Maya the Bee: The Honey Games

Maya the Bee: The Honey Games

Company type	Animated film
Industry	Film
Founded	2018
Headquarters	Australia / Germany
Products	Animated films

Maya the Bee: The Honey Games is an animated sports comedy film from 2018, co-directed by Noel Cleary and Sergio Delfino. It draws inspiration from characters featured in the 1975 anime Maya the Honey Bee as well as Waldemar Bonsels' German children's book The Adventures of Maya the Bee. Acting as a follow-up to the 2014 movie Maya the Bee, this installment includes returning voice actors in addition to new talents such as Rupert Degas.

The movie premiered in German cinemas on 1 March 2018 and later debuted in Australia on 6 July, accumulating a global box office total of $10.8 million. Its financial achievements paved the way for another sequel, Maya the Bee: The Golden Orb, which was released on 7 January 2021.

Plot

In the community known as Poppy Meadow, Maya's hive receives an invitation to participate in the Honey Games held in Buzztropolis following a disappointing honey harvest, though they must sacrifice half of their honey supply. During the competition, Maya encounters Violet, who is the daughter of rival competitor Beegood. Maya persuades the Empress to allow her hive full involvement in the Games; however, an incident occurs when Willy accidentally spills honey on the Empress, creating conflict. Maya proposes a wager: if her team wins, their transgression will be forgiven; if they lose, they must forfeit their honey.

On the first day, Maya's team performs below expectations but manages to avoid finishing last. The second day's event, a tree race, sees Maya abandon her teammates; Violet’s group secures second place while Maya’s finishes third. After being criticized by her team for acting selfishly, Maya apologizes and commits to improved leadership. Subsequently, Violet bullies Maya and falsely accuses her of wrongdoing, gaining support from Beegood. Feeling hurt, Maya flies away as her team begins to improve without her.

During the final day’s maze challenge, teams must navigate without disturbing a sleeping tortoise. Maya’s group emerges victorious with Violet’s team coming in second. In a thorn hill race that follows, Maya accidentally topples the Honey Cup trophy and is disqualified. Confiding in Flip, she receives guidance about taking responsibility. Motivated by this advice, Maya reconciles with her teammates.

Maya makes amends with the Empress and earns another chance to compete. Meanwhile, Beegood attempts to undermine Maya by revealing a secret passage to Violet’s team. This tunnel leads Violet's squad into Thekla’s web trap; Maya’s team rescues them and both teams complete the race together. Violet confesses to cheating and offers an apology. Though shocked by these revelations, the Empress is supported by the Queen in her decision. Ultimately, the Empress crowns Maya’s team as champions and grants forgiveness.

At the celebratory after-party, all participants join together in festivities, including Maya, Violet, and Willy.

Cast

• Coco Jack Gillies voices Maya, a young bee girl.
• Benson Jack Anthony portrays Willy, Maya’s closest friend (originally voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee in the previous film).
• Richard Roxburgh plays Flip, a grasshopper.
• Justine Clarke acts as The Queen (previously voiced by Miriam Margolyes).
• Jimmy James Eaton features as Crawley, assistant to The Queen (formerly voiced by Noah Taylor).
• Marney McQueen embodies The Empress, sister to The Queen.
• Rupert Degas voices Beegood, Violet’s father and principal antagonist.
• Linda Ngo provides the voice for Violet, Maya’s competitor and Willy’s short-term love interest.
• Stavroula Adameitis as Chelsea, a friend of Violet.
• Tess Meyer voices Sandra, another friend of Violet.
• Cam Ralph plays Bedford, a bed bug.
• Shane Dundas lends his voice to Barney, an army ant.
• David Collins portrays Arnie, also an army ant.
• Jordan Hare acts as Spinder, a spider.
• Jimmy James Eaton voices Craig, a cockroach.
• Jane Ubrien features as Thekla, another spider.
• Peter McAllum plays Mantis, owner of the Honey Games.
• Sam Haft voices Drago, a dragonfly.

Sequel

The third installment, Maya the Bee 3: The Golden Orb, premiered in Australia on January 7, 2021. Directed by Noel Cleary and produced by Tracy Lenon alongside Benjamin Ey, its debut was postponed from 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.