Nearly two decades after Finding Nemo became one of the most iconic animated films of all time, fans are once again turning their attention toward the ocean—and asking whether Pixar is preparing to dive back in for a third adventure. While there’s no official greenlight yet for Finding Nemo 3, recent comments from Pixar’s leadership have sparked a wave of cautious optimism.
Pixar Is “Fishing Around” For New Ideas
In May 2024, Pixar’s Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter addressed speculation about a potential third installment. During a press interview, he mused, “Where else have we not gone in the ocean? The ocean’s a big place. I think there’s a lot of opportunity there. We’re kind of fishing around.” His words don’t confirm development is underway, but they clearly hint that the franchise is under active internal discussion.
This isn’t surprising given the franchise’s success. Finding Nemo (2003) earned $940 million worldwide, while Finding Dory (2016) swam past the $1 billion mark, making it one of the highest-grossing animated films ever. Pixar has every reason to revisit one of its most financially and emotionally resonant properties.
Ellen DeGeneres May Not Return As Dory
One major wrinkle in the plans for Finding Nemo 3 is the potential absence of Ellen DeGeneres. The comedian and talk show host, who famously voiced Dory, announced during her 2024 stand-up tour that her upcoming Netflix special would be her final project before stepping away from the spotlight. When asked directly about reprising her role as Dory, she replied: “No, I’m going bye-bye, remember?”
If Finding Nemo 3 moves forward, Pixar may need to recast Dory or shift focus to other characters. Either scenario would mark a significant departure for a franchise so closely associated with DeGeneres’s performance.
Is Pixar Shifting Toward Familiar IPs?
It’s worth noting that Pixar, like many major studios in today’s film landscape, is increasingly relying on established franchises. Following a lukewarm box office period post-pandemic, Disney and Pixar have both publicly committed to focusing more heavily on proven IPs. This includes upcoming sequels to Toy Story, Inside Out, and Zootopia. Given that trend, Finding Nemo 3 seems like a logical next move.
But Pixar also faces the challenge of avoiding creative repetition. Both Nemo and Dory centered on characters getting lost and embarking on oceanic odysseys. Any third film would need to push the narrative into fresh waters—perhaps focusing on the next generation of fish or introducing an entirely new ecosystem.
What A Third Film Could Explore
The ocean remains a vast, largely untapped storytelling playground. While the first two films focused on the Pacific reef ecosystem, a third film could explore deep-sea environments, arctic waters, or even the threat of environmental change. The potential for fresh characters—perhaps offspring of Nemo or new ocean species—offers Pixar a chance to expand the story without rehashing old ground.
Additionally, Pixar has recently ramped up its use of cutting-edge animation tools. A Finding Nemo 3 produced with today’s technology could deliver an even more visually stunning underwater world than its predecessors.
No Official Confirmation—Yet
As of now, there’s no official word from Pixar or Disney about a third Finding Nemo film. There’s no title, no production schedule, and no casting information. What exists is possibility—a strong franchise legacy, creative leadership hinting at new ideas, and an audience eager to return to the ocean.
In short: Finding Nemo 3 isn’t confirmed, but the door is wide open. And with Pixar’s renewed focus on sequels and familiar properties, this might be one fish tale that hasn’t finished swimming just yet.
Key Takeaways
- Pixar executives have confirmed they’re considering a third Finding Nemo movie, with the studio’s CCO noting many storytelling opportunities.
- The Finding Nemo franchise has been highly successful, with Finding Dory earning over $1 billion worldwide.
- Top voice talent including Ellen DeGeneres could be interested in returning, but it’s not a guarantee
Rumors and Development of Finding Nemo 3
Pixar Animation Studios hasn’t formally announced anything just yet but its believed that they have begun early development on a third installment in the beloved Finding Nemo franchise, following the massive success of the original film and its sequel, Finding Dory.
Return to the Ocean: Announcement
In May 2024, Pixar made a surprising announcement that they were considering a third Finding Nemo film. This news came alongside mentions of other potential sequels, including a third Incredibles movie. The announcement generated significant buzz online, with fans expressing both excitement and concern about returning to the underwater world.
The project appears to be in very early stages of development. No official release date has been set, though some online speculation points to a potential 2025 timeframe. This would mark over 22 years since the original Finding Nemo captivated audiences in 2003.
Pixar’s decision to revisit the franchise comes after Finding Dory proved to be a massive box office success, earning over $1 billion worldwide.
Storyline and Creative Direction
While plot details remain scarce, several creative possibilities are being explored for the third film. One intriguing rumor suggests the story might address the fate of Coral, Marlin’s wife and Nemo’s mother, who was presumed dead in the original film.
This potential storyline has created mixed reactions among fans. Some are excited about the emotional depth such a revelation could bring, while others worry it might undermine the emotional impact of the previous films.
Andrew Stanton, who directed both Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, has not yet confirmed his involvement in the third installment. His creative vision was crucial to the success of the previous films, particularly in balancing heartfelt storytelling with humor.
Pixar’s Legacy in Animation
Finding Nemo 3 represents Pixar’s continued strategy of building on established franchises. This approach has yielded mixed results for the studio in recent years. While Toy Story 4 was critically acclaimed, other sequels have received more modest receptions.
The Finding Nemo series has been praised for its stunning underwater animation and emotional storytelling. The original film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and is often cited as one of Pixar’s most beloved works.
This third installment will face the challenge of maintaining the visual innovation that defined its predecessors. Advances in animation technology since Finding Dory (2016) will likely allow for even more realistic ocean environments and character movements.
Pixar will need to balance nostalgia with fresh storytelling to ensure Finding Nemo 3 lives up to the high standards set by the earlier films.
Production and Technological Advancements
Pixar continues to push the boundaries of animation technology with Finding Nemo 3. The studio is leveraging two decades of innovation since the original film to create even more realistic underwater environments and character animations.
Advances in Computer Animation
Pixar’s animation team is utilizing several cutting-edge technologies for Finding Nemo 3. The character models feature significantly increased polygon counts, allowing for more detailed expressions and movements. Marlin, Nemo, and Dory now display subtle muscle movements beneath their scales.
The studio has developed enhanced rigging systems that create more fluid swimming motions. These improvements build upon techniques pioneered in the original Finding Nemo, which was groundbreaking for its time.
Motion capture technology, rarely used in previous Pixar productions, is now being employed to study real fish movements. Animators then translate these natural movements into the stylized characters.
Rendering times have decreased substantially thanks to improved hardware and software, allowing animators to make changes more quickly and efficiently.
Environmental Modeling and Animation
The ocean environments in Finding Nemo 3 represent Pixar’s most ambitious underwater settings to date. Water simulation technology has evolved dramatically since the original film’s pioneering digital lighting techniques that made water look realistic.
The new film features:
- Advanced caustic lighting effects (the rippling patterns created by light passing through water)
- Realistic particulate matter floating in the water
- More sophisticated current and wave simulations
- Incredibly detailed coral reef ecosystems
Pixar has developed proprietary software to handle the millions of individual plants, rocks, and background fish that populate each scene. The environments now react dynamically to characters moving through them.
The studio is also exploring 4K Ultra High Definition rendering to showcase the stunning detail of their underwater world.
Release and Anticipation
Finding Nemo 3 is building significant buzz as Pixar prepares for another deep-sea adventure. The studio is carefully planning both the theatrical release and marketing strategies to ensure this third installment makes as big a splash as its predecessors.
Setting a Date for the Big Splash
While Pixar has confirmed development on Finding Nemo 3, the exact release date remains unannounced. Industry insiders suggest a likely theatrical release in late 2025 or early 2026, following Pixar’s typical production timeline for sequels.
The studio appears to be aiming for a summer release window, which has historically benefited family-oriented films. Disney-Pixar traditionally positions their major releases during peak moviegoing seasons to maximize attendance.
Theater chains are already expressing interest in the project, especially considering the previous film’s $1 billion box office performance. The release strategy will likely include premium formats such as IMAX and 3D to enhance the underwater visual experience.
Marketing and Audience Engagement
Pixar’s marketing approach for Finding Nemo 3 is expected to target both nostalgic adult fans and a new generation of young viewers. Early promotional materials will likely emphasize the beloved characters while introducing new oceanic settings and creatures.
Disney has already begun subtle teasing through social media and industry interviews, with Pixar president Jim Morris noting that “the ocean’s a big place” with more stories to tell. This strategic early buzz-building helps maintain audience interest during the production phase.
Merchandise partnerships and theme park tie-ins will form key components of the marketing strategy. Previous Finding Nemo releases generated significant revenue through toys, clothing, and themed attractions at Disney parks worldwide.
Digital engagement campaigns will likely include interactive ocean exploration games and conservation awareness content to connect with environmentally conscious moviegoers of all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding Nemo 3 remains a topic of interest for many Pixar fans, though official information is limited. Questions about its development, release date, and storyline continue to circulate in the animation community.
When is the expected release date for Finding Nemo 3?
Currently, there is no confirmed release date for Finding Nemo 3. Based on available information, the project appears to be in early development stages if it exists at all.
Pixar has not officially announced the film on their upcoming slate of releases. Animation projects typically take 4-5 years from concept to completion.
Has Pixar released a trailer for the upcoming Finding Nemo 3 movie?
No, Pixar has not released any trailer, teaser, or official artwork for Finding Nemo 3. This suggests the film is not in advanced production.
Trailers typically appear 12-18 months before a film’s release. The absence of promotional material indicates fans should not expect the film anytime soon.
Are there any confirmed new characters or plot details for Finding Nemo 3?
There are no officially confirmed new characters or plot details for Finding Nemo 3. Any information circulating online about new characters or storylines remains speculative.
Pixar traditionally keeps plot details confidential until closer to release dates. The studio values storytelling above all, and would likely only proceed with a third film if they developed a compelling narrative reason.
What updates has Pixar provided on the development of Finding Nemo 3?
Pixar has provided very limited updates on Finding Nemo 3, with no official announcements about its development status. The studio has not confirmed whether the project is actively being worked on.
According to search results, some sources suggest the film doesn’t exist yet. One source mentions “there was almost a Finding Nemo 2 but that doesn’t exist anymore.”
How does Finding Nemo 3 fit into Pixar’s strategy of focusing on existing IPs?
Finding Nemo represents one of Pixar’s most successful franchises, with Finding Dory earning approximately $1 billion. This success makes it a logical candidate for continuation within Pixar’s IP strategy.
However, Pixar balances sequels with original content. The studio appears cautious about creating unnecessary sequels, preferring to develop follow-ups only when compelling stories emerge.
Will Finding Nemo 3 continue the story directly from the previous films?
Without official confirmation, it’s unclear how Finding Nemo 3 would connect to the previous films. Pixar sequels typically maintain narrative continuity while exploring new themes.
One Reddit discussion mentioned concerns about potential storylines, specifically noting that bringing back Coral (Nemo’s mother) “would undo the thing that made Marlin’s character growth necessary in the first place.” This highlights fan interest in preserving the emotional integrity of the original stories.
