Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Action Comedy Drama Horror Thriller Sci-Fi Romance Mystery Animation Crime
We Bought a Zoo (2011) movie poster

Characters & Themes

We Bought a Zoo (2011) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2011 · 124 min · English
Loading streaming availability…

Facing financial hardship, a family makes a surprising decision: they purchase an abandoned English zoo home to over 200 animals. The owner, Benjamin Mee, must then work to restore the zoo to its former glory while dealing with the challenges of caring for his children, the health concerns of his wife, and the unpredictable nature of the animals—including a few escaped tigers. Through the experience, he discovers the importance of love, family, and resilience.

Drama Comedy Cast, crew & box office
On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Every angle
Loading streaming availability…

4 main characters · contains spoilers

We Bought a Zoo Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of We Bought a Zoo (2011), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Benjamin Mee

    Benjamin is a widowed father who is grappling with the loss of his wife while trying to make sense of his life and his children's needs. He exhibits resilience and determination as he seeks to turn their lives around by purchasing a zoo, seeing it as a way to heal. His growth throughout the film reveals deeper insights about courage, love, and family bonding.

    • 👨‍👧‍👦 Fatherhood
    • 🦁 Zoo Keeper

  • Dylan

    Dylan is Benjamin's 14-year-old son, who struggles with feelings of loss and displacement. His character illustrates the challenges of adolescence amidst family upheaval. Through art, he copes with his emotions and learns to express himself, finding comfort in new friendships while facing both external and internal conflicts.

    • 🎨 Art
    • 😔 Grief

  • Rosie

    Rosie, Benjamin's 7-year-old daughter, serves as a beacon of innocent hope and joy, bringing light to the family's somber reality. Her excitement about the zoo symbolizes new beginnings, and her character reminds the audience of the importance of childlike wonder in the face of adversity.

    • 🦄 Innocence
    • 🌈 Hope

  • Kelly Foster

    Kelly is the zoo's head caretaker, who embodies passion and commitment to the animals. Her strong character becomes a source of support and connection for Benjamin, helping him both with the zoo and in navigating his grief. She represents the possibility of new relationships arising from shared goals.

    • 🦒 Animal Care
    • 💪 Strength

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:56

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does We Bought a Zoo Take Place?

The setting of We Bought a Zoo (2011): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The film doesn’t specify a distinct time period, but the contemporary setting emphasizes the emotional reality of a family dealing with loss and change. The storyline progresses through the seasons, highlighting the physical and emotional transformations the characters undergo.

Location

a dilapidated zoo, a new home

The movie is primarily set in a dilapidated zoo that Benjamin Mee decides to purchase and restore. This zoo, once closed, becomes a symbol of hope and renewal for Benjamin and his family as they navigate their grief and seek to create new memories. Additionally, the search for a new home highlights the theme of starting anew in a more vibrant environment.

  • 🏡 Home
  • 🦓 Zoo

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:56

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

We Bought a Zoo Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is We Bought a Zoo (2011) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Renewal

    A major theme is renewal, as the characters strive to rebuild their lives after a profound loss. Benjamin's decision to purchase and restore the zoo represents his desire to create new beginnings for himself and his children. This journey of revitalizing not just the zoo but also their family dynamics is a central focus of the narrative.

  • Love and Loss

    The film explores the theme of love and loss through Benjamin's memories of his late wife, Katherine. This theme is interwoven with the development of new relationships and the importance of cherishing those we have lost while finding ways to live fully in the present.

  • Self-Discovery

    Self-discovery is another significant theme as each character grapples with their identity in light of recent changes. Benjamin, Dylan, and Rosie each embark on personal journeys that reflect their struggles and growth in response to their circumstances, highlighting the profound impact of courage and resilience.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:56

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

We Bought a Zoo Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about We Bought a Zoo (2011): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the family move to after their loss?

The family moves to a dilapidated zoo in England that Benjamin Mee purchases. The zoo had been closed and abandoned, housing over 200 animals. This location becomes the central setting where the family works to restore it to its former glory while rebuilding their lives.

  • family relocation
  • zoo location
  • England
  • abandoned zoo
Q2

What was the condition of the zoo when they purchased it?

The zoo was in a state of disrepair and had been closed down. Benjamin Mee saw potential in the struggling zoo and decided to purchase it as a way to create a new beginning for his family. The film portrays the physical restoration of the zoo paralleling the family's emotional healing.

  • dilapidated zoo
  • zoo restoration
  • abandoned zoo
  • property purchase
Q3

When does the movie take place?

The film is set in contemporary times without specifying a distinct time period. The story unfolds through the seasons, highlighting both the physical transformation of the zoo and the emotional journey of the family as they adapt to their new life.

  • contemporary setting
  • time period
  • seasons
Q4

What are the main themes explored in the film?

The movie explores three major themes: renewal, love and loss, and self-discovery. Renewal focuses on rebuilding lives after profound loss. Love and loss examines grief while honoring the past. Self-discovery follows each family member's journey of personal growth through courage and resilience.

  • renewal
  • love and loss
  • self-discovery
  • themes
  • courage
  • resilience
Q5

What does the zoo represent thematically for the family?

The zoo represents hope and renewal for the family. Benjamin's decision to purchase and restore it symbolizes his desire to create new beginnings for himself and his children. The physical revitalization of the zoo mirrors the family's emotional healing and their journey toward finding joy again.

  • symbolism
  • hope
  • renewal
  • new beginnings
  • healing
Q6

How does the movie address grief and moving on?

The film addresses grief through Benjamin's memories of his late wife, Katherine, interwoven with his journey toward new relationships. It explores the balance between cherishing those lost and finding ways to live fully in the present. The zoo project becomes a therapeutic outlet for processing loss while creating new family memories.

  • grief
  • loss
  • bereavement
  • healing
  • moving on
  • late wife
Q7

Who is Benjamin Mee and what challenges does he face?

Benjamin Mee is a widowed father trying to raise his two children, Dylan and Rosie, while coping with the loss of his wife. He demonstrates resilience and determination by purchasing the zoo as a way to turn his family's life around. His growth reveals deeper insights about courage, love, and family bonding.

  • Benjamin Mee
  • widower
  • father
  • protagonist
  • family
Q8

Who is Kelly Foster and what role does she play?

Kelly Foster is the zoo's head caretaker, embodying passion and commitment to the animals. She becomes a crucial source of support for Benjamin, helping him with both the zoo operations and navigating his grief. Her character represents the possibility of new relationships forming from shared goals and mutual respect.

  • Kelly Foster
  • caretaker
  • zoo worker
  • love interest
  • support
Q9

How does Dylan cope with the family's changes?

Dylan is Benjamin's 14-year-old son who struggles with feelings of loss and displacement during the family upheaval. He uses art as an emotional outlet to cope with his feelings and finds comfort in new friendships. His character arc reflects the challenges of adolescence amidst family change and his eventual growth through resilience.

  • Dylan
  • teenager
  • son
  • art therapy
  • adolescent
  • coping
Q10

What role does Rosie play in the family?

Rosie is Benjamin's 7-year-old daughter who serves as a beacon of innocent hope and joy. Her excitement about the zoo symbolizes new beginnings and reminds the audience of the importance of childlike wonder in facing adversity. Her character brings light to the family's somber reality and represents the potential for renewed happiness.

  • Rosie
  • daughter
  • child
  • innocence
  • hope
  • new beginnings
Q11

What is the film's central message about courage?

The film centers on the message of '20 seconds of courage', the idea that taking a brief moment of bravery can change the course of one's life. This theme runs throughout as Benjamin must repeatedly find the courage to face challenges, pursue new relationships, and ultimately open his heart to new experiences despite fear and grief.

  • courage
  • 20 seconds of courage
  • bravery
  • taking risks
Q12

What genre is the film and what is its overall tone?

The film is classified as a Drama with Comedy elements. Its tone is primarily hopeful, balancing the significant backdrop of grief with uplifting moments of success, connection, and animal antics. The emotional weight remains medium, as lighter scenes are interspersed with family conflicts and the challenges of zoo restoration, resulting in an ultimately uplifting and heartwarming story.

  • genre
  • drama
  • comedy
  • tone
  • hopeful
  • heartwarming

Movie threads

More Movies Like We Bought a Zoo, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes We Bought a Zoo tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about hopeful new beginnings like We Bought a Zoo

Stories about families rebuilding their lives with hope after a deep personal loss. If you liked the healing journey in We Bought a Zoo, you'll enjoy these movies about families and individuals starting over after a loss. Discover similar stories of resilience, heartwarming connections, and the bittersweet but hopeful process of rebuilding a life.

  • heartwarming
  • bittersweet
  • hopeful
  • resilient
  • family-centered
  • uplifting
  • Tone: hopeful, bittersweet
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a protagonist or family grappling with a significant loss, which propels them into a challenging new venture. The central conflict is external (restoring a place, achieving a goal) but serves as a metaphor for internal healing. The story unfolds steadily, with setbacks and small victories leading to a cathartic, happy resolution that honors the past while embracing the future.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a specific emotional mix: a foundation of grief balanced by an overriding sense of hope. They feature steady pacing, medium emotional weight, and a focus on healing through tangible, positive action, creating a consistently heartwarming and uplifting experience.

Love’s Kitchen movie poster

Love’s Kitchen

2011
Comeback Season movie poster

Comeback Season

2006
Safe Harbour movie poster

Safe Harbour

2007
The Lost Husband movie poster

The Lost Husband

2020
We Bought a Zoo movie poster

We Bought a Zoo

2011
Where the Heart Is movie poster

Where the Heart Is

2000
Love Happens movie poster

Love Happens

2009
Hope Springs Eternal movie poster

Hope Springs Eternal

2018

Movies about community-building projects like We Bought a Zoo

Films where an unlikely endeavor mends broken spirits and builds a community. Find more movies like We Bought a Zoo where a quirky project brings a community together. These films share a feel-good vibe, blending comedy and drama as a group of people work towards a common goal, healing their wounds and forming unlikely bonds along the way.

  • uplifting
  • community
  • heartwarming
  • quirky
  • feel-good
  • hopeful
  • Tone: hopeful, wholesome
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot revolves around an ambitious and somewhat improbable goal that seems impossible at first. A leader, often dealing with personal issues, rallies a motley crew of helpers. The narrative is straightforward, charting the progress from chaos and doubt to eventual success, with the real victory being the forged relationships and personal growth of every character involved.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are united by their focus on a central, uplifting project that serves as an engine for character development and community formation. They blend light comedy with genuine drama, maintain a medium intensity, and consistently deliver a happy, satisfying ending where the collective effort triumphs.

We Bought a Zoo movie poster

We Bought a Zoo

2011
Hula Girls movie poster

Hula Girls

2007
Joyful Noise movie poster

Joyful Noise

2012
Role Models movie poster

Role Models

2017
Such Good People movie poster

Such Good People

2014
Playing for Keeps movie poster

Playing for Keeps

1986
The Broken Hearts Gallery movie poster

The Broken Hearts Gallery

2020
We Can Do That movie poster

We Can Do That

2008

Every angle

We Bought a Zoo (2011) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about We Bought a Zoo in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app