Top 12 Stories of 2003:

#2: Finding Nemo becomes the top grossing movie of the year.

Finding Nemo was released two weeks after The Matrix Reloaded. While Reloaded was a major disappointment, Nemo was an extremely pleasant surprise. The film boasted significantly less star power in its voice talent than previous Pixar films, but this was hardly a problem. Indeed, Ellen DeGeneres stole the show, and her performance as Dory was just as talked-about as Johnny Depp's turn in Pirates of the Caribbean. The film began breaking records from the day of its release on May 30th. First, it set the record for best opening day ever by an animated picture. The next day, it set the animated movie record for highest single day of all time. Unsurprisingly, its opening weekend gross of $71 million was the best ever for an animated film. By early July, Nemo had usurped Matrix Reloaded as the highest grosser of the year, and word of the movie's chances of besting the take of The Lion King (previously the highest-grossing animated film of all time) began to spread. By the end of the month, the feat had been accomplished.

November marked another huge disappointment for The Matrix franchise and wild success for Nemo. While Revolutions was stumbling along to poor BO returns and even worse reviews, Finding Nemo was once again setting a bevy of records, this time on the DVD and video sales charts. First, the film beat Spider-Man's record by selling eight million DVDs and videotapes in its first day. In its first week, Nemo earned an additional $135 million through approximately 17 million DVD and VHS sales, easily an all-time best. Within two weeks, the tally was up to $360 million, topping even its total domestic box office gross. Furthermore, it had sold 15 million DVDs alone, which was - you guessed it - yet another record. Combining domestic and foreign box office gross with DVD and video sales, Finding Nemo, has already made over $1 billion for Disney and Pixar, a number which doesn't even take into account toy sales, fast-food promotions, and the film's multitude of other potential money-making opportunities.

Combine the breathtaking success of Finding Nemo with Pixar's unparalleled track record (each of the studio's first five releases is in the top 100 for all-time box office earnings, with three in the top 30) and it's no surprise that Pixar would be looking to renegotiate its deal with Disney. Currently, in exchange for distributing Pixar's films, Disney splits profits 50-50 with the computer animation company. However, the deal runs out after Pixar's next two pictures, and as Nemo's success grew and grew, word spread that Pixar would be looking for a deal akin to Lucasfilm's arrangement with Fox, where the distribution fee is a much smaller percentage of profit. Only time will tell whether Disney and Pixar can put aside their difference to continue their über-profitable relationship, or whether another studio will seize the opportunity to court red-hot Pixar away from its current home. (Zach Kolkin/BOP)

The Top 12 Stories of 2003: