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Bee Movie

Bee Movie is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

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

Bee Movie is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film follows Barry B. Benson, a honey bee who questions hive life and becomes involved with humans after leaving the colony. It was directed by Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner and starred Jerry Seinfeld as Barry.

Premise

The story follows Barry B. Benson, a bee who feels confined by the expectations of hive life. After leaving the colony and meeting a human florist, he learns that humans use honey and takes legal action on behalf of bees.

Production

Bee Movie was produced by DreamWorks Animation and associated with Jerry Seinfeld’s first major animated film project. It was directed by Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner and released by Paramount Pictures.

Reception and legacy

The film received mixed critical reviews at release, with praise for its humour and voice cast and criticism of the plot. Over time it gained a cult following, aided by social media memes.

Box office

Bee Movie earned roughly $293.5 million worldwide and was produced on a reported $150 million budget. It performed moderately at the box office compared with other major animated releases of its era.

Key facts

  • Bee Movie is a 2007 DreamWorks Animation comedy about a bee who sues humans for consuming honey.
  • It stars Jerry Seinfeld as Barry B. Benson and Renée Zellweger as Vanessa Bloome.
  • The film premiered in New York City on October 25, 2007, and was released in U.S. theatres on November 2, 2007.
  • It received mixed reviews but later gained a cult following, partly due to internet memes.
  • The film grossed about $293.5 million worldwide against a reported $150 million budget.
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Canadian context

Bee Movie was widely distributed in Canada as a major English-language DreamWorks animated release, and it remains familiar to Canadian audiences through television, streaming, and internet meme culture.

Frequently asked questions

When was Bee Movie released?
It was released in U.S. theatres on November 2, 2007.
Who directed Bee Movie?
Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner directed the film.
Who voices Barry B. Benson?
Jerry Seinfeld voices Barry B. Benson.
What is Bee Movie about?
It follows a bee named Barry who leaves the hive, befriends a human florist, and sues humans over honey use.
Did Bee Movie become popular later?
Yes. Although its initial reception was mixed, it later developed a cult following, especially through memes.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_Movie
    Supports: Release year, directors, cast, plot, premiere date, distributor, box office, and cult following.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bee_movie
    Supports: Synopsis, directors, production companies, release date, runtime, rating, genre, and box office.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389790/
    Supports: Release year, runtime, and rating.
  4. ScreenRant — https://screenrant.com/dreamworks-bee-movie-trivia-jerry-seinfeld/
    Supports: Jerry Seinfeld’s involvement, plot overview, and cult following.
  5. YouTube (Channel Frederator) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qoqA_GOGqU
    Supports: Directed by Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner, release timing, and basic film description.
  6. DIY.org — https://www.diy.org/article/bee_movie
    Supports: 2007 release, DreamWorks Animation production, directors, and basic premise.