Finding Nemo (2003) is a critically acclaimed animated adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Andrew Stanton and co-directed by Lee Unkrich, the film features the voices of Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, and Alexander Gould. It tells the heartfelt story of Marlin, an overprotective clownfish, who embarks on a perilous journey across the ocean to rescue his son, Nemo. The film was released in the United States on May 30, 2003, and has since become a beloved classic, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Rotten Tomatoes+11Wikipedia+11IMDb+11Reddit+10Simple English Wikipedia+10Disney Wiki+10
🎬 Film Overview
- Title: Finding Nemo
- Release Date: May 30, 2003
- Directors: Andrew Stanton (Director), Lee Unkrich (Co-Director)
- Screenwriters: Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, David Reynolds
- Producers: Graham Walters
- Production Companies: Pixar Animation Studios
- Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (under Walt Disney Pictures)
- Runtime: 100 minutes
- Language: English
- Budget: $94 million
- Box Office Gross: $940.3 million worldwide MUBI+2Wikipedia+2TVGuide.com+2
🐠 Plot Summary
Marlin, a cautious clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his son, Nemo, who has a smaller-than-normal fin. Tragedy strikes when a barracuda attack leaves Marlin a widower, intensifying his protective instincts. On Nemo’s first day of school, he defies his father’s warnings and is captured by a scuba diver, ending up in a dentist’s fish tank in Sydney.Open Oregon+1Rotten Tomatoes+1IMDb+3Wikipedia+3Rotten Tomatoes+3
Determined to rescue his son, Marlin teams up with Dory, a forgetful but optimistic blue tang. Their journey is fraught with challenges, including encounters with sharks, jellyfish, and a whale. Meanwhile, Nemo and his new tank friends devise a plan to escape and return to the ocean. The story culminates in a heartfelt reunion, with Marlin learning to trust his son’s abilities. TVGuide.com+14Pixar Wiki+14EW.com+14Rotten Tomatoes+1Rotten Tomatoes+1Wikipedia
🎤 Voice Cast
- Albert Brooks as Marlin
- Ellen DeGeneres as Dory
- Alexander Gould as Nemo
- Willem Dafoe as Gill
- Geoffrey Rush as Nigel
- Brad Garrett as Bloat
- Allison Janney as Peach
- Austin Pendleton as Gurgle
- Stephen Root as Bubbles
- Vicki Lewis as Deb/Flo
- Joe Ranft as Jacques
- Andrew Stanton as Crush
- Barry Humphries as Bruce
- Eric Bana as Anchor
- Bruce Spence as Chum
- Bill Hunter as Dentist
- LuLu Ebeling as Darla Disney Wiki+5The Movie Database+5Wikipedia+5Simple English Wikipedia+12EW.com+12TVGuide.com+12TVGuide.comThe Movie Database+2Wikipedia+2TVGuide.com+2Rotten Tomatoes+1Rotten Tomatoes+1
🎶 Music and Soundtrack
The film’s score was composed by Thomas Newman, marking the first time a Pixar film was not scored by Randy Newman. The music received critical acclaim for its ability to capture the film’s emotional depth and underwater ambiance. The soundtrack was released on May 20, 2003. Wikipedia
🏆 Awards and Recognition
Finding Nemo received widespread acclaim and numerous accolades:TVGuide.com+19The New Yorker+19GQ+19
- Academy Award: Best Animated Feature (2004)
- Academy Award Nominations: Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing
- American Film Institute: Ranked 10th in the “10 Top 10” list of greatest American animated films
- Box Office: Highest-grossing animated film at the time of its release Wikipedia
🌊 Themes and Impact
Finding Nemo explores themes of parental love, courage, and personal growth. Marlin’s journey reflects the challenges of letting go and trusting one’s children. The film’s realistic animation and storytelling set new standards in the industry, influencing future animated features. Rotten Tomatoes+11Wikipedia+11Cinematary+11
📀 Home Media and Legacy
The film was released on DVD and VHS on November 4, 2003, and became the best-selling DVD title of all time, with over 40 million copies sold by 2006. A 3D version was released in 2012, enhancing its visual appeal. The success of Finding Nemo led to a sequel, Finding Dory, released in June 2016. wired.com+2Wikipedia+2People.com+2
Finding Nemo remains a timeless classic, celebrated for its emotional storytelling, stunning animation, and memorable characters. Its impact on audiences and the animation industry continues to be felt, solidifying its place as one of Pixar’s most beloved films.
