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      We Bought a Zoo

      2011, Kids & family/Comedy, 2h 4m

      175 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

      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 critic reviews

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      We Bought a Zoo  Photos

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      Movie Info

      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.

      • Rating: PG (Some Thematic Elements|Language)

      • Genre: Kids & family, Comedy, Drama

      • Original Language: English

      • Director: Cameron Crowe

      • Producer: Julie Yorn, Cameron Crowe, Rick Yorn

      • Writer: Aline Brosh McKenna, Cameron Crowe

      • Release Date (Theaters):  wide

      • Release Date (Streaming):

      • Box Office (Gross USA): $75.6M

      • Runtime:

      • Distributor: 20th Century Fox

      • Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox, Dune, Vinyl Films

      • Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

      Cast & Crew

      News & Interviews for We Bought a Zoo

      Critic Reviews for We Bought a Zoo

      Audience Reviews for We Bought a Zoo

      • Mar 05, 2016
        Predictable, cliched, lazy, and melodramatic
        Super Reviewer
      • Jul 04, 2015
        Cameron Crowe aims for the Disney audience with this obvious-as-a-grammar school play crowd pleasing story about a single dad trying to raise his coming of age difficult children. I've actually given the whole film away by now except for the cute animal instagrams spread throughout. It was interesting to see Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson cover more down to earth material than the fantasy that is so prevalent nowadays, and both actors seem to warm to the presentation as well. One aspect Crowe nails is how aggravating teens are to everyone, quite without the artifice of most productions.
        kevin w Super Reviewer
      • Apr 22, 2014
        This film is almost too sweet and some will find it too much to deal with. All of the cliches are here; based on a true story; dead wife; cute kid; moody teenager; cute animals; incredibly attractive zoo keeper and Matt Damon. However despite these seeming disadvantages Crowe manages to produce something that still brings a tear to your eye and a lump in your throat. Those of you who are cynical will turn their nose up at the film but if you're in the mood for a genuine feelgood experience then you can't go far wrong with this. It's no 'Jerry Maguire' but Damon is on top form and the whole thing looks great. Also got a killer soundtrack.
        Super Reviewer
      • Jan 19, 2014
        I can't help it. I like Matt Damon. This true story about a single dad and a fresh start is likeable, even though it's kind of cobbled together.
        Super Reviewer

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