Maya the Bee Movie

Maya the Bee Movie follows a young bee who does not fit into the strict order of the hive. Curious, talkative and eager to explore the meadow beyond, she struggles to follow the rules, above all the warning to keep away from the hornets living past the pasture. When the hive's precious royal jelly disappears, the queen's adviser accuses Maya of siding with the hornets. Only her best friend Willy stands by her, and together the two set out to find the real thief and stop the bees and hornets from going to war. The film is based on Waldemar Bonsels's book, which has been translated into more than 40 languages, and the character first reached television in a 1975 series.

Alexs Stadermann directed this 2014 German-Australian production, the first of five titles he has directed in release order, ahead of 100% Wolf, Maya the Bee: The Golden Orb, 200% Wolf and Zac Power. Marcus Sauermann and Fin Edquist wrote the screenplay, with Barbara Stephen and Thorsten Wegener producing. The voice cast includes Coco Jack Gillies as Maya, Jacki Weaver as the adviser Buzzlina Von Beena, Miriam Margolyes as the Queen, Justine Clarke, Heather Mitchell and Noah Taylor, among 26 credited cast members and 47 credited crew. The film took about 30 million US dollars worldwide. On IMDb it holds 5.9 from roughly 2,500 votes, and on TMDB 6.2 from around 191, while critics gave it 5.7 from 16 reviews, close to the audience scores.