Overview
A young mermaid's quest for love leads to a dangerous bargain beneath the waves.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- joyful
- adventurous
- family movie night
- children's movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a charming and inventive animated musical that launched a new golden era for Disney animation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ariel defies King Triton's restrictions and pursues life on the surface despite the dangers.
Songs such as Ariel's longing song and Ursula's bargain number advance the plot and reveal character motives.
The film builds its identity around hand-drawn underwater kingdoms, mermaid movement, sea creatures, and oceanic magic.
Triton's attempts to protect Ariel directly oppose her fascination with the surface and her wish to choose her own future.
Films like The Little Mermaid, and why
Beauty and the Beast
hand-drawn musical fantasy, fairy-tale romance, rebellious young heroine, and memorable comic sidekicks
Aladdin
classic Disney animation, musical storytelling, family-friendly fantasy, and a young protagonist pursuing independence
Tangled
cinematic fairy tale, romantic adventure, colorful animation, and conflict between personal desire and family expectations
Finding Nemo
underwater fantasy world, family-centered emotional stakes, and playful animated adventure
Movie Details
- Directors
- Ron Clements, John Musker
- Release Date
- 1989-11-17
- Runtime
- 83 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (8582)
Cast
- Jodi Benson
- Samuel E. Wright
- Pat Carroll
- Christopher Daniel Barnes
- Kenneth Mars
- Buddy Hackett
- Jason Marin
- René Auberjonois
- Paddi Edwards
- Ben Wright
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Little Mermaid about?
- A headstrong mermaid bargains away her voice for a chance at human life and romance, triggering a colorful struggle between youthful freedom, parental protection, and sea-witch deception.
- What is The Little Mermaid like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Little Mermaid as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Little Mermaid violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Little Mermaid as mild.
- What did critics think of The Little Mermaid?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a charming and inventive animated musical that launched a new golden era for Disney animation.
- Which films are like The Little Mermaid?
- Films with a similar feel include Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Tangled, and Finding Nemo.
- How long is The Little Mermaid?
- The Little Mermaid runs 83 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Little Mermaid?
- In United States, The Little Mermaid streams on Disney Plus.
