To celebrate the opening of acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe’s movie "We Bought a Zoo," Chestatee Wildlife Preserve will be at the Dawsonville 400 Stadium Cinemas 10 from 2-7 p.m. on Friday.

Molly Potts, cinema general manager, said having zoo animals at the movies on opening day seemed like a perfect fit.

"I didn’t even know we had a zoo so close by," she said. "Hopefully, this will show people that there is a zoo in the area."

Chestatee Wildlife Preserve will bring a variety of small and juvenile animals, such as tiger cubs, birds and alligators to the theater lobby, according to Potts.

"Some the kids will be able to touch," she said.

The event will be free to the public.

"We Bought a Zoo" is based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee.

In the movie, single dad Mee (played by Matt Damon) buys and reopens a dilapidated Rosemoor Wildlife Park to give his family a fresh start.

The movie stars Damon and Scarlett Johansson.

Movie tickets start at $7.50.

"We Bought a Zoo" plays at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Chestatee Wildlife Preserve at 469 Old Dahlonega Highway, Dahlonega is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.