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Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey is a 2023 British independent slasher film written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey is a 2023 British independent slasher film written and directed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield. It reimagines Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet as feral killers after Christopher Robin leaves for college. The film became notable for its low budget, public-domain premise, and negative critical reception.

Premise

The story begins after Christopher Robin leaves for college and returns years later. Pooh and Piglet, left to fend for themselves, have become feral and attack people in the Hundred Acre Wood.

Production

The film was made as a low-budget independent production by Jagged Edge Productions and ITN Distribution. Sources describe a very small budget and a short shoot in England, including filming near Ashdown Forest.

Reception

Critical reception was overwhelmingly negative, with many reviewers calling it one of the worst films ever made. It nonetheless became widely discussed because of its concept and its financial performance relative to cost.

Franchise

The film launched the Twisted Childhood Universe, a shared horror series based on public-domain children’s characters. A sequel followed in 2024.

Key facts

  • The film is a horror adaptation inspired by A. A. Milne’s original Winnie-the-Pooh stories after they entered the public domain.
  • It stars Craig David Dowsett as Winnie-the-Pooh, Chris Cordell as Piglet, and Nikolai Leon as Christopher Robin.
  • The film received overwhelmingly negative reviews and won five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture.
  • Despite poor reviews, it was a commercial success relative to its budget, grossing about US$7.7 million worldwide.
  • A sequel, Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2, was released in 2024.
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Canadian context

The film was internationally discussed in Canada as part of the broader public-domain horror trend and the online attention surrounding its provocative use of a classic children’s character.

Frequently asked questions

What is Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey?
It is a 2023 British slasher film that turns Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet into murderous characters after Christopher Robin leaves for college.
Who directed the film?
Rhys Frake-Waterfield wrote and directed the film.
Is the film based on public-domain material?
Yes. It uses the original Winnie-the-Pooh stories after they entered the public domain, while Disney’s later animated versions remain separately protected.
How was the film received?
It was received very poorly by critics and won five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture.
Was it financially successful?
Yes. It earned about US$7.7 million worldwide against a reported budget of US$50,000.
Did it have a sequel?
Yes. Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2 was released in 2024.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnie-the-Pooh:_Blood_and_Honey
    Supports: Cast, plot, reception, budget, box office, and sequel information.
  2. Time — https://www.time.com/6253876/winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey-backstory/
    Supports: Public-domain context, premise, characters, and production background.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/winnie_the_pooh_blood_and_honey
    Supports: Synopsis, director, genre, release date, runtime, and box office listing.
  4. Metacritic — https://www.metacritic.com/movie/winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey/details/
    Supports: Genre, release date, runtime, and production company listing.
  5. People — https://www.people.com/movies/winnie-the-pooh-blood-and-honey-everything-to-know/
    Supports: Public-domain explanation, plot, and production notes.
  6. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19623240/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary.
  7. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23330554/
    Supports: Sequel existence and basic title information.