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IMDbPro

We Bought a Zoo

  • 20112011
  • PGPG
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
143K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,832
20
Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, and Maggie Elizabeth Jones in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
A father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.
Play trailer2:28
5 Videos
81 Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Family
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.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
143K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,832
20
  • Director
    • Cameron Crowe
  • Writers
    • Aline Brosh McKenna(screenplay)
    • Cameron Crowe(screenplay)
    • Benjamin Mee(book)
  • Stars
    • Matt Damon
    • Scarlett Johansson
    • Thomas Haden Church
Top credits
  • Director
    • Cameron Crowe
  • Writers
    • Aline Brosh McKenna(screenplay)
    • Cameron Crowe(screenplay)
    • Benjamin Mee(book)
  • Stars
    • Matt Damon
    • Scarlett Johansson
    • Thomas Haden Church
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 264User reviews
    • 259Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 8 nominations

    Videos5

    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:28
    Trailer #1
    "Modern Day Adventurers"
    Clip 0:55
    "Modern Day Adventurers"
    We Bought a Zoo
    Featurette 3:17
    We Bought a Zoo
    We Bought a Zoo
    Featurette 10:06
    We Bought a Zoo
    What Roles Has Matt Damon Turned Down?
    Video 3:27
    What Roles Has Matt Damon Turned Down?

    Photos81

    Matt Damon, Patrick Fugit, and Scarlett Johansson in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Matt Damon, Patrick Fugit, Carla Gallo, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, and Maggie Elizabeth Jones in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Cameron Crowe in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Scarlett Johansson in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Matt Damon, Thomas Haden Church, Angus Macfadyen, Alice Marie Crowe, Patrick Fugit, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Dustin Ybarra, Ben Seeder, and Sam Fox in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Matt Damon in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Matt Damon and Colin Ford in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Scarlett Johansson and Maggie Elizabeth Jones in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Matt Damon, Cameron Crowe, and Scarlett Johansson in We Bought a Zoo (2011)
    Matt Damon and Cameron Crowe in We Bought a Zoo (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Matt Damon
    Matt Damon
    • Benjamin Meeas Benjamin Mee
    Scarlett Johansson
    Scarlett Johansson
    • Kelly Fosteras Kelly Foster
    Thomas Haden Church
    Thomas Haden Church
    • Duncan Meeas Duncan Mee
    Elle Fanning
    Elle Fanning
    • Lily Miskaas Lily Miska
    Colin Ford
    Colin Ford
    • Dylan Meeas Dylan Mee
    Maggie Elizabeth Jones
    Maggie Elizabeth Jones
    • Rosie Meeas Rosie Mee
    Angus Macfadyen
    Angus Macfadyen
    • Peter MacCreadyas Peter MacCready
    • (as Angus MacFadyen)
    Patrick Fugit
    Patrick Fugit
    • Robin Jonesas Robin Jones
    John Michael Higgins
    John Michael Higgins
    • Walter Ferrisas Walter Ferris
    Carla Gallo
    Carla Gallo
    • Rhonda Blairas Rhonda Blair
    J.B. Smoove
    J.B. Smoove
    • Mr. Stevensas Mr. Stevens
    • (as JB Smoove)
    Stephanie Szostak
    Stephanie Szostak
    • Katherine Meeas Katherine Mee
    Michael Panes
    Michael Panes
    • Principalas Principal
    Kym Whitley
    Kym Whitley
    • Cashieras Cashier
    Todd Stanton
    Todd Stanton
    • San Diego Vetas San Diego Vet
    Lauren Sanchez
    Lauren Sanchez
    • TV Anchoras TV Anchor
    Peter Riegert
    Peter Riegert
    • Delbert McGintyas Delbert McGinty
    Roberto Montesinos
    Roberto Montesinos
    • Hugo Chavezas Hugo Chavez
    • Director
      • Cameron Crowe
    • Writers
      • Aline Brosh McKenna(screenplay)
      • Cameron Crowe(screenplay)
      • Benjamin Mee(book)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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, which is the actual zoo in England on which the movie is based.
    • Goofs
      Kelly tells Rosie that tigers don't roar, they chuff. In actuality, tigers can roar; chuffing is their alternative to purring.
    • 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 reviews264

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Why Not?!
    -- www.Ramascreen.com --

    And the 2011 most feel-good movie goes to WE BOUGHT A ZOO. It's one of the most heartwarming, delightful, pleasant family films you'll see this Holiday season. It's also an excellent grief-themed movie. Great ensemble cast, across the board. This is much lighter than what we usually expect from Cameron Crowe who brought us Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, and Vanilla Sky, but after leaving us with the meditational Elizabethtown, which I didn't enjoy very much, and then 6 years hiatus, WE BOUGHT A ZOO is a very sweet, very nice comeback, a breath of fresh air…

    What I enjoy about Crowe's movies is that there's always something personable about them, and it's no different with WE BOUGHT A ZOO. This film is not preachy, it doesn't hit you like a ton of bricks, it doesn't drag, it doesn't get too sentimental either. It's tender yet firm, a bit predictable yet entertaining. It's one of those movies that make anything seem possible, somewhat of an underdog story, the kind that's generally liked, it's a good way for Crowe to tell the world that he's still in the game, without having to alienate his old fans, while embracing some new ones. Be glad that this is not a talking animal movie. The animals in WE BOUGHT A ZOO serve as a way to challenge the humans on their road to healing and triumph.

    Matt Damon is a fantastic actor because he can be action man in one movie and he can be your next door regular neighbor joe schmoe in another. As the single dad, Benjamin Mee, Damon channels a certain vulnerability that comes with fatherhood. And Damon shows the sorrow and exhaustion of a newly single parent. I think it's great to see Scarlett Johansson utilizing more than just her good looks. She shows some range that we remember from Lost In Translation, Girl With A Pearl Earring and The Horse Whisperer. Johansson is not believable as a zookeeper, I mean, let's face it,.. if you were to name someone who handles a zoo or cleans animal crap for a living, Johansson would probably the last person on your list, but she seems self-composed, which allows her character to be Mee's listening ear. Outstanding work by the teens in this film, Colin Ford who plays Mee's angry son, Dylan and Elle Fanning who plays the socially awkward Elle Fanning. Their characters embody stereotypical teens and their usual problems with parents and also with peers their age. Ford and Fanning are actors who are going to rock Hollywood someday, you just wait and see.

    Some things don't work for me, although I admit Maggie Elizabeth Jones who plays the little daughter Rosie is absolutely adorable, I think the film plays out her cuteness way too often, way too much. And I think it's sad that Patrick Fugit who was practically the star of Crowe's 2000 Oscar worthy movie, Almost Famous, doesn't get to have a substantial role in this film. All he mostly does is stand there in the background with a monkey on his back, how sad. Aside from the zoo aspect, the story itself, in its core, is nothing unique but that doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing. It's about difficulties of moving on. The loss of his wife, the mother of his children, leaves a mark that can't easily be replaced by the appeal an unconventional new home. But as the film suggests, sometimes plans change, and all of a sudden it's not about you anymore. And it's not a Crowe movie without such memorable lines like 'Show me the money' and 'you had me at hello', WE BOUGHT A ZOO has a hopeful message of taking chances and gambling on life through 20 seconds of insane courage, loving people, and adventurous, unadulterated joy. And if you're still asking why you should watch this movie, just say to yourself.. why not?!

    -- www.Ramascreen.com --
    helpful•63
    28
    • Ramascreen
    • Dec 24, 2011

    FAQ2

    • Where is the real zoo that the film is based on?
    • What song is heard when Benjamin is looking for new houses to buy?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 23, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • 20th Century Fox (United States)
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Mua Cả Sở Thú
    • Filming locations
      • Thousand Oaks, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • LBI Entertainment
      • Vinyl Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $50,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $75,624,550
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,360,434
      • Dec 25, 2011
    • Gross worldwide
      • $120,081,841
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
      • Datasat
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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