Editing Finding Nemo (section)

==Reception==

===Box office===
====Original theatrical run====
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.<ref name="BOinitial"/> It was the [[2003 in film#Highest-grossing films|second-highest-grossing film of 2003]], behind ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''.<ref name="Top2003Films">{{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 (website)|The Numbers]] }}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> ''Finding Nemo'' also defeated ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' to become the highest-grossing film of the 2003 summer season.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The film sold an estimated 56.4 million tickets in the United States during its initial theatrical run.<ref name="BOM" />

On its opening weekend, ''Finding Nemo'' earned $70.6 million in the United States and Canada.<ref>{{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}}</ref> When the film opened, it was ranked number one at the box office, dethroning ''[[Bruce Almighty]]'' and ''[[The Italian Job (2003 film)|The Italian Job]]''.<ref name="SinksBruce">{{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}}</ref> Additionally, it surpassed its predecessor ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]'' for having the highest domestic opening weekend for an animated film.<ref name="SinksBruce" /> It would hold this record until ''[[Shrek 2]]'' took it the following year.<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''Finding Nemo'' achieved the third-highest opening weekend for a 2003 film at the time of its release, behind ''The Matrix Reloaded'' and ''[[X2 (film)|X2]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> During its second weekend, the film dropped to second place behind ''[[2 Fast 2 Furious]]''.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> It declined by 34% while making $45.8 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=DiOrio |first=Carl |date=June 8, 2003 |title=Hot wheels squish fish |work=[[Variety (magazine)|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 }}</ref> 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 (film)|Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' in 2002.<ref name="ScalesToTop">{{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}}</ref> It would also outgross the weaker openings of ''[[Rugrats Go Wild]]'', ''[[Hollywood Homicide]]'' and ''[[Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> By the film's 20th day of release, ''Finding Nemo'' had earned over $200 million.<ref>{{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}}</ref> During the film's fourth weekend, it was overtaken by ''[[Hulk (film)|Hulk]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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]]''.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

By July 2003, ''Finding Nemo'' had earned $274.9 million, replacing ''The Matrix Reloaded'' as the top-grossing movie of the year domestically.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The film even surpassed ''[[Shrek]]'' to become the second highest-grossing animated film.<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> 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]]''.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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]]''.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> At the end of its theatrical run, ''Finding Nemo'' grossed $339.7&nbsp;million in the United States and Canada and $531.3&nbsp;million in international territories, totaling $871.0&nbsp;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).<ref>{{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 }}</ref> In North America, it was surpassed by both ''Shrek 2'' in 2004 and ''[[Toy Story 3]]'' in 2010.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> ''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]]''.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''Finding Nemo'' was also the fourth animated film to make $500 million worldwide, joining ''Monsters, Inc.'', ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' and ''The Lion King''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Groves |first=Don |date=November 17, 2003 |title='Matrix' leads o'seas plummet |work=[[Variety (magazine)|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 }}</ref>

The film had impressive box office runs in many international markets. In Japan, its highest-grossing market after North America, it grossed ¥11.2&nbsp;billion ($102.4&nbsp;million), becoming the highest-grossing foreign animated film in local currency (yen).<ref name="onebill">{{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}}</ref> It has only been surpassed by ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'' (¥25.5&nbsp;billion).<ref>{{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}}</ref> Plus, ''Finding Nemo'' was the second film by Buena Vista Pictures to reach $100 million in the country, just after ''[[Armageddon (1998 film)|Armageddon]]'' in 1999.<ref>{{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}}</ref> For its Japanese opening weekend, the film earned $10&nbsp;million, reaching the number one spot ahead of ''[[The Last Samurai]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> In Mexico, it earned $4.7&nbsp;million, making it the country's second-highest opening weekend, behind ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Groves |first=Don |date=July 6, 2003 |title=Heavenly B.O. o'seas for 'Angels,' 'Bruce' |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/box-office/heavenly-b-o-o-seas-for-angels-bruce-1117888907/ |access-date=October 14, 2024 }}</ref> The film also grossed £37.2&nbsp;million ($67.1&nbsp;million) in the U.K., Ireland, and Malta.<ref name="InternationalGross">{{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}}</ref> It first generated a total opening weekend gross of £7.4&nbsp;million ($12.3&nbsp;million), making it the second-highest of the year, after ''The Matrix Reloaded''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/bvi-enjoys-bumper-uk-weekend-/4015498.article|title=BVI enjoys bumper UK weekend...}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Making £28.7&nbsp;million ($35.7&nbsp;million), ''Finding Nemo'' was the highest-grossing film released in October 2003 in the region, beating ''[[Bad Boys II]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Following in biggest grosses are France and the Maghreb region ($64.8&nbsp;million), Germany ($53.9&nbsp;million), and Spain ($29.5&nbsp;million).<ref name="InternationalGross" />

====3D re-release====
After the success of the 3D re-release of ''[[The Lion King]]'', [[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures|Disney]] re-released ''Finding Nemo'' in 3D on September 14, 2012,<ref>{{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}}</ref> with a conversion cost estimated to be below $5&nbsp;million.<ref name=Hollywood3D>{{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}}</ref> For the opening weekend of its 3D re-release in North America, ''Finding Nemo'' grossed $16.7&nbsp;million, debuting at the No. 2 spot behind ''[[Resident Evil: Retribution]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The film earned $41.1&nbsp;million in North America and $28.2&nbsp;million internationally, for a combined total of $69.3&nbsp;million, and a cumulative worldwide total of $940.3&nbsp;million.<ref name="BOM" />

===Critical response===
On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 99% of 266 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."<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |title=Finding Nemo |type=m |access-date=May 30, 2025}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] (which uses a weighted average) assigned the film a score of 90 out of 100 based on 38 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{Cite Metacritic|title=Finding Nemo|id=finding-nemo|type=movie|access-date=June 18, 2021}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''Finding Nemo'' was the third Pixar film to achieve this score, following ''[[Toy Story 2]]'' in 1999 and ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]'' in 2001.<ref>{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[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".<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[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]]''."<ref>{{cite web |first=Ed |last=Park |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/2003-05-27/film/gods-and-sea-monsters/ |title=Gods and Sea Monsters&nbsp;– Page 1 - Movies&nbsp;– 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 }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref name="rottentomatoes1">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/finding_nemo/reviews/?type=top_critics |title=Finding Nemo&nbsp;– 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 }}</ref> 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 (2003 film)|The Italian Job]]''."<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref name="rottentomatoes1"/> 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."<ref name="rottentomatoes1"/> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[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."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[Sandra Hall (writer)|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 (1940 film)|Fantasia]]''."<ref>{{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}}</ref> [[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 (franchise)|Toy Story]]'' movies and ''Monsters, Inc.''."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 (film series)|Mission: Impossible]]'' movies."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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'' [[Toy Story|1]] and [[Toy Story 2|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."<ref>{{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&nbsp;– 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 }}</ref> In a positive review, [[David Edelstein]] of ''[[Slate (magazine)|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."<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> Jack Garner of ''[[Gannett|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 Bros.|Warner Brothers]] cartoons."<ref>{{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|Gannett News Service]]|date=May 30, 2003}}</ref> 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."<ref name="rottentomatoes1"/>

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."<ref name="rottentomatoes1"/> 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."<ref name="rottentomatoes1"/> [[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.''"<ref name="rottentomatoes1"/> 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."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]''."<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref name="rottentomatoes1"/> 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."<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

Richard Corliss of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' gave the film a positive review, saying "Nemo, with its ravishing underwater fantasia, manages to trump the design glamour of earlier Pixar films."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[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."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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."<ref name="rottentomatoes1"/> 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."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 (film)|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."<ref>{{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}}</ref>

''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.<ref name="BBCBestFilms21stCentury">{{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]]}}</ref><ref name="IndependentBestFilms21stCentury">{{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]]}}</ref> Several publications have listed it as one of the best animated films, including: ''[[IGN]]'' (2010),<ref>{{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]] }}</ref> ''[[Insider (news website)|Insider]]'', ''USA Today'', ''[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]'' (all 2018),<ref>{{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 (news website)|Insider]] }}</ref><ref name="USATodayBestAnimated">{{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]]}}</ref><ref name="ElleBestAnimated">{{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 (magazine)|Elle]] }}</ref> ''[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]'', ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'', and ''[[Time Out New York]]'' (all 2021).<ref name="ParadeBestAnimated">{{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 (magazine)|Parade]]}}</ref><ref name="ComplexBestAnimated">{{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 (magazine)|Complex]]}}</ref><ref name="TimeOutNewYorkBestAnimated">{{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]] }}</ref> 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)".<ref name="WGA">{{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]] }}</ref> In March 2025, The New York Times listed ''Finding Nemo'' as among "The Movies We've Loved Since 2000."<ref name="Loved">{{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]] }}</ref>

===Accolades===
{{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 [[Academy Award for Best Animated Feature|Best Animated Feature]] category, defeating ''[[Brother Bear]]'' and ''[[The Triplets of Belleville]]''.<ref name="RingsTies" /><ref>{{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 }}</ref> The film received two more [[Academy Award]] nominations for [[Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay|Best Original Screenplay]] and [[Academy Award for Best Sound Editing|Best Sound Editing]], losing both to ''[[Lost in Translation (film)|Lost in Translation]]'' and ''[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World]]'' respectively.<ref name="RingsTies" /> It also won the award for Best Animated Film at the Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards, the [[Saturn Award]]s the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards, the [[National Board of Review Awards]], the [[Online Film Critics Society|Online Film Critics Society Awards]], and the [[Toronto Film Critics Association|Toronto Film Critics Association Awards]].<ref name="nytimes1">{{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&nbsp;– Cast, Crew, Director and Awards |access-date=January 9, 2014}}</ref> 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).<ref name="nytimes1"/>

The film was also nominated for two [[Chicago Film Critics Association Award]]s, for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress (Ellen DeGeneres), a [[Golden Globe Award]] for Best Motion Picture&nbsp;– Musical or Comedy, and two [[MTV Movie Awards]], for Best Movie and Best Comedic Performance (Ellen DeGeneres).<ref name="nytimes1"/>

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.<ref name=AFITop10>{{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}}</ref> 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]]'').<ref name=AFI>{{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 }}</ref>

'''[[American Film Institute]] recognition:'''
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition)|AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies]]&nbsp;– Nominated<ref name=AFI/>
* [[AFI's 10 Top 10#Animation|AFI's 10 Top 10]]&nbsp;– No. 10 Animated film<ref name=AFITop10/>

===Environmental concerns and consequences===
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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The demand for clownfish was supplied by large-scale harvesting of tropical fish in regions like [[Vanuatu]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Corcoran|url=http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2004/s1239666.htm|title=Vanuatu&nbsp;– 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}}</ref> The [[Tourism Australia|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref> [[Queensland]] used ''Finding Nemo'' to draw tourists to promote itself to vacationers.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> According to ''National Geographic'', "Ironically, ''Finding Nemo'', a movie about the anguish of a captured clownfish, caused home-aquarium demand for them to triple."<ref name="natgeowild">{{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}}</ref>

Demand for tropical fish skyrocketed after the film's release, causing reef species decimation in Vanuatu and several other reef areas.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 [[Invasive species|introduced species that are harmful]] to the indigenous environment, a practice that is harming reefs worldwide.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>