediately engaging because the problem is visible. David C. Lawson’s cinematography makes the disparity in scale easy to follow, and a small insect in a large vehicle is a sound basis for physical comedy. Alex McDowell’s production design is less rewarding: the settings are clear enough, but seldom interesting enough to draw the eye away from whoever is speaking. The animation can look flat, especially for a film whose change of scale ought to offer so much to look at.

The screenplay, credited to Barry Marder, Andy Robin, Jerry Seinfeld and Spike Feresten, is much happier making individual observations than connecting them. Its questions about individuality and conformity get tangled, so that Barry’s frustrations never develop into much worth thinking about. A family comedy need not settle a philosophical dispute, but it should know what it admires in its hero. Here the changes of direction too often suggest another sketch has started, with the previous one left unfinished.

Nick Fletcher’s editing gives the shorter comic exchanges a reasonable pace, but the action material exposes how little momentum the story has built. Movement starts to feel like a way of filling the running time, even though that is only 91 minutes. Rupert Gregson-Williams’s music supplies a cheerfulness the dialogue does not always earn, keeping us company without making the comedy much funnier. The action stretches are where the film most needs a joke that can justify the interruption.

There is no need for a family comedy to be noisy or frantic, and we would not trade this one’s mildness for either. What it needs is a stronger reason to follow Barry once the pleasure of hearing his voice has worn off. The performers provide scattered amusement, but not enough to make this an easy recommendation. Try it only if Jerry Seinfeld’s conversational grumbling is already part of the appeal.

*Fi1m score 55, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

The reviews lean towards a mixed verdict on Bee Movie, with praise clustering around its comic personality rather than its story. Several critics find charm in the gentle tone and Seinfeld humour, while the voice cast, courtroom scenes and occasional sharp gag earn approval. Even some less enthusiastic notices acknowledge an amiable film, though there is little agreement on whether the comedy is sustained enough to make it memorable.

Reservations centre on thin plotting, awkward narrative choices and jokes that do not consistently land. The spread is wide: Radio Times welcomes the story’s imaginative directions, while other reviews find it short on surprise or weighed down by unnecessary action. The animation divides critics too, with Eye for Film praising its beauty and Empire finding it flat. Questions about the intended audience deepen the split: some see broad appeal, while others think the humour serves adults better than children.

## Straight answers

**Is Bee Movie worth watching?**

*Bee Movie* is a mixed family comedy we score 55/100, worth considering chiefly if Jerry Seinfeld’s conversational grumbling appeals. We find scattered amusement in Barry’s working life and the amiable voice performances, but the flat animation and disconnected jokes leave too little story to make it an easy recommendation.

**How long is Bee Movie, and what is it rated?**

*Bee Movie* runs 1h 31m. It is a family and animation film.

**Where can I watch Bee Movie in Austria?**

*Bee Movie* is streaming on Netflix and Disney+ in Austria, and it is also available to rent from Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV from €2.99. Availability is checked daily; the links above go straight to each service.

**How does Bee Movie compare to Ernest & Celestine?**

*Bee Movie* is the weaker choice beside [*Ernest & Celestine*](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine), which we recommend for its gentler, better-developed friendship between creatures expected to keep apart. Seinfeld’s fussy complaints give *Bee Movie* some appeal, but Barry and Vanessa’s relationship never becomes convincing enough; *Ernest & Celestine* offers more reason to care about its mouse and bear.

### Reviews we read (12)

- **Radio Times**, Dave Aldridge (4/5): Aldridge presents the film as a smart, sassy animated adventure. He praises its lively comic energy and the story’s imaginative directions. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-k1rr8n/bee-movie/)
- **The AV Club**, Nathan Rabin (B-): Rabin finds the film semi-charming and reasonably clever, but slight and not quite able to overcome its hype. He praises its unexpected dark turns while faulting the padded, unnecessary third-act action sequence. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/bee-movie-1798203318)
- **The Guardian**, Rob Mackie (65/100, inferred): Mackie finds the film sweet and charming, though not especially memorable or laugh-out-loud funny. He singles out the courtroom scenes and Chris Rock’s mosquito for the film’s best line. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/may/23/dvdreviews.family)
- **RogerEbert.com** (63/100, inferred): The page endpoint identifies a review, but its text is unavailable here. The critic's verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be verified. [Read](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/bee-movie-2007)
- **Time Out**, David Jenkins (3/5): The review gives a mixed verdict on the film. It describes the bee jokes as semi-decent, while criticizing how they are put together. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/bee-movie-1)
- **Empire**, Sam Toy (55/100, inferred): The critic finds the film entertaining but only just good enough to overcome its shortcomings. The voice cast and gag writing stand out, while the flat animation disappoints. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bee-movie-review/)
- **Slant Magazine**, Nick Schager (2/4): Schager finds the film awkward and ineffective, with a muddled message about individuality and conformity. He singles out its unfunny one-liners and celebrity cameos as weak attempts to entertain adults. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/bee-movie/)
- **Variety**, Todd McCarthy (40/100, inferred): McCarthy finds the film amiable but underwhelming, with a story short on surprise and originality. He praises its gentle tone and distinctive Seinfeld humor, while faulting its wispy concept and less detailed animation. [Read](https://variety.com/2007/digital/reviews/bee-movie-1200555014/)
- **Screen Daily**, Brent Simon (35/100, inferred): The review finds that the film fails to fully take flight. It blames misguided narrative choices for holding back the story. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/bee-movie/4035617.article)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Kirk Honeycutt (30/100, inferred): Honeycutt finds the film strained and uninspired, with its comedy rarely working. He particularly criticizes the lack of believable logic in the relationship between Barry and Vanessa. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/bee-movie-158919/)
- **Eye for Film**, Keith Dudhnath (90/100, inferred): The critic finds the film formulaic but charming and highly entertaining. They praise its beautiful visuals and appeal to viewers of all ages. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/bee-movie-film-review-by-keith-dudhnath)
- **The Skinny**, Kevin McHugh (★★): McHugh finds the film disappointing, saying it fails to entertain children. He praises its slick animation and Seinfeld’s performance, but says adults will appreciate the humour and characters more. [Read](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/bee-movie)

## Details

- **Director:** Simon J. Smith, Steve Hickner
- **Director:** Simon J. Smith, Steve Hickner
- **Writer:** Jerry Seinfeld, Spike Feresten, Barry Marder, Andy Robin
- **Cinematography:** David C. Lawson
- **Editor:** Nick Fletcher
- **Music:** Rupert Gregson-Williams
- **Production design:** Alex McDowell
- **Costume design:** Jane Poole
- **Producer:** Christina Steinberg, Jerry Seinfeld
- **Cast:** Jerry Seinfeld as Barry B. Benson (voice); Renée Zellweger as Vanessa Bloome (voice); Matthew Broderick as Adam Flayman (voice); Patrick Warburton as Ken (voice); John Goodman as Layton T. Montgomery (voice); Chris Rock as Mooseblood (voice); Kathy Bates as Janet Benson (voice); Barry Levinson as Martin Benson (voice)
- **Runtime:** 1h 31m
- **First release (South Korea):** 3 January 2007
- **Genres:** Family, Animation, Adventure, Comedy
- **Budget:** $150 million
- **Box office:** $288 million

## Where to watch in Austria

- Netflix: streaming
- Disney+: streaming, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent €2.99, sd
- Apple TV: rent €3.99, hd
- Apple TV: buy €8.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy €8.99, sd

*Checked 2026-10-05.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, AZ, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, SK, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie 2008: Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie (nominated)
- Annie Award for Best Animated Feature 2007: Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (nominated)
- Critics' Choice Awards 2007: Best Animated Feature (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Antz* (1998): Another anxious insect discovers that employment can become an unreasonable commitment.
- *Ernest & Celestine* (2012), Fi1m 84: A gentler, better developed friendship between creatures expected to keep apart. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ernest-and-celestine.md)
- *A Town Called Panic* (2009): Domestic grievances grow into absurd adventures, with far less interest in behaving sensibly.
- *The Man in the White Suit* (1951): An inventor discovers how quickly employers and workers can agree to dislike him.
- *The Castle* (1997): Ordinary complaints and legal wrangling made funny through affection for the people involved.

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/bee-movie