Akeelah and the Bee
A gifted South Central Los Angeles girl finds confidence, mentorship, and community through the high-stakes world of competitive spelling.
Overview
A young girl rises to the challenge of a national spelling competition, proving that determination can overcome adversity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- inspirational
- warm
- earnest
- family movie night
- inspirational viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film emotionally sincere and engaging, praising its performances and inspirational coming-of-age story despite some conventional elements.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Akeelah's spelling success forces her to confront insecurity, family instability, and the expectations attached to her talent.
Dr. Larabee coaches Akeelah while dealing with his own demons, making their preparation more than technical training.
Akeelah's progress toward the national spelling bee gives her South Central Los Angeles community someone to rally around.
Akeelah competes against more experienced and privileged spellers while relying on limited family and school support.
Films like Akeelah and the Bee, and why
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Shared coming-of-age drama, gifted young protagonist, mentorship, family pressure, and uplifting community spirit.
Billy Elliot
Shared youth competition narrative, class differences, demanding mentorship, and emotionally warm family drama.
The Ron Clark Story
Shared inspirational school setting, personal adversity, dedicated teacher, and triumphant underdog arc.
The Great Debaters
Shared Black coming-of-age perspective, family hardship, educational aspiration, and hopeful community-centered drama.
Movie Details
- Director
- Doug Atchison
- Release Date
- 2006-04-28
- Runtime
- 113 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (366)
Cast
- Keke Palmer
- Laurence Fishburne
- Angela Bassett
- Curtis Armstrong
- J.R. Villarreal
- Sean Michael Afable
- Sahara Garey
- Lee Thompson Young
- Julito McCullum
- Erica Hubbard
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Akeelah and the Bee about?
- A gifted South Central Los Angeles girl finds confidence, mentorship, and community through the high-stakes world of competitive spelling.
- What is Akeelah and the Bee like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Akeelah and the Bee as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Akeelah and the Bee violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Akeelah and the Bee as mild.
- What did critics think of Akeelah and the Bee?
- Critics broadly found the film emotionally sincere and engaging, praising its performances and inspirational coming-of-age story despite some conventional elements.
- Which films are like Akeelah and the Bee?
- Films with a similar feel include Searching for Bobby Fischer, Billy Elliot, The Ron Clark Story, and The Great Debaters.
- How long is Akeelah and the Bee?
- Akeelah and the Bee runs 113 minutes.
- Where can I watch Akeelah and the Bee?
- In United States, Akeelah and the Bee streams on MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel.
