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Akeelah and the Bee

Akeelah and the Bee is a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Doug Atchison.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Akeelah and the Bee is a 2006 American drama film written and directed by Doug Atchison. It stars Keke Palmer as Akeelah Anderson, an 11-year-old girl from South Los Angeles who competes in spelling bees and aims for the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The film also features Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.

Plot

The film follows Akeelah Anderson, a talented 11-year-old speller from South Los Angeles. With encouragement from her community and coaching from Dr. Joshua Larabee, she competes in spelling bees and works toward the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Cast and characters

Keke Palmer stars as the title character in one of her early major film roles. Angela Bassett plays Akeelah's mother, Tanya Anderson, and Laurence Fishburne plays her tutor, Dr. Joshua Larabee. Supporting roles include the school principal and Akeelah's classmates.

Production

Doug Atchison wrote and directed Akeelah and the Bee. The American drama film was released in 2006 and has a runtime of 112 minutes.

Reception and themes

Akeelah and the Bee is an underdog story that emphasizes perseverance, education, and community support. It is widely regarded as an inspirational family drama.

Key facts

  • The film follows Akeelah Anderson, a gifted 11-year-old from South Los Angeles, as she competes in spelling bees.
  • Keke Palmer stars in one of her early major roles, with Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne in supporting roles.
  • The film is an inspirational family drama that focuses on perseverance and community support.
  • It was written and directed by Doug Atchison and released in 2006.
  • The story culminates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Frequently asked questions

What is Akeelah and the Bee about?
It follows Akeelah Anderson, a gifted 11-year-old girl who enters spelling competitions and works toward the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Who directed Akeelah and the Bee?
Doug Atchison directed the film.
Who stars in Akeelah and the Bee?
The film stars Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett, and Laurence Fishburne.
When was Akeelah and the Bee released?
It was released in 2006.
What genre is Akeelah and the Bee?
It is an American drama film, often described as a family or inspirational drama.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akeelah_and_the_Bee
    Supports: Basic film identification, year, director, and premise.
  2. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/akeelah-and-the-bee/umc.cmc.1ygv76eug3764fd9m1dt5y9mu
    Supports: Runtime, director, cast, and synopsis.
  3. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/akeelah-and-the-bee
    Supports: Cast, release context, runtime, rating, and thematic description.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/akeelah_and_the_bee
    Supports: Genre and plot synopsis.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437800/
    Supports: Cast and general film identification.