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We Bought a Zoo

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We Bought a Zoo

PG

Released Dec 23, 2011

2h 4m

Kids & Family

Comedy

Drama

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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.

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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

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

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Empire Magazine

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

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

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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

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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

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thiago s

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fraco, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, a história é fraca, os personagens sao fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes para fazer o filme ser bom.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/05/25

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Allison P

This is one of my favorite comfort movies. It’s a satisfying combination of happy tears and hope. Its predictably is one of the things that makes it feel like a warm hug.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/04/25

Full Review

Anne P

Really enjoyed this film! Its a movie that will make you cry, laugh, and relate with. My family watched this movie at least 5 times. You should definitely get back on your couch and watch it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

Jamie K

The first hour of this film really builds a great and heartwarming, feel-good film, however it's second half is filled with moments that feel so awkward due to its writing, i understand that it's based on a true story however the farther/son dynamic is really poorly done in this film, had this film been longer and better written in parts, it would have allowed for a longer build up of emotion so that the inevitable clash of the farther and son can really hit the marks its aiming for. Ultimately it's a solid film with a great cast who really give the film its feelgood tone and even with moments of awkwardness, it still manages to hit most of the right notes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

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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