18 Years Ago This Animated Movie Hit Theaters (And Should’ve Been A Much Bigger Hit Than It Was)

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By 2007, DreamWorks Animation had become a major player in the animation industry, successfully establishing itself alongside the long-standing leader, Pixar. The studio’s unique style – a blend of playful humor, witty references to pop culture, and genuine emotional depth – was solidified by the huge success of Shrek in 2001. This film not only earned the first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, but also redefined what family movies could be. Over the following years, DreamWorks proved Shrek wasn’t a one-time hit, creating a collection of popular and globally recognized franchises. From the massive success of Shrek 2 to the exciting adventures of the Madagascar characters, DreamWorks consistently delivered blockbuster films.

As a long-time fan, I always knew anything this studio put out was going to be huge – they had a reputation for blockbusters! That’s why when Bee Movie came out on November 2, 2007, everyone was so confused. It was a real passion project for Jerry Seinfeld, which was awesome, but the story was… different. It wasn’t what people expected, and honestly, it split audiences right down the middle. It had all the potential in the world, but that unusual approach meant it just didn’t quite become the massive hit everyone thought it would be.

When Bee Movie first came out, reviews were pretty mixed. Critics weren’t very impressed, finding the story unusual – it centers on a bee named Barry B. Benson (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld) who sues humans for stealing honey. Many reviewers also didn’t like the film’s constant puns or the strange romance between the bee and a human woman, Vanessa Bloome (voiced by Renée Zellweger). Despite these lukewarm reviews, the movie still earned over $293 million globally. However, this wasn’t a huge success considering the film’s $150 million budget and other popular DreamWorks movies. Over time, though, Bee Movie has become surprisingly popular, going from a quirky film to a beloved cult classic.

Bee Movie‘s Surge in Popularity Is Well Deserved

Around 2015, the movie Bee Movie unexpectedly experienced a revival, all thanks to the internet. People who grew up watching it started revisiting the film and finding humor in its strange story and unique style, sharing their thoughts online. What began as genuine appreciation for the movie’s opening scene quickly turned into a wave of silly and absurd memes. Videos like the one that sped up the trailer every time the word “bee” was said became incredibly popular, racking up millions of views and establishing Bee Movie as a key part of internet culture.

Surprisingly, the film experienced a comeback online, leading people to take a fresh look at it. As the movie became popular through memes, many viewers rediscovered it as a clever and satirical comedy – something that hadn’t been fully appreciated before. What critics once considered flaws – like the strange plot and Seinfeld’s dry humor – were now seen as bold and unique qualities of an inventive animated film.

I think everyone loves Bee Movie for good reason – it’s just a really fun movie! But it’s also surprisingly smart, poking fun at how we all just follow the rules, get stuck in jobs, and do the same things day after day. I especially connected with Barry’s story; feeling trapped in a job you don’t love is something a lot of us worry about, and it feels even more real with the way things are going in the world. And honestly, the idea of a bee suing a human in court? It’s such a crazy, original concept for a big animated movie, and it’s what makes it so memorable.

What do you think about the movie Bee Movie and how it’s become so popular over the years? Share your opinions in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-11-02 16:10