We Bought a Zoo (2011)
Synopsis:
Benjamin Mee is a widower struggling to start over after losing his wife. In an unconventional move, he purchases a large property that comes with a zoo, a decision that delights his young daughter Rosie but leaves his son Dylan less than thrilled. With the help of head keeper Kelly Foster and the dedicated staff, Benjamin takes on the enormous challenge of renovating the rundown zoo and bringing it back to life. As the family adjusts to their new home and unusual circumstances, they must work together to overcome financial troubles that threaten the zoo's future. This heartwarming family drama follows Benjamin and his kids as they discover that sometimes taking a leap of faith and embracing the unexpected can lead to healing and new beginnings.
Where To Watch: We Bought a Zoo
Parental Feedback
We Bought a Zoo blends heartfelt family drama with gentle comedy as it explores themes of grief, new beginnings, and taking risks. Parents should expect a moderately paced story that balances emotional moments—particularly surrounding the loss of a parent—with uplifting scenes of family bonding and animal care. The tone is earnest and hopeful rather than overly sentimental, though younger children may need support processing the underlying sadness that motivates the family's fresh start.
Why Kids Should Watch We Bought a Zoo
This family-centered story offers several meaningful lessons wrapped in an engaging premise about starting over and finding courage.
The narrative demonstrates how families can work through grief together and support one another during difficult transitions. Benjamin and his children model honest communication about their feelings while learning to embrace change as a family unit.
The zoo setting provides natural opportunities to showcase teamwork and dedication as the family collaborates with the staff to renovate the struggling facility. Children see characters rolling up their sleeves, solving problems creatively, and persevering when faced with financial and logistical challenges.
The story emphasizes taking calculated risks and believing in yourself even when others doubt your decisions. Benjamin's choice to purchase the zoo despite his brother Duncan's skepticism shows kids that pursuing unconventional dreams can lead to personal growth and fulfillment.
The film celebrates the importance of caring for animals and the environment, with characters like head keeper Kelly Foster demonstrating responsibility and compassion. Young viewers gain appreciation for the hard work involved in animal care and conservation efforts.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch We Bought a Zoo
While generally family-friendly, certain elements may prove challenging for sensitive or younger viewers.
The central premise revolves around the family coping with the death of Benjamin's wife and the children's mother, which permeates the entire story. This ongoing grief may be emotionally heavy for children who haven't experienced loss or who find such themes distressing.
The financial struggles and renovation challenges create tension throughout, including moments where the zoo's future hangs in the balance. Some children may find this uncertainty stressful or difficult to follow, particularly if they're expecting a lighter, more straightforward animal adventure.
The two-hour-and-four-minute runtime requires sustained attention, and the deliberate pacing focuses more on character development and emotional growth than action-packed sequences. Younger viewers or those expecting constant excitement may lose interest during the more contemplative family moments.
Verdict: Parent Approved
We Bought a Zoo earns approval as a thoughtful family drama that handles grief sensitively while delivering messages about resilience, family bonds, and following your heart.
What Parents Should Know About We Bought a Zoo
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | Yes, characters demonstrate perseverance, teamwork, compassion for animals, and honest communication about difficult emotions throughout the story. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | Yes, the family's grief over losing their wife and mother is a central theme, and some children may find these moments sad or need help understanding the characters' emotional journey. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | Yes, Dylan's acting out at school has consequences, and characters learn that avoiding problems or being dishonest creates additional difficulties that must be addressed. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | Yes, the family and zoo staff must work together extensively, and characters learn to support one another, communicate their needs, and collaborate toward common goals. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Yes, the story emphasizes that taking risks on new beginnings can lead to healing, that family support helps us through hard times, and that sometimes courage means choosing the unconventional path. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parents generally appreciate We Bought a Zoo as a wholesome family option that doesn't shy away from real emotions while maintaining an appropriate tone for most children. Many note that the PG rating feels accurate, with the grief themes being the primary consideration rather than violence or inappropriate content. Families report using the story as a springboard for conversations about loss, change, and pursuing dreams, finding that the zoo setting keeps children engaged even during slower emotional beats. Most feedback suggests the film works best for children aged seven and up who can grasp the nuanced family dynamics, though some parents successfully share it with younger animal-loving kids who have parental support during the sadder moments.
Official We Bought a Zoo Trailer
Why Kids Love We Bought a Zoo
Kids love watching Benjamin and his family tackle the wild challenge of running their very own zoo, complete with lions, tigers, bears, and all sorts of exotic animals that need feeding, care, and attention. The zoo is falling apart when they arrive, so there are broken fences to fix, overgrown paths to clear, and enclosures that need serious repair work before the animals can be safe and happy.
Rosie becomes instant friends with the zoo animals, especially the playful creatures who respond to her gentle approach, while the zookeepers like Kelly and Robin show the family how to handle everything from meal prep to medical checkups. The team works together to solve one problem after another, whether it's figuring out how to calm a nervous animal or scrambling to get the zoo ready for inspection before time runs out.
The property itself is like a giant adventure playground, with winding trails, hidden animal habitats, and surprise encounters around every corner. When things go wrong—and they do—Benjamin and the staff have to think fast, work as a team, and come up with clever solutions to keep the zoo running and the animals thriving.