How Educational Is ‘Finding Dory’?

Disney and PIXAR’s Finding Dory reunites the friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the true meaning of family along the way. The all-new big-screen adventure takes moviegoers back to the extraordinary underwater world from the original film, Finding Nemo.

Movie Details:

Released: June 17, 2016

Directors: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane

Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Hayden Rolence, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Idris Elba, Sigourney Weaver

Rating: PG

Runtime: 103 minutes

Finding Dory benefits from the same team that brought us Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., WALL-E, Toy Story 2, and A Bug’s Life.

Unlike other Disney and PIXAR films, Finding Dory has a PG rating, so parental guidance is suggested as some material may not be suitable for children.

Is Finding Dory educational?

Absolutely.

From fun ocean life facts about Beluga whales and octopuses to emotional lessons about friends and their differences inside and out, there is so much to learn from this film. The first movie, Finding Nemo, offered lessons around the Clownfish’s stunted fin and Dory’s short-term memory loss. In Finding Dory, rather than using her distinct forgetfulness as a crutch, Dory uses all of her focus to remember, and she amazes herself and everyone around her with what she’s able to accomplish. Parents can use Dory’s character as an example for kids of how to overcome their own individual struggles in school or with their friends because she demonstrates the importance of perseverance and determination.

This may be a children’s story at heart, but we can learn a great deal from a fish who knows that even if at first you don’t succeed, “there is always another way.”

Will my family like Finding Dory?

Overall, Finding Dory won’t cause much concern for parents, but please be aware that there are some emotional moments, including an early memory of Dory being separated from her parents, which may upset younger kids. There are a few other stressful moments like a giant squid chasing some of the characters, but, overall, the adventure is still appropriate for viewers of all ages.

The film is uplifting with themes of teamwork, perseverance, family, friendship, and unconditional love, which are relatable for even the smallest of children. From the short film that precedes the movie to the end of the credits that feature friends from the first film, there’s no surprise that Finding Dory has set a new box office record on its opening weekend.

For coloring sheets, puzzles, info on how to find the right pet fish for your family, and more, take a look at Disney’s Family Press Kit.

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