You’re probably here because you’re staring at a screen, wondering if you should click "play" on a movie where Matt Damon buys a literal zoo. Or maybe you're a parent trying to figure out if there's a stray F-bomb that's gonna make the car ride home awkward. Honestly, the we bought a zoo rating is a weirdly complex thing to talk about because it hits differently depending on whether you’re looking at age-appropriateness, critical reception, or that gut-level "is this actually good" vibe.
It’s a Cameron Crowe movie. If you know Crowe (Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire), you know he doesn't do "simple." Even a PG-rated family flick gets messy and emotional.
Let’s get the dry stuff out of the way first. The MPAA gave it a PG rating. That’s for "language and some thematic elements." But what does that actually mean when you're sitting on the couch with a seven-year-old? It means Matt Damon says "sh*t" a few times. It means there’s a heavy cloud of grief hanging over the whole thing because—spoiler alert for the first five minutes—the mom died. It’s not a "cartoon animals doing stunts" movie. It’s a "dad is trying not to have a nervous breakdown" movie.
Breaking Down the Parental Guidance: Is It Really for Kids?
Most people see the poster—bright colors, a tiger, Scarlett Johansson looking outdoorsy—and assume it’s a Disney-style romp. It isn't. The we bought a zoo rating of PG is a bit of a low-ball if your kid is sensitive to "real world" sadness.
The central conflict isn't just about a leaky enclosure or a runaway bear. It’s about Benjamin Mee (Damon) trying to outrun the ghost of his late wife. His son, Dylan, played by Colin Ford, is a moody teenager who draws macabre, bloody art. He's angry. He's hurting. If your kids are looking for Madagascar, they might get bored or bummed out by the first forty minutes.
Common Sense Media, which usually leans conservative on these things, suggests it’s okay for ages 7+. That feels about right. There’s no "adult" content in the way of romance—Scarlett and Matt have a very slow-burn, respectful chemistry—but the language is definitely there. You'll hear "hell," "damn," and a handful of "sh*ts." It’s conversational. It’s how people actually talk when they’re stressed out and a porcupine just escaped.
What the Critics Said (The Rotten Tomatoes Factor)
If we talk about the we bought a zoo rating in terms of critical score, it sits in that "pretty good" territory. It’s got a 66% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the world of film criticism, that’s basically a B-minus.
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Critics like Roger Ebert gave it 2.5 stars. He called it "too much of a nice movie." And he wasn't wrong. It’s sugary. It’s got a soundtrack by Jónsi from Sigur Rós that makes every scene feel like a spiritual awakening. Some people find that inspiring; others find it manipulative.
- The Positives: The acting is top-tier. Thomas Haden Church steals every scene as the skeptical brother. The cinematography makes the California hills look like heaven.
- The Negatives: It’s long. 124 minutes is a massive commitment for a story that is, essentially, about a guy fixing a fence so an inspector doesn't shut him down.
Metacritic has it at a 58. That’s "mixed or average." But here’s the thing: audiences liked it way more than the pros did. The "Audience Score" usually hovers around 79%. Why? Because humans like seeing people succeed against the odds, especially when there are cute otters involved.
The Real Story vs. The Hollywood Rating
Here’s where it gets interesting. The we bought a zoo rating is based on a true story, but Hollywood did a number on the facts. The real Benjamin Mee is British. The real zoo is the Dartmoor Zoological Park in Devon, England.
In the real story, Benjamin’s wife, Katherine, was actually still alive when they bought the zoo. She died shortly after they moved in. The movie shifts this to make the move a result of her death. It’s a subtle change, but it changes the emotional "rating" of the story. The film makes it a quest for rebirth. The reality was much more of a tragic, logistical nightmare.
The movie also cleans up the "zoo" part. In the film, the animals are mostly well-behaved metaphors for human emotions. In real life, running a failing zoo is gritty, smelly, and financially terrifying. The movie rates high on "inspiration" but low on "farming realism."
Why the PG Rating Might Surprise You
You’ve got to look at the "thematic elements." There is a scene involving an elderly tiger named Spar. It’s a euthanasia plotline. For a young kid who just lost a pet, this is going to be a 10/10 on the heartbreak scale.
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It’s handled with extreme grace. Cameron Crowe doesn't do cheap tears. But he does linger on the pain. Benjamin Mee has to decide when to let go, which is obviously a parallel to his wife. If you’re watching this with someone who is currently grieving, the we bought a zoo rating for emotional intensity is much higher than a standard PG flick.
Then there’s the "20 seconds of courage" speech. It’s the most famous part of the movie.
"You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it."
That line alone moved the movie from a "rental" to a "classic" for a lot of people. It’s the kind of sentiment that sticks on Pinterest boards for a decade. It gives the film a "re-watchability" rating that defies its average critical scores.
How It Holds Up in 2026
Watching it now, the we bought a zoo rating feels nostalgic. It’s from an era before every mid-budget movie was dumped onto a streaming service with zero fanfare. It feels like a movie. It’s shot on film. It’s got a big-name cast (Elle Fanning is in it too, playing a local girl, and she’s fantastic).
The "wholesomeness" factor is high. In a world of cynical, meta-humor comedies, there’s something brave about how earnest this film is. It isn't trying to be cool. It’s trying to make you cry and then make you cheer.
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The Practical Verdict: Should You Watch It?
Let’s be real. If you want a gritty documentary about animal conservation, this is a 1/10. If you want a lighthearted comedy for a 4-year-old, it’s a 3/10 because they will fall asleep during the dialogue-heavy scenes about bank loans and permit inspections.
But if you want a family movie night for kids aged 10 to 14, or a "comfort movie" for a rainy Sunday, the we bought a zoo rating is an easy 8/10.
It’s safe. It’s kind. It’s got just enough "edgy" language to not feel like a baby movie, but not enough to be offensive. It deals with death in a way that is productive rather than nihilistic.
Next Steps for Your Movie Night
- Check the Platform: As of now, the movie frequently rotates between Disney+ and Max. Check your local listings because "availability" is the one rating that actually matters when you're on the couch.
- Prepare the Kids: If your children are sensitive to themes of loss, maybe mention that the movie starts sad but ends happy. It helps manage the "thematic elements" the MPAA warns about.
- Look up the Real Zoo: After watching, go to the Dartmoor Zoological Park website. Seeing the real Benjamin Mee and the actual animals makes the experience a lot more grounded and less "Hollywood."
- Soundtrack Search: Look up the soundtrack by Jónsi. Even if you end up hating the movie, the music is some of the best ever put to film for pure, soaring optimism.
The we bought a zoo rating tells you it's a family film, but the heart of the movie tells you it's a story for anyone who has ever felt stuck and decided to do something completely crazy to get out of it. Just keep an ear out for those few "sh*ts" if Grandma is in the room.
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