We Bought a Zoo
Seen it?2011 | 124 min | Drama, Comedy, Family
Sunday Safe BetWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It's still drawing plenty of interest. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and families. If you loved Hunt for the Wilderpeople or Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, start here.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 4 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
Benjamin has lost his wife and, in a bid to start his life over, purchases a large house that has a zoo – welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is in need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper and the rest of the staff, but, the zoo soon runs into financial trouble.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
64% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsBelow par
1 win and 7 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$120 million worldwide on a $50 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 306K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Cameron Crowe
- Matt DamonBenjamin Mee
- Scarlett JohanssonKelly Foster
- Thomas Haden ChurchDuncan Mee
- Colin FordDylan Mee
- Maggie Elizabeth JonesRosie Mee
- Angus MacfadyenPeter MacCready
- Elle FanningLily Miska
- Patrick FugitRobin Jones
- John Michael HigginsWalter Ferris
- Carla GalloRhonda Blair