Finding Dory

Finding Dory

Year: 2016

Runtime: 97 min

Language: English

Directors: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane

AdventureComedyAnimationFamily

A forgetful blue tang named Dory embarks on a thrilling adventure to find her long-lost parents. With the help of her friends Nemo and Marlin, she journeys to the Marine Life Institute, a vast aquarium, to uncover the truth about her past and the origins of her memory loss. Along the way, she encounters new friends and faces challenges that test her determination to reunite with her family and find where she belongs.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Finding Dory yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Finding Dory (2016)

Trace every key event in Finding Dory (2016) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Separation from Parents

Dory, the regal blue tang, gets lost and separated from her parents, Jenny and Charlie, during her childhood. This traumatic event ignites her lifelong struggle with short-term memory loss, making it difficult for her to remember them as she grows up.

2

Meeting Marlin and Nemo

After a year of living in the reef, Dory becomes good friends with Marlin and Nemo. Their bond grows stronger as they navigate their lives together until Dory suddenly experiences a flicker of memory about her parents.

One year later The Reef
3

Discovery of the Location

While reminiscing, Dory recalls that her parents live at the 'Jewel of Morro Bay, California.' Fueled by the desire to reunite with them, she convinces Marlin and Nemo to embark on an adventurous quest to find her family.

Morro Bay, California
4

Journey Begins

Dory, Marlin, and Nemo enlist the help of their sea turtle friend, Crush, to ride the California Current toward California. Their journey is filled with excitement, but it takes a dangerous turn when Dory accidentally awakens a giant squid.

California Current
5

Capture at Marine Life Institute

In the midst of the chaos caused by the giant squid, Dory is captured by the staff of the Marine Life Institute. This moment is pivotal, as it leads her to new friendships and a path toward discovering her past.

Marine Life Institute
6

Meeting Hank the Octopus

At the Marine Life Institute, Dory meets Hank, a gruff but kind-hearted septopus. They form a pact: Hank will help Dory find her parents if she aids him in escaping captivity in order to avoid being returned to the ocean.

Marine Life Institute
7

Reconnecting with Friends

Inside the institute, Dory reunites with childhood companions Bailey, the beluga whale, and Destiny, the nearsighted whale shark. Together, they work to help Dory recover lost memories from her past that reveal her family's fate.

Marine Life Institute
8

Marlin and Nemo’s Search

While Dory is inside the institute, Marlin and Nemo refuse to abandon her. They join forces with California sea lions and an adventurous loon named Becky, planning to infiltrate the institute and rescue their beloved friend.

Marine Life Institute
9

Discovery of Parents’ Fate

Marlin and Nemo learn from a group of blue tangs that Dory's parents have been searching for her and are believed to be lost. This news weighs heavily on Dory, driving her determination to find them, despite the despair it brings.

10

Accidental Drain Drop

In a twist of fate, Hank accidentally drops Dory into a drain, leading her back to the ocean. This unexpected turn restores her hope as she uncovers a trail of shells her parents left to guide her home.

The Ocean
11

Emotional Reunion

Following the shell trail leads Dory to a tire, where she reunites with her long-lost parents, Jenny and Charlie. Emotions run high as they share heartfelt stories about their years of waiting and hoping for Dory's return.

12

Rescue Operation

Meanwhile, Hank, Marlin, and Nemo find themselves in a truck headed to Cleveland with other sea life. Destiny and Bailey courageously break free to assist Dory in devising a plan to save their friends and escape the truck.

On the Truck
13

Truck Crash Escape

With teamwork and courage, Dory and her friends manage to crash the truck into the ocean, liberating all the captured sea creatures. This daring escape showcases the strength of friendship and resilience in the face of adversity.

The Ocean
14

New Life Together

Dory joyfully returns to the reef with her parents, where they join Marlin and Nemo. Together, they embrace a new life filled with love, friendship, and exciting adventures in their vibrant underwater world.

The Reef
15

Post-Credits Scene

In a humorous twist during the post-credits, the Tank Gang is shown still trapped in plastic bags after floating across the Pacific for an entire year. They are finally met with the Marine Life Institute staff, hinting at another humorous predicament for them.

After the main events California

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 18:54

Unlock the Full Story of Finding Dory

Don't stop at just watching — explore Finding Dory in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Finding Dory is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Finding Dory Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Finding Dory, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Finding Dory Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Finding Dory

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Finding Dory. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Finding Dory

More About Finding Dory

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Finding Dory: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Finding Dory

Similar Movies to Finding Dory

Discover movies like Finding Dory that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.