The Little Mermaid

Play trailer

1:58

The Little Mermaid

G

1989

1h 22m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

127 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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Caroline Siede

Girl Culture (Substack)

2d

Over the past three and a half decades Disney has continued to iterate on what its princesses long for and how they go about getting it. But Ariel laid the groundwork they’re all still following today.

Go to Full Review

Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dec 13

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.

Go to Full Review

Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Dec 13

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.

Go to Full Review

Scott Hettrick

Kansas City Star

Sep 23

Filled with every charming element you could hope for in a family film.

Go to Full Review

Mat Brunet

AniMat's Review (YouTube)

Apr 4

9/10

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.

Go to Full Review

Hal Lipper

Tampa Bay Times

Dec 13

4/5

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.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Zema K

Oct 13

Disney’s underwater classic revived the magic of animation with Ariel’s heartfelt longing, Ursula’s iconic villainy, and a soundtrack that still makes waves. “Part of Your World” became an anthem, and the film launched the Disney Renaissance with dazzling visuals and emotional depth. It’s a tale of love, sacrifice, and seafoam dreams.

See more

John K

Sep 18

Everything about the movie was excellent! From the amazing animation to the brilliant musical numbers, its no question why this is an instant classic.

See more

Tauhid E

Sep 13

the prince eric fighting off a literal a sea monster by steering a ruined ship was really badass. he wnet swimming down to save her, which was the sea witch's domain.

See more

Juju S

Aug 22

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.

See more

Nick E

@nicksmovies93 Jul 2

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

See more

Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 14

Funny in 01 hour, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Based on the Danish fairy tale of the same name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The worldwide gross is $211,343,479.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dubbed and subtitled in worldwide studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Filmed on November 17th, 1989, in color!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Celebrating 40 years in 2029!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Copyright 1989-2025 by Walt Disney Animation Studios!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Featuring a soundtrack sung by cast and chorus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Ron Clements

Director

John Musker

Director

Jodi Benson

Ariel

Pat Carroll

Ursula

Christopher Daniel Barnes

Eric

Rene Auberjonois

Louis

Beauty and the Beast

95%

94%

Beauty and the Beast

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Beauty and the Beast

All Dogs Go to Heaven

46%

63%

All Dogs Go to Heaven

Watchlist

A Troll in Central Park

14%

47%

A Troll in Central Park

Watchlist

Thumbelina

36%

67%

Thumbelina

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Thumbelina

An American Tail

76%

71%

An American Tail

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Know Your Critic: Carolyn Hinds, Freelance Film Critic, Journalist, and Podcaster

Know Your Critic: Inkoo Kang, TV Critic at The Washington Post

Know Your Critic: Carlos Aguilar, Freelance Film Writer

The Little Mermaid: Trailer 1

1:58

View more videos

View more photos

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

Most Popular at Home Now