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

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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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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

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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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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

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Noosha A

Just rewatched this movie today and thought I should add a review. I genuinely do not know how this movie didn’t become more popular. Light-hearted, intense, inspiring I mean it truly has it all. Great watch if you have kids too, absolutely would recommend for all age groups.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/25

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Steven S

"Their happy is too loud" really got me

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/29/24

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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

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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

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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

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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: 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

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