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%

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171 Reviews

71%

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100,000+ Ratings

Following his wife's untimely death, Los Angeles journalist Benjamin Mee decides to make a fresh start by quitting his job and moving his children 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 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

Aug 31, 2018

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.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Mar 19, 2012

3/5

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.

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David Sexton

London Evening Standard

Mar 16, 2012

3/5

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.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 6, 2023

2.5/4

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

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Aug 21, 2022

2/5

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

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jun 26, 2022

4/5

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

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Mr A

@ClassicThomasFan Aug 19, 2026

This is a heart warming movie that covers the friction of a father and son relationship. I'm like that with my dad and my mom. I can relate to Dylan as I know what it's like to be a typical rebel teenager. Luckily for me, I didn't lose either of my parents and I'm lucky for that. Dylan, his sister Rosie and his father Ben did not have it easy when their mother and wife passed away. While I do feel sorry for Dylan's loss, it does not excuse him from stealing at school. Also, I understand that moving to a new place is hard as Dylan misses his friends. If I had to move to a new place in the middle of a school year, I'd be upset as well but Dylan got expelled so he had no choice either way. I can also feel emotional and lash out at my parents the way Dylan did with his dad. Also, I like Lily as she's a nice girl to Dylan. I also love how Dylan realized he hurt Lily's feeling by rejoicing on the idea that he and his family might leave the zoo. But I'm glad they make up in the end.

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Chris L

@RT53775997 Aug 9, 2026

Fun family movie! Was emotionally moved at certain points. Just be warned there are a few profanities laced through the movie that I preferred my nine year old didn't hear. But still thoroughly enjoyable!

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Sam R.

@legomyeggo1215 Jun 17, 2026

Absolutely amazingggggggg

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Yash B

@yashbansal May 14, 2026

"We Bought a Zoo" does what it needs to do to be a satisfying PG-rated family movie. I feel like the movie's themes are something most can latch onto, and it is very touching in many moments. The premise gets started quickly, and then for a while, I felt the movie became a bit repetitive. I still think it is an engaging story that is bolstered well by Matt Damon's lead performance. I don't think all of the dialogue always necessarily works, but I felt the emotions the movie wanted me to feel, so it was fairly effective. Overall, it is a sweet movie that audiences of all ages can enjoy together, which has something entertaining for everyone.

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Daniel M

@MazzaQuePasa Feb 20, 2026

It was a good wholesome movie that was charming

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Nathan T

@FieryRavens Jan 14, 2026

Such an amazing movie that I never get tired of seeing.

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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 decides to make a fresh start by quitting his job and moving his children 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 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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