Maya the Bee (film)
A young bee breaks hive rules to find stolen Royal Jelly.
Maya the Bee (promoted theatrically as Maya the Bee Movie) is a 2014 animated adventure comedy film directed by Alexs Stadermann. It is loosely based on the 1975 anime Maya the Honey Bee as well as indirectly on the German children's book The Adventures of Maya the Bee by Waldemar Bonsels. It is not the first animated film in the Maya the Bee franchise—a 2012 CGI animated film titled 'Maya the Bee' was produced by Studio 100 and distributed earlier. This 2014 film was produced by Studio 100 Film and Buzz Studios, and distributed by StudioCanal in Australia and by Universum Film in Germany.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Alexs Stadermann
- Producer
- Thorsten Wegener / Barbara Stephen
- Screenplay
- Fin Edquist / Marcus Sauermann
- Based On
- The Adventures of Maya the Bee · Waldemar Bonsels
- Starring
- Coco Jack Gillies / Jacki Weaver / Richard Roxburgh / Noah Taylor / Justine Clarke / Miriam Margolyes / Shane Dundas / David Collins / Andy McPhee / Kodi Smit-McPhee
- Music
- Ute Engelhardt
- Editing
- Adam Smith
- Studio
- Studio 100 Film / Buzz Studios
- Distributor
- Universum Film / StudioCanal
- Released
- 11 September 2014 · Germany · 2014 · 11 · 01 · Australia
- Runtime
- 88 minutes
- Country
- Germany / Australia
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Maya is a young bee who does not like to follow the rules of the hive, particularly the rule not to trust hornets beyond the meadow. When the Royal Jelly is stolen, the hornets are suspected, and Maya is considered an accomplice. Only her best friend Willy believes she is innocent. Together they journey to the hornet hive, discover the real culprit, and bond with other meadow insects.
The voice cast includes Coco Jack Gillies as Maya, Kodi Smit-McPhee as Willy, and Joel Franco as Sting, a young hornet. Other characters include Flip the grasshopper, Miss Cassandra the bee teacher, Buzzlina Von Beena the royal counselor, and the Queen. The film was Coco Jack Gillies' film debut; she was 9 years old at the time of production.
The film was produced in association with Flying Bark Productions and the channel ZDF. Universum Film distributed directly in German-speaking territories, while StudioCanal handled Australasia.
Reader's Guide
Maya the Bee received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, 47% of 17 critics' reviews were positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10. Metacritic assigned a score of 49 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating 'mixed or average' reviews. Frank Hatherley of Screen Daily positively assessed the visuals, action scenes, and Gillies' performance. Peter Debruge of Variety felt the plot was 'innocuous and uninspired as preschool animation gets' but considered it a relief for parents. Michael Rechtstaffen of The Hollywood Reporter praised the story and cast performances. Charles Solomon of the Los Angeles Times questioned the dialogue and ending scenes. Jake Wilson of The Sydney Morning Herald called the plot a 'wearyingly familiar story' but praised the animation and Maya's characterisation. The film grossed $29.6 million worldwide. Two sequels and a spin-off followed: The Honey Games (2018), The Golden Orb (2021), and Arnie & Barney: The Water Quest (2026).
Did You Know?
- Coco Jack Gillies made her film debut as Maya at age 9.
- Two sequels were released: The Honey Games (2018) and The Golden Orb (2021).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maya the Bee (film)?
It is a 2014 animated adventure comedy directed by Alexs Stadermann, loosely adapted from the 1975 Japanese anime and the original German children's book by Waldemar Bonsels. The film was produced by Studio 100 Film and Buzz Studios, with German theatrical distribution handled by Universum Film.
What is the main plot of Maya the Bee (film)?
The story centers on a young bee who deliberately breaks the rules of her hive in order to track down the stolen Royal Jelly. The narrative is structured as a lighthearted adventure comedy built around her quest.
Who voices the characters in Maya the Bee (film)?
The Australian voice cast features Coco Jack Gillies, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Noah Taylor, Richard Roxburgh, Jacki Weaver, Justine Clarke, The Umbilical Brothers, and Miriam Margolyes.
How does the 2014 Maya the Bee film differ from the 2012 version?
The 2014 film directed by Alexs Stadermann is a separate creative production from the earlier 2012 CGI film that Studio 100 also released under the same title. Although both belong to the same franchise, the 2014 version has its own distinct direction, voice cast, and production team.
How did Maya the Bee (film) perform at the box office?
The film earned roughly $29.6 million in worldwide theatrical revenue. It opened in cinemas on 4 September 2014, distributed by StudioCanal in Australia and Universum Film in Germany.
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