Films about animals in zoos delve into the lives, adventures, challenges, and sometimes the escapes of animals living within the confines of zoos. These stories often highlight the bond between animals and humans, the ethics of keeping wild creatures in captivity, and sometimes the magical or adventurous elements that zoos can inspire in storytelling. Through animation or live action, these films can offer both entertainment and reflection on our relationship with wildlife.
“We Bought a Zoo”, 2011
Director: Cameron Crowe
This film is based on a true story and follows the life of Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) who, seeking a fresh start, buys a rundown zoo. Along with his two children and a small but dedicated staff, Mee works to restore the zoo and reopen it to the public. The film combines elements of family drama and comedy while showcasing the interactions between the family, the staff, and the animals they are dedicated to protecting.
Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Colin Ford, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Angus Macfadyen, Elle Fanning, Patrick Fugit, John Michael Higgins, Carla Gallo;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, family, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “We Bought a Zoo” on the website imdb.com
“Zookeeper”, 2011
Director: Frank Coraci
A lighthearted comedy where the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo love their kindhearted caretaker, Griffin Keyes (Kevin James). Finding himself more comfortable with a lion than a lady, Griffin decides the only way to get a girl in his life is to leave the zoo and find a more glamorous job. The animals, in a panic, decide to break their code of silence and reveal their biggest secret: they can talk. They decide to teach him the rules of courtship, animal style.
Starring: Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, Ken Jeong, Donnie Wahlberg, Joe Rogan, Nat Faxon, Steffiana de la Cruz, Nick Bakay, Jackie Sandler;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: fantasy, melodrama, comedy, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,2;
More information about the film “Zookeeper” on the website imdb.com
“Madagascar”, 2005
Director: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
This animated feature film follows the story of four zoo animals from Central Park Zoo who unexpectedly find themselves stranded on the island of Madagascar. Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippopotamus embark on an adventure to return to New York after Marty's longing for freedom leads them all astray. The film plays with the theme of wild animals, used to captivity, experiencing the wild for the first time.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer, Andy Richter, Tom McGrath, Christopher Knights, Chris Miller;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: animation, comedy, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 86 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Madagascar” on the website imdb.com
“The Zookeeper's Wife”, 2017
Director: Niki Caro
A historical drama that tells the true story of Jan and Antonina Żabiński, the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, who saved hundreds of people and animals during the German invasion in WWII. The film showcases the zoo as a place of refuge and underscores the bravery and compassion of those who risked their lives to save others.
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Johan Heldenbergh, Daniel Brühl, Timothy Radford, Efrat Dor, Iddo Goldberg, Shira Haas, Michael McElhatton, Val Maloku, Marta Issová;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, war, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
“Rio”, 2011
Director: Carlos Saldanha
While not set in a zoo, “Rio” features Blu, a domesticated Spix's Macaw who lives in a small town Minnesota zoo. He believes he is the last of his kind, but when he learns that another macaw was found in Rio de Janeiro, he travels to the vibrant city only to get entangled in an adventure far bigger than he ever expected. The film highlights themes of freedom and captivity and the importance of conservation.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, Will.i.am, Rodrigo Santoro, Karen Disher, Carlos Ponce, George Lopez, Jemaine Clement, Jason Fricchione;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: animation, musical, comedy, adventure, family, music;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Rio” on the website imdb.com
These films, while varied in tone and style, each provide a unique lens through which viewers can explore the lives of zoo animals and the humans who care for them, highlighting the joy, complexity, and sometimes controversial nature of zoos.
Films about animals in zoos offer a unique lens through which we can explore the complexities of both human and animal emotions, the ethical dilemmas of captivity versus conservation, and the profound bonds that can form across species barriers. Whether through the heartwarming tales of unlikely friendships, the thrilling adventures escaping captivity, or the poignant narratives that challenge us to reconsider our relationship with the natural world, these films serve as both entertainment and education. They prompt viewers to reflect on the moral responsibilities of human society towards those voiceless beings and the environments they inhabit. In doing so, films about animals in zoos not only captivate our imaginations but also inspire a deeper empathy and a more thoughtful engagement with the pressing environmental and ethical issues of our time. Through their captivating storytelling and emotional depth, these films leave a lasting impact, encouraging audiences to ponder the true nature of freedom and the right of all beings to live with dignity and respect in the world we share.
