We Bought a Zoo Movie Quotes 

Movie and TV Quotes
Updated June 8, 2017 247 votes 159 voters 55.8k views 10 items

'We Bought a Zoo' movie quotes are some of the best lines from the Cameron Crowe-directed film starring Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson and Thomas Haden Church. This movie is based on the true story of a father who decides to buy a financially strapped, run down zoo and restore it, with the help of some passionate staff members. The quotes from 'We Bought a Zoo' include some great lines from Damon, Church and others. See your favorite 'We Bought a Zoo' quote on this list? Vote it up! And feel free to add any quote that you don't see on the list, too.

'We Bought a Zoo' is based loosely on British writer Benjamin Mee's memoir that details his decision to move his family to the countryside to help run a zoo. In the movie, Matt Damon is Mee - a man struggling to overcome the tragic death of his wife and to help their two children find a fresh start. Caring for literally hundreds of animals isn't an easy task - and Benjamin must rely on the expertise of zookeeper Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and her staff to help get the zoo ready to reopen.

Looking for more great 2011 movie quotes? Check out these pages for the best quotes from 'The Muppets,' 'Hugo,' 'Arthur Christmas,' 'The Adventures of Tintin,' 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked' 'Jack and Jill,' 'Happy Feet Two,' 'Tower Heist,' and 'The Rum Diary.'

Also see these hilariously bad 'Zookeeper' reviews.
Insane Courage
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Video: YouTube


Benjamin's words of wisdom, meant for his teenage son, definitely apply to his own challenges in life. Losing his wife threatened to derail everything, but he musters up the courage to make needed changes and keep the family together.
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Starting Over
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Video: YouTube

Duncan: "Attempt to start over."
Benjamin: "I shall try to start over."

Duncan Mee (Thomas Haden Church) is Benjamin's older brother. Little does he know that his advice about starting over will mean that Benjamin will soon own...a zoo.
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Animals and Humans
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Video: YouTube

Duncan: "I like the animals, but I love the humans."

Another excellent quote from 'We Bought a Zoo.' This movie isn't really about the animals (though they are great): It's about the people that run it, the family that bought it, and how taking on a challenge and changing your life can save you.
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It's a Zoo
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Video: YouTube

Benjamin: "This place is perfect! Why didn't you mention it earlier?"
Mr. Stevens: "It's a bit complicated."
Benjamin: "Complicated's okay. What's so complicated about this place?"
Mr. Stevens: "Well, you see, it's uhhh..." (Lion roars,loudly) "It's a zoo."
Rosie: "Yay!"
Mr. Stevens: "Yayyyy."

Yay, indeed, Rosie! Not just because you're buying a zoo - but because J.B. Smoove is in this movie!
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