We Bought a Zoo (2011) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
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.
Rated PG • 2011 • 2h 4m
We Bought a Zoo is a family drama that earns its PG rating for mature thematic elements and surprisingly strong language. The film centers on Benjamin Mee and his family as they process their grief over the death of their mother by purchasing and renovating a dilapidated zoo. Parents should be aware of several instances of profanity, including 'shit,' 'son of a bitch,' and 'dick,' which are unusual for its rating. The narrative's… Sign up for the full guide
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Is We Bought a Zoo appropriate for kids?
We Bought a Zoo is a family drama that earns its PG rating for mature thematic elements and surprisingly strong language. The film centers on Benjamin Mee and his family as they process their grief over the death of their mother by purchasing and renovating a dilapidated zoo… Read more — free account
Content severity in We Bought a Zoo
What happens in We Bought a Zoo, moment by moment
- 0:04 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:07 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
- 0:11 🍷 Substances 1/10
Sex and nudity in We Bought a Zoo
This category is very light. There is a single, brief kiss between two adult characters near the end of the film. A teenage character has a crush on another, which is depicted innocently.
Violence and gore in We Bought a Zoo
Violence is very light and mostly implied or depicted in drawings. The main character's son, Dylan, creates dark artwork that includes a drawing of a decapitated figure. A character makes a brief 'finger gun' gesture to his own head to represent financial suicide. A sick, elderly tiger becomes agitated and is tranquilized with a dart gun in one tense scene; there is no other animal violence.
Language in We Bought a Zoo
The film contains profanity that is stronger than typical for a PG rating. The word 'shit' is used about five times, and there are single uses of 'son of a bitch,' 'asshole,' and 'dick' (the latter is said by a young girl repeating something she overheard). Milder terms like 'hell' and 'damn' are also present.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in We Bought a Zoo
Adults are occasionally seen drinking beer or wine in social settings, particularly in the zoo's staff pub. There is no drunkenness depicted. In one scene, a teacher makes a veiled allusion to Bob Marley's marijuana use when discussing a student's artwork.
Mature themes in We Bought a Zoo
The film's primary theme is grief and healing after the death of a parent, which is explored in depth. Several scenes show characters struggling emotionally with their loss, leading to intense family arguments. A sad and significant subplot involves the declining health of an old tiger and the difficult discussion of whether to euthanize him. Themes of financial hardship and a teen's feelings of being an outcast are also present.
Scary moments in We Bought a Zoo
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for We Bought a Zoo yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is We Bought a Zoo appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests We Bought a Zoo is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. We Bought a Zoo is a family drama that earns its PG rating for mature thematic elements and surprisingly strong language. The film centers on Benjamin Mee and his family as they process their grief over the death of…
What age rating does We Bought a Zoo have?
We Bought a Zoo is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is We Bought a Zoo about?
We Bought a Zoo is a family drama that earns its PG rating for mature thematic elements and surprisingly strong language. The film centers on Benjamin Mee and his family as they process their grief over the death of their mother by purchasing and renovating a dilapidated zoo. Parents should be aware of several…
Is there sex or nudity in We Bought a Zoo?
This category is very light. There is a single, brief kiss between two adult characters near the end of the film. A teenage character has a crush on another, which is depicted innocently.
How violent is We Bought a Zoo?
Violence is very light and mostly implied or depicted in drawings. The main character's son, Dylan, creates dark artwork that includes a drawing of a decapitated figure. A character makes a brief 'finger gun' gesture to his own head to represent financial…
Is the language in We Bought a Zoo appropriate for kids?
The film contains profanity that is stronger than typical for a PG rating. The word 'shit' is used about five times, and there are single uses of 'son of a bitch,' 'asshole,' and 'dick' (the latter is said by a young girl repeating something she overheard)…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in We Bought a Zoo?
Adults are occasionally seen drinking beer or wine in social settings, particularly in the zoo's staff pub. There is no drunkenness depicted. In one scene, a teacher makes a veiled allusion to Bob Marley's marijuana use when discussing a student's artwork.
What mature themes appear in We Bought a Zoo?
The film's primary theme is grief and healing after the death of a parent, which is explored in depth. Several scenes show characters struggling emotionally with their loss, leading to intense family arguments. A sad and significant subplot involves the…
How long is We Bought a Zoo?
We Bought a Zoo runs 124 minutes, directed by Cameron Crowe, released in 2011.
Where can I read the full We Bought a Zoo parent guide?
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