The Little Mermaid

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1:58

The Little Mermaid

G

Released Nov 17, 1989

1h 22m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

126 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In Disney's beguiling animated romp, rebellious 16-year-old mermaid Ariel (Jodi Benson) is fascinated with life on land. On one of her visits to the surface, which are forbidden by her controlling father, King Triton, she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula (Pat Carroll) to become human for three days. But when plans go awry for the star-crossed lovers, the king must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.

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Critics Consensus

The Little Mermaid ushered in a new golden era for Disney animation with warm and charming hand-drawn characters and catchy musical sequences.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

This wondrous feature-length cartoon has all the color and wit, the joyous fluidity and buoyant self-confidence of the Disney Golden Age of Animation. At times, it's so rhapsodically charming you find yourself laughing out loud in sheer delight.

Dec 13, 2024

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Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Every once in a while a movie so special, so lovely, so exciting, funny, charming, entertaining and heartwarming spins out from Hollywood's celluloid web. It's a moment to cherish, a moment to embrace. The Little Mermaid is worth embracing.

Dec 13, 2024

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Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

There is more art in The Little Mermaid than hangs on many art gallery's walls. There is certainly more fun in it than in any other film in town.

Dec 13, 2024

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Mat Brunet

AniMat's Review (YouTube)

There is a lot to say about what makes this film great, but it speaks for itself how this is the movie that started the Disney Renaissance.

Rated: 9/10

Apr 4, 2025

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Hal Lipper

Tampa Bay Times

Close your eyes and listen a moment. Something extraordinary is taking place... The Little Mermaid is a small step for animation, a giant leap for movie scoring.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 13, 2024

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Dennis King

Tulsa World

The Little Mermaid is a pure delight -- a joyful cruise to a fantasy land that the whole family can enjoy together.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 13, 2024

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Juju S

Pas un mauvais Disney, pas un excellent Disney, un Disney classique. L'histoire est assez gnangnan et je ne suis pas fan de l'univers ou des personnages, mais +0,5 pour Polochon.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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Nick E

A charming coming-of-age story guised in Disney's animated expertise.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 22 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Based on the Danish fairy tale of the same name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $109,900,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/04/25

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Shaun R

Late 80s and early 90s was arguably Disneys best period and this classic started it off.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/12/25

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Raymond C

A Disney classic that can't ever be ignored. Watch it. You won't be disappointed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/16/25

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Rami A

Disney's "The Little Mermaid" forever remains a timeless classic, as it returns to the original style of its previous animated films. Something that is missing in this modern era of mindless and pointless remakes and reboots. 36 years later, the animation is still so full and colorful and the songs so beguiling, especially, "Under The Sea."

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

Full Review

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Ron Clements

Director

John Musker

Director

Jodi Benson

Ariel

Pat Carroll

Ursula

Christopher Daniel Barnes

Eric

Rene Auberjonois

Louis

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The Little Mermaid: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In Disney's beguiling animated romp, rebellious 16-year-old mermaid Ariel (Jodi Benson) is fascinated with life on land. On one of her visits to the surface, which are forbidden by her controlling father, King Triton, she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula (Pat Carroll) to become human for three days. But when plans go awry for the star-crossed lovers, the king must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.

Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
Producer: Howard Ashman, John Musker
Screenwriter: Roger Allers, Ron Clements, John Musker
Distributor: Buena Vista Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 17, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $109.9M
Runtime: 1h 22m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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