We Bought a Zoo

2011
PG
2h 4m

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

154K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:28

Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

154K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,253

220

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 8 nominations total

Videos17

Trailer 2:28

Trailer #1

Clip 0:55

"Modern Day Adventurers"

Clip 0:55

"Modern Day Adventurers"

Clip 0:55

We Bought A Zoo: Modern Day Adventurers

Clip 0:47

We Bought A Zoo: That's True Joy

Clip 0:50

We Bought A Zoo: It's A Zoo

Clip 1:11

We Bought A Zoo: Why Did You Buy This Place?

Photos90

+ 83

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
When Matt Damon's character climbs over the tree, the real Benjamin Mee, Milo Mee (Dylan in the movie), and Ella Mee (Rosie in the movie) can be seen as the first family in line. In the scene, Benjamin Mee is wearing what appears to be a Dartmoor Zoological Park cap, the actual zoo in England on which the movie is based.

Goofs
The zoo opens on July 7, 2010 but when we see Benjamin Mee holding papers in the car when they go house hunting, in all the papers of the house listings, the date is Jan 3,2011.

Quotes
Benjamin Mee: You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.

Alternate versions
The North America DVD includes an alternate audio track that removes the swearing.

Connections
Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.46 (2011)

Soundtracks
Don't Come Around Here No More
Written by Tom Petty and David A. Stewart (as Dave Stewart)
Performed by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User reviews272

Review

Featured review

10/10

In praise of earnestness

I am grateful that in this cynical world, there are still artists who are courageous enough not to run from earnestness, but to embrace it. Cameron Crowe has done just that with WE BOUGHT A ZOO. This is a beautiful movie, full of life - truthfully acted, beautifully shot and lovingly directed. I expected to cry (which I did, many times) but I didn't know that it would also be so funny with levity coming just when you need it. Matt Damon was brilliant as the heartbroken but hopeful father. And my only gripe about Thomas Haden Church is that there wasn't more of him! The kids were all brilliant -- not an ounce of self-consciousness to their acting, which is rare when it comes to child actors. And the final scene alone is worth the price of admission. Anyone willing to open his or her heart will fall in love with this movie like I did. Kudos to all involved.