We Bought a Zoo
Stream
Rent & Buy
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.
What critics thought
Cameron Crowe's crowd-pleaser lands somewhere between charming and manipulative depending on who you ask — critics were split over whether its sentimentality feels earned or engineered. Matt Damon's performance drew consistent praise even from reviewers who found the film formulaic, and audiences warmed to it far more than critics did.
“too much formula and not enough human interest”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“doesn't dodge the potholes of earnest sentimentality and at times overplays the whimsy”
The Hollywood Reporter
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Family
Cast & Crew
Cameron CroweDirector
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
JB SmooveMr. Stevens
Stephanie SzostakKatherine Mee
Jon Thor BirgissonComposer
Aline Brosh McKennaWriter
Rodrigo PrietoCinematographyWe Bought a Zoo
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.
What critics thought
Cameron Crowe's crowd-pleaser lands somewhere between charming and manipulative depending on who you ask — critics were split over whether its sentimentality feels earned or engineered. Matt Damon's performance drew consistent praise even from reviewers who found the film formulaic, and audiences warmed to it far more than critics did.
“too much formula and not enough human interest”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“doesn't dodge the potholes of earnest sentimentality and at times overplays the whimsy”
The Hollywood Reporter
Genres
Comedy, Drama, Family
Cast & Crew
Cameron CroweDirectorMatt DamonBenjamin MeeScarlett JohanssonKelly FosterThomas Haden ChurchDuncan MeeColin FordDylan MeeMaggie Elizabeth JonesRosie MeeAngus MacfadyenPeter MacCreadyElle FanningLily MiskaPatrick FugitRobin JonesJohn Michael HigginsWalter FerrisCarla GalloRhonda BlairJB SmooveMr. StevensStephanie SzostakKatherine MeeJon Thor BirgissonComposerAline Brosh McKennaWriterRodrigo PrietoCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy