Finding Dory is the sequel to one of Pixar's biggest hits, and if this is any indication, the sequel could end up even bigger than the original. Box office trackers have been saying that Finding Dory looks like it may set records when it opens this weekend. Now, it looks like that has become all the more likely, as Fandango reports that many of those tickets have already been purchased. According to them, the pre-sale rate for Dory is, as of now, higher than the current animated record holder, Dreamworks Minions.
Fandango hasn't released any specific numbers, so we can't gauge how much of Finding Dory's opening weekend business has actually already been done, but it's clear that demand for this movie is high. In addition to keeping a sales pace that would set a record for an animated film, Dory is also leading all current movies in pre-sales going into this weekend. Interest in Finding Dory literally couldn't be much higher, as the film currently has a score of 98 out of 100 on Fandango's Fanticipation meter.
This news comes on the heels of analyst expectations that Finding Dory is on track to bring in $120 million in its opening weekend. This would set an opening weekend record for Pixar, $10 million ahead of what another high profile Pixar sequel, Toy Story 3, was able to do. It would also put Dory in contention for the highest animated feature opening of all time, a record currently held by Shrek the Third at $121 million.
For what it's worth, critics seems to agree with fans that this movie is worth seeing. While most critics don't think it quite reaches the level of its predecessor, Finding Dory currently sits at 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Considering that Finding Nemo is at 99%, the sequel had quite a bit to live up to, and even if it didn't quite get there, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable film.
Finding Dory follows Ellen Degeneres' sidekick character from the first film, who goes in search of her parents after finally beginning to remember that they exist. In addition to the return of several characters from Finding Nemo, like Nemo and his father Marlin, the movie also introduces a fantastic collection of new characters including the "septapus" Hank, voiced by Ed O'Neill, and the beluga whale Bailey, voiced by Ty Burrell.
Have you already purchased your tickets to see Finding Dory early preview screening begin in most theaters tonight and the film officially opens Friday.
