Finding Nemo and Finding Dory: Which Movie Comes First?

Where should you start?

Begin with Finding Nemo, then watch Finding Dory. The first introduces Marlin, Nemo and Dory through a journey built around separation and trust. The sequel changes whose family is at the center, while retaining the relationships established along the way.

The two films in order

1. Finding Nemo (2003)
2. Finding Dory (2016)

There is no television season or wider franchise sequence you need to finish between them. The two features are the main viewing route.

Is Finding Dory a prequel?

No. Its focus on Dory’s past does not turn the whole film into a prequel. Watch it after Finding Nemo and let those earlier memories emerge within the sequel’s story.

You could follow the broad adventure without a detailed memory of the original, but starting with Nemo makes the returning friendships more meaningful. If it has been years since you saw the first film, a rewatch is useful for rediscovering those relationships, not for studying a complicated timeline.

Our take on the collection

Moviebase editorial

Both films mix the fun of an ocean journey with worries about safety, separation and independence. The first is especially useful for noticing how the desire to protect someone can conflict with giving them room to act. Dory’s perspective makes the second film’s way of finding help and moving forward feel different.

Their visual humor can make them seem like effortless background viewing, but the emotional situations deserve attention. For some children, being separated from family is more upsetting than an obvious movie villain. Give viewers permission to pause and ask questions rather than rushing to the next joke.

The pair suits families who enjoy talking about how characters solve problems together. There is also no need to turn it into a double feature: one journey can be plenty for an evening.

Planning your watchlist

Watch on two evenings, or allow a little over three hours plus a break for both, using the runtimes shown on the cards. A pause after Nemo gives the first story a proper ending before the focus shifts to Dory.

Keep any shorts or extras separate from the two-film checklist. If you want another ocean adventure afterward, see the animated Moana films in order.

Download Moviebase to keep the pair together, mark watched films and save family favorites. The movie links open individual details, while the download link helps you get the app; neither starts streaming the film.

Sources

Pixar’s Finding Dory overview describes Dory’s search for her family. The Pixar feature catalog provides the release-year context for both films.

Film titles, release dates, runtimes, audience ratings and artwork come from TMDB. Viewing advice is Moviebase editorial opinion. Collection references: TMDB 137697. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.