Finding Dory Swims Into A Record-Breaking Box Office Opening

It's been over a decade since the Disney/Pixar released Finding Nemo back in 2003, and fans are now rushing to theaters to see the film's long-awaited sequel, Finding Dory. With Thursday previews now finished, the film has officially broken box office records as it swims through an sea of earnings given the film's grossing of whopping $9.2 million.

Finding Dory's opening gross sets a new record for any opening night of an animated film. And, with animated films having made a resurgence since Finding Nemo's release, the competition was stiffer than ever for the new film. Finding Dory had to beat out titles like Minions ($6.2 million), Despicable Me 2 ($4+ million), Toy Story 3 ($4 million), and Inside Out ($3 million).

Box office experts had already predicted Finding Dory's success, and so far, their looks like they're words will ring true. According to an article by Deadline, forecasters were predicting that Disney would ultimately snag the top two film openings of the year because of Captain America: Civil War and Finding Dory. Captain America: Civil War currently ranks first on the list of highest grossing openings of year with $179 million.

Deadline also reported that Disney was sparing no expense in distributing their newest film as the project is set to air in a staggering, "4,305 theaters, 3,200 of [which] will be in 3D, along with 452 premium large format locales." With the rising price of theater tickets, all of these venues will net a huge cash haul for the studio as both new and old fans line up to see the film.

Finding Dory, which is directed by Andrew Stanton and Angus MacLane, follows the franchise's first film and focuses on Ellen DeGeneres' character, Dory. The movie centers on Dory as she goes on a search for her now-forgotten family while being accompanied by familiar friends, Marlin and Nemo. Plenty of new characters will also be found in the film as the project's different trailers promise Finding Dory's new setting at Monterey Marine Life Institute will introduce plenty of new fishy friends for audiences to love.