Roger Ebert of the "Chicago Sun-Times" wrote it is "an uncommonly good movie, entertaining and actually inspirational". Writing for "Film Journal International", Doris Toumarkine praised its pace and how "Atchison takes spelling competitions and conveys the excitement of the 'sport,' the appeal of the 'game,' the thrill of the win, the crushing blow of the loss". Hornaday from "The Washington Post" called the film "a triumph on many levels" and especially appreciated that South Los Angeles was presented without stereotypes. Jane Clifford of "U-T San Diego" felt the film would appeal to both children and adults, and stated that every time she tried to predict its plot "it took a sharp turn. A turn that leaves you facing your stereotypes and feeling a little sheepish". Dana Stevens, writing for "The New York Times", asserted, "The innate suspense and charm of the spelling bee", and "a trio of crack performances" can turn "a formulaic sports picture" into a "tale that manages to inspire without being sappy". Shantayaé Grant of "The Jamaica Observer" wrote that "acting is spectacular, the emotions are real and this story of black triumph is simply phenomenal". A "New York Press" critic affirmed that "Akeelah and the Bee" "resurrects a nearly lost idea of what an art-movie really is" because it has "dramatic attention to character and place, psychology and existence".