We Bought a Zoo

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We Bought a Zoo

PG

2011

2h 4m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

64%

Tomatometer

171 Reviews

71%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Following his wife's untimely death, Los Angeles journalist Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) decides to make a fresh start by quitting his job and moving his children (Colin Ford, Maggie Elizabeth Jones) to an 18-acre property containing the Rosemoor Wildlife Park. Though closed for years, Rosemoor is still home to many animals, cared for by Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and her small staff. Mee opens his heart and his checkbook as he, Kelly and the others work to renovate and reopen the zoo.

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Critics Consensus

We Bought a Zoo is a transparently cloying effort by director Cameron Crowe, but Matt Damon makes for a sympathetic central character.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Everything is, indeed, tied up exactly the way you know it will be tied up, because it is that sort of film, but it still provides a perfectly agreeable way to spend the two hours you weren't going to do anything with anyway.

Aug 31, 2018

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

It unfolds like military assault on the tear ducts. Don't know when to cry? Here comes Sigur Rs' Jnsi with an evocative sonic swoop to help you on your way.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 19, 2012

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David Sexton

London Evening Standard

You have to admire the thoroughness with which We Bought a Zoo - which is the film Disney would make if they still knew how - caters to the whole family.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 16, 2012

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Crowe’s film doesn’t love animals the way it should and never acknowledges the intangible way in which animals affect humans.

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 6, 2023

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

...a movie that’s full of forced sentiment and familiar themes that play out exactly as they have in countless other films.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 21, 2022

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The wonderful interactions and work with the animal co-stars is well done, but it's only effective window dressing to the real project.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 26, 2022

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Tyler G

Pretty good. It is painfully earnest and lacking cynicism, but I have come to expect that from Crowe. It works better than Vanilla Sky and Elizabethtown, but not as well as Say Anything and Jerry Maguire.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

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Mike P

You bought a zoo? Well Coo Coo Ca Choo Matt Damon! At least you and Cameron Crowe aren't resorting to making alot of studio financed garbage! I mean THIS is a movie that'll really change the world! Platypii of the world, UNITE!! Attica! Attica!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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Stephen C

Funny in 2 hours and 4 minutes!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $75,600,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I watch/have watch TONS of movies. Sometimes, you just want a piece of 'feel good' fluff instead the murders and dramas= this is that movie. Well acted, great story, entertaining and @2 hours= it flew by. I knew this was what the movie was going to be before I even started watching it and it ended up being exactly what I thought it would. You DO need these kinds of movies in your collection and as for the genre of that- this ones really excellent.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

Full Review

Nicholas B

We Bought a Zoo is a great family movie to watch, with heartwarming moments and inspiring performances. It combines adventure, emotional depth, and charm, making it a touching and enjoyable experience for all ages.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/25/25

Full Review

Felicity S

My absolute favorite movie. There is something so special about this movie that can't be explained unless you watch it and experience it. It makes you feel so happy and good inside. It gives you hope and makes you feel alive. Additionally, this movie has an emotional aspect that makes it feel so real and relatable. Also so many great quotes and an AMAZING soundtrack that gives you chills. We Bought a Zoo feels so authentic and Matt Damon is great in it. Must watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/19/25

Full Review

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Cameron Crowe

Director

Matt Damon

Benjamin Mee

Scarlett Johansson

Kelly Foster

Thomas Haden Church

Duncan Mee

Patrick Fugit

Robin Jones

Colin Ford

Dylan Mee

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Synopsis

Following his wife's untimely death, Los Angeles journalist Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) decides to make a fresh start by quitting his job and moving his children (Colin Ford, Maggie Elizabeth Jones) to an 18-acre property containing the Rosemoor Wildlife Park. Though closed for years, Rosemoor is still home to many animals, cared for by Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and her small staff. Mee opens his heart and his checkbook as he, Kelly and the others work to renovate and reopen the zoo.

Director: Cameron Crowe
Producer: Julie Yorn, Cameron Crowe, Rick Yorn
Screenwriter: Aline Brosh McKenna, Cameron Crowe
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Dune, Twentieth Century Fox, Vinyl Films
Rating: PG (Some Thematic Elements|Language)
Genre: Kids & Family, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 23, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $75.6M
Runtime: 2h 4m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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