The Secret Life of Bees

Play trailer

2:27

The Secret Life of Bees

PG-13

2008

1h 50m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

139 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Haunted by memories of her late mother and abused by her father (Paul Bettany), 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her friend and caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother's past. There, Lily meets the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo), who take her in and teach her about beekeeping, honey, and the Black Madonna. Lily also discovers that the truth about her mother is closer than she thinks.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

The Secret Life of Bees has moments of charm, but is largely too maudlin and sticky-sweet.

Read Critics Reviews

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/12/2017

B-

The story was okay, but I think there was an underlying mammy factor that rubbed me the wrong way.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Cockrell

Sydney Morning Herald

03/06/2009

2/5

Glossy yet ultimately shallow, this platitudinous, unconvincing drama makes The Colour Purple look like Mississippi Burning.

Go to Full Review

David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

03/06/2009

2/5

On most levels the film, which has a surprising number of unconvincing details, takes the sugary option; it shies away from the harsher realities whenever possible.

Go to Full Review

Stella Papamichael

Radio Times

03/16/2024

3/5

Like the rank and file of bees, everyone has their place here and they work towards an end product that is sweet but best enjoyed by children.

Go to Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

09/05/2023

3/4

The Secret Life of Bees is a pleasant little film that reduces overwhelming ideas into light emotional drama.

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/22/2020

3.5/4.0

A wonderful film for families.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Chris B

@Papa13070 May 12

The Secret Life Of Bees is a movie of what you call a "tearjerker" and that's what it is, the movie will touch your heart and teaches you about life, care, love & forget about your horrible past and move on. As for performances, everyone delivers and a couple of Oscar-worthy ones too. Dakota Fanning and Sophie Okonedo are the ones that delivers the Oscar-worthy performances. Come Oscars season, don't be surprised if any of those both actresses will be in the envelope (they deserved to get those nods!!) Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson delivered their best performances yet . As for the supporting actors: Bettany, Parker and Wilds, they did great as well.

See more

Gisell A.

@deadpoolgirl Oct 15

Just had a very good hook, but the story plot got lost trying to accommodate additional character arcs that didn’t add anything to the main story plot. It had a great cast…sadly they were just for show… Alicia keys didn’t even sing.

See more

thiago s

@Thiagostone Sep 18

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

See more

Barney F

@RT12239810 03/01/2025

I guess I just didn’t like Hilarie Burton’s character

See more

Kaelyn S

@RT84522154 01/20/2025

do not watch if you don’t wanna cry fifty million times

See more

Graham M

@Greyzer 03/31/2022

Warning Will Smith movie! This should have been called The Secret Life of B Minus.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Gina Prince-Bythewood

Director

Queen Latifah

August Boatwright

Dakota Fanning

Lily Owens

Jennifer Hudson

Rosaleen

Alicia Keys

June Boatwright

Sophie Okonedo

May Boatwright

Seven Pounds

26%

75%

Seven Pounds

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Seven Pounds

Phoebe in Wonderland

61%

70%

Phoebe in Wonderland

Watchlist

I've Loved You So Long

89%

85%

I've Loved You So Long

Watchlist

Grace Is Gone

63%

60%

Grace Is Gone

Watchlist

The Last Sin Eater

22%

72%

The Last Sin Eater

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Broadcast Film Critics Name Critics’ Choice Winners

UK Critics Consensus: Writers Warm to Madagascar 2; UK Critics Liked Lakeview Terrace

Box Office Guru Preview: Moviegoers to Feel the Payne

The Secret Life of Bees: Trailer 1

2:27

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Haunted by memories of her late mother and abused by her father (Paul Bettany), 14-year-old Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her friend and caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother's past. There, Lily meets the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo), who take her in and teach her about beekeeping, honey, and the Black Madonna. Lily also discovers that the truth about her mother is closer than she thinks.

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, James Lassiter, Will Smith, Joe Pichirallo
Screenwriter: Gina Prince-Bythewood, Sue Monk Kidd
Distributor: Fox
Production Co: Donners' Company, Overbrook Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Thematic Material|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.8M
Runtime: 1h 50m