We Bought a Zoo (2011)

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

Director:

Cameron Crowe

Writers:

Aline Brosh McKenna (screenplay), Cameron Crowe (screenplay),

Stars:

Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Damon	...	Benjamin Mee
Scarlett Johansson	...	Kelly Foster
Thomas Haden Church	...	Duncan Mee
Colin Ford	...	Dylan Mee
Maggie Elizabeth Jones	...	Rosie Mee
Angus Macfadyen	...	Peter MacCready (as Angus MacFadyen)
Elle Fanning	...	Lily Miska
Patrick Fugit	...	Robin Jones
John Michael Higgins	...	Walter Ferris
Carla Gallo	...	Rhonda Blair
J.B. Smoove	...	Mr. Stevens (as JB Smoove)
Stephanie Szostak	...	Katherine Mee
Michael Panes	...	Principal
Kym Whitley	...	Cashier
Todd Stanton	...	San Diego Vet

Storyline

Benjamin has lost his wife. In a bid to start his life over, he purchases a large house that has a zoo. This is welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper, Kelly, and the rest of the zoo staff. But, the zoo soon runs into financial trouble. The staff must get the zoo back to its former glory, pass a zoo inspection, and get it back open to the public.

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Plot Keywords:

zoo | inspection | brother sister relationship | school expulsion | diner | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [us] Official site [es]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Un zoológico en casa

Filming Locations:

990 N. Allen St., Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$9,450,000 (USA) (23 December 2011)

Gross:

$75,621,915 (USA) (11 May 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, LBI Entertainment, Vinyl Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

124 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Goofs

Benjamin makes a joking reference to the 'Chilean Miners' when Rosie is hidden under stuffed animals. The mine collapse happened on August 5, 2010, well after this scene takes place.

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Quotes

Duncan Mee: I like the animals. I love the people.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.57 (2011)

User Reviews

Film Clips Don't Do This Movie Justice

We Bought A Zoo is a heart-warming, fun movie. The casting is a good as you could wish for and if I had to choose, I'd pick this as my favorite Matt Damon film. For anyone who loves animals, and I have to confess I'm about head of the line as one of them, this is a marvelous picture with not only the people personalities shining forth, but so too the animals. In most cases, we all know that the brief film clips shown prior to the movie are supposed to be showing the best of the picture. In this case, that is far from the truth. I almost passed this delightful movie up because all I could think of was, if this is the best there is...I don't think so. I'm so glad I opted to see it in spite of my reservations. Who ever picked the preview clips should be fired...or retrained, perhaps, because what they went with most certainly didn't do this movie justice. Not even close. It's a really enjoyable movie and I'd recommend it to everyone.