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The Little Mermaid

Play trailer 1:58 Poster for The Little Mermaid G Released Nov 17, 1989 1h 22m Kids & Family Fantasy Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Joe Baltake Sacramento Bee The songs are topping: They draw you in, and as you pay closer and closer attention to the story, the darker aspects of the fairy tale seem to take root in your imagination. Rated: 4/4 Dec 13, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Garrett B One of the best animated films of my childhood. Good songs and scores Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/16/24 Full Review Jay W "The Little Mermaid" is both a return to form for Disney Animation, and the groundbreaking trendsetter that began the Disney Renaissance. Throughout Walt Disney's life, the Disney company was known for their revolutionary animated movies. After his death, the decades that followed saw a noticeable drop in quality in their animated content. Both critically and financially Disney was not performing well. In the 80's, Disney's movies were continually out grossed by the competition at the box office. Don Bluth had successfully stolen Disney's thunder. "An American Tail" beat " Great Mouse Detective" and "Land Before Time" beat "Oliver and Company". Heck, even "The Care Bears Movie" did better than Disney's animated film that same year. Disney had to rise to the challenge or face elimination. Their answer..."The Little Mermaid". The movie was a huge hit, beating down Don Bluth's "All Dogs go to Heaven" and winning two Oscars. Disney was back on top, and this began a wave of success that saved the company's animation studio. But, enough of the historical context of the film, how is the movie itself? It is really good. The music is an absolute highlight. Most musicals may have one number that stands above the rest as being the big show stopping number. Mermaid had four. "Under the Sea", "Part of your World", "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and "Kiss the Girl" are all great musical sequences that deserve all the praise they receive. The animation is also top notch. The company finally gave the studio the attention they needed to make this film a classic. Ariel was meant to be a combination of an Anime Girl and a Disney Princess, and it totally works. This would be the last Disney animated film to be painted, after this they would switch to digital coloring. People may criticize the morals that the movie teaches. Ariel is a rebellious teenager that runs off with the first guy she sees. And Disney does alter the original fairy tale in such a way that it changes the moral of the story. But it is a fairy tale, I think people should not look to this for advice on how to handle their love life. A lot of my critiques may stem back to my experience watching this as a kid. Where most times nostalgia helps for these films, sometimes it works against it. I saw this film as the "girly movie", and I didn't like romances or songs, I wanted dinosaurs. A little childish, but I can still feel those gripes all these years later. It follows a lot of the classic romance tropes. And the character of Ariel does not really change or grow as a person through the story. But she is very likable, energetic and willing to do what it takes to get what she wants. She does lead to the change of other characters in the story. The ending also feels out of place compared to the rest of the movie, but as a kid, that was usually my favorite part. It may not be perfect, but it is a very important animated film. It's animation and music set the standard for what animated films were supposed to be. Take some time and make this movie part of your world. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 11/30/24 Full Review Gaby B I absolutely love this movie Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/24/24 Full Review Darío C Such a classic for kids. Timeless, unforgettable songs. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/18/24 Full Review TROY S This film is a great fuel for those who fantasise about breaking free. This is all due to Ariel who longs to see the world and feels trapped by her strict father. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/17/24 Full Review Kaito K One of those movies I Liked As A Litte kid But When I’m A teenager Not That much But It’s For Kids So It’s Not Terrible But It’s just ok in My opion Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/09/24 Full Review Read all reviews
The Little Mermaid

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Movie Info

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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