Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- playful
- earnest
- comforting
- family movie night
- children's viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the animation impressive for a direct-to-video Disney production, but considered the story routine, the new villain weak, and the music forgettable.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ariel discovers an underground music club and works to restore music after it is prohibited throughout Atlantica.
The plot unfolds in Atlantica, an underwater kingdom populated by merfolk and centered on its royal family.
The film presents Ariel before the events of The Little Mermaid, focusing on her early discovery of music and her relationship with her family.
The direct-to-video production was specifically praised for impressive animation comparable to the original film.
Films like The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, and why
The Little Mermaid
Both are animated family fantasy adventures centered on young heroines, musical storytelling, and restoring harmony in a colorful magical world.
The Princess and the Frog
Both are Disney animated family films featuring princess protagonists, songs, comic side characters, and a conflict against an imposing authority figure.
Mulan
Both are animated family musicals about a young female protagonist challenging restrictive traditions and pursuing a more expressive life.
Movie Details
- Director
- Peggy Holmes
- Release Date
- 2008-08-25
- Runtime
- 77 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (1094)
Cast
- Jodi Benson
- Samuel E. Wright
- Jim Cummings
- Sally Field
- Tara Strong
- Jennifer Hale
- Grey DeLisle
- Kari Wahlgren
- Parker Goris
- Jeff Bennett
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- 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: Ariel's Beginning about?
- Young mermaid princess Ariel risks defying Atlantica’s music ban to reunite her underwater kingdom with the songs it has lost.
- What is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning.
- What did critics think of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
- Critics generally found the animation impressive for a direct-to-video Disney production, but considered the story routine, the new villain weak, and the music forgettable.
- Which films are like The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
- Films with a similar feel include The Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Frog, and Mulan.
- How long is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
- The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning runs 77 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
- In United States, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning streams on Disney Plus.
