May 20 is World Bee Day, and it’s the perfect excuse to celebrate some of cinema’s most buzz-worthy creations from animated classics to creature-feature chaos and everything in between. The little guys have long been a source of inspiration on the big screen, and filmmakers haven’t been shy about turning them into stars in their own right.
To celebrate World Bee Day, I’ve gathered up a mix of films that put bees (and their more menacing cousins) front and center. There’s something for everyone on this list, from a sci-fi comedy that’s been haunting my brain ever since to a high-octane revenge thriller that’s surprisingly self-aware. So if you’re looking for something fittingly thematic to watch in honor of the world’s most important pollinators, here’s a selection that’s sure to keep things buzzing.
‘Bugonia’ (Netflix)
![BUGONIA - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters October 24 - YouTube](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==)
The vibe: A comedy that gaslights and flabbergasts you every step of the way
The plot: The initial inspiration for this list, “Bugonia” was one of last year’s most-talked about movies, which is what made its Oscar snub such a disappointment. It follows conspiracy-obsessed beekeeper Teddy Gatz (played by Jesse Plemons at his most unhinged) and his cousin Don (Aidan Delbis) as they race against a deadline to save Earth from an alien invasion.
To save the planet, they kidnap a pharmaceutical CEO (Emma Stone), whom they believe is secretly an alien in disguise, and demand she connect them with her alien overlords. As tensions escalate, the admittedly half-baked plan spirals far beyond anyone’s control, turning increasingly chaotic and absurd. This is one movie that’s best gone into knowing as little as possible, but trust me — it’s worth the watch.
Watch “Bugonia” on Netflix now
‘The Beekeeper’ (Prime Video)
The vibe: A throwback revenge action movie that knows exactly how absurd it is
The plot: I expected “The Beekeeper” to be the same kind of over-the-top action movie shtick that’s been Jason Statham’s bread and butter for years, but I was pleasantly surprised by its tongue-in-cheek approach. Directed by David Ayer, it delivers plenty of slick, hard-hitting action sequences that lean fully into the chaos with a knowing wink.
Statham stars as Adam Clay, a former operative from a secret organization known as the Beekeepers. After leaving that life behind, Clay settles into a quiet retirement as a literal beekeeper. But when scammers target his kindhearted landlady, he’s pulled back into his old ways to carve a bloody path of revenge. Expect plenty of explosive fights, ridiculous twists, and bee puns.
Watch “The Beekeeper” on Prime Video now
‘Stung’ (AMC+)
The vibe: A gooey creature-feature with great special effects
The plot: “Stung” is one of the best killer bee movies out there — not that the bar is particularly high given how slim pickings are for the sub genre. Its campy humor, solid special effects, and surprisingly likable pair of leads give it an old-school monster movie charm, making it a fun pick if you enjoy schlocky B-movie horror (pun intended). Even with its obvious budget limitations, “Stung” still delivers a healthy helping of creature-feature chaos buoyed by strong cinematography and a jaunty score.
Matt O’Leary and Jessica Cook star as catering employees working a dinner party at a wealthy estate when a swarm of giant (I’m talking like 7-feet tall) wasps shows up and starts slaughtering people. While it never takes itself too seriously, it still delivers some genuinely creepy creature effects and tense moments.
Watch “Stung” on AMC+ now
‘Tell It to the Bees’ (The Roku Channel)
The vibe: A gloomy yet swoon worthy period drama
The plot: Any period drama fans out there will want to check out “Tell It to the Bees,” a slow-burning romance set in 1950s rural Scotland about the forbidden love between two women. Anna Paquin stars as Jean Markham, a doctor who returns to her hometown after a loss and begins treating a young boy while quietly rekindling a connection with his mother (Holliday Grainger).
As the two grow closer, the conservative townsfolk seem determined to tear them apart with rumors and threats. “Tell It to the Bees” is a quiet, atmospheric romance about grief, healing, and how hope can be found in the darkest of places.
Stream “Tell it to the Bees” free on The Roku Channel now
‘Bee Movie’ (Peacock)
The vibe: A fever dream of puns, “Seinfeld” humor, and one seriously questionable romantic subplot
The plot: You didn’t really think a list of bee movies would be complete without “Bee Movie,” did you? Heck, it’s right there in the name! “Bee Movie” stands testament to a sublimely weird time in animation history where 3D animation was just taking off and Hollywood A-listers lent their voices to some truly horrendous-looking creations. “Bee Movie” looks uncanny as the rest, though its bizarre premise and self-aware humor has proven surprisingly enduring.
Jerry Seinfeld stars as Barry B. Benson, a young worker bee who becomes disillusioned with the honey-making machine where humans exploit bees for profit. He takes all of humanity to court (yes you read that right) for stealing honey, and things only get weirder from there. Equal parts goofy and oddly philosophical, “Bee Movie” has grown into a pop culture favorite over the years — making it a fittingly buzzy pick to revisit for World Bee Day.
Watch “Bee Movie” on Peacock now
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