Zookeeper

Don't talk to the animals...unless they talk to you first.

2011 • 102 min • Comedy · Romance · Family

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Synopsis

Kindhearted Griffin Keyes is one of the best-loved caretakers at the Franklin Park Zoo, but he's more comfortable with the animals than with females of his own species as proven by his failed marriage proposal to the self-absorbed Stephanie several years ago. The animals have listened to Griffin pine over her for years and, after she reappears in his life, they decide to help Griffin rekindle the relationship and become the alpha male she wants him to be. They inadvertently reveal their secret ability to talk and, after Griffin's initial shock, teach him the rules of courtship, animal-style. Surprisingly, the animals' advice really works and Griffin is about to get everything he's ever dreamed of--or is he?

Our family guide

Best from age 6

Movie Knight Score

1804 reviews

67 Reviewers · 3 · 53%
54 Audience · 1801 · 47%

Kindhearted zookeeper Griffin is more comfortable with animals than people. When his ex-girlfriend reappears, the zoo animals reveal they can talk and offer him wild advice on how to win her back, leading to comical complications and self-discovery. He soon learns that animal advice might not be the best for human relationships.

Violence & peril: 1/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 1/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 1/10

Heads up

Some slapstick humor and mild peril
Animals talk and behave like humans
Romantic storylines

What it models well

Embracing who you are
Kindness to animals
True love is about connection

Talk about it after

How to tell if someone truly cares about you
The importance of honesty in relationships
Finding happiness in your passions

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Zookeeper. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

Where to watch

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Starz Apple TV Channel

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Top billed cast

Director: Frank Coraci • Crew: Nick Bakay, Kevin James, Jay Scherick, Jay Scherick, David Ronn, David Ronn, Rock Reuben

Trailers & clips

Reviewer notes

Not recommended
A shallow, mediocre film that can't be saved by its fleeting moments of humor. Zookeeper is about a low-confidence man who is looking for love and manages to keep messing things up. You'll be able to guess the plot within just a few minutes. ...and you'll be right, because it's incredibly predictable.…
FleshWound, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Good watch, could watch again, and can recommend. Kevin James and Rosario Dawson give a good carry, though they have an excellent range of supporting characters and then Adam Sandler as the voice of most of the animals.…
Kamurai, TMDB Community

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
Fun, heartwarming dramedy with Kevin James, Rosario Dawson and… talking animals RELEASED IN 2011 and directed by Frank Coraci, "Zookeeper" is a dramedy/fantasy/romance starring Kevin James as a (you guessed it) zookeeper in Boston who enlists the aid of the zoo’s animals in his attempt to win the affections of model Stephanie (Leslie Bibb) or, maybe, fellow zoo-worker Kate (Rosario Dawson).…
Wuchak, TMDB Community