Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

We Bought a Zoo

Play trailer Poster for We Bought a Zoo PG Released Dec 23, 2011 2h 4m Kids & Family Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
64% Tomatometer 172 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.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

We Bought a Zoo

We Bought a Zoo

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (172) Critics Reviews
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 Full Review 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 Full Review Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Mar 16, 2012 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Steven S "Their happy is too loud" really got me Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/29/24 Full Review Audience Member Best movie ever in my opinion, me and my dad used to watch this constantly I LOVE IT. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/21/24 Full Review Jace E We Bought a Zoo is a comfort film. The story is told with simplicity and charm. From the delightful score to the bright setting, this film is endlessly rewatchable. Matt Damon's raw performance creates a strong emotional connection. There are multiple times where I was brought to tears because of what his family is experiencing. The film is not perfect (the script is a little underdeveloped and there are some editing inconsistencies), but it is beautiful. Additional Note: The ten minutes at the end of the second act are so emotionally driven and strong! Another Additional Note: The "Why not?" scene at the end is the cherry on top. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/17/24 Full Review Faiz D We Bought A Zoo is an entertaining, earnest and a heart-warming movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 08/29/24 Full Review Bryan G This is a good family movie Con: The Idea that Dylan Mee (Colin Ford) would be a asshole to Lily Miska (Elle Fanning) is crazy do not care that his mom died this would not happen. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/24/24 Full Review Michael W This family movie was great. Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Thomas Haden Church, and the rest of the cast did a great job in this movie. This true story about a family buying a zoo was dramatic, heartfelt, and amazing. It's about trying to start over and creating a better life for you and your family. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a must see. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 05/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
We Bought a Zoo

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Racing Stripes 35% 42% Racing Stripes Watchlist The Sandlot 65% 89% The Sandlot Watchlist TRAILER for The Sandlot Martian Child 35% 72% Martian Child Watchlist Little Secrets 62% 58% Little Secrets Watchlist Air Bud 48% 38% Air Bud Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

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
Twentieth Century Fox, Dune, 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
Most Popular at Home Now