Akeelah and the Bee

2006, Kids & family/Drama, 1h 52m

141 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

A warm, family-friendly underdog story, featuring terrific supporting performances from Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne, and Angela Bassett. Read critic reviews

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Akeelah and the Bee Photos

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Movie Info

Akeelah, an 11-year-old girl living in South Los Angeles, discovers she has a talent for spelling, which she hopes will take her to the National Spelling Bee. Despite her mother's objections, Akeelah doesn't give up on her goal. She finds help in the form of a mysterious teacher, and along with overwhelming support from her community, Akeelah might just have what it takes to make her dream come true.

Cast & Crew

Laurence Fishburne
Dr. Larabee
Angela Bassett
Tanya
Keke Palmer
Akeelah Anderson
Curtis Armstrong
Mr. Welch
Tzi Ma
Mr. Chiu
Lee Thompson Young
Devon
Dalia Phillips
Ms. Cross
Craig Wasson
Ted Saunders
J.R. Villarreal
Javier
Sean Michael Afable
Dylan
Sara Niemietz
Polly
Eddie Steeples
Derrick-T
Julito McCullum
Terrence
Erica Hubbard
Kiana Anderson
Sahara Garey
Georgia
Doug Atchison
Director
Doug Atchison
Writer
Laurence Fishburne
Producer
Sidney Ganis
Producer
Nancy Hult
Producer
Daniel Llewelyn
Producer
Michael Romersa
Producer
Marc Butan
Executive Producer
Mark Cuban
Executive Producer
Michael Paseornek
Executive Producer
Helen Sugland
Executive Producer
Todd Wagner
Executive Producer
M. David Mullen
Cinematography
Glenn Farr
Film Editing
Jaki Brown
Casting
Kim Coleman
Casting
Aisha Coley
Casting
Warren Alan Young
Production Design
Julieann Getman
Set Decoration
Sharen Davis
Costume Design
Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for Akeelah and the Bee

All Critics (141) | Top Critics (41) | Fresh (120) | Rotten (21)
Full Review… David Ansen Newsweek Full Review… Nell Minow Movie Mom Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian Full Review… Robert Hanks Independent (UK) Full Review… Anna Smith Empire Magazine Full Review… Jessica Winter Time Out Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Full Review… Robert Roten Laramie Movie Scope Full Review… Robert Davis Paste Magazine Full Review… Christopher Campbell Cinematical Full Review… Joe Lozito Big Picture Big Sound
View All Critic Reviews (141)

Audience Reviews for Akeelah and the Bee

  • Jul 14, 2011
    G-R-E-A-T, great! totally original, dramatic, and acts like a real movie. this is a smart and a real charmer of a family movie! easily one of the best films of 06. A+
    Juan C Super Reviewer
  • Jul 12, 2011
    I just love this movie. It is intelligent, vibrant, inspirational, captivating, and most of all moving. I would seriously recommend this picture to anyone especially to those who is just self obsessed watching action pictures. "Akeelah And The Bee" isn't just about a famous self obesessed spelling competition, the film digs deeper into the lives of Akeelah(played brilliantly by Keke Palmer) and the people who she meets and learns lessons from. This is a great movie and one of the best films I have seen.
    Brian R Super Reviewer
  • Feb 24, 2011
    Very inspiring. However, I don't really think that the storyline was great. It was just okay, as well as the acting. It was very predictable, too. My favorite for this would be Dylan Chiu (Sean Michael Afable). He gave me and my female classmates butterflies. He's good-looking. Overall, a little above average.
    Maymay A Super Reviewer
  • Feb 22, 2011
    The best thing about this little flick is prolly the acting. But it's also a rousing inspirational film.
    Jonathan G Super Reviewer
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