:Finding Nemo

Marlin and Coral, a clownfish couple, live happily in an anemone in the Great Barrier Reef. They are about to become parents, waiting for their many eggs to hatch. Suddenly, a barracuda approaches the anemone; Coral rushes to protect her eggs as the barracuda knocks Marlin unconscious. Upon awakening, Marlin discovers that Coral and all but one of the eggs have been eaten by the barracuda; the last remaining egg is cracked. Marlin names his child Nemo, a name Coral liked, and vows to keep him safe.

On Nemo's first day of school, he and Marlin have a heated argument regarding Marlin's overprotective parenting method. Nemo defiantly swims to a speedboat and is captured by a pair of scuba divers. Marlin frantically pursues the boat in vain. Marlin meets Dory, a blue tang with short-term memory loss, who offers to help him. The two encounter Bruce, Anchor, and Chum, three sharks who are attempting to abstain from eating fish. Marlin finds a diver's mask that fell from the boat and accidentally injures Dory with it. The scent of her blood sends Bruce into a frenzy and he accidentally sets off old naval mines; the sharks, Marlin, and Dory are able to swim to safety before the mines blow up.

Nemo is placed in a fish tank in the office of dentist Philip Sherman in Sydney, Australia. He meets the "Tank Gang", led by Gill, a scarred Moorish idol. Sherman plans to give Nemo to his niece, Darla, who accidentally killed her previous pet fish because she treated him carelessly. Gill, who also wishes to return to the ocean, devises an escape plan: Nemo, the smallest fish in the tank, will block the aquarium's filter tube with a pebble, obliging Sherman to put the fish into bags while he cleans the tank. This will allow them to roll out the window and into the harbor. Nemo attempts to block the filter but fails; in the process, he is almost killed by the filter's machinery, causing Gill to feel deeply regretful.

The diver's mask falls into a deep trench. As Marlin and Dory search for it, they are attacked by an anglerfish but manage to trap it using the mask. Dory memorizes the address written on the mask. A school of moonfish give the pair directions to the East Australian Current. On their way, Marlin and Dory become trapped in a forest of jellyfish. After being stung and knocked unconscious, they awaken in the East Australian Current with a large group of sea turtles, including Crush and his son, Squirt. The story of Marlin's quest is relayed by the turtles across the ocean to Sydney, where it reaches Nigel, a pelican who regularly converses with the Tank Gang. Nigel tells the Tank Gang of Marlin's journey, motivating Nemo to try blocking the filter again. Nemo's attempt is successful, and the aquarium quickly becomes covered in green algae.

After exiting the current, Marlin and Dory get lost and are consumed by a blue whale. The whale expels them through its blowhole into Sydney Harbour. Nigel finds Marlin and Dory, and, after rescuing them from a flock of ravenous seagulls, takes them to Sherman's office, where Nemo is playing dead to avoid being given to Darla; this causes Marlin to believe Nemo is actually dead. Sherman forces Nigel out of his office, and Gill helps Nemo escape through the sink drain that leads to the ocean.

Deeply shaken, Marlin mournfully says goodbye to Dory and begins heading home. Nemo meets Dory, who helps him reunite with Marlin. A fishing trawler captures Dory in a net along with a school of groupers. Nemo and Marlin work together, instructing the fish to swim down. Their combined force breaks the beam of the trawler, freeing the fish.

Some time later, Marlin, who has become more confident and outgoing, drops Nemo off at school. Dory joins Marlin, and together, they wave goodbye to Nemo as he leaves with his class. Meanwhile, after the dentist's new filter breaks, the Tank Gang escapes into Sydney Harbour in their plastic bags. Now successfully in the ocean but still stuck in the bags, they ponder what to do next.

{{Cast listing|

• Albert Brooks as Marlin, a clownfish and Nemo's overprotective father.
• Ellen DeGeneres as Dory, a regal blue tang with short-term memory loss.
• Alexander Gould as Nemo, Marlin's only surviving son, who is excited about life and exploring the ocean, but gets captured and domesticated as a pet.
• Willem Dafoe as Gill, a scarred moorish idol fish living in an aquarium in Philip Sherman's dentistry clinic, and the leader of the Tank Gang.
• Brad Garrett as Bloat, the aquarium's porcupinefish.
• Allison Janney as Peach, the aquarium's sea star.
• Stephen Root as Bubbles, the aquarium's yellow tang fish.
• Austin Pendleton as Gurgle, the aquarium's obsessive-compulsive royal gramma fish.
• Vicki Lewis as Deb, the aquarium's striped damselfish.
• Lewis is also credited for voicing "Flo", the name Deb gives her reflection that she believes is her twin sister.
• Joe Ranft as Jacques, the aquarium's cleaner shrimp.
• Geoffrey Rush as Nigel, an Australian pelican, who often visits the dentist clinic and is friends with the aquarium fish.
• Andrew Stanton as Crush, a green sea turtle.
• Elizabeth Perkins as Coral, Marlin's wife and Nemo's mother.
• Nicholas Bird as Squirt, Crush's son.
• Bob Peterson as Mr. Ray, a spotted eagle ray and Nemo's schoolteacher.
• Barry Humphries as Bruce, a great white shark, who, despite abstaining from eating fish, continues to fight his instinctive will to eat them; he is also friends with Anchor and Chum.
• Eric Bana as Anchor, a hammerhead shark who is friends with Bruce and Chum.
• Bruce Spence as Chum, a mako shark who is friends with Bruce and Anchor.
• Bill Hunter as Philip Sherman, a dentist who keeps Nemo and the Tank Gang in an aquarium.
• LuLu Ebeling as Darla, Sherman's rambunctious young niece.
• Jordy Ranft as Tad, a butterfly fish fingerling and Nemo's school friend.
• Erica Beck as Pearl, a young flapjack octopus and Nemo's school friend.
• Erik Per Sullivan as Sheldon, a young seahorse, and Nemo's school friend.
• John Ratzenberger as the school of moonfish.

}}

{{cite web |url=https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/finding-nemo |publisher=Pixar |access-date=13 July 2021 |at=Cast |title=Pixar Animation Studios |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032304/https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/finding-nemo |url-status=live }} The Pixar webpage for Finding Nemo displays the full cast list and serves as a reference for the entire section.

File:Andrew Stanton cropped 2009.jpg wrote and directed the film.]]

The inspiration for Finding Nemo sprang from multiple experiences, going back to director Andrew Stanton's childhood, when he loved going to the dentist to see the fish tank, assuming that the fish were from the ocean and wanted to go home.{{cite AV media |people=Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich, and Bob Peterson |title=Finding Nemo — Audio Commentary |medium=DVD |year=2004 |publisher=Walt Disney Home Entertainment}} In 1992, shortly after his son was born, he and his family took a trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (which was called Marine World at the time). There, after seeing the shark tube and various exhibits, he felt that the underwater world could be done beautifully in computer animation.{{cite AV media |title=The Pixar Story |people=Iwerks, Leslie (director) |year=2007 |type=Documentary film |publisher=Buena Vista Pictures Distribution}} Later, in 1997, he took his son for a walk in the park but realized that he was overprotecting him and lost an opportunity to have a father-son experience that day.

In an interview with National Geographic magazine, Stanton said that the idea for the characters of Marlin and Nemo came from a photograph of two clownfish peeking out of an anemone:

{{blockquote|It was so arresting. I had no idea what kind of fish they were, but I couldn't take my eyes off them. And as an entertainer, the fact that they were called clownfish—it was perfect. There's almost nothing more appealing than these little fish that want to play peekaboo with you.{{cite magazine |last=Prosek |first=James |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2010/01/clownfish-anemone-symbiotic-relationship/ |title=Beautiful Friendship |magazine=National Geographic |date=January 2010 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427052617/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2010/01/clownfish-anemone-symbiotic-relationship/ |url-status=dead }}

}}

In addition, clownfish are colorful, but do not tend to come out of an anemone often. For a character who has to go on a dangerous journey, Stanton felt a clownfish was the perfect type of fish for the character. Pre-production of the film began in early 1997. Stanton began writing the screenplay during the post-production of A Bug's Life. As a result, Finding Nemo began production with a complete screenplay, something that co-director Lee Unkrich called "very unusual for an animated film". The artists took scuba diving lessons to study the coral reef.

Stanton originally planned to use flashbacks to reveal how Coral died but realized that by the end of the film there would be nothing to reveal, deciding to show how she died at the beginning of the movie. The character of Gill also was different from the character seen in the final film. In a scene that was eventually deleted, Gill tells Nemo that he's from a place called Bad Luck Bay and that he has brothers and sisters in order to impress the young clownfish, only for the latter to find out that he was lying by listening to a patient reading a children's storybook that shares exactly the same details.

William H. Macy was the first actor cast as Marlin. Although Macy had recorded most of the dialogue, Stanton felt that the character needed a lighter touch.{{cite book |last=Price |first=David A. |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780307265753 |title=The Pixar Touch: The Making of a Company |page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780307265753/page/210/mode/1up 210] |year=2008 |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |location=New York |url-access=registration |isbn=978-0-307-26575-3}} Stanton then cast Albert Brooks in the role, and in his opinion, it "saved" the film. Brooks liked the idea of Marlin being this clownfish who isn't funny and recorded outtakes of telling very bad jokes.

The idea for the initiation sequence came from a story conference between Stanton and Bob Peterson while they were driving to record the actors. Although he originally envisioned the character of Dory as male, Stanton was inspired to cast Ellen DeGeneres when he watched an episode of Ellen in which he saw her "change the subject five times before finishing one sentence". The pelican character named Gerald (who in the final film ends up swallowing and choking on Marlin and Dory) was originally a friend of Nigel. They were going to play against each other with Nigel being neat and fastidious and Gerald being scruffy and sloppy. The filmmakers could not find an appropriate scene for them that did not slow the pace of the picture, so Gerald's character was minimized.

Stanton himself provided the voice of Crush the sea turtle. He originally did the voice for the film's story reel and assumed they would find an actor later. When Stanton's performance became popular in test screenings, he decided to keep his performance in the film. He recorded all his dialogue while lying on a sofa in Unkrich's office. Crush's son Squirt was voiced by Nicholas Bird, the young son of fellow Pixar director Brad Bird. According to Stanton, the elder Bird was playing a tape recording of his young son around the Pixar studios one day. Stanton felt the voice was "this generation's Thumper" and immediately cast Nicholas.

Megan Mullally was originally going to provide a voice in the film. According to Mullally, the producers were stunned to learn that the voice of her character Karen Walker on the television show Will & Grace was not her natural speaking voice. The producers hired her anyway, and then strongly encouraged her to use her Karen Walker voice for the role. When Mullally refused, she was dismissed.{{cite web|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/megan-mullally/news/megan-mullally-dropped-from-finding-nemo|title=Megan Mullally – Megan Mullally Dropped From Finding Nemo|website=Contactmusic.com|date=April 6, 2004|access-date=October 1, 2014|archive-date=October 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002072943/http://www.contactmusic.com/megan-mullally/news/megan-mullally-dropped-from-finding-nemo|url-status=live}}

To ensure that the movements of the fish in the film were believable, the animators took a crash course in fish biology and oceanography. They visited aquariums, went diving in Hawaii, and received in-house lectures from an ichthyologist.{{cite web|last=Lovgren|first=Stefan|title=For Finding Nemo, Animators Dove into Fish Study|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0530_030530_findingnemo.html|work=National Geographic News|access-date=October 30, 2012|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307142501/https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/05/0530_030530_findingnemo.html|url-status=dead}} As a result, Pixar's animator for Dory, Gini Cruz Santos, integrated "the fish movement, human movement, and facial expressions to make them look and feel like real characters."{{cite web |url=http://annieawards.org/31st-annie-awards |title=31st Annual Annie Award Nominees and Winners (2003) |website=Annie Awards |access-date=June 12, 2014 |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701220856/http://annieawards.org/31st-annie-awards |url-status=live }} Production designer Ralph Eggleston created pastel drawings to give the lighting crew led by Sharon Calahan ideas of how every scene in the film should be lit.{{cite AV media |title=Making Nemo |location=|year=2004 |medium=DVD |publisher=Walt Disney Home Entertainment}}

The Great white shark, Bruce, is in reference to the animatronic shark used in the Universal film Jaws. The shark they had used on set was nicknamed "Bruce" after Bruce Raiman, who was Steven Spielberg's divorce lawyer.{{cite book|last=Shaffer|first=Joshua C.|title=Discovering the Magic Kingdom: An Unofficial Disneyland Vacation Guide – Second Edition|year=2017|publisher=Synergy Book Publishing|isbn=978-0-9991664-0-6|page=188}} The line "Here's Brucey!" is a reference to the Jack Nicholson line from the 1980 horror film, The Shining.{{cite web|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/541362/the-shining-pixar-easter-eggs|title=9 The Shining References Buried in Pixar Films|date=May 3, 2018|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407223506/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/541362/the-shining-pixar-easter-eggs|url-status=live}} Additionally, the music that plays for the dentist's niece Darla is the theme music from the 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film, Psycho.{{cite web|url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/5/29/21273680/every-character-from-finding-nemo-ranked|title=Every Character From 'Finding Nemo,' Ranked|date=May 29, 2020|website=The Ringer|access-date=March 31, 2022|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227184648/https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/5/29/21273680/every-character-from-finding-nemo-ranked|url-status=live}}

The film was dedicated to Glenn McQueen, a Pixar animator who died of melanoma in October 2002.{{cite web|last=Rizvi|first=Samad|title=Remembering Glenn McQueen, 1960-2002|url=http://pixartimes.com/2010/12/24/remembering-glenn-mcqueen-1960-2002/|work=Pixar Times|date=December 24, 2010|access-date=November 8, 2012|archive-date=January 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115033015/http://pixartimes.com/2010/12/24/remembering-glenn-mcqueen-1960-2002/|url-status=live}} Finding Nemo shares many plot elements with Pierrot the Clownfish,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/24/books.film|title=Nemo finds way to French court|first=Jon|last=Henley|date=February 24, 2004|work=The Guardian|access-date=October 26, 2017|archive-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027125719/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/24/books.film|url-status=live}} a children's book published in 2002, but allegedly conceived in 1995. The author, Franck Le Calvez, sued Disney for infringement of his intellectual rights and to bar Finding Nemo merchandise in France. The judge ruled against him, citing the color differences between Pierrot and Nemo.{{cite news |last=Lagorce |first=Aude |url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/03/12/cx_al_0312nemo.html |title=French Court Denies Disney Ban |work=Forbes |date=December 3, 2004 |access-date=September 30, 2012 |archive-date=November 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127161228/http://www.forbes.com/2004/03/12/cx_al_0312nemo.html |url-status=live }}

File:Patrick Stump Infinity.jpg performed a Navajo version of the end-credits song Beyond the Sea.]]

In 2016, Disney Character Voices International's senior vice president Rick Dempsey, in collaboration with the Navajo Nation Museum, created a Navajo dubbing of the movie titled Nemo Há’déést’íí which was released in theaters March 18–24 of the same year.{{Cite web|date=2016-03-10|title='Nemo Há'déést'į́į́'|url=https://navajotimes.com/reznews/nemo-hadeestii/|access-date=2020-06-03|website=Navajo Times|language=en-US|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128015433/https://navajotimes.com/reznews/nemo-hadeestii/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=July 18, 2015|first=Jim|last=Axelrod|title="Finding Nemo" aims to help Navajo language stay afloat|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/finding-nemo-aims-to-help-navajo-language-stay-afloat/|access-date=2020-06-03|website=www.cbsnews.com|language=en|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603140311/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/finding-nemo-aims-to-help-navajo-language-stay-afloat/|url-status=live}} The project was thought as a means to preserve Navajo language, teaching the language to kids through a Disney movie.Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/7E6aewc6nxo Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20200829071204/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E6aewc6nxo Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Cite web|title=Navajo Version of 'Finding Nemo' Aims to Promote Language|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E6aewc6nxo|website=YouTube| date=December 22, 2014 }}{{cbignore}} The studio held auditions on the reservation, but finding an age-appropriate native speaker to voice Nemo was hard, Dempsey said, as the majority of native Navajo speakers are over 40 years old. The end credits version of the song "Beyond the Sea", covered in the English version by Robbie Williams, was also adapted into Navajo, with Fall Out Boy's lead singer Patrick Stump performing it.{{Cite web|date=2016-12-16|title=Making Movie Magic in Any Language|url=https://d23.com/making-movie-magic-in-any-language/|website=D23|access-date=2020-06-03|language=en-US|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603102031/https://d23.com/making-movie-magic-in-any-language/|url-status=live}} In 2016, Finding Nemo was the second movie to receive a dub in Navajo, after Star Wars.{{Cite web |last=Galuppo |first=Mia |date=2016-03-17 |title='Finding Nemo' Becomes Second Movie Dubbed Into Navajo |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/finding-nemo-becomes-second-movie-876575/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506080203/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/finding-nemo-becomes-second-movie-876575/ |archive-date=2021-05-06 |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

{{Main article|Finding Nemo (soundtrack)}}

Finding Nemo was the first Pixar film not to be scored by Randy Newman. The original soundtrack album was instead scored by Thomas Newman, his cousin, and released on May 20, 2003.{{cite web|title=Finding Nemo (An Original Soundtrack)|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/finding-nemo-an-original-soundtrack-mw0000027670|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=August 8, 2013|archive-date=November 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103011112/http://www.allmusic.com/album/finding-nemo-an-original-soundtrack-mw0000027670|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/finding-nemo-an-original-soundtrack/1440713638 |title=iTunes – Music – Finding Nemo (An Original Soundtrack) by Thomas Newman |publisher=iTunes Store |date=May 20, 2003 |access-date=April 17, 2014 |archive-date=September 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902090351/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/finding-nemo-original-soundtrack/id191901720 |url-status=live }} The score was nominated for the Academy Award for Original Score, losing to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.{{cite news |last=Germain |first=David |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108613871/rings-ties-record-with-its-11-oscars/ |title='Rings' ties record with its 11 Oscars |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830171557/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108613871/rings-ties-record-with-its-11-oscars/ |date=March 1, 2004 |access-date=August 30, 2022 |archive-date=August 30, 2022 |page=2 |work=The Associated Press |publisher=Corpus Christi Caller-Times |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}

Disney released a teaser trailer of Finding Nemo in June 2002, being first attached to the theatrical release of Lilo & Stitch. The teaser was later attached to the theatrical screenings of Hey Arnold!: The Movie, The Powerpuff Girls Movie, Stuart Little 2 and Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie. The teaser was also attached to the Monsters, Inc. home video release and other Disney home video releases. The next trailer for the film was released in October 2002 and was attached to the theatrical screenings of Treasure Planet and The Wild Thornberrys Movie. The third trailer for the film was released in February 2003 and was attached to the theatrical screening of The Jungle Book 2. The fourth and final trailer for the film was released in March 2003 and was attached to the theatrical screening of Piglet's Big Movie.

McDonald's restaurants began to sell eight Happy Meal toys based on the film.{{cite news |last=Rosenbaum |first=Lauren |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2003-06-11-0306110097-story.html |title=Kids aren't fooling - they really want to find Nemo |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=June 11, 2003 |access-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-date=February 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204144251/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2003-06-11-0306110097-story.html |url-status=live }} At the 100th North American International Toy Fair event in New York City, Hasbro unveiled a variety of Finding Nemo toys.{{cite web|url=http://www.toymania.com/toyshows/tf2003/full/hasbro_nemo.shtml|title=Finding Nemo - Hasbro - Toy Fair 2003|website=ToyMania|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204144258/http://www.toymania.com/toyshows/tf2003/full/hasbro_nemo.shtml|url-status=live}} A cereal themed to the film was released by Kellogg's, consisting of naturally sweetened oats with fish-shaped marshmallows.{{cite web|url=https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=636|title=Finding Nemo Cereal - Mr.Breakfast.com|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204144248/https://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=636|url-status=live}} Finding Nemo was advertised as promotional partners on other companies, like Frito-Lay, Keebler, Pepsi, Ralphs, Dreyer's, Jel Sert, Airheads, Orville Redenbacher's, and THQ. Before May 26, 2003, stickers on over 50 million bags of potato chips alerted consumers to a sweepstakes dangling a trip for four to Sydney, Australia with a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. On May 17, 2003, Frito-Lay hosted an event at each of the Walmart stores, where kids could use 3D goggles to find hidden images of Nemo. Kellogg's packed eight different water toys depicting film characters inside Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Honey Smacks and Cocoa Rice Krispies cereal boxes. The Honey Smacks, Frosted Flakes, Cinnamon Crunch Crispix and Froot Loops boxes also carried a Nemo memory card game on back panels. Plus, a Nemo-themed Marshmallow Froot Loops cereal featured four of the film's characters. Consumers could mail in two UPCs from the three Kellogg's cereals to receive a large beach towel. Besides this, the company unveiled a new type of Pop-Tarts inspired by Finding Nemo. Known as the Great Berry Reef Pop-Tarts, they had a wild berry filling and fish sprinkles. A pool raft was available with two Pop-Tart UPCs and shipping, handled by Draft Worldwide of Chicago. Eggo waffles would offer holographic swimming goggles with the purchase of two of its products with shipping and handling. For their snacks division, Kellogg's offered consumers who purchased two packages of select products and two gallons of milk with a giant inflatable shark. The company advertised the film on Vanilla Wafers, Chips Deluxe, Mini Fudge Shoppe Fudge Stripes, Soft Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies, Rice Krispies Treats and limited edition Nemo-themed cookies.{{cite web|url=https://chiefmarketer.com/frito-lay-kellogg-and-others-gear-up-for-nemo/|title=FRITO-LAY, KELLOGG AND OTHERS GEAR UP FOR 'NEMO'|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204144257/https://chiefmarketer.com/frito-lay-kellogg-and-others-gear-up-for-nemo/|url-status=live}}

On May 20, 2003, Kellogg's recalled Frosted Flakes cereal boxes due to their extremely close resemblance of a Hasbro memory card game. A lawsuit was filed against the company, which included a full-page reproduction of the front of a Frosted Flakes box with the cereal's familiar Tony the Tiger mascot grinning next to Nemo, Dory and Crush from the film. Disney had licensed the characters to use on the game cards. Hasbro had filed the suit to protect its trademark against blatant infringement.{{cite news|url=https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Hasbro-Sues-Kellogg-Over-Cereal-Promotion-8796139.php|title=Hasbro Sues Kellogg Over Cereal Promotion|newspaper=Plainview Herald |date=May 21, 2003|access-date=February 8, 2022|archive-date=February 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208142527/https://www.myplainview.com/news/article/Hasbro-Sues-Kellogg-Over-Cereal-Promotion-8796139.php|url-status=live}}

Finding Nemo was not only the fifth Pixar film, but was also the first one to be released during the summer instead of November, as its four predecessors were.{{cite web|last=Linder|first=Brian|title=Pixar Announces New Film: Finding Nemo|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/09/pixar-announces-new-film-finding-nemo|website=IGN|access-date=February 3, 2022|date=November 9, 2000|archive-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204144252/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/11/09/pixar-announces-new-film-finding-nemo|url-status=live}} The film premiered in Los Angeles on May 18, 2003,{{Cite web |title=Red Carpet Flashback! 'Finding Nemo' Premiere in 2003 |date=June 19, 2016 |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/red-carpet-flashback-finding-nemo-133017734.html |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126205524/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/red-carpet-flashback-finding-nemo-133017734.html |url-status=live }} and opened in theaters with The Italian Job and Wrong Turn on May 30, 2003.{{cite web|last=Linder|first=Brian|title=This Weekend at the Movies: Fish Story|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/30/this-weekend-at-the-movies-fish-story|website=IGN|access-date=February 3, 2022|date=May 30, 2003|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203041928/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/30/this-weekend-at-the-movies-fish-story|url-status=live}}

Finding Nemo was released on VHS and DVD on November 4, 2003, both THX-certified and taken from the digital source.{{cite news |last=Vancheri |first=Barbara |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122526131/november-almighty-month-for-movies/ |title=November: Almighty month for movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408220155/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122526131/november-almighty-month-for-movies/ |date=October 31, 2003 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |page=92 |work=Post-Gazette Staff Writer |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{cite press release|title=The No. 1 Film of the Year Becomes The No. 1 DVD on Nov. 4!; Walt Disney Pictures Presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios Film Finding Nemo|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030728005310/en/No.-1-Film-Year-No.-1-DVD|access-date=November 22, 2013|agency=Business Wire|date=July 28, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004929/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20030728005310/en/No.-1-Film-Year-No.-1-DVD|archive-date=December 3, 2013|url-status=dead}} The film's 2-disc Collector's Edition DVD release sold more than 8 million copies on its first day of release, breaking Spider-Man{{'}}s record for having the highest single-day DVD sales.{{Cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/nemo-breaks-sales-records-wbna3404287|title='Nemo' breaks sales records|website=Today.com|date=November 5, 2003 |access-date=February 7, 2022|archive-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203154132/https://www.today.com/popculture/nemo-breaks-sales-records-wbna3404287|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Garrett |first=Diane |date=March 8, 2006 |title='Potter' DVD golden |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2006/digital/markets-festivals/potter-dvd-golden-1117939470/ |access-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407223506/https://variety.com/2006/digital/markets-festivals/potter-dvd-golden-1117939470/ |url-status=live }} It also surpassed Monsters, Inc. for having the highest single-day record for an animated movie. Within two weeks, it went on to become the best-selling DVD of its time, selling over 15 million copies and beating The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.{{cite magazine|last=Susman|first=Gary|title=Nemo is already top-selling DVD ever|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/11/19/nemo-already-top-selling-dvd-ever/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 7, 2022|date=November 19, 2003|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407223508/https://ew.com/article/2003/11/19/nemo-already-top-selling-dvd-ever/|url-status=live}} With over 40 million copies sold, Finding Nemo currently holds the record for the best-selling DVD release of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.turnto23.com/news/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-finding-nemo|title=5 Things You Didn't Know About 'Finding Nemo'|date=June 21, 2016|access-date=February 7, 2022|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207143149/https://www.turnto23.com/news/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-finding-nemo|url-status=live}} The first disc features a widescreen version, documentaries, galleries and an audio/visual commentary, and the second disc features a full-frame version, games, sneak peeks of other films (including The Incredibles and Home on the Range), bonus shorts (Knick Knack, which was shown alongside the film in theaters, and Exploring the Reef), and the advertising campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdizzy.com/findingnemo.html|title=Finding Nemo DVD Review|website=DVDizzy.com|access-date=December 28, 2021|archive-date=January 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121155216/https://www.dvdizzy.com/findingnemo.html|url-status=live}} Both discs also feature introductions from Stanton and Unkrich and "virtual aquariums" based on the film's various settings.{{cite web|url=https://www.avforums.com/reviews/finding-nemo-2-disc-collector-s-edition-dvd-review.2180|title=Finding Nemo: 2-Disc Collector's Edition DVD Review|date=January 2004 |access-date=December 28, 2021|archive-date=December 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228194810/https://www.avforums.com/reviews/finding-nemo-2-disc-collector-s-edition-dvd-review.2180|url-status=live}}

The film was then released on both Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray on December 4, 2012, with both a 3-disc and a 5-disc set.{{Cite web |last=Shaffer |first=RL |date=June 1, 2012 |title=Pre-Order Finding Nemo on Blu-ray and 3D Blu-ray |url=https://rc.www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/01/pre-order-finding-nemo-on-blu-ray-and-3d-blu-ray |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220120123529/https://rc.www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/01/pre-order-finding-nemo-on-blu-ray-and-3d-blu-ray |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=IGN }} In 2019, Finding Nemo was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.{{Cite web |title=New Releases: Sept. 10, 2019 |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/research/new-releases-sept-10-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921180639/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/research/new-releases-sept-10-2019/ |archive-date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=October 25, 2021 |website=Media Play News}}{{Cite web |last=Heller |first=Emily |date=March 3, 2020 |title=A bunch of Pixar movies, including Up and A Bug's Life, come to 4K Blu-ray |url=https://www.polygon.com/deals/2020/3/3/21162925/disney-pixar-4k-uhd-blu-ray-collectors-edition-amazon-best-buy-steelbook |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304022027/https://www.polygon.com/deals/2020/3/3/21162925/disney-pixar-4k-uhd-blu-ray-collectors-edition-amazon-best-buy-steelbook |archive-date=March 4, 2020 |access-date=October 25, 2021 |website=Polygon}}

During its original theatrical run, Finding Nemo grossed $339.7 million in the United States and Canada and $531.3 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $871.0 million. It was the second-highest-grossing film of 2003, behind The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.{{Cite web |title=Top 2003 Movies at the Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/worldwide/all-movies/cumulative/released-in-2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220120105133/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/worldwide/all-movies/cumulative/released-in-2003 |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=The Numbers }}{{Cite news |last=Bukszpan |first=Daniel |date=April 14, 2011 |title=The Highest Grossing Children's Movies of All-Time |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2011/04/14/The-Highest-Grossing-Childrens-Movies-of-All-Time.html |access-date=April 30, 2022 |website=CNBC |language=en-US |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403202622/https://www.cnbc.com/2011/04/14/The-Highest-Grossing-Childrens-Movies-of-All-Time.html |url-status=live }} Finding Nemo also defeated The Matrix Reloaded to become the highest-grossing film of the 2003 summer season.{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Kendis|author-link=Kendis Gibson|url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/14/hln.connect.hits.misses/|title=Summer movie sizzlers and stinkers|website=CNN|date=August 14, 2003|access-date=February 3, 2022|archive-date=February 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203163621/http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/14/hln.connect.hits.misses/|url-status=live}} The film sold an estimated 56.4 million tickets in the United States during its initial theatrical run.

On its opening weekend, Finding Nemo earned $70.6 million in the United States and Canada.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB105449535976066600|title='Finding Nemo' Takes Top Spot At Box Office on First Weekend|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=June 2, 2003|access-date=January 23, 2022|archive-date=October 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030033229/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB105449535976066600|url-status=live}} When the film opened, it was ranked number one at the box office, dethroning Bruce Almighty and The Italian Job.{{cite news |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98992509/nemo-sinks-bruce-at-box-office/ |title='Nemo' sinks 'Bruce' at box office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403180509/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98992509/nemo-sinks-bruce-at-box-office/ |date=June 2, 2003 |access-date=April 3, 2022 |archive-date=April 3, 2022 |page=26 |work=The Associated Press |publisher=The Cincinnati Enquirer |via=Newspapers.com |url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Additionally, it surpassed its predecessor Monsters, Inc. for having the highest domestic opening weekend for an animated film. It would hold this record until Shrek 2 took it the following year.{{cite magazine|last=Susman|first=Gary|title=Shrek 2 breaks box office records|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/05/24/shrek-2-breaks-box-office-records/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 7, 2022|date=May 24, 2004|archive-date=May 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503233918/https://ew.com/article/2004/05/24/shrek-2-breaks-box-office-records/|url-status=live}} Finding Nemo achieved the third-highest opening weekend for a 2003 film at the time of its release, behind The Matrix Reloaded and X2.{{cite magazine|last=Karger|first=Dave|title=The Hulk tramples its box office competition|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/06/20/hulk-tramples-its-box-office-competition/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=July 16, 2022|date=June 20, 2003|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805020600/https://ew.com/article/2003/06/20/hulk-tramples-its-box-office-competition/|url-status=live}} During its second weekend, the film dropped to second place behind 2 Fast 2 Furious.{{cite web|url=https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/fyi/furious-too-fast-for-nemo-at-box-office/101-384272654|title='Furious' too fast for 'Nemo' at box office|date=June 8, 2003 }} It declined by 34% while making $45.8 million.{{Cite news |last=DiOrio |first=Carl |date=June 8, 2003 |title=Hot wheels squish fish |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/hot-wheels-squish-fish-1117887556/ |access-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408190537/https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/hot-wheels-squish-fish-1117887556/ |url-status=live }} Nevertheless, the film returned to the number one spot the following week. At that point, it earned $29.2 million, bringing the total domestic gross to $192.3 million. Finding Nemo was the first film to reclaim the number one spot since Die Another Day and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002.{{cite magazine|last=Karger|first=Dave|title=Finding Nemo scales to the top at the box office|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/06/13/finding-nemo-scales-top-box-office/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 7, 2022|date=June 13, 2003|archive-date=April 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408050200/https://ew.com/article/2003/06/13/finding-nemo-scales-top-box-office/|url-status=live}} It would also outgross the weaker openings of Rugrats Go Wild, Hollywood Homicide and Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd.{{Cite web|title=Audiences Find 'Nemo'|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/audiences-find-nemo/|date=June 16, 2003|access-date=2022-02-07|work=CBS News|language=en-US|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207143408/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/audiences-find-nemo/|url-status=live}} By the film's 20th day of release, Finding Nemo had earned over $200 million.{{cite news|url=https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2003/06-16/177308_people_fish_tale__finding_nemo_.html|title=People Fish tale 'Finding Nemo' refuses go to belly-up, wins box office race|agency=Associated Press|publisher=The Kitsap Sun|date=June 16, 2003|access-date=February 7, 2022|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207143409/https://products.kitsapsun.com/archive/2003/06-16/177308_people_fish_tale__finding_nemo_.html|url-status=live}} During the film's fourth weekend, it was overtaken by Hulk.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/jun/23/news|title=Hulk smash box office record|website=The Guardian|date=June 23, 2003|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124200600/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/jun/23/news|url-status=live}} Despite this, Finding Nemo continued to draw in large crowds and families throughout the summer season while outgrossing another animated film, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas.{{cite news |last=Holson |first=Laura M. |title=Animated Film Is Latest Title To Run Aground At DreamWorks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/21/business/animated-film-is-latest-title-to-run-aground-at-dreamworks.html |access-date=April 6, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=July 21, 2003 |archive-date=April 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406233353/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/07/21/business/animated-film-is-latest-title-to-run-aground-at-dreamworks.html |url-status=live }}

By July 2003, Finding Nemo had earned $274.9 million, beating The Matrix Reloaded and becoming the top-grossing movie of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2003/07/t3-terminates-competition-nemo-beats-neo/|title=T3 Terminates Competition, Nemo Beats Neo|date=July 7, 2003|access-date=April 4, 2023|archive-date=November 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111234329/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2003/07/t3-terminates-competition-nemo-beats-neo/|url-status=live}} The film even surpassed Shrek to become the second highest-grossing animated film.{{cite web|url=https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/fyi/terminator-3-blasts-rivals-at-weekend-box-office/101-384268412|title=Terminator 3 blasts rivals at weekend box-office|date=July 6, 2003|website=WLTX}} Later that month, the film had earned over $300 million, becoming the highest-grossing animated film in the United States and Canada, surpassing The Lion King.{{Cite news |last=Verrier |first=Richard |date=July 29, 2003 |title='Nemo' Becomes the Big Fish at the Animation Box Office |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-29-fi-nemo29-story.html |access-date=February 7, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207143409/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-29-fi-nemo29-story.html |url-status=live }} By the end of the summer season, Finding Nemo was one of five films to reach $200 million at the box office in a single summer season, with the others being X2, The Matrix Reloaded, Bruce Almighty and Disney's own Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.{{cite news |title=Analysis: Hollywood's hot summer |url=https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/09/02/Analysis-Hollywoods-hot-summer/47631062534986/ |access-date=March 1, 2022 |work=United Press International |date=September 2, 2003 |archive-date=March 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301174947/https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2003/09/02/Analysis-Hollywoods-hot-summer/47631062534986/ |url-status=live }} At the end of its theatrical run, Finding Nemo grossed $339.7 million in the United States and Canada and $531.3 million in international territories, totaling $871.0 million worldwide. In all three occasions, it had outgrossed The Lion King to become the highest-grossing animated film. It stayed in the Top 10 until August 14 (11 weeks total).{{Cite web | url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Finding-Nemo#tab=box-office | title=Finding Nemo (2003) - Financial Information | access-date=April 15, 2022 | archive-date=November 28, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128034820/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Finding-Nemo#tab=box-office | url-status=live }} In North America, it was surpassed by both Shrek 2 in 2004 and Toy Story 3 in 2010.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |title=WORLDWIDE GROSSES |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-date=October 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022040157/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |url-status=live }} Finding Nemo would hold the record for having the highest international gross for an animated film until 2009 when it was taken by Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.{{Cite news |last=Eller |first=Claudia |date=August 18, 2009 |title='Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs' racking up record sales overseas |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-aug-18-fi-ct-iceage18-story.html |access-date=April 30, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504165457/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-aug-18-fi-ct-iceage18-story.html |url-status=live }} Outside North America, it stands as the fifth highest-grossing animated film. Worldwide, it currently ranks as the ninth highest-grossing animated film. Moreover, it was the highest-grossing Disney film for three years before Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest surpassed it.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/aug/21/news2|title=In brief: Dead Man's Chest is Disney's biggest treasure|website=The Guardian|date=August 21, 2006|access-date=January 23, 2022|archive-date=January 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123164148/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/aug/21/news2|url-status=live}} Finding Nemo was also the fourth animated film to make $500 million worldwide, joining Monsters, Inc., Aladdin and The Lion King.{{Cite news |last=Groves |first=Don |date=November 17, 2003 |title='Matrix' leads o'seas plummet |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/matrix-leads-o-seas-plummet-1117895833/ |access-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-date=May 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513135742/https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/matrix-leads-o-seas-plummet-1117895833/ |url-status=live }}

The film had impressive box office runs in many international markets. In Japan, its highest-grossing market after North America, it grossed ¥11.2 billion ($102.4 million), becoming the highest-grossing foreign animated film in local currency (yen).{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2904&p=.htm|title='Toy Story 3' Reaches $1 Billion|website=Box Office Mojo|first=Ray|last=Subers|date=August 29, 2010|access-date=August 30, 2010|archive-date=April 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404003444/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2904&p=.htm|url-status=live}} It has only been surpassed by Frozen (¥25.5 billion).{{cite web|url=http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/|title=歴代興収ベスト100|publisher=歴代ランキング|access-date=Dec 12, 2018|archive-date=August 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808031813/http://www.kogyotsushin.com/archives/alltime/|url-status=live}} Plus, Finding Nemo was the second film by Buena Vista Pictures to reach $100 million in the country, just after Armageddon in 1999.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/nemo-finds-its-place-in-the-half-a-billion-dollar-club/4017036.article|title=Nemo finds its place in the half a billion dollar club|website=Screen International|first=Jeremy|last=Kay|date=26 January 2004|access-date=30 April 2022|archive-date=30 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430022240/https://www.screendaily.com/nemo-finds-its-place-in-the-half-a-billion-dollar-club/4017036.article|url-status=live}} For its Japanese opening weekend, the film earned $10 million, reaching the number one spot ahead of The Last Samurai.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/nemo-finds-459m-in-stunning-weekend-for-bvi/4016422.article|title=Nemo finds $45.9m in stunning weekend for BVI}} In Mexico, it earned $4.7 million, making it the country's second-highest opening weekend, behind Spider-Man.{{Cite news |last=Groves |first=Don |date=July 6, 2003 |title=Heavenly B.O. o'seas for 'Angels,' 'Bruce' |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/heavenly-b-o-o-seas-for-angels-bruce-1117888907/ |access-date=October 14, 2024 }} The film also grossed £37.2 million ($67.1 million) in the U.K., Ireland, and Malta.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/intl/|title=Box Office Mojo International|publisher=Boxofficemojo.com|access-date=September 10, 2010|archive-date=September 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916074942/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/|url-status=live}} It first generated a total opening weekend gross of £7.4 million ($12.3 million), making it the second-highest of the year, after The Matrix Reloaded.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/bvi-enjoys-bumper-uk-weekend-/4015498.article|title=BVI enjoys bumper UK weekend...}} At the Manchester UCI Cinemas, it made a total three-day opening gross of £17,150 ($28,583), becoming the theater's highest-grossing digital film at the time, surpassing Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and numerous other releases.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/uk-proves-perfect-platform-for-finding-nemo/4015385.article|title=UK proves perfect platform for Finding Nemo|website=Screen International|first=Robert|last=Mitchell|date=6 October 2003|access-date=22 March 2022|archive-date=22 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322231113/https://www.screendaily.com/uk-proves-perfect-platform-for-finding-nemo/4015385.article|url-status=live}} Making £28.7 million ($35.7 million), Finding Nemo was the highest-grossing film released in October 2003 in the region, beating Bad Boys II.{{cite web|url=https://the-media-leader.com/nemo-is-box-office-catch-of-the-day-in-october/|title=Nemo Is Box Office Catch Of The Day In October|date=November 25, 2003|access-date=April 6, 2023|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406182329/https://the-media-leader.com/nemo-is-box-office-catch-of-the-day-in-october/|url-status=live}} Following in biggest grosses are France and the Maghreb region ($64.8 million), Germany ($53.9 million), and Spain ($29.5 million).

After the success of the 3D re-release of The Lion King, Disney re-released Finding Nemo in 3D on September 14, 2012,{{cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Grady|title='Beauty and the Beast,' 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Finding Nemo,' 'Monsters, Inc.' get 3-D re-releases|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/10/04/disney-3d-beauty-beast-mermaid/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 27, 2011|date=October 4, 2011|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014175532/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/10/04/disney-3d-beauty-beast-mermaid/|url-status=live}} with a conversion cost estimated to be below $5 million.{{cite news|last=Segers|first=Frank|title=Foreign Box Office: 'Resident Evil: Retribution' Rules Overseas, Grossing $50 Million in 65 Markets|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-resident-evil-retribution-madagascar-3-ted-seth-mcfarlane-370653|access-date=September 17, 2012|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 16, 2012|archive-date=September 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918000709/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/foreign-box-office-resident-evil-retribution-madagascar-3-ted-seth-mcfarlane-370653|url-status=live}} For the opening weekend of its 3D re-release in North America, Finding Nemo grossed $16.7 million, debuting at the No. 2 spot behind Resident Evil: Retribution.{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3526&p=.htm| title=Weekend Report: 'Resident Evil 5,' 'Nemo 3D' Lead Another Slow Weekend| publisher=Box Office Mojo| access-date=September 17, 2012| archive-date=September 18, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918182344/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3526&p=.htm| url-status=live}} The film earned $41.1 million in North America and $28.2 million internationally, for a combined total of $69.3 million, and a cumulative worldwide total of $940.3 million.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, {{RT data|score}} of {{RT data|count}} critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's consensus reads, "Breathtakingly lovely and grounded by the stellar efforts of a well-chosen cast, Finding Nemo adds another beautifully crafted gem to Pixar's crown."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |title=Finding Nemo |type=m |access-date={{RT data|access-date}}}}{{RT data|edit}} Metacritic (which uses a weighted average) assigned the film a score of 90 out of 100 based on 38 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".{{Cite Metacritic|title=Finding Nemo|id=finding-nemo|type=movie|access-date=June 18, 2021}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.{{Cite web|first=Thom|last=Geier|url=https://www.thewrap.com/movies-a-plus-cinemascore-lord-of-rings-harry-potter-black-panther-photos/|title=53 Movies With A+ CinemaScore Since 2000, From 'Remember the Titans' to 'Just Mercy' (Photos)|date=2020-01-12|website=TheWrap|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-02|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200203/https://www.thewrap.com/movies-a-plus-cinemascore-lord-of-rings-harry-potter-black-panther-photos/|url-status=dead}} Finding Nemo was the third Pixar film to achieve this score, following Toy Story 2 in 1999 and Monsters, Inc. in 2001.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/movies-a-plus-cinemascore-lord-of-rings-harry-potter-black-panther-photos/ |title=53 Movies With A+ CinemaScore Since 2000, From 'Remember the Titans' to 'Just Mercy' (Photos) |date=2020-01-12 |first=Thom |last=Geier |website=TheWrap |access-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624200203/https://www.thewrap.com/movies-a-plus-cinemascore-lord-of-rings-harry-potter-black-panther-photos/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |title=Why CinemaScore Matters for Box Office |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/why-cinemascore-matters-box-office-225563/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 19, 2011 |access-date=July 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719145918/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/why-cinemascore-matters-box-office-225563/ |archive-date=July 19, 2021 |url-status=live}}

Roger Ebert gave the film four out of four stars, calling it "one of those rare movies where I wanted to sit in the front row and let the images wash out to the edges of my field of vision".{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/finding-nemo-2003|title=Finding Nemo Review|first=Roger|last=Ebert|date=May 30, 2003|work=Chicago Sun-Times|via=RogerEbert.com|access-date=October 1, 2014|archive-date=October 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011224047/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/finding-nemo-2003|url-status=live}} Ed Park of The Village Voice gave the film a positive review, saying "It's an ocean of eye candy that tastes fresh even in this ADD-addled era of SpongeBob SquarePants."{{cite web |first=Ed |last=Park |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-05-27/film/gods-and-sea-monsters/ |title=Gods and Sea Monsters – Page 1 - Movies – New York |work=The Village Voice |date=May 27, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110085853/http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-05-27/film/gods-and-sea-monsters/ |url-status=live }} Mark Caro of the Chicago Tribune gave the film four out of four stars, saying "You connect to these sea creatures as you rarely do with humans in big-screen adventures. The result: a true sunken treasure."{{cite news|last=Caro |first=Mark |url=http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/mmx-030529movies-reviewmc-findingnemo.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040217220604/http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/mmx-030529movies-reviewmc-findingnemo.story |work=Chicago Tribune |title=Movie review: 'Finding Nemo' |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=February 17, 2004}} Hazel-Dawn Dumpert of LA Weekly gave the film a positive review, saying "As gorgeous a film as Disney's ever put out, with astonishing qualities of light, movement, surface and color at the service of the best professional imaginations money can buy."{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/finding_nemo/reviews/?type=top_critics |title=Finding Nemo – Movie Reviews |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=December 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204152330/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/finding_nemo/reviews/?type=top_critics |url-status=live }} Beth Jones of The Roanoke Times gave Finding Nemo a five out of five rating, explaining that "several scenes are scarier than Edward Norton's mustache in The Italian Job."{{cite news|last=Jones |first=Beth |url=http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story150308.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030627115508/http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story150308.html |work=The Roanoke Times |title=Things work swimmingly in cartoon |access-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-date=June 27, 2003}} Jeff Strickler of the Star Tribune gave the film a positive review, saying it "proves that even when Pixar is not at the top of its game, it still produces better animation than some of its competitors on their best days." Gene Seymour of Newsday gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of four, saying "The underwater backdrops take your breath away. No, really. They're so lifelike, you almost feel like holding your breath while watching." Rene Rodriguez of the Miami Herald gave the film four out of four stars, saying "Parental anxiety may not be the kind of stuff children's films are usually made of, but this perfectly enchanting movie knows how to cater to its kiddie audience without condescending to them."{{cite web|url=http://ae.miami.com/entertainment/ui/miami/movie.html?id=99879&reviewId=12209|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030604160444/http://ae.miami.com/entertainment/ui/miami/movie.html?id=99879&reviewId=12209 |title=Movie: Finding Nemo |archive-date=June 4, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014}}

Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times gave the film three-and-a-half out of five, saying "The best break of all is that Pixar's traditionally untethered imagination can't be kept under wraps forever, and "Nemo" erupts with sea creatures that showcase Stanton and company's gift for character and peerless eye for skewering contemporary culture."{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-30-et-turan30-story.html |title=Hook, line and sinker |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 30, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |first=Kenneth |last=Turan |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806130609/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-may-30-et-turan30-story.html |url-status=live }} Sandra Hall of The Sydney Morning Herald said, "This is not the first time Pixar's animators have been engaged with the natural world, but they've never been as deeply immersed as they are in this undersea Fantasia."{{cite news |last=Hall |first=Sandra |author-link=Sandra Hall (writer)| title=Finding Nemo |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/finding-nemo-20030830-gdhax9.html |access-date=October 26, 2024 |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=August 30, 2003}} Stephen Holden of The New York Times gave the film four out of five stars, saying "Visual imagination and sophisticated wit raise Finding Nemo to a level just below the peaks of Pixar's Toy Story movies and Monsters, Inc.."{{cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/30/movies/film-review-vast-sea-tiny-fish-big-crisis.html |title=FILM REVIEW; Vast Sea, Tiny Fish, Big Crisis |work=The New York Times |date=May 30, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528002057/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/30/movies/film-review-vast-sea-tiny-fish-big-crisis.html |url-status=live }} Terry Lawson of the Detroit Free Press gave the film three out of four, saying "As we now expect from Pixar, even the supporting fish in "Finding Nemo" are more developed as characters than any human in the Mission: Impossible movies."{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030825220150/http://ae.freep.com/entertainment/ui/michigan/movie.html?id=99879&reviewId=12227&startDate=05%2F09%2F2003 |title=Movie: Finding Nemo |url=http://ae.freep.com/entertainment/ui/michigan/movie.html?id=99879&reviewId=12227&startDate=05/09/2003 |archive-date=August 25, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Claudia Puig of USA Today gave the film three and half out of four, saying "Finding Nemo is an undersea treasure. The most gorgeous of all the Pixar films—which include Toy Story 1 and 2, A Bug's Life and Monsters, Inc.—Nemo treats family audiences to a sweet, resonant story and breathtaking visuals. It may lack Monsters, Inc.{{'}}s clever humor, but kids will identify with the spunky sea fish Nemo, and adults will relate to Marlin, Nemo's devoted dad."{{cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |author-link=Claudia Puig |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-05-29-nemo_x.htm |title=USATODAY.com – Sweet and funny 'Nemo' works just swimmingly |work=USA Today |date=May 29, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116044435/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2003-05-29-nemo_x.htm |url-status=live }} In a positive review, David Edelstein of Slate wrote, "Of all the great vocal characterizations...the showstopper is Brooks, who hasn't had a part this good since Lost in America. His Marlin is tender, cranky, hysterical, yet somehow lucid."{{cite news|date=May 30, 2003|url=https://slate.com/culture/2003/05/finding-nemo-is-a-dazzling-film-about-a-clown-fish.html|title=Swimming With Sharks|last=Edelstein|first=David|author-link=David Edelstein|website=Slate|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231225223159/https://slate.com/culture/2003/05/finding-nemo-is-a-dazzling-film-about-a-clown-fish.html|archive-date=December 25, 2023}} Bruce Westbrook of the Houston Chronicle gave the film an A−, saying "Finding Nemo lives up to Pixar's high standards for wildly creative visuals, clever comedy, solid characters and an involving story."{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/moviestory.mpl/ae/movies/reviews/1929968 |archive-date=2005-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050911024614/http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/moviestory.mpl/ae/movies/reviews/1929968|title= Finding Nemo |publisher=Houston Chronicle |access-date=January 10, 2014}} Jack Garner of Gannett News Service gave it a score of ten out of ten, stating that the film "strikes the perfect balance between the charm and childlike innocence of Disney animation and the cutting-edge humor and hipness of the old Warner Brothers cartoons."{{cite news|first=Jack|last=Garner|url=https://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/May/30/en/en12a.html|title=Dive into incredible fish tale with 'Finding Nemo'|newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser|publisher=Gannett News Service|date=May 30, 2003}} Tom Long of The Detroit News gave the film an A−, saying "A simple test of humanity: If you don't laugh aloud while watching it, you've got a battery not a heart."

Moira MacDonald of The Seattle Times gave the film four out of four, saying "Enchanting; written with an effortless blend of sweetness and silliness, and animated with such rainbow-hued beauty, you may find yourself wanting to freeze-frame it." Daphne Gordon of the Toronto Star gave the film four out of five, saying "One of the strongest releases from Disney in years, thanks to the work of Andrew Stanton, possibly one of the most successful directors you've never heard of." Ty Burr of The Boston Globe gave the film three and a half out of four, saying "Finding Nemo isn't quite up there with the company's finest work—there's finally a sense of formula setting in—but it's hands down the best family film since Monsters, Inc." C.W. Nevius of The San Francisco Chronicle gave the film four out of four, saying "The visuals pop, the fish emote and the ocean comes alive. That's in the first two minutes. After that, they do some really cool stuff."{{cite news |author=C.W. Nevius |url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/nevius/article/Pixar-splashes-Finding-Nemo-in-a-sea-of-colors-2644852.php |title=Pixar splashes 'Finding Nemo' in a sea of colors |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=May 30, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110091442/http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/nevius/article/Pixar-splashes-Finding-Nemo-in-a-sea-of-colors-2644852.php |url-status=live }} Gregory M. Lamb of The Christian Science Monitor gave the film a rating of three out of four, calling it "the best animated underwater picture since The Little Mermaid."{{cite news|first=Gregory M.|last=Lamb|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0530/p15s03-almo.html|title=20,000 fins under the sea|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|publisher=Christian Science Publishing Society|location=Boston, Massachusetts|date=May 30, 2003}} Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post gave the film a positive review, saying "Finding Nemo will engross kids with its absorbing story, brightly drawn characters and lively action, and grown-ups will be equally entertained by the film's subtle humor and the sophistication of its visuals." David Ansen of Newsweek gave the film a positive review, saying "A visual marvel, every frame packed to the gills with clever details, Finding Nemo is the best big-studio release so far this year."{{cite web |last=Ansen |first=David |url=http://www.newsweek.com/freeing-nemo-whale-tale-137873 |title=Freeing Nemo: A Whale Of A Tale |work=Newsweek |date=June 1, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110092057/http://www.newsweek.com/freeing-nemo-whale-tale-137873 |url-status=live }}

Richard Corliss of Time gave the film a positive review, saying "Nemo, with its ravishing underwater fantasia, manages to trump the design glamour of earlier Pixar films."{{cite magazine |last=Corliss |first=Richard |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030526-452810,00.html |title=Hook, Line and Thinker |magazine=TIME |date=May 19, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110123306/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030526-452810,00.html |url-status=live }} Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave the film an A, saying "In this seamless blending of technical brilliance and storytelling verve, the Pixar team has made something as marvelously soulful and innately, fluidly American as jazz."{{cite magazine |author=Lisa Schwarzbaum |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,457106,00.html |title=FINDING NEMO Review |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 13, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=October 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026194933/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,457106,00.html |url-status=dead }} Carrie Rickey of The Philadelphia Inquirer gave the film three out of four, saying "As eye-popping as Nemo's peepers and as eccentric as this little fish with asymmetrical fins." David Germain of the Associated Press gave the film a positive review, saying "Finding Nemo is laced with smart humor and clever gags, and buoyed by another cheery story of mismatched buddies: a pair of fish voiced by Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres."{{cite web |author=David Germain |url=http://www.semissourian.com/story/110310.html |title=Miscellaneous: At the Movies - 'Finding Nemo' (05/29/03) |publisher=Southeast Missourian |date=May 29, 2003 |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=October 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026224231/http://www.semissourian.com/story/110310.html |url-status=live }} Anthony Lane of The New Yorker gave the film a positive review, saying "The latest flood of wizardry from Pixar, whose productions, from Toy Story onward, have lent an indispensable vigor and wit to the sagging art of mainstream animation."{{cite magazine |last=Lane |first=Anthony |url=https://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/finding_nemo_stanton |title=Finding Nemo |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=January 10, 2014 |archive-date=October 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027010647/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/finding_nemo_stanton |url-status=live }} The 3D re-release prompted a retrospective on the film nine years after its initial release. Stephen Whitty of The Star-Ledger described it as "a genuinely funny and touching film that, in less than a decade, has established itself as a timeless classic."{{cite web|last=Whitty|first=Stephen|title=Finding Nemo 3D review|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/09/finding_nemo_3d_review_pixar_p.html|work=The Star-Ledger|date=September 14, 2012|access-date=October 2, 2012|archive-date=September 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917201548/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/09/finding_nemo_3d_review_pixar_p.html|url-status=live}} On the 3D re-release, Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly wrote that its emotional power was deepened by "the dimensionality of the oceanic deep" where "the spatial mysteries of watery currents and floating worlds are exactly where 3D explorers were born to boldly go".{{cite magazine|last=Schwarzbaum|first=Lisa|title=Finding Nemo 3D|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/09/16/finding-nemo-3d/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 16, 2012|date=September 15, 2012|archive-date=October 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019141653/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20627138,00.html|url-status=live}} Pete Vonder Haar of Houston Press also gave the film a scoring of four out of five on the 3-D release, stating that "Gill is Platoon{{'}}s Sgt. Elias if he'd survived Sgt. Barnes' treachery and returned to civilian life weary and hard-bitten from his experiences. And also a fish."{{cite news|url=https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/reviews-for-the-easily-distracted-finding-nemo-3d-6372465|title=Reviews for the Easily Distracted: Finding Nemo 3D|last=Vonder Haar|first=Pete|date=September 14, 2012|work=Houston Press|access-date=December 4, 2024}}

Finding Nemo was included on a number of best-of lists. The film appeared on professional rankings from BBC and The Independent based on retrospective appraisal, as one of the greatest films of the twenty-first century.{{Cite web |date=August 19, 2016 |title=The 21st Century's 100 greatest films |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817230650/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=BBC}}{{Cite web |last=Hooton |first=Christopher |date=December 22, 2020 |title=The 100 best films of the 21st century, according to the critics |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/best-films-21st-century-movies-b1768316.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817230423/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/best-films-21st-century-movies-b1768316.html |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=The Independent}} Several publications have listed it as one of the best animated films, including: IGN (2010),{{Cite web |last1=Pirrello |first1=Phil |last2=Goldman |first2=Eric |last3=Fowler |first3=Matt |last4=Collura |first4=Scott |last5=White |first5=Cindy |last6=Schedeen |first6=Jesse |date=June 25, 2010 |title=Top 25 Animated Movies of All-Time |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/25/top-25-animated-movies-of-all-time |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220106124502/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/25/top-25-animated-movies-of-all-time |archive-date=January 6, 2022 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=IGN }} Insider, USA Today, Elle (all 2018),{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=John |date=March 10, 2018 |title=The 50 best animated movies of all time, according to critics |url=https://www.insider.com/best-animated-movies-all-time-critics-2018-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220309231828/https://www.insider.com/best-animated-movies-all-time-critics-2018-3 |archive-date=March 9, 2022 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=Insider }}{{Cite web |last=Stockdale |first=Charles |date=June 12, 2018 |title=The 100 best animated movies of all time |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/06/12/100-best-animated-movies-all-time/696107002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102233458/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/06/12/100-best-animated-movies-all-time/696107002/ |archive-date=November 2, 2020 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=USA Today}}{{Cite web |last1=Yoonsoo Kim |first1=Kristen |last2=Tannenbaum |first2=Emily |date=July 20, 2018 |title=The 32 Best Animated Films Of All Time |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/g29704/best-animated-movies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220116131519/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/g29704/best-animated-movies/ |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=Elle }} Parade, Complex, and Time Out New York (all 2021).{{Cite news |last=Murrian |first=Samuel R. |date=January 16, 2021 |title=We Ranked the 51 Best Animated Movies of All Time, From Snow White to Soul |url=https://parade.com/554753/samuelmurrian/the-20-greatest-animated-films-of-all-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917000824/https://parade.com/554753/samuelmurrian/the-20-greatest-animated-films-of-all-time/ |archive-date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=Parade}}{{Cite web |last1=Khal |last2=Herrera |first2=Andy |last3=Barone |first3=Matt |last4=Serafino |first4=Jason |last5=Scarano |first5=Ross |last6=Aquino |first6=Tara |date=February 19, 2021 |title=The Best Animated Movies of All Time |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/best-animated-movies-of-all-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520111430/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/best-animated-movies-of-all-time/ |archive-date=May 20, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=Complex}}{{Cite web |last1=Kryza |first1=Andy |last2=Rothkopf |first2=Joshua |last3=Huddleston |first3=Tom |date=September 10, 2021 |title=100 best animated films of all time |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/best-animated-movies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211208093325/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/best-animated-movies |archive-date=December 8, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=Time Out New York }} In December 2021, the film's screenplay was listed number 60 on the Writers Guild of America's "101 Greatest Screenplays of the 21st Century (So Far)".{{Cite web |last=Pedersen |first=Erik |date=December 6, 2021 |title=101 Greatest Screenplays Of The 21st Century: Horror Pic Tops Writers Guild's List |url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/greatest-screenplays-of-21st-century-list-writers-guild-get-out-1234885622/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206184612/https://deadline.com/2021/12/greatest-screenplays-of-21st-century-list-writers-guild-get-out-1234885622/ |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood }} In March 2025, The New York Times listed Finding Nemo as among "The Movies We've Loved Since 2000."{{Cite web |date=March 17, 2025 |title=The Movies We've Loved Since 2000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/movies/best-movies-since-2000.html |access-date=April 10, 2025 |website=The New York Times }}

{{Main|List of Pixar awards and nominations (feature films)#Finding Nemo|l1=List of Pixar awards and nominations: Finding Nemo}}

At the 76th Academy Awards, Finding Nemo became the first Pixar film to win the Best Animated Feature category, defeating Brother Bear and The Triplets of Belleville.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/oscar/movies/?id=findingnemo.htm |title=Finding Nemo - 2003 Academy Awards Profile |publisher=Boxofficemojo.com |date=May 30, 2003 |access-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109222414/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/oscar/movies/?id=findingnemo.htm |url-status=live }} The film received two more Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Sound Editing, losing both to Lost in Translation and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World respectively. It also won the award for Best Animated Film at the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards, the Saturn Awards the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards, the National Board of Review Awards, the Online Film Critics Society Awards, and the Toronto Film Critics Association Awards.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/278866/Finding-Nemo/details |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123035743/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/278866/Finding-Nemo/details |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 23, 2014 |work=The New York Times |date=2014 |title=Finding-Nemo – Cast, Crew, Director and Awards |access-date=January 9, 2014}} The film received many other awards, including: Kids Choice Awards for Favorite Movie and Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie (Ellen DeGeneres), and the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress (Ellen DeGeneres).

The film was also nominated for two Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress (Ellen DeGeneres), a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and two MTV Movie Awards, for Best Movie and Best Comedic Performance (Ellen DeGeneres).

In June 2008, the American Film Institute revealed its "Ten Top Ten", the best 10 films in 10 "classic" American film genres, after polling over 1,500 people from the creative community. Finding Nemo was acknowledged as the 10th best film in the animation genre.{{cite web|title=Top 10 Animation|url=http://www.afi.com/10top10/category.aspx?cat=1|publisher=American Film Institute|access-date=June 16, 2014|archive-date=September 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930065049/http://www.afi.com/10top10/category.aspx?cat=1|url-status=live}} It was the most recently released film among all 10 lists, and one of only three movies made after the year 2000 (the others being The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Shrek).{{cite news |publisher=American Film Institute |title=AFI Crowns Top 10 Films in 10 Classic Genres |website=ComingSoon.net |date=June 17, 2008 |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46072 |access-date=August 18, 2008 |archive-date=August 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818100312/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46072 |url-status=dead }}

American Film Institute recognition:

• AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies – Nominated
• AFI's 10 Top 10 – No. 10 Animated film

The film's use of clownfish prompted mass purchase of the fish breed as pets in the United States, even though the story portrayed the use of fish as pets negatively and suggested that saltwater aquariums are notably tricky and expensive to maintain.{{cite news|first=Elizabeth|last=Jackson|url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/busrpt/stories/s1000651.htm|title=Acquiring Nemo|publisher=The Business Report|date=November 29, 2002|access-date=November 10, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031204173115/http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/busrpt/stories/s1000651.htm|archive-date=December 4, 2003|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The demand for clownfish was supplied by large-scale harvesting of tropical fish in regions like Vanuatu.{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Corcoran|url=http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2004/s1239666.htm|title=Vanuatu – Saving Nemo|publisher=ABC Foreign Correspondent|date=November 9, 2002|access-date=October 23, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219171041/http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2004/s1239666.htm|archive-date=December 19, 2005|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The Australian Tourism Commission (ATC) launched several marketing campaigns in China and the United States to improve tourism in Australia, many of them utilizing Finding Nemo clips.{{cite news|title=Tourism authorities hope "Nemo" will lead Chinese tourists to Australia |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-08/18/content_255968.htm |access-date=April 27, 2017 |work=China Daily |date=August 18, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031007194241/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-08/18/content_255968.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2003 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Mitchell |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/06/03/1054406187273.html |title=Nemo-led recovery hope |work=The Age |date=November 3, 2002 |access-date=October 23, 2006 |location=Melbourne, Australia |archive-date=January 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070126102953/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/06/03/1054406187273.html |url-status=live }} Queensland used Finding Nemo to draw tourists to promote itself to vacationers.{{cite news |first=Anthony |last=Dennis |url=https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/11/1060588323028.html |title=Sydney ignores Nemo |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=February 11, 2003 |access-date=October 23, 2006 |archive-date=November 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116065144/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/11/1060588323028.html |url-status=live }} According to National Geographic, "Ironically, Finding Nemo, a movie about the anguish of a captured clownfish, caused home-aquarium demand for them to triple."{{cite web|url=http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/clown-anemonefish/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219031048/http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/clown-anemonefish/|archive-date=December 19, 2011|url-status=dead|title=Clown Anemonefish|work= Nat Geo Wild : Animals|date=May 10, 2011|publisher=National Geographic Society|access-date=December 19, 2011}}

The reaction to the film by the general public has led to environmental devastation for the clownfish, and has provoked an outcry from several environmental protection agencies, including the Marine Aquarium Council, Australia. {{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} The demand for tropical fish skyrocketed after the film's release, causing reef species decimation in Vanuatu and several other reef areas.{{cite web |title=Nemo: Leave him in the ocean, not in the lounge room |url=http://www.oceans.com.au/nemo-controversy.html |website=Oceans Enterprises |access-date=December 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929224726/http://www.oceans.com.au/nemo-controversy.html |archive-date=September 29, 2009}} After seeing the film, some aquarium owners released their pet fish into the ocean, but failed to release them into the correct oceanic habitat, which introduced species that are harmful to the indigenous environment, a practice that is harming reefs worldwide.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/finding-nemo-pets-harm-ocean-ecology-565398.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601023112/http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/finding-nemo-pets-harm-ocean-ecology-565398.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 1, 2008 | title='Finding Nemo' pets harm ocean ecology | location=London |work=The Independent | first=Charles | last=Arthur |date=July 1, 2004}}{{cite web | url=http://www.dtmag.com/Stories/Ocean%20Science/10-04-feature.htm | title=Revealing Nemo's True Colors | work=Dive Training Magazine | first=Alex | last=Brylske | access-date=September 27, 2010 | archive-date=November 22, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122105144/http://dtmag.com/Stories/Ocean%20Science/10-04-feature.htm | url-status=live }}

A 2017 study by researchers from James Cook University in Australia found little evidence for fan-based purchases of wild-caught fish immediately (within 1.5 years of release) following the film.{{Cite journal|last1=Militz|first1=Thane|last2=Foale|first2=Simon|date=January 17, 2017|title=The "Nemo Effect": Perception and reality of Finding Nemo's impact on marine aquarium fisheries|journal=Fish and Fisheries|volume=18|issue=3 |pages=596–606|doi=10.1111/faf.12202|bibcode=2017AqFF...18..596M |issn=1467-2960 }}

{{Main|Finding Nemo (franchise)}}

{{Main|Finding Dory}}

A spin-off sequel{{efn|Though some sources called Finding Dory a spin-off,{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=March 30, 2016 |title=Finding Dory: There's a The Wire reunion happening in Pixar's film |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/finding-dory-wire-reunion-idris-elba-dominic-west-pixar-film-sea-lions-a6959351.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211012030530/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/finding-dory-wire-reunion-idris-elba-dominic-west-pixar-film-sea-lions-a6959351.html |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=The Independent}}{{Cite web |last=Tilly |first=Chris |date=March 31, 2016 |title=New Finding Dory Characters Unveiled |url=https://sea.ign.com/finding-nemo-2/103318/news/new-finding-dory-characters-unveiled |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211012030840/https://sea.ign.com/finding-nemo-2/103318/news/new-finding-dory-characters-unveiled |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |last=Pond |first=Neil |date=June 17, 2016 |title=Finding Dory: The forgetful Little Blue Fish from 'Nemo' Makes a Splash of Her Own |url=https://parade.com/485348/npond/movie-review-the-forgetful-little-blue-fish-from-nemo-makes-a-splash-of-her-own-in-finding-dory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211012030856/https://parade.com/485348/npond/movie-review-the-forgetful-little-blue-fish-from-nemo-makes-a-splash-of-her-own-in-finding-dory/ |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=Parade}} others referred to as a sequel.{{Cite web |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=July 28, 2016 |title=Finding Dory review – Pixar sequel treads water |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/28/finding-dory-review-pixar-nemo-ellen-degeneres |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211012030904/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/28/finding-dory-review-pixar-nemo-ellen-degeneres |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Sam |date=June 17, 2016 |title=Film review: Is Finding Dory a worthy sequel? |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160616-film-review-is-finding-dory-a-worthy-sequel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211012030935/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160616-film-review-is-finding-dory-a-worthy-sequel |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=BBC}}{{Cite web |last=Macdonald |first=Moira |date=June 16, 2016 |title=Adorable Pixar sequel 'Finding Dory' swims into our hearts |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/finding-dory-swims-into-our-hearts-in-adorable-pixar-sequel/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211012030936/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/finding-dory-swims-into-our-hearts-in-adorable-pixar-sequel/ |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=The Seattle Times}}}} to this film was released in June 2016, titled Finding Dory.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=September 18, 2013 |title=Disney Shifts 'Maleficent', 'Good Dinosaur' & 'Finding Dory' Release Dates |url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/disney-shifts-maleficent-good-dinosaur-release-dates-590158/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211012135240/https://deadline.com/2013/09/disney-shifts-maleficent-good-dinosaur-release-dates-590158/ |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} It focuses on Dory having a journey to reunite with her parents (Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy).{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Nick |date=May 28, 2016 |title=Finding Dory could be the first Pixar film to include a lesbian couple |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/finding-dory-could-be-the-first-pixar-film-to-incl-884919 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211012235155/https://www.nme.com/news/film/finding-dory-could-be-the-first-pixar-film-to-incl-884919 |archive-date=October 12, 2021 |access-date=October 12, 2021 |website=NME}}

{{main|Finding Nemo (video game)}}

A video game based on the film was released in 2003, for Microsoft Windows, Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance. The goal of the game is to complete different levels under the roles of Nemo, Marlin or Dory. It includes cut scenes from the movie, and each clip is based on a level. It was also the last Pixar game developed by Traveller's Tales. Upon release, the game received mixed reviews.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/914908-disneypixar-finding-nemo/index.html|title=Aggregate score for GBA at GameRankings|access-date=January 12, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006081747/http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/914908-disneypixar-finding-nemo/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/disney-pixar-finding-nemo/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2|title=Aggregate score for PS2 at Metacritic|website=Metacritic|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=June 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610020740/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/disneypixar-finding-nemo|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/finding-nemo/reviews/finding-nemo-review-6029413/|title=PS2 review at GameSpot}}{{cite web|title=Game Boy Advance review at GameSpy |url=http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/finding-nemo/5926p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051231131330/http://gba.gamespy.com/gameboy-advance/finding-nemo/5926p1.html |archive-date=December 31, 2005 |df=mdy }}{{cite web|title=PS2 review at GameSpy|url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/finding-nemo/5911p1.html|access-date=January 12, 2014|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006072205/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/finding-nemo/5911p1.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=PS2 review at IGN|date=May 28, 2003|url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/420/420968p1.html|access-date=January 12, 2014|archive-date=April 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406213349/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/420/420968p1.html|url-status=live}} A Game Boy Advance sequel, titled Finding Nemo: The Continuing Adventures, was released in 2004.{{cite web|last=Adams|first=David|title=Shipping Nemo|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/16/shipping-nemo|publisher=IGN|access-date=February 24, 2014|date=September 16, 2004|archive-date=March 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320032403/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/09/16/shipping-nemo|url-status=live}}

Finding Nemo has inspired numerous attractions and properties at Disney Parks around the world, including: Turtle Talk with Crush, which opened in 2004 at Epcot, 2005 in Disney California Adventure Park, 2008 in Hong Kong Disneyland, and 2009 in Tokyo DisneySea; Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which opened in 2007 in Disneyland Park; The Seas with Nemo & Friends, which opened in 2007 at Epcot; Finding Nemo – The Musical, which opened in 2007 in Disney's Animal Kingdom; and Crush's Coaster, which opened in 2007 at Walt Disney Studios Park.{{cite web |url=https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/seas-with-nemo-and-friends/ |title=The Seas with Nemo & Friends | Walt Disney World Resort |publisher=Disney |access-date=January 11, 2014 |archive-date=January 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111015135/https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/seas-with-nemo-and-friends/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews/disneyland/finding_nemo-_submarine_voyage/ |title=Finding Nemo: Submarine Voyage at Disneyland |publisher=Themeparkinsider.com |date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=January 11, 2014 |archive-date=January 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140111015207/http://www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews/disneyland/finding_nemo-_submarine_voyage/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/animal-kingdom/finding-nemo-the-musical/ |title=Finding Nemo-The Musical | Walt Disney World Resort |publisher=Disney |access-date=January 11, 2014 |archive-date=January 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103162514/https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/animal-kingdom/finding-nemo-the-musical/ |url-status=live }}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

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{{wikiquote}}

• {{official website|http://movies.disney.com/finding-nemo}} from Disney
• {{official website|https://www.pixar.com/feature-films/finding-nemo#feature-films-finding-nemo}} from Pixar
• {{IMDb title|0266543}}
• {{TCMDb title|446316|Finding Nemo}}

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