Mermaids

PG-13

1990

1 hr. 50 min.

Comedy

Drama

List

72%

25 Reviews

Tomatometer

70%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Flax (Winona Ryder) is tired of her wacky mom (Cher) moving their family to a different town any time she feels it is necessary. When they move to a small Massachusetts town and Mrs. Flax begins dating a shopkeeper (Bob Hoskins), Charlotte and her 9-year-old sister, Kate (Christina Ricci), hope that they can finally settle down. But when Charlotte's attraction to an older man gets in the way, the family must learn to accept each other for who they truly are.

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Jeff M

I remember thinking that this comedy/drama was quite underrated when it first was released, so I was pleasantly surprised to find on a revisit that it not only holds up but is even stronger than I remember. Does anyone born after 1995 even remember that Cher was at one time a really fantastic actress? Rachel Flax isn't necessarily one of her most memorable characters, but she excels nicely here, although Ryder pretty much owns this movie from first moment to last. Although there are lots of laughs to be hard, the film gets rather serious toward the end, with a beautiful scene between mother and daughter that seems very authentic. The film treads close to a sitcom-y feel from time to time, but this is a great example of its genre, full of appealing performances across the board.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Jessica L

I like Cher, and Winona Ryder, and Bob Hoskins. It was a good movie that I have seen a couple of times all the way through. I had some laughs and some tears.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/24/23

Full Review

StephenPaul C

LOL, the funniest 01 hour: and 50 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/14/23

Full Review

Matt J

A joy to watch - Cher and Winona Ryder have perfect chemistry.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

10/15/22

Full Review

anthony b

Winona Ryder gives not only the greatest performance of her career but one of the greatest performances in cinematic history. Mermaids is wonderful if you are looking for a lighthearted and funny slice of nostalgia and the entire cast is a joy to watch, but Winona's acting in the film is important.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This movie is definitely a little strange and weird and kinda cooky, but in the very best ways. It's also charming, funny and touching. I didn't think I would like it much because I don't care for movies made in the 80's/90's, but I was pleasantly surprised and I think it's because this story in it's own way is kind of a timeless one. Cher looks amazing in this movie! I didn't grow up with Cher and I never realized before this movie how drop dead gorgeous she was in her younger days. I mainly watched this movie because I saw that Christina Ricci was in it and I had never seen anything with Christina Ricci as a young child before and I was curious. While Christina Ricci is definitely charming and adorable in this movie, it's Cher and Wynonna Ryder that really steal the show. I'm so happy that I gave this movie a shot. I would definitely recommend this movie to others. I thought it was great and I will for sure be watching it again soon.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

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Richard Benjamin

Director

Cher

Mrs. Flax

Winona Ryder

Charlotte Flax

Bob Hoskins

Lou Landsky

Michael Schoeffling

Joe

Christina Ricci

Kate Flax

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Mermaids: Official Clip - Charlotte and Joe Kiss

1:36

Mermaids: Official Clip - You Drive Like Old People

0:45

Mermaids: Official Clip - Can't We Just Stay?

3:55

Mermaids: Official Clip - Running Away

2:26

Mermaids: Official Clip - Shoe Shopping

1:15

Mermaids: Official Clip - He's Late

1:45

Mermaids: Official Clip - You Kissed Him!

1:48

Mermaids: Official Clip - Pregnancy Scare

1:34

Mermaids: Official Clip - Bus Ride Home

2:27

Mermaids: Official Clip - Charlotte Babbles

1:24

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Variety Staff

Variety

The delightful Ryder, billing notwithstanding, is really the star.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

Self-conscious, eccentric...

Jun 24, 2006

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Miss Ryder is so good, in fact, that "Mermaids" might have dared to be a tougher, more satisfying movie than the stylish sitcom it is.

Rated: 3/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... a sweet if familiar tale, part eccentric family comedy and part coming of age romance.... It’s not always convincing but it is warmly directed by Richard Benjamin and set to a soundtrack of pop songs of the early 1960s.

Jun 11, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Mermaids is not offensively bad. It would need energy for that. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 3, 2022

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Every character is personable and amusingly written, with a persevering wittiness present even during sadder moments.

Rated: 7/10

Sep 14, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Flax (Winona Ryder) is tired of her wacky mom (Cher) moving their family to a different town any time she feels it is necessary. When they move to a small Massachusetts town and Mrs. Flax begins dating a shopkeeper (Bob Hoskins), Charlotte and her 9-year-old sister, Kate (Christina Ricci), hope that they can finally settle down. But when Charlotte's attraction to an older man gets in the way, the family must learn to accept each other for who they truly are.

Director: Richard Benjamin
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.9M
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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