---
title: "Bumblebee"
year: 2018
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/bumblebee"
fi1m_id: "bumblebee"
imdb_id: "tt4701182"
tmdb_id: 424783
wikidata_id: "Q34220038"
fi1m_score: 78
critics_score: 72
critics_reviews: 29
published: "2026-10-05T14:47:29.031118+00:00"
updated: "2026-10-05T14:47:29.764836+00:00"
region: "SI"
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."
---

# Bumblebee (2018)

Directed by Travis Knight · 1h 54m · Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

## Identity

Bumblebee

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/film/bumblebee
- **Type:** Film
- **Fi1m ID:** bumblebee
- **IMDb ID:** tt4701182
- **TMDB ID:** 424783
- **Wikidata ID:** Q34220038
- **Same entity:** https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4701182/, https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/424783, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q34220038

**Fi1m score: 78** · Critics 72 from 29 reviews

*In a sentence:* The giant robot is good company; the people explaining the plot are harder work

> Travis Knight’s *Bumblebee* is a warm, engaging adventure with a friendship worth caring about. Hailee Steinfeld makes it work, even when the familiar plot calls everyone away for another explanation.

## Synopsis

In the 1980s, Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld) finds a companion in B-127 / Bumblebee (voiced by Dylan O’Brien), a robot whose arrival draws her into a conflict involving the Decepticons and the military. Charlie is finding her way towards adulthood, with family life and a friendship with a junkyard owner occupying her days. Jack Burns (John Cena) is among the people caught up in the robot conflict. As Charlie and Bumblebee grow closer, she tries to protect a friendship that brings problems far beyond her everyday world.

## Review

*Bumblebee* is a good-natured adventure that understands why we might want to spend time with a robot before asking us to worry about him. Travis Knight puts Charlie Watson and her unlikely friend at the centre, and the film is better whenever it stays with them. The story around that friendship is familiar, sometimes to the point of impatience, but the affection is persuasive. We recommend it to anyone who likes their science fiction with room for people.

Hailee Steinfeld does much of the work as Charlie, giving Christina Hodson’s coming-of-age story a person we can recognise beneath its well-used lessons. She treats Bumblebee as someone whose reactions deserve her full attention, and that helps us do the same. Their quieter exchanges moved us more than we expected, because the expressive animation gives her something to respond to and she never condescends to it. There is patience in the performance that the plotting could use more often.

Travis Knight handles the robot’s physical presence with similar care. The animation lets Bumblebee look uncertain as well as formidable, and his awkwardness makes the physical comedy work without requiring somebody to explain the joke. Enrique Chediak’s cinematography gives the action enough colour and clarity for us to follow the robots as they move. The fights benefit from that readability, but so do the smaller gestures: we have time to notice how Bumblebee responds to the people around him.

Sean Haworth’s production design makes the 1980s setting inviting, though the film can be too pleased with its period references. There are stretches when recognising the decade seems to be offered as entertainment in itself, and the characters are better company than the reminders. Dario Marianelli’s music supports the warmth, but sometimes encourages feelings that the central pairing has already earned. A little less encouragement would have been enough.

Paul Rubell’s editing gives the robot encounters a cleaner flow than the surrounding explanations, which repeatedly interrupt the film’s momentum. The Decepticon material is where Christina Hodson’s script most often sounds as though it is supplying information for a different, less interesting evening. None of this is difficult to follow; it simply takes time away from the pair we came to see. At 114 minutes, the film has stretches that could be shorter without making Charlie’s friendship with Bumblebee feel rushed.

Against the louder habits of the [*Transformers*](https://film.one/film/transformers) films, this smaller focus is welcome, though being easier to follow is hardly an ambitious standard on its own. Travis Knight’s interest in Charlie makes the difference, giving the action someone whose safety matters to us before the fighting starts. There is still a conventional adventure to sit through, and it becomes less distinctive as the action takes over. Watch it for Hailee Steinfeld and the robot, with some tolerance for the explanations that keep interrupting them.

*Fi1m score 78, published 5 October 2026.*

## What the critics say

Most critics welcome Bumblebee as a warmer, more coherent Transformers film, with praise centred on Hailee Steinfeld and Charlie’s friendship with the robot. The reviews repeatedly credit that relationship with giving the action emotional weight. Travis Knight’s direction, Bumblebee’s expressive animation and clearer action staging also earn approval, while the smaller-scale coming-of-age story offers a welcome break from the franchise’s usual excesses.

The reservations concern familiar plotting, uneven pacing and stretches where action or exposition interrupts the character work. The spread is wide, despite a clear positive majority: some find the simpler approach touching, others merely safe. The AV Club praises Steinfeld but finds the relationships rushed and the action muddled, directly challenging a common strength elsewhere. The New Yorker is more firmly opposed, finding the earnest approach short on style and missing the sensory thrills of earlier entries.

## Straight answers

**Is Bumblebee worth watching?**

*Bumblebee* is worth watching for its warm human–robot friendship, especially if we want science fiction with people worth caring about; we score it 78 out of 100. Hailee Steinfeld and the expressive animation make the quieter exchanges count, though familiar plotting and repeated explanations interrupt their time together.

**How long is Bumblebee, and what is it rated?**

*Bumblebee* runs 1h 54m. It is an action and adventure film.

**Where can I watch Bumblebee in Slovenia?**

*Bumblebee* is not on any streaming or rental service in Slovenia at the moment. It is available in 53 other countries; change your country at the top of the page to see where. Availability is checked daily.

**How violent or frightening is Bumblebee, and is it suitable for children?**

*Bumblebee* has a UK 12A certificate and robot fights, so its warmth is not a reason to assume it suits every child. The action is clear enough to follow and the friendship gives us someone to worry about; under-12s need an accompanying adult at the cinema, and younger or sensitive children warrant parental judgement.

**How does Bumblebee compare to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?**

*Bumblebee* offers a warm unlikely friendship, but we favour [*E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial) for making that bond the more consistently rewarding attraction. Both make a creature’s safety matter through a human companion; *Bumblebee* suits those wanting robot action alongside the affection, though its conflict and explanations repeatedly interrupt the strongest material.

**What should I watch after Bumblebee?**

After *Bumblebee*, try [*E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial) (1982, Fi1m 91): Another unlikely friendship makes an alien’s safety feel urgently personal. Then [*The Iron Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant) (1999, Fi1m 88): A boy and a robot give familiar adventure real tenderness; and [*My Neighbour Totoro*](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro) (1988, Fi1m 89): Children find reassurance in strange company, with room for quiet discovery.

### Reviews we read (29)

- **Empire**, James Dyer (90/100, inferred): Dyer finds the film a gleeful, heartfelt improvement that finally delivers a Transformers movie with real charm. He singles out Charlie and Bumblebee’s touching partnership, supported by Travis Knight’s expressive direction. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/bumblebee-review/)
- **IndieWire**, Liz Shannon Miller (B+): The review calls it the best Transformers film so far, praising its emotional focus and clear, enjoyable action despite some pacing problems. It especially singles out Hailee Steinfeld’s performance and the bond between Charlie and Bumblebee. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/bumblebee-review-transformers-hailee-steinfeld-john-cena-1202026649/)
- **Little White Lies**, Elena Lazic (3/4/4): Lazic finds the film a sweet, emotionally effective family adventure that improves on the franchise’s earlier entries. She praises Hailee Steinfeld’s performance and the more intimate, coherent action, which makes the robot battles hit harder. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/bumblebee)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (80/100, inferred): Chang praises the prequel as a charming, refreshingly intimate improvement on the earlier Transformers films. He singles out the delicate rapport between Steinfeld and Bumblebee, while noting that the plot is boilerplate and the ’80s references sometimes overdo it. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-bumblebee-review-20181208-story.html)
- **Total Film**, Kevin Harley (4/5): Harley finds the film a charming, breezy reinvention that brings welcome warmth and fun to the franchise. He particularly praises Hailee Steinfeld’s grounded, capable Charlie and her heartfelt bond with Bumblebee. [Read](https://www.gamesradar.com/bumblebee-review/)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Justin Lowe (78/100, inferred): Lowe finds Bumblebee a charming and effective reinvention that improves on the franchise’s earlier excesses. He particularly praises its character-driven coming-of-age story and Hailee Steinfeld’s performance. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/bumblebee-review-1167776/)
- **Sight and Sound**, Anton Bitel (75/100, inferred): The critic finds this prequel more focused and coherent than the earlier, bombastic Transformers films, while still enjoying its B-movie spirit. He singles out the tighter focus on the human characters and Bumblebee’s human qualities as a strength. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/bumblebee-review-transformers-are-better-without-bayhem)
- **The Guardian**, Phil Hoad (75/100, inferred): Hoad finds the film a snappy, wholesome improvement on the franchise, though its coming-of-age story feels too formulaic to deliver full emotional payoff. He especially praises the expressive, tactile character design and the film’s playful old-school spirit. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/dec/09/bumblebee-review-transformers-spinoff-that-dumps-bayhem-for-old-school-spirit)
- **Screen Daily**, Tim Grierson (70/100, inferred): The review presents the spin-off as a warmly surprising entry in the franchise. It singles out the film’s unexpected amount of heart for praise. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/bumblebee-review/5135143.article)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (70/100, inferred): Debruge finds the film a welcome, relatively enjoyable course correction for the Transformers franchise, though it still relies on recycled parts. He praises the more characterful animation of Bumblebee and the quieter, more coherent storytelling. [Read](https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/bumblebee-review-transformers-1203085122/)
- **Vulture**, Bilge Ebiri (70/100, inferred): Ebiri finds the film a refreshing, restrained change from the earlier Transformers movies, though he misses their gonzo bravado. He praises its attention to Charlie’s character and Hailee Steinfeld’s performance. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/bumblebee-review.html)
- **The New York Times** (64/100, inferred): The URL identifies this as a New York Times review of the 2018 film. The article text is inaccessible, so its verdict and specific praise or criticism cannot be determined. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/18/movies/bumblebee-review.html)
- **The AV Club**, Jesse Hassenger (C+): Hassenger finds Bumblebee an improvement over earlier Transformers films but ultimately careless and only mildly entertaining. He praises Hailee Steinfeld’s presence and her pairing with the robot, while faulting the rushed relationships and muddled action. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/bumblebee-may-be-the-best-transformers-movie-but-does-1831082330)
- **Evening Standard**, Charlotte O'Sullivan (3/5): O’Sullivan finds the film a frustrating, overly long ride, though it improves in the second half. She praises the supporting family performances and notes that Charlie is never sexualised. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/bumblebee-review-a-frustrating-joy-ride-a4022471.html)
- **Radio Times**, Terry Staunton (3/5): The review finds the spin-off warmer and more family-friendly than earlier Transformers films. It praises the film for relying less on bangs and crashes. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-z5cdt4/bumblebee/)
- **Time Out**, Helen O’Hara (3/5): The critic finds the spin-off familiar but charming. They praise its simpler storytelling in place of the main series’ convoluted mythology. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/bumblebee)
- **Slant Magazine**, Pat Brown (2/4): The critic finds Bumblebee more coherent and emotionally grounded than its predecessors, but ultimately tedious and not necessarily better. They praise its space for real human emotion while faulting corporate branding and the militaristic subplot. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/bumblebee/)
- **The New Yorker**, Richard Brody (35/100, inferred): Brody finds Bumblebee consistently middling, preferring comforting moral lessons to the sensory thrills of earlier Transformers films. He praises the gruff warmth of Charlie’s friendship with the junk-yard owner, but faults the film’s earnest, style-free approach. [Read](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/the-superhero-movie-as-secular-religion-in-aquaman-bumblebee-and-spider-man-into-the-spider-verse)
- **NME** (95/100, inferred): The critic calls it the best Transformers film so far, praising its brisk, simple storytelling. They single out the lively action, whose creative zip and detailed humor outshine the earlier films’ colder spectacle. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/bumblebee-film-review-2419630)
- **The Ringer**, Miles Surrey (90/100, inferred): Surrey calls Bumblebee one of the year’s best blockbusters and says Travis Knight is a must-see director. He praises its intimate, earnest focus on the bond between a girl and the robot, along with the colorful, coherent action. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2018/12/23/movies/bumblebee-review-travis-knight-director)
- **The Wrap** (90/100, inferred): The critic calls it the best Transformers film and an effective, enjoyable course correction. They especially praise its expressive robot characters and clearly staged action. [Read](https://www.thewrap.com/bumblebee-film-review-transformers-hailee-steinfeld/)
- **Paste**, Oktay Ege Kozak (8.0): Kozak calls the film a lovely, engaging sci-fi adventure and a welcome improvement over earlier Transformers movies. He praises the character development and the clear, inventive action choreography. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/bumblebee/bumblebee)
- **Den of Geek**, Duncan Bowles (4/5): The critic calls Bumblebee an emotional, exciting success and the best live-action Transformers film to date. He especially praises the heartfelt bond between Charlie and Bumblebee, which gives the film its emotional power. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/bumblebee-review-the-transformers-movie-fans-have-been-waiting-for/)
- **/Film**, Hoai-Tran Bui (8/10): Bui finds Bumblebee a warm, entertaining return to the franchise’s heart. She especially praises Hailee Steinfeld’s performance and the film’s sincere coming-of-age spirit. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/562861/bumblebee-review/)
- **Digital Spy**, Ian Sandwell (78/100, inferred): Sandwell finds Bumblebee a refreshing and emotionally engaging revival of the franchise, despite a generic action-focused final third. He praises the bond between Charlie and Bumblebee, supported by Hailee Steinfeld’s performance. [Read](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a25452908/bumblebee-review-transformers/)
- **Consequence**, Clint Worthington (75/100, inferred): Worthington finds Bumblebee a refreshing, charming entry in the franchise, though its plot loses momentum when it turns to Decepticon-related exposition. He especially praises the sweet friendship between Charlie and Bee and the film’s effective use of its 1980s setting. [Read](https://consequence.net/2018/12/film-review-bumblebee/)
- **Eye for Film**, Angus Wolfe Murray (70/100, inferred): The review finds the film warmer and more delicate than expected, despite its familiar ingredients. It singles out Hailee Steinfeld’s courageous performance and the film’s Spielberg-like sentimentality. [Read](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/bumblebee-2018-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray)
- **HeyUGuys** (70/100, inferred): The critic finds Bumblebee a welcome, heartfelt improvement over earlier Transformers films, though it falls short of greatness. They praise the chemistry and performances of Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena, while faulting the writing and generic climax. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/bumblebee-review/)
- **The Playlist** (64/100, inferred): The URL identifies a review, but the page content is blocked. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be verified. [Read](https://theplaylist.net/bumblebee-review-20181211/)

## Details

- **Director:** Travis Knight
- **Director:** Travis Knight
- **Writer:** Christina Hodson
- **Cinematography:** Enrique Chediak
- **Editor:** Paul Rubell
- **Music:** Dario Marianelli
- **Production design:** Sean Haworth
- **Costume design:** Dayna Pink
- **Producer:** Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Michael Bay, Stephen Davis
- **Cast:** Dylan O'Brien as B-127 / Bumblebee (voice); Hailee Steinfeld as Charlie Watson; John Cena as Jack Burns; Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Memo Gutierrez; John Ortiz as Dr. Powell; Stephen Schneider as Ron; Jason Drucker as Otis Watson; Pamela Adlon as Sally Watson
- **Runtime:** 1h 54m
- **Release (Slovenia):** 20 December 2018
- **Genres:** Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
- **Budget:** $135 million
- **Box office:** $468 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcwmDAYt22k

## Where to watch in Slovenia

Not streaming, renting or buying in Slovenia at the last check.

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, 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, TH, TR, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## If you liked this

- *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982), Fi1m 91: Another unlikely friendship makes an alien’s safety feel urgently personal. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial.md)
- *The Iron Giant* (1999), Fi1m 88: A boy and a robot give familiar adventure real tenderness. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-iron-giant.md)
- *My Neighbour Totoro* (1988), Fi1m 89: Children find reassurance in strange company, with room for quiet discovery. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/my-neighbor-totoro.md)
- *Robot & Frank* (2012): Robot companionship gets an older, drier treatment, without losing its warmth.
- *The Kid with a Bike* (2011): For the coming-of-age story: a child learning to trust someone again.

---
© 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/bumblebee