Finding Dory
Dory is a wide-eyed, blue tang fish who suffers from memory loss every 10 seconds or so. The one thing she can remember is that she somehow became separated from her parents as a child. With help from her friends Nemo and Marlin, Dory embarks on an epic adventure to find them. Her journey brings her to the Marine Life Institute, a conservatory that houses diverse ocean species.
Despite a major studio investment of $200.0M, Finding Dory became a financial success, earning $1029.3M worldwide—a 415% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, confirming that audiences embrace unconventional structure even at blockbuster scale.
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award17 wins & 48 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Finding Dory (2016) demonstrates precise narrative architecture, characteristic of Andrew Stanton's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Dory with her parents learning "just keep swimming." Establishes her memory condition and loving family who create coping mechanisms for her.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when During a stingray migration field trip, Dory suddenly has a flashback memory of her parents and "the jewel of Morro Bay, California." Her past crashes into her present.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 24 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Dory, Marlin, and Nemo arrive at the Marine Life Institute in Morro Bay. Dory actively chooses to enter the facility to find her parents, despite the danger and uncertainty., moving from reaction to action.
At 48 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat Dory finds her childhood home in the Open Ocean exhibit - it appears her parents are gone. False victory: she's found where they lived, but they're not there. Stakes raise as she must figure out where they went., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 71 minutes (73% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Dory overhears Marlin tell Nemo she's "just going to forget" them anyway. Devastated, Dory gets flushed into the ocean and ends up in the kelp forest where she was lost as a child. She's alone, defeated., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 76 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Dory follows a shell trail and discovers her parents have been laying shells for YEARS, waiting for her to find her way home. She realizes her family never gave up on her. She finds them alive., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Finding Dory's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Finding Dory against these established plot points, we can identify how Andrew Stanton utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Finding Dory within the animation genre.
Andrew Stanton's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Andrew Stanton films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.7, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Finding Dory represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Andrew Stanton filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower. For more Andrew Stanton analyses, see John Carter, WALL·E and Finding Nemo.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Dory with her parents learning "just keep swimming." Establishes her memory condition and loving family who create coping mechanisms for her.
Theme
Dory's mother: "There's always another way." Establishes the theme that family finds ways to stay connected and that persistence overcomes obstacles.
Worldbuilding
Flash-forward to Dory living with Marlin and Nemo. She helps with school, joins their family routines, but still experiences memory gaps and confusion. Establishes her found family dynamic.
Disruption
During a stingray migration field trip, Dory suddenly has a flashback memory of her parents and "the jewel of Morro Bay, California." Her past crashes into her present.
Resistance
Marlin debates whether to help Dory find her parents, fearing it's dangerous and impossible. Dory insists she must try. They travel across the ocean, Dory having more memory flashes.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Dory, Marlin, and Nemo arrive at the Marine Life Institute in Morro Bay. Dory actively chooses to enter the facility to find her parents, despite the danger and uncertainty.
Mirror World
Dory meets Hank the septopus, who wants her quarantine tag to get to Cleveland (escape). This relationship introduces the thematic contrast: Hank wants isolation, Dory seeks connection.
Premise
The "fun and games" of navigating the Marine Life Institute. Dory explores touch pools, pipes, and exhibits. She reunites with Destiny (whale shark) and Bailey (beluga), childhood friends who help her search.
Midpoint
Dory finds her childhood home in the Open Ocean exhibit - it appears her parents are gone. False victory: she's found where they lived, but they're not there. Stakes raise as she must figure out where they went.
Opposition
Dory follows shell trails (her parents' signs) but keeps getting separated from friends. Marlin's impatience and Dory's memory issues create conflict. She's captured for quarantine transport to Cleveland.
Collapse
Dory overhears Marlin tell Nemo she's "just going to forget" them anyway. Devastated, Dory gets flushed into the ocean and ends up in the kelp forest where she was lost as a child. She's alone, defeated.
Crisis
Dory wanders the kelp forest in despair, apologizing to her absent parents for getting lost. Her darkest moment of feeling truly alone and unworthy of family.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Dory follows a shell trail and discovers her parents have been laying shells for YEARS, waiting for her to find her way home. She realizes her family never gave up on her. She finds them alive.
Synthesis
Dory learns Marlin and Nemo are being trucked to Cleveland. She rallies Hank, Destiny, Bailey, and her parents to execute an elaborate rescue. Uses echolocation, driving a truck, and her "crazy" ideas to save her found family.
Transformation
Dory with both her birth parents AND her found family (Marlin, Nemo, Hank, Destiny, Bailey) all together. Mirrors opening image but now she has both families and has accepted herself. "I remember my family."