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IMDbPro

Akeelah and the Bee

  • 2006
  • PG
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
21K
YOUR RATING
Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
Home Video Trailer from Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Play trailer2:43
4 Videos
24 Photos
DramaFamily

A young girl from South Los Angeles tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee.A young girl from South Los Angeles tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee.A young girl from South Los Angeles tries to make it to the National Spelling Bee.

  • Director
    • Doug Atchison
  • Writer
    • Doug Atchison
  • Stars
    • Angela Bassett
    • Laurence Fishburne
    • Keke Palmer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    21K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Doug Atchison
    • Writer
      • Doug Atchison
    • Stars
      • Angela Bassett
      • Laurence Fishburne
      • Keke Palmer
    • 184User reviews
    • 93Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 11 wins & 15 nominations

    Videos4

    Akeelah and the Bee
    Trailer 2:43
    Watch Akeelah and the Bee
    Akeelah and the Bee
    Trailer 2:36
    Watch Akeelah and the Bee
    How Keke Palmer Learned to Cry From Angela Bassett
    Clip 3:46
    Watch How Keke Palmer Learned to Cry From Angela Bassett
    Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon Share Their Films of Hope for Difficult Times
    Clip 8:09
    Watch Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon Share Their Films of Hope for Difficult Times

    Photos24

    Angela Bassett, Erica Hubbard, Lee Thompson Young, and Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Angela Bassett in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Jeris Poindexter, Keke Palmer, and Sahara Ware in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Laurence Fishburne in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Laurence Fishburne and Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Laurence Fishburne and Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Tzi Ma and Sean Michael Afable in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Curtis Armstrong and Erica Hubbard in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
    Angela Bassett and Keke Palmer in Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Angela Bassett
    Angela Bassett
    • Tanya
    Laurence Fishburne
    Laurence Fishburne
    • Dr. Larabee
    Keke Palmer
    Keke Palmer
    • Akeelah
    Curtis Armstrong
    Curtis Armstrong
    • Mr. Welch
    J.R. Villarreal
    J.R. Villarreal
    • Javier
    • (as JR Villarreal)
    Sean Michael Afable
    Sean Michael Afable
    • Dylan
    Sahara Ware
    Sahara Ware
    • Georgia
    • (as Sahara Garey)
    Lee Thompson Young
    Lee Thompson Young
    • Devon
    Julito McCullum
    Julito McCullum
    • Terrence
    Erica Hubbard
    Erica Hubbard
    • Kiana
    Eddie Steeples
    Eddie Steeples
    • Derrick-T
    Dalia Phillips
    Dalia Phillips
    • Ms. Cross
    Tzi Ma
    Tzi Ma
    • Mr. Chiu
    Jeris Poindexter
    Jeris Poindexter
    • Steve
    • (as Jeris Lee Poindexter)
    Sara Niemietz
    Sara Niemietz
    • Polly
    George Hornedo
    George Hornedo
    • Roman
    Craig Wasson
    Craig Wasson
    • Ted Saunders
    Katie Kerwin McCrimmon
    • Self
    • Director
      • Doug Atchison
    • Writer
      • Doug Atchison
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The quote that Dr. Larabee has Akeelah read from a plaque on his wall is an excerpt from "A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles" by Marianne Williamson.
    • Goofs
      The plaque on the wall in Dr. Larabee's office, which he makes Akeelah read, wrongly attributes the quote to Nelson Mandela's 1994 inaugural speech. This is a common mistake, but Nelson Mandela has never used that quote in any of his published speeches. The quote is from Marianne Williamson an American spiritual activist.
    • Quotes

      Akeelah: [quoting Marianne Williamson] Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

      Dr. Larabee: Does that mean anything to you?

      Akeelah: I don't know.

      Dr. Larabee: It's written in plain English. What does it mean?

      Akeelah: That I'm not supposed to be afraid?

      Dr. Larabee: Afraid of what?

      Akeelah: Afraid of... me?

    • Connections
      Featured in The Colbert Report: Frank Rich (2006)
    • Soundtracks
      El indio y el vaquero
      Written by Xocoyotzin Herrera
      Performed by Francisco Javier González & José Zuñiga
      Courtesy of LMS Records/Latin Music Specialists

    User reviews184

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10
    A true work of art!!!!!!
    Akeelah and the Bee is a great movie for the family. It's long overdue to see a movie about the African-American community that does not center around pimps, rapping or drugs in any way. I don't say this without reservation. As a African American aspiring actor, I realize that those are the parts that are written about and for us. That what makes this movie special, it shows that we as a people can rally behind a good cause. I can only hope that I will one day have the opportunity to showcase my talent in a feature such as this. The young actress portraying the title character is a great find. I can see she will be around for quite a while. Lawrence Fishborne did a wonderful job with this film. He became more than just a talent, but a wonderful producer as well. Be sure to catch this on DVD!!!

    A Must see for all!!!!!
    helpful•41
    10
    • keit06
    • Jul 30, 2006

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    FAQ1

    • How did this movie do at the box office, revenue-wise?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 28, 2006 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A som i Akeelah
    • Filming locations
      • Berkeley, California, USA(Crenshaw Middle School)
    • Production companies
      • Out of the Blue... Entertainment
      • Reactor Films
      • Cinema Gypsy Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $18,848,430
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,011,585
      • Apr 30, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $18,948,425
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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