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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 2011 โ€บ We Bought a Zoo

We Bought a Zoo poster

We Bought a Zoo (2011)

โ€œA true zoo story.โ€

6.8/10 ยท 3,028 votes 2h 4m pg ComedyDramaFamily

#88 of 249 films from 2011 #1111 of 2885 in comedy

Directed by Cameron Crowe ยท Written by Cameron Crowe, Aline Brosh McKenna, Benjamin Mee

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Benjamin has lost his wife and, in a bid to start his life over, purchases a large house that has a zoo โ€“ 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.

Cast

Matt Damonas Benjamin Mee
Scarlett Johanssonas Kelly Foster
Thomas Haden Churchas Duncan Mee
Colin Fordas Dylan Mee
Maggie Elizabeth Jonesas Rosie Mee
Angus Macfadyenas Peter MacCready
Elle Fanningas Lily Miska
Patrick Fugitas Robin Jones
John Michael Higginsas Walter Ferris
Carla Galloas Rhonda Blair
JB Smooveas Mr. Stevens
Stephanie Szostakas Katherine Mee
Michael Panesas Principal
Kym Whitleyas Cashier

Facts

Release dateNovember 26, 2011
Runtime124 min (2h 4m) โ€” longer as the 2011 average of 103 min
GenresComedy, Drama, Family
LanguageEN
Budget$50,000,000
Box office$120,081,841 (2.4ร— budget)
IMDbtt1389137

More from Cameron Crowe

Almost FamousAlmost Famous2000 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 2h 4m Say Anything...Say Anything...1989 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 1h 40m Jerry MaguireJerry Maguire1996 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 2h 19m Vanilla SkyVanilla Sky2001 ยท โ˜… 6.8 ยท 2h 16m ElizabethtownElizabethtown2005 ยท โ˜… 6.2 ยท 2h 3m AlohaAloha2015 ยท โ˜… 5.5 ยท 1h 45m

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Questions

How long is We Bought a Zoo?
We Bought a Zoo runs 124 minutes (2h 4m).
Is We Bought a Zoo worth watching?
TMDB users give it 6.8/10 across 3,028 votes, which places it #88 of 249 films released in 2011 in this index (top 65%) and #1111 among 2885 comedy titles.
Who directed We Bought a Zoo?
We Bought a Zoo was directed by Cameron Crowe. Other well-rated titles by the same director: Almost Famous (2000), Say Anything... (1989), Jerry Maguire (1996).
Who stars in We Bought a Zoo?
Matt Damon as Benjamin Mee; Scarlett Johansson as Kelly Foster; Thomas Haden Church as Duncan Mee; Colin Ford as Dylan Mee; Maggie Elizabeth Jones as Rosie Mee; Angus Macfadyen as Peter MacCready.
What is We Bought a Zoo rated?
It carries a pg certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for We Bought a Zoo?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/25733.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-05.