The Little Mermaid

G

Released Nov 15, 1989

1 hr. 22 min.

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

TRAILER

for The Little Mermaid: Trailer 1

List

91%

75 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Watch on Fandango at Home

Premiered Apr 30

Buy Now

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Disney+

Apple TV

Watch The Little Mermaid with a subscription on Disney+, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, Apple TV.

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

Alexis R

I adore this movie and its animated sequels. Ariel has and probably will always be my favorite licensed Disney Princess. No doubt in my mind about that.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/14/24

Full Review

Noe G

The little mermaid 1989 is also one of my favorite Disney movies I give this film a 10/10

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/06/24

Full Review

Evie

This movie has always been a child favorite of mine and still is till today

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/21/24

Full Review

Anime F

This movie is one of my favorite princess movies, and I still watch it to this day. I love the songs and music playing in the movie, especially "Part of Your World" and "Under the Sea" - my favorite song. I really enjoy this movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

Full Review

Alec B

Remains iconic for good reason. What people fail to recognize is that these earlier Disney movies have complexity but that just doesn't easily fit into the kinds of narratives that critics want now.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

Full Review

Trafalgar L

"The Little Mermaid" helped kick off the Disney Renaissance era. It's also innovative since it was Disney's final in-house project to utilize the traditional celluloid animation technique, introduced the Broadway style storytelling formula and it also saw the test of the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS) "The Little Mermaid" tells the story of Ariel, a beautiful young mermaid with an inquiring mind about the human world. However, her father King Triton forbids her from going up to the surface. One night when she rescues a human prince from a shipwreck she finds herself smitten with him. After her father finds out, Ariel sneaks off and meets Ursula, a half human half octopus commonly referred to as the Sea Witch. Ariel then strikes a bargain with Ursula, and exchanges her voice for a pair of human legs. Now she has only three days to try and woo the prince or she'll forever be a prisoner of the sea witch. Unbeknownst to Ariel, Ursula's devious plan involves the usurpation of her father and taking over the entire ocean. Now it's up to Ariel and Eric to foil Ursula's plan and save her kingdom. This movie is filled to the brim with breathtaking animation, showstopping songs and a star studded voice cast. Jodi Benson's portrayal of Ariel is iconic as is her song "Part of Your World." "The Little Mermaid" truly is the Disney Classic that Gave Voice to an Entire Generation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/24

Full Review

Read all reviews

Post a rating

Ron Clements

Director

John Musker

Director

Jodi Benson

Ariel

Pat Carroll

Ursula

Christopher Daniel Barnes

Eric

Rene Auberjonois

Louis

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

93%

92%

Beauty and the Beast

TRAILER

for Beauty and the Beast

44%

63%

All Dogs Go to Heaven

14%

47%

A Troll in Central Park

40%

66%

Thumbelina

TRAILER

for Thumbelina

77%

71%

An American Tail

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

Pauline Kael

New Yorker

This is a technologically sophisticated cartoon with just about all the simpering old Disney values in place.

Sep 12, 2023

Full Review

Kathleen Carroll

New York Daily News

Audiences of all ages are bound to fall in love with this bubbly, thoroughly enchanting fish story.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 14, 2015

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

The Little Mermaid -- impudent, grandiose, a multilevel crowd-pleaser -- almost returns the Disney animated features to their glory traditions of the '30s and '40s.

Nov 15, 2013

Full Review

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

It’s still as spirited and delightful as you’d remember, the film that kicked off the Disney renaissance with aplomb and deliriously catchy musical numbers.

May 27, 2023

Full Review

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Efficient and charming, this beautiful animated classic was responsible for breathing new life into the studio in the 80s.

Rated: 4/4

May 19, 2023

Full Review

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

The film carries all the style of modern Disney while holding on to the tired tropes of Disney's past, truly becoming a clear turning point in the studio and its ideology in how to write characters and stories.

Jan 14, 2023

Full Review

Read all reviews

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
Screenwriter: Roger Allers, Ron Clements, John Musker
Distributor: BV International Pictures [no], Buena Vista Distribution Co. Inc.
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 21, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $109.9M
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo, Magnetic Stereo 6 Track
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

Most Popular at Home Now