Finding a family adventure with the colour, humour and emotion of Finding Nemo can feel like looking for one particular fish in a very large ocean. This countdown gives you ten movies to watch if you love Pixar’s underwater classic, including ocean adventures, animal friendships and animated stories about finding your way home.

Finding Nemo works because its ocean is both beautiful and frightening. Marlin’s fear for his son is easy to understand, but the film also knows that protecting someone can mean letting them take risks. Pixar’s official Finding Nemo page (https://www.pixar.com/finding-nemo) describes Nemo as a curious young fish eager to explore and Marlin as a father who has to find the courage to trust his son. That emotional push and pull gives the reef, the open water and even the dentist’s fish tank a real sense of stakes.

The films here take different routes to that feeling. Some follow sea creatures, some feature families separated by a big journey, and others build a vivid world around one friendship. Not every pick is set underwater, but each has the sense of discovery, warmth and adventure that makes Finding Nemo such a favourite for family movie night.

Your supplied ranking puts Finding Dory at #1 and Over the Moon at #10, so that is the order you’ll see here in a descending countdown. UK streaming availability can change; the links in each entry let you check current options before you press play.

If you love this, check out: 8 Family-Friendly Summer Flicks for Backyard Movie Nights (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/8-family-friendly-summer-flicks-for-backyard-movie-nights).

Let’s get into it 👇

SUPPORT THAT LOVE PODCAST

Enjoying the recommendations? You can help support That Love Podcast and keep independent entertainment content like this coming.

Donate to That Love Podcast (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/donate)

🎧 Discover original romantic audio dramas, comedies and stories on That Love Podcast’s episodes page (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes).

ADVERTISE WITH THAT LOVE PODCAST

Want to Reach Entertainment Fans?

If you're a brand, author, publisher, streaming company, entertainment business, or creator looking to reach an engaged audience, That Love Podcast offers advertising opportunities across the website, podcast, and newsletter.

Find out more (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/advertise-with-us).

10. Over the Moon (2020)

Over the Moon is not an ocean adventure, but it understands the emotional pull of a faraway world and the courage it takes to face change. If you love the way Finding Nemo pairs a fantastical journey with a personal story, this animated musical is a lovely pick for a family movie night.

Fei Fei builds a rocket to travel to the moon and prove that the moon goddess Chang’e is real. She hopes the journey will help her hold on to memories of her late mother, but what she finds is more complicated than the story she grew up hearing. Her younger stepbrother Chin gets swept along, and the two have to make their way through a colourful, magical landscape.

The film’s strongest moments come from its music and visual imagination. Director Glen Keane brings a hand-drawn sensibility to the characters and settings, while the moon’s bright, unpredictable world provides a welcome contrast to Fei Fei’s grief. The story is more focused on family change than on slapstick adventure, which gives it a gentle, reflective mood.

At number 10, it is the least like Finding Nemo in setting and pacing, but the emotional connection is there. It is a good choice if you want an animated movie about a child seeking answers, navigating loss and learning that new family relationships do not erase old ones.

Where to watch: The UK listing currently shows Netflix. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/over-the-moon) for current availability.

9. The Sea Beast (2022)

The ocean in Finding Nemo is full of creatures that humans barely understand. The Sea Beast takes that idea and turns it into a sweeping animated adventure about the stories people tell themselves about the sea—and about the beings they call monsters.

Maisie Brumble stows away on the ship of Jacob Holland, a celebrated sea monster hunter. She has grown up admiring the hunters, but once she is out on the water, she begins to question what she has been taught. Jacob and Maisie’s voyage takes them into unknown waters and forces them to rethink the long conflict between humans and sea beasts.

Director Chris Williams gives the movie the scale of a classic swashbuckling film. The ships feel heavy and weather-beaten, the creatures are imaginative, and the ocean can turn from inviting to dangerous in a heartbeat. Karl Urban gives Jacob a gruff confidence that slowly gives way to doubt, while Zaris-Angel Hator makes Maisie stubborn, curious and brave.

It ranks ninth because the action and world-building take up more space than the intimate family story in Finding Nemo. But if you love animated ocean movies with memorable creatures, a huge sense of adventure and a young character willing to ask difficult questions, The Sea Beast is a strong choice.

Where to watch: The UK listing currently shows Netflix. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-sea-beast-2022) for updates.

You’ll also love: 13 Family-Friendly Netflix Picks for Fall (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/13-family-friendly-netflix-picks-for-fall)

8. Ponyo (2008)

Few animated movies make the sea feel as magical and alive as Hayao Miyazaki’s Ponyo. Like Finding Nemo, it sees the ocean from a child’s point of view: wondrous, unpredictable and much too big to control.

Sosuke lives with his mother in a house overlooking the water. One day he finds a small fish trapped in a jar and names her Ponyo. Ponyo is no ordinary fish; she is the daughter of a powerful sea wizard and longs to become human. Her escape from the sea sets off a chain of magical events that brings giant waves and strange changes to Sosuke’s coastal town.

The hand-drawn animation gives the film an extraordinary sense of movement. The waves curl and surge like characters themselves, while Ponyo’s curiosity makes the world feel newly discovered. Sosuke and Ponyo’s friendship is sweet without becoming sugary, and the movie trusts young viewers to follow its dreamlike shifts without explaining every detail.

At number eight, Ponyo is slower and more whimsical than Pixar’s adventure, but it shares the joy of exploring a vivid marine world. Choose it when you want a gentle animated movie for kids, one that feels more like a fairytale than a race against time.

Where to watch: UK listings currently show Netflix. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/ponyo) for the latest.

7. The Croods (2013)

The Croods swaps the Great Barrier Reef for a prehistoric landscape, but it shares Finding Nemo’s central tension: a protective parent and a child who is ready to see more of the world. The result is a bright, physical comedy about a family forced to leave the safety of its home.

The Croods are a close-knit family who survive by following Grug’s strict rules and staying inside their cave. His teenage daughter Eep is restless and curious, and she sneaks out to explore. When an environmental disaster destroys their home, the family must travel through a strange new landscape. They meet Guy, an inventive young wanderer whose ideas challenge Grug’s old habits.

Nicolas Cage gives Grug a stubborn warmth, while Emma Stone plays Eep as energetic and determined. Ryan Reynolds brings Guy an easy charm without making him a perfect solution to every problem. The creatures and landscapes give the movie a playful, colourful look, and the family’s arguments feel recognisable beneath the prehistoric exaggeration.

At number seven, The Croods is more chaotic than Finding Nemo, but it has a similar heart: a parent has to learn that keeping a child safe cannot mean keeping them from growing. It is a fun animated adventure for families who like big characters, physical comedy and a story about learning to face the unknown together.

Where to watch: The UK listing currently shows Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and ITVX Premium, with an ad-supported ITVX option also listed. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-croods) before viewing.

6. Happy Feet (2006)

Happy Feet brings us back to the sea, this time through the world of Emperor penguins. It is a musical rather than a rescue adventure, but its themes of family, difference and finding your place make it a good choice for viewers who enjoy Finding Nemo’s combination of comedy and heart.

Mumble is born into a penguin community where singing is how you attract a mate. The trouble is, Mumble cannot sing. He can tap-dance brilliantly, but his unusual talent makes him an outcast. As he grows up, he begins to uncover a threat to his community and sets off to learn what is happening beyond the ice.

Elijah Wood gives Mumble a gentle optimism, and Robin Williams adds plenty of comic energy in two roles. The dance sequences are lively, and George Miller’s direction lets the music drive the story in an unusual way. The environmental storyline gives the film a serious edge, though it can feel more didactic than the emotional storytelling in Pixar’s best movies.

It lands at number six because the penguin characters and Antarctic setting make it an easy companion to an ocean-themed movie night, even if the plot takes a different shape. It is especially good for families who want animated animals, memorable songs and an upbeat message about accepting someone who does not fit the group’s expectations.

Where to watch: UK listings currently include HBO Max and NOW TV Cinema. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/happy-feet) for current options.

ADVERTISE WITH THAT LOVE PODCAST

Want to put your book, entertainment brand, streaming service, product, or business in front of readers who love movies, television, books and pop culture?

That Love Podcast offers sponsorship and advertising opportunities across the website, podcast and newsletter.

Learn more (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/advertise-with-us).

5. Rio (2011)

Rio is a lively animated adventure about two birds finding their way across a vast and unfamiliar world. If you like Finding Nemo for its bright wildlife, funny side characters and journey toward freedom, this one makes a colourful change of scenery.

Blu is a rare blue macaw who was taken from Brazil as a hatchling and raised by Linda in Minnesota. He never learned to fly, so when the pair travel to Rio de Janeiro to meet Jewel—the last known female of his species—Blu is deeply out of his comfort zone. The two birds are soon captured by smugglers and have to escape, with Linda and new friends trying to find them.

Jesse Eisenberg voices Blu with anxious precision, while Anne Hathaway gives Jewel a confident streak that makes their mismatched partnership fun. The film’s Rio setting is full of colour, music and movement. Its samba rhythms and carnival sequences give the story a festive energy, while the birds’ journey gives the comedy some genuine momentum.

At number five, Rio is not as emotionally layered as Finding Nemo, but it has a similar sense of adventure and a strong animal cast. It is a good pick for younger viewers who want a family-friendly animated film with tropical scenery, funny companions and a protagonist who has to discover what he can do.

Where to watch: The UK listing currently shows Disney+. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/rio) for availability.

You’ll also love: 8 Must-Watch Animated Films of 2024 (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/best-animated-movies-of-2024)

4. The Good Dinosaur (2015)

The Good Dinosaur is a story about a young creature separated from home and trying to find his family again. That basic journey makes it a natural match for Finding Nemo, though the setting is an alternate prehistoric world where dinosaurs and humans live at the same time.

Arlo is a timid young Apatosaurus who gets swept away from his home after an accident. He meets a feral human child he names Spot, and the two set out across the wilderness to find their families. Along the way, Arlo must face predators, storms and his own fear of the world beyond the farm.

The landscapes are the movie’s great visual achievement. The river valleys, mountains and skies are rendered with striking realism, while Arlo and Spot remain stylised characters moving through that environment. Their friendship develops without much dialogue, which gives the film a simple, almost old-fashioned adventure feel. The story is sometimes more familiar than surprising, but its emotional beats land because the characters’ need for home is so clear.

At number four, it is one of the closest matches for viewers who want a journey with a parent-child thread and a young hero learning courage along the way. The film can be intense in places, so check the age rating for younger children, but it is a moving family animation about friendship, fear and finding your way back.

Where to watch: The UK listing currently shows Disney+. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/the-good-dinosaur) for updates.

3. Moana (2016)

Moana sends its young hero across the ocean for a very different reason than Marlin’s search in Finding Nemo. Rather than trying to bring a child home, it follows a young woman leaving home to protect her people—and learning what she is capable of along the way.

Moana is the daughter of a chief on the island of Motunui. When a blight threatens the island, she sets sail to find Maui, a demigod who can help restore the heart of Te Fiti. The voyage takes them through dangerous waters and brings them face to face with supernatural creatures, including a giant crab with a serious love of shiny things.

Auliʻi Cravalho gives Moana a clear, spirited voice, and Dwayne Johnson makes Maui boastful and funny while letting his insecurity peek through. The songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina give the adventure a memorable musical pulse. The ocean is more than a backdrop: it has its own presence in the story, sometimes helping Moana and sometimes making her earn each step forward.

It ranks third because it has one of the strongest animated ocean worlds on this list and a heroine whose courage grows through action. For fans of Finding Nemo who want a bigger musical adventure, Moana is an excellent next watch.

Where to watch: The UK listing currently shows Disney+. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/moana) for current availability.

🎧 Taking a break from the screen? Listen to original romance and drama stories from That Love Podcast (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes).

2. Luca (2021)

Luca is a Pixar film about sea creatures that want to experience life on land. It has the colourful coastal setting and imaginative underwater detail you may be looking for after Finding Nemo, but its focus is on childhood friendship and the fear of being discovered.

Luca is a young sea monster who has spent his life beneath the surface. When he ventures onto land, his scales disappear and he looks like a human boy. He meets Alberto, a confident sea monster already living above the water, and the two dream of buying a Vespa and exploring the world. Their friendship is tested when they enter a local race and get to know the people in the seaside town of Portorosso.

Jacob Tremblay and Jack Dylan Grazer give Luca and Alberto a believable, restless friendship. Director Enrico Casarosa draws on the Italian Riviera for a sunlit setting that feels warm and specific, right down to the little rituals around food, swimming and local competition. The story’s central secret brings tension, but the movie is more interested in the joy of a friendship that helps both boys become braver.

At number two, Luca is the best match if you want Pixar’s ocean creatures and emotional storytelling without repeating the same parent-child rescue plot. It is gentle, funny and beautifully observed—a lovely family movie for anyone who remembers what it felt like to have one friendship make the world seem bigger.

Where to watch: The UK listing currently shows Disney+. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/luca) for the latest.

🎧 Before the No. 1 pick, discover original romantic audio dramas from That Love Podcast. Listen here (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes).

1. Finding Dory (2016)

The best movie to watch if you love Finding Nemo is the one that returns to its ocean and lets Dory take the lead. Finding Dory brings back the characters you already love, but it builds a new story around Dory’s memory, her family and the people who helped her find a place in the world.

Dory has settled into life on the reef with Marlin and Nemo when she begins to remember that she has parents somewhere. The memories are fragmentary, but she sets out for the California coast to find them. Marlin and Nemo go with her, and the journey takes the trio to the Marine Life Institute, where Dory must navigate an unfamiliar environment and reconnect with her past.

Ellen DeGeneres gives Dory the same quick, sunny energy as in the first film, but the sequel gives that personality more emotional context. Finding her parents is not simply a puzzle to solve; it asks whether Dory’s memory challenges make her less capable of love or belonging. Pixar’s official Finding Dory page (https://www.pixar.com/finding-dory) highlights that search for family and self-acceptance. Ed O’Neill’s Hank and Kaitlin Olson’s Destiny bring new comic and emotional texture to the cast.

At number one, it is the clearest recommendation because it continues the world, humour and underwater adventure of Finding Nemo while giving Dory a story of her own. It is heartfelt without losing its jokes, visually rich without overwhelming the characters, and a satisfying next watch for the whole family.

Where to watch: The UK listing currently shows Disney+. Check JustWatch (https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/finding-dory) for availability.

You May Also Love

• 12 Best Summer Movies to Watch This Year (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/12-best-summer-movies-to-watch-this-year)

• The 10 Best Animated Films of the 1990s (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/the-10-best-animated-films-of-the-1990s)

• Animated Classics: Journey Through Disney’s Timeless Films (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/from-snow-white-to-the-little-mermaid-a-journey-through-animated-classics-that-shaped-generations)

• 8 Best Family Movies of 2026 (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/8-best-family-movies-of-2026)

• 13 Family-Friendly Netflix Picks for Fall (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/post/13-family-friendly-netflix-picks-for-fall)

Conclusion

The movies that work best after Finding Nemo understand that an adventure matters more when a character has someone to find, protect or understand. Ponyo and The Sea Beast bring the ocean to life in very different ways; The Croods and The Good Dinosaur turn family bonds into journeys; and Luca captures the thrill of a friendship that opens up a new world.

For another trip with familiar Pixar characters, choose Finding Dory. For something gentler and dreamier, try Ponyo. And if you want a fresh ocean adventure with a memorable soundtrack, Moana is a terrific choice. Finding Dory earns the top spot because it returns to the reef without simply repeating the first film: it deepens Dory’s story and gives friendship and family a new shape.

Which film would you put first? Share your own favourite movie to watch after Finding Nemo—or tell us what you would add to the list.

Support That Love Podcast

If you enjoyed this article and want to support more independent entertainment coverage and original audio storytelling:

Donate to That Love Podcast (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/donate)

And if you're looking for something new to listen to:

Listen to That Love Podcast (https://www.thatlovepodcast.com/episodes)

FAQs

1. What is the best movie to watch if you love Finding Nemo?

Finding Dory is the closest follow-up because it returns to the same characters and setting while giving Dory her own emotional journey. If you would rather start a new story, try Luca for Pixar sea creatures and friendship, or Moana for a musical ocean adventure.

2. What movies are similar to Finding Nemo?

Finding Dory, Luca, Ponyo and The Sea Beast all feature the ocean and its creatures. For a similar family story about a young character separated from home, The Good Dinosaur is a strong alternative, even though it takes place on land.

3. Is Finding Dory worth watching after Finding Nemo?

Yes. Finding Dory continues the characters’ stories while shifting the focus to Dory’s search for her parents. It keeps the original’s humour and colourful underwater world, but explores memory, self-acceptance and the ways friends can become family.

4. Which movie on this list has the best ocean setting?

Ponyo has a wonderfully expressive, dreamlike sea, while The Sea Beast gives the ocean a vast, adventurous scale. Moana is another excellent option if you want tropical waters, islands and a musical story.

5. Is Luca about sea creatures?

Yes. Luca and his friend Alberto are sea monsters who can appear human when they leave the water. The film uses that premise for a warm coming-of-age story about friendship, acceptance and the excitement of exploring a new place.

6. What is the funniest movie to watch after Finding Nemo?

Rio and The Croods are the most energetic comedy picks. Rio has lively animal characters and music, while The Croods leans into big physical gags and family bickering. Finding Dory is the closest in humour to the original.

7. Which of these animated movies is best for young children?

Ponyo is a gentle choice, while Finding Dory and Luca are family-friendly Pixar films with plenty of humour. Some movies, including The Sea Beast and The Good Dinosaur, feature tense scenes, so check the age rating and consider what your child is comfortable watching.

8. Are these movies available on Disney+ in the UK?

Several are currently listed on Disney+, including Finding Dory, Luca, Moana, The Good Dinosaur, Rio and The Croods. Other titles are listed on Netflix, NOW TV or other services. Availability changes, so use the linked JustWatch pages to confirm before watching.

9. What should I watch if I like Pixar’s underwater animation?

Try Finding Dory for another Pixar trip under the sea, or Luca for a story about sea monsters living near the Italian coast. Ponyo is a great alternative if you want hand-drawn animation and a more magical view of the ocean.

10. What should I watch after Finding Nemo for a family movie night?

Choose Finding Dory if you want to stay with the same characters, Moana for a musical adventure, or The Croods for a comedy about a family on the move. For a quieter, more imaginative option, Ponyo is a lovely pick.

For official film information, see Pixar’s feature film guide (https://www.pixar.com/feature-films) and its pages for Finding Nemo (https://www.pixar.com/finding-nemo) and Finding Dory (https://www.pixar.com/finding-dory).

If you're on the hunt for your next favorite TV show or movie, these websites are useful places to continue your search:

ScreenRant (https://screenrant.com/) – News, reviews and features on movies, television and entertainment trends.

CBR (https://www.cbr.com/) – Coverage of comics, movies, television and pop culture.

Collider (https://collider.com/) – Film and TV news, trailers, interviews and reviews.

IMDb (https://www.imdb.com/) – Cast information, credits, trivia and audience reviews.

Rotten Tomatoes (https://www.rottentomatoes.com/) – Critic reviews, audience scores and film information.

Metacritic (https://www.metacritic.com/) – Reviews and scores for film, television and games.

TV Guide (https://www.tvguide.com/) – Streaming guides, television news and recommendations.

Entertainment Weekly (https://ew.com/) – Entertainment news, features, interviews and reviews.

Deadline (https://deadline.com/) – Film and television industry news.

The Hollywood Reporter (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/) – News and analysis from the entertainment industry.

Explore these platforms for more reviews, recommendations and stories about animation.

Newsletter

Enjoyed what you read?

Subscribe to That Love Podcast’s newsletter for the latest blogs, entertainment recommendations, updates and exclusive giveaways.

And if you know someone who loves movies, television, books or pop culture, share the article with them too.

Let’s spread the love together!

SEO Metadata

12 Alternative Article Titles

1. 10 Best Movies to Watch If You Love Finding Nemo

2. Movies Like Finding Nemo: 10 Animated Adventures to Watch Next

3. What to Watch After Finding Nemo: 10 Family Movies

4. 10 Ocean Movies for Fans of Finding Nemo

5. The Best Animated Movies Like Finding Nemo, Ranked

6. 10 Family-Friendly Movies About Sea Creatures and Adventure

7. From Finding Dory to Ponyo: 10 Movies for Finding Nemo Fans

8. 10 Heartwarming Animated Movies About Family and Friendship

9. 10 Ocean Adventures to Watch with the Whole Family

10. What to Watch If You Love Pixar’s Finding Nemo

11. 10 Must-Watch Animated Movies for Ocean Lovers

12. 10 Movies That Capture the Magic of Finding Nemo

More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows

If you're on the hunt for your next favorite TV show or movie, there's no shortage of resources to help you discover something worth watching. Whether you're looking for a new release, an underrated gem, or a timeless classic, these websites are useful places to continue your search:

1. ScreenRant – Your go-to source for the latest news, reviews, and insights on movies, TV shows, and entertainment trends.

2. CBR (Comic Book Resources) – A top destination for comic, movie, and TV news, with engaging updates for pop-culture fans.

3. Collider – Find movie news, trailers, and reviews covering the latest Hollywood releases.

4. IMDb – Explore cast details, trivia, ratings, and reviews for films and television.

5. Rotten Tomatoes – Browse movie and TV reviews, critic scores, audience ratings, and recommendations.

6. MovieWeb – Keep up with movie news, trailers, and reviews.

7. Slash Film – Read film and television news, reviews, features, and in-depth entertainment coverage.

8. Comic Book Movie – Follow comic-book, superhero movie, and related television news.