But the real star? The animations. Every time you let the menu idle for a few seconds, a short vignette plays. And these aren’t just random clips from the movie. They’re original, menu-exclusive animations.
It’s absurd. It’s unnecessary. It’s perfect. In the era of streaming, menus have become afterthoughts. Netflix auto-plays a trailer after five seconds. Disney+ drops you straight into the film with a “Skip Intro” button hovering like a productivity tool. finding dory dvd menu
You might just remember that the magic of Pixar doesn’t start with “Once upon a time.” Sometimes, it starts with But the real star
In 2016, Pixar released Finding Dory , the long-awaited sequel to Finding Nemo . And while the film itself was a heartwarming hit, I’d argue that its deserves a second look in the hall of fame of great interactive experiences. Welcome to the Marine Life Institute (From Your Couch) The moment the disc loads, you’re underwater. Not in the open, terrifying ocean, but in the cheerful, slightly chaotic main hall of the Marine Life Institute (MLI). The menu isn’t just a static image with text. It’s alive . And these aren’t just random clips from the movie
It feels less like navigating a menu and more like exploring a tide pool. This is the detail that proves Pixar’s DVD team cared.
But the Finding Dory DVD menu was a reminder that movies could be places —not just files. It turned the simple act of choosing a scene or turning on subtitles into playtime. It respected a kid’s curiosity and an adult’s nostalgia.
Another gem shows baby Dory (from the film’s flashbacks) chasing her own reflection in a glass tunnel, completely oblivious that it’s just her.