Entertainment Swindon

For all you Winnie the Pooh fans… It’s Winnie the Pooh Day! Today, the 18th of January, is a charming tribute to one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature.

This day marks the birthday of A.A. Milne, the author who brought Winnie the Pooh to life in his enchanting stories. Winnie the Pooh Day is an opportunity for fans, young and old, to revisit the Hundred Acre Wood and immerse themselves in the simple wisdom and adventures of Pooh and his friends. The day is perfect for reading or rereading the classic tales, hosting themed events, or engaging in activities that capture the spirit of these timeless stories. Winnie the Pooh Day celebrates the joy, friendship, and innocent wonder found in Milne’s narratives, and encourages a return to the simple pleasures of childhood and the appreciation of enduring friendships.

More recently, this cute little bear has become the star of horror, blood and gore with the 2023 Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey, an independent British slasher movie, produced, directed, written and edited by Rhys Frake-Waterfield which went on to spawn a sequel last year (2024) Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey 2, released on 26th March 2024.

The horror parody which has turned this cute bear into a feral murderer terrorising a group of young university students met with divided reactions from both film critics and the public, especially the fans of Winnie the Pooh. The film went into development after the original 1926 book entered the public domain in 2022, making it fair game for any and all types of adaptations following the end to the 95yr copyright protection term, although Disney still owns the rights to the animated cartoon versions of Pooh Bear & company.

When the first film was released in 2023, many of the critics considered it to be one of the worst films of all time, receiving five Golden Raspberry Awards, including Worst Picture. Despite this, the first film was a box-office success grossing $7.7million worldwide on a budget of just $100,000.