--- title: "Finding Nemo: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/finding-nemo/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/finding-nemo" critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 19 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Finding Nemo (2003): what the critics said Critics' score 78 from 19 reviews: 17 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 2003. Pixar solidifies its status as Hollywood's most reliable creative force with this engaging undersea story of a fish family learning life lessons. Turan singles out the rapturous visuals of the Great Barrier Reef and the eccentric, culturally skewering sea creatures like the sharks in recovery. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-finding-nemo-review-20030530-snap-story.html) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 2003. The film delivers the usual Pixar pleasures of comedy and wackiness while adding striking visual beauty in its underwater world of color and movement. Ebert praises the inventive story, memorable voice performances, and how it appeals to both children and adults. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/finding-nemo-2003) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 2003. Maintains Pixar's exceptionally high standard with deliriously inventive storytelling and warm wit, setting a high artistic benchmark. Highlights its visually striking CGI underwater design while ensuring characterisation comes first, remaining endearing without cloying. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/finding-nemo/4013704.article) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 May 2003. The review praises Pixar's high standard of storytelling that blends humor and emotional depth, noting the impressive visuals underwater while grounding the tale in familiar heartbreak and happiness. It highlights the opening scene's impact and the voice performances bringing heart to the characters. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/finding-nemo-1798198587) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 3 October 2003. The critic praises the film as outstanding quality family entertainment from Pixar, with dazzling CGI, witty characters and superb direction. They single out the hyperreal underwater world and the voices, especially Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres, while noting it feels slightly less ambitious than prior Pixar films. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/oct/03/2) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Sheri Linden Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 May 2003. The review calls it an exhilarating fish story with a fluid narrative and visual nuance that feels less mechanical than prior Pixar films. It singles out the chemistry between Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres along with the meticulous sound design and Thomas Newman score for praise. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/finding-nemo-review-2003-movie-1115691/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 2013. The review calls the Pixar underwater tale a visual delight with exquisite animation and a crisp script, noting it remains a poignant examination of letting go of children even after multiple viewings. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/dvd-bluray-review-finding-nemo-3d-u-8638384.html) ## Evening Standard — Neil Norman Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The critic calls it Pixar's finest work so far, a classic tale with genuine emotional depth, terrifically funny script and breathtaking animation. The characters, psychological insight and technical skill are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/a-fabulously-fishy-tale-7436665.html) ## Empire — Angie Errigo Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the film beautifully composed and consistently charming, with a perfectly family-oriented mix of adventure, humour and life lessons. The animation, voice cast and underwater world are singled out for praise as terrific-looking and sweet. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/finding-nemo-review/) ## Sight and Sound Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 November 2003. The review praises the film's technical mastery in rendering water and underwater visuals with extraordinary precision and detail. It criticises the narrative as fractionally less rich and more conventional than prior Pixar efforts, lacking their subtlety. [Read the review](http://old.bfi.org.uk/features/ultimatefilm/chart/details.php?ranking=56) ## The New York Times — Stephen Holden Rating NYT Critic’s Pick. 30 May 2003. The review calls the film an upbeat, sentimental fable about a fearful father and rebellious son, highlighting its sparkling aquatic animation and comically inspired characters like the great white shark Bruce. It praises the witty script and the way it balances adventure with family themes. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/30/movies/film-review-vast-sea-tiny-fish-big-crisis.html) ## The Times — Sean Macaulay Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2003. The critic praises the film's visual feast and witty family animation from Pixar, highlighting its accessibility for children and the standout shark characters. However, the plot's fractured family setup and pat life lessons are seen as calculated. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/comedy/article/digital-fish-never-tasted-this-good-9lvp9j7pddg) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2013. Praises the film for proving how far audiences would trust Pixar's output without familiar elements or big stars, becoming a banner title with thrilling big scenes. Notes it is not quite as note-perfect as later work, with a grating lead voice and soppy ending. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/finding-nemo) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 May 2003. The review calls it a buoyant adventure with spectacular underwater visuals and cheeky comic flair that will be a box office hit, though it doesn't quite match the artistic heights of prior Pixar films like Toy Story. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/finding-nemo-4-1200541411/) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2003. The review describes the film as transplanting suburban parental anxiety to an underwater setting in an adorable but less inventive way than prior Pixar efforts. It notes the simple lesson about trusting children to make mistakes and says it should resonate with overprotective parents. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/finding-nemo/) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 2 June 2003. The critic finds the film visually impressive with its underwater animation and praises Ellen DeGeneres's voice work as Dory, but notes it leans too sentimental and anthropomorphic compared to previous Pixar efforts. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/06/09/fishy-business) ## HeyUGuys — Steven Neish Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 8 February 2011. The critic praises Finding Nemo as Pixar's greatest film overall, citing its layered narrative with multiple themes, memorable ensemble of characters, and perfect balance of humor appealing to all ages. They single out Ellen DeGeneres' voice performance as Dory for particular acclaim as the standout element. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/video-vault-25-years-of-pixar-retrospective-finding-nemo/) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 2018. The critic examines Finding Nemo's focus on parental neuroses and the embrace of surrogate or patchwork families, positioning it as a key Pixar text on letting go and community. They single out the emotional dynamics involving Marlin, Nemo, and especially Dory for praise in delivering the film's core themes. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/558598/finding-nemo-turns-15/) ## Paste — Andy Crump Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 June 2023. The critic views the film as one of Pixar's best for its visual splendor and honest take on fatherly anxiety and parent-child bonds. The opening sequence stands out as uniquely effective disaster horror that resonates due to its relatable existential dread. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/pixar/finding-nemo-disneys-greatest-trauma) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/finding-nemo.md