Milestone Years
- 20th Anniversary: May 30, 2023
- 25th Anniversary: May 30, 2028
- 30th Anniversary: May 30, 2033
- 40th Anniversary: May 30, 2043
Inspiration Behind the Movie
Director Andrew Stanton was inspired by childhood memories of going to the dentist and a fascination with marine life. The story also drew from his experiences as a father, exploring themes of parenting, fear, and independence—all set in a stunningly animated underwater world.
You Might Not Know
- Pixar animators had to take scuba diving lessons as part of their research.
- Dory’s forgetfulness was inspired by real short-term memory loss conditions.
- The film caused a spike in demand for clownfish, affecting marine ecosystems.
- Ellen DeGeneres improvised much of Dory’s dialogue.
- The ocean scenes took years to animate due to the challenge of rendering water realistically.
Food Ideas
- “Fish are friends” goldfish snack bowls
- Ocean Jell-O cups with gummy fish
- Turtle shell taco bowls
- Dory’s blueberry smoothies
- Coral reef veggie trays with seaweed-style dips
Release Date: May 30, 2003
Summary:
After his son Nemo is captured by scuba divers, overprotective clownfish Marlin teams up with forgetful yet fearless Dory to search the ocean. Their journey across the Great Barrier Reef is filled with sharks, jellyfish, sea turtles, and heartwarming discoveries about trust and letting go.
Genre(s) and MPAA Rating: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, G
Key Cast Members:
- Albert Brooks
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Alexander Gould
- Willem Dafoe
- Geoffrey Rush
- Brad Garrett
- Allison Janney
Ways to Celebrate
- Play an “I see Nemo!” game during the movie
- Make a DIY fish tank craft with paper and glitter
- Learn about real marine life mentioned in the film
- Wear ocean-themed costumes or accessories
- Host a double feature with Finding Dory
Filming Locations
- As an animated film, Finding Nemo was created at Pixar Animation Studios
- The underwater setting was inspired by real locations on the Great Barrier Reef
- Pixar artists traveled to aquariums and reefs to study fish behavior and coral environments