Parents' Guide to Finding Dory

Movie PG 2016 103 minutes
Finding Dory movie poster: Blue tang Dory and friends in the ocean

Common Sense Media Review

Sandie Angulo Chen By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 6+

Delightful sequel promotes teamwork; sadness, scares.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 6+?

Any Positive Content?

  • 1:16
  • Finding Dory Trailer
  • Finding Dory Movie: Dory is happy
  • Finding Dory Movie: Dory in an aquarium and Hank on the table next to her
  • Finding Dory Movie: Dory and Destiny face each other in the ocean

Parent and Kid Reviews

See all
age 6+

Based on 45 parent reviews

Parents say that while the movie has charming moments and important messages about family and overcoming challenges, many reviews highlight a darker and more emotional tone compared to the original. Some children found it too intense or sad, particularly regarding themes of loss and disability, leading to mixed reactions about its suitability for younger audiences.

  • dark themes
  • emotional tone
  • mixed reviews
  • family messages
  • suitable for adults
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 45 parent reviews
age 5+

Based on 109 kid reviews

Kids say this sequel is a delightful blend of humor and emotion, resonating with audiences of all ages while emphasizing themes of family, friendship, and perseverance. Although some critics feel it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor, many appreciate its heartfelt messages and engaging character development.

  • heartwarming messages
  • suitable for all ages
  • emotional moments
  • humor and fun
  • sequel expectations
Summarized with AI
 

 

See all 109 kid reviews

What's the Story?

It took 13 years from when Finding Nemo first swam into theaters for FINDING DORY to make its way to the big screen, but the story takes place only one year after clownfish Marlin (voiced by Albert Brooks)—with a lot of help from Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a blue tang with short-term memory loss—found his missing son, Nemo (Hayden Rolence). Everything is going well for the friends/neighbors until Dory has a flashback to her life as a little fish and remembers something about her parents for the first time. Realizing that she and her parents used to live on the California coast, she asks Marlin and Nemo to help her find her family. Thanks to their pals the sea turtles, they quickly arrive at the Marine Life Institute in California, but they're separated when scientists rescue and tag Dory. She must befriend new sea creatures, like an octopus named Hank (Ed O'Neill), to help her locate her parents, while Marlin and Nemo desperately find a way into the institute to look for her.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 45 ):
Kids say ( 109 ):

This poignant, beautifully voice-acted adventure is everything a sequel should be: emotionally satisfying, full of lovable old and new characters, and, just as Dory would want, utterly unforgettable. DeGeneres' performance is pitch perfect—as is that of her younger counterpart (Sloane Murray) in flashbacks to Dory's youth growing up with her loving parents, Jenny (Diane Keaton) and Charlie (Eugene Levy), who cleverly work around her memory condition by encouraging ways she can remember to get back home. DeGeneres' voice beautifully evokes Dory's loneliness, sadness, wonder, confusion, hope, and joy.

Audiences will also love new characters in Finding Dory, like the chameleonic, curmudgeonly Hank, who wants Dory's tag that grants her transfer to the Cleveland Aquarium as a way of avoiding his eventual release back into the ocean. Dory also reacquaints herself with her old pal Destiny (Kaitlyn Olson), a nearsighted whale shark, and meets Destiny's neighbor, Bailey (Ty Burrell), a beluga; the whales have a fun, banter-y vibe. And a pair of sea lions voiced by The Wire co-stars Idris Elba and Dominic West provide comic relief as they help Marlin and Nemo hitch a ride into the institute via a kooky loon, Becky. Although Dory's adventure is subtler than Nemo's, it tugs at the heart strings; teaches valuable lessons about disabilities, teamwork, and the unconditional love of family; and is as memorable a movie as Pixar's finest.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what Finding Dory is saying about family and friendship. What does Dory learn about what makes a family? Kids: Who do you consider to be part of your family?

  • Even if you knew things were going to end on a happy note, which sequences were sad and/or scary? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

  • Which characters are role models? What do they do that's brave, courageous, selfless, and caring? How do their actions demonstrate teamwork and perseverance? Why are those important character strengths?

  • Discuss Dory's memory loss and how it impacts her. Does it keep her from experiencing love, friendship, or happiness? What does her experience (and Nemo's) teach us about disabilities? How do you know what your strengths are, and what do you do to make the most of them?

  • What does it mean to love someone unconditionally? How do the characters in the movie make it clear that they love each other that way?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

Finding Dory movie poster: Blue tang Dory and friends in the ocean

What to Watch Next

See all

Disney Pixar Movies

See all

Movies with Characters Who Have Learning and Attention Issues and Developmental Disabilities

See all recommended movie lists

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate