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The Secret Life of Bees

2008·Movie
1h 54min·PG-13
65
GoodGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in United States. Where it is:

The Secret Life of Bees fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension4
  • Fast Pace4
  • Spectacle3

Heart

Moving and hopeful

Much of it is about family and growing up.

  • Family Dynamics9
  • Pathos8
  • Hopefulness8

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Situational Comedy2
  • Physical Comedy1

World

Family, history, and growing up

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Editing6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchPure EscapismThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

Bring Your Girlfriends, Sisters, Mothers and Daughters.

Set in South Carolina in 1964, this is the tale of Lily Owens a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past.
Southern Gothic DramaComing-of-Age StoryFemale EmpowermentRacial Tension in 1960sMother-Daughter RelationshipSecrets and ForgivenessHope and HealingStrong Female Leads

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Secret Life of Bees

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Secret Life of Bees legally?

You can rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Secret Life of Bees worth watching?

65
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 65/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 60%, and Metacritic 57). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Secret Life of Bees rated?

PG-13

It's rated PG-13 in the United States.

How long is The Secret Life of Bees?

1 h 54 min

The Secret Life of Bees runs 1 h 54 min.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Secret Life of Bees?

Critics59
Audiences72

Not quite. Audiences rate The Secret Life of Bees higher (72) than critics (59). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

Was The Secret Life of Bees a box office hit?

Budget$11 million
Box office$40 million

Yes. It cost about $11 million to make and earned $40 million worldwide, 3.6 times its budget.

What language is The Secret Life of Bees in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Secret Life of Bees?

82AEALARATAUAZBABEBGBOBRBZCACH+68

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Secret Life of Bees in 82 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.