We Bought a Zoo
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.
Release Date: December 23, 2011
Runtime: 2 hr 4 min
Genre: Comedy
Director: Cameron Crowe
Producer: Cameron Crowe, Ilona Herzberg, Julie Yorn, Rick Yorn
Cast: Matt Damon, Peter Riegert, Thomas Church, John Higgins, Scarlett Johansson, Patrick Fugit, Carla Gallo, Elle Fanning, Colin Ford, JB Smoove, Angus MacFadyen, Stephanie Szostak, Maggie Jones
(less)Ok for ages 9+ . What would you rate it?
Rated PG Some Thematic Elements|Language
- Sex & Nudity
- Violence & Gore
- Profanity
Content details via Kids-In-Mind
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Reviews
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I felt this movie was more for older kids. It wasn't the happy feel good movie I expected. More of a family drama. Also, the language was more than I bargained for and made me uncomfortable with my 8 and under crowd. I wish I hadn't brought them to see it.
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This show was great to watch as a family. I think they pushed it a little far with the language for it to be PG though.
The overall concept is awesome and it's extremely fun to watch as a family. I wouldn't recommend showing it to kids under 10 though for language purposes. -
Brought the family of young kids and wish I hadn't. Slow in parts, not really about animals (it's about a struggling family trying to get it together), and has some fairly mature themes (including some surprising vulgarity).
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Great story, well told. When taking kids, be aware of one significant segment with pretty harsh language plus a smattering throughout.
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This was a heartwarming movie without most of the elements which make it difficult to take your family. It was very well acted.
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This is a pretty good family movie. A bit predictable but worth a see.
September 19th, 2012 Details -
A great film that captures many of the emotions felt by widowers.
January 20th, 2012 Details -
This low key little film is an emotional one, though not in a bad way. Matt Damon plays a widower whose son is having a hard time coping with the recent death of his mother. To move the family and try to get a fresh start, Damon buys a home that comes with a zoo. He loved the house so much that he warmed up to the idea of owning the little zoo that came with it. It’s a small zoo, though there are forty-something species in it, including a lion, tigers, and a grizzly bear. It is sad to watch this little family suffer, but they get through it okay. It ends very well. The emotion in it seemed realistic to me. It is apparently based on a true story. I liked it.
July 10th, 2012 Details -
I liked it, but my wife and her sister hated it. harmless and fun but not a great one.
January 4th, 2012 Details -
Nice film, sometimes tender, sometimes rough, sometimes slow and predictable. The language was too often foul or profane for a PG rating, as was the sexual innuendo. Went over the 13 year old's head much of the time, but the 17 year old and adults caught it. Recommend? Well, the one of us who didn't catch the low humor really liked it.
February 28th, 2012 Details -
Great feel good family movie.
January 6th, 2012 Details -
The best family movie of the year so far. I loved the connection between the father and son. I was glad my family was able to see it.
January 22nd, 2012 Details -
Good family movie.
December 27th, 2011 Details -
Original and very enjoyable. I loved this film and hope you do too.
January 25th, 2012 Details -
Uplifting, and full of little tidbits of wisdom
June 23rd, 2012 Details -
Good clean movie. I kept expecting something bad to happen but they kept it clean, safe, and enjoyable for the family.
May 11th, 2012 Details -
You can get this one just DVD (Don't need the blu-ray). Great family movie. Watch this one!
July 12th, 2012 Details -
Enjoyed it a lot. Good message, not for younger kids. Some profanity.
July 17th, 2012 Details -
Great show! Inspires change.
July 20th, 2012 Details -
Very original movie, though it had some cheesy parts.
July 29th, 2012 Details -
I watched this movie with my roommates and we all thought it was a really cute movie. Can be a "tear jerker" if your a bit of a softie. Some of the language seemed strong for a PG movie. Made me want to go to the zoo.
September 27th, 2012 Details -
Mild movie, interesting story.
September 24th, 2012 Details -
Fun movie with some good lessons and plenty of humor.
November 16th, 2012 Details -
We Bought a Zoo is worth a watch. It is a well told story about a struggling family that buys a zoo to start over in life. As others have mentioned, profanity is spread throughout, quite a lot for a PG rating. However, it is a well told story with a good message at its core. The focus of the movie isn't on the animals, but rather on the family. As such, I think little kids might get bored during the slower parts. But many will leave with a greater belief that they can make changes in their lives no matter what the struggles that result from them are.
April 16th, 2013 Details -
Great family movie. I picked it out, with a little fussing from my 12 & 14 year old, but they ended up liking it just as much as I did. It is more of a family drama then a kids movie about a zoo though.
May 6th, 2013 Details