The Little Mermaid

Disney's The Little Mermaid is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation based on the 1989 Disney film of the same name. It features the adventures of Ariel as a mermaid prior to the events of the film. This series is the first Disney television series to be spun off from a major animated film. Some of the voice actors of the film reprise their roles in the series, among them Jodi Benson as Ariel, Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian, Kenneth Mars as King Triton, and Pat Carroll as Ursula.

The Little Mermaid (1992-1994) is an American animated family fantasy series created for CBS, produced by Walt Disney Television Animation as the first Disney television series spun off from a major animated film. Set in the undersea kingdom before the events of the 1989 film, it follows the curious mermaid Ariel, voiced by Jodi Benson, who longs to explore the world beyond the waves. Her father King Triton, voiced by Kenneth Mars, guards the boundary between sea and land, while her loyal crab advisor Sebastian, voiced by Samuel E. Wright, and her fish companion Flounder, voiced by Edan Gross, get caught up in her escapades. Each episode is a self-contained undersea adventure built around a small problem, a playful misunderstanding or a lesson about friendship and family loyalty, with the sea witch Ursula, voiced by Pat Carroll in the film, looming as a mischievous presence. The show spans three seasons and roughly thirty episodes of twenty-two minutes each. Its bright palette, gentle humor and musical-tinged wonder make it a cozy, wholesome watch with a classic Disney feel. Fans of Gargoyles, Aladdin and Darkwing Duck will find similar comfort in its kid-friendly fantasy, colorful creatures and warm, lighthearted tone.

Audiences rated the series mixed, with ratings slipping across its three seasons, and it is valued mainly as a family-friendly prequel to the 1989 film.

• Gargoyles (1994)family animated fantasy, undersea adventure, musical-adjacent kid-friendly tone
• Darkwing Duckanimated fairy-tale spinoff of a major film, kid-friendly fantasy adventure
• AladdinDisney animated kids fantasy adventure with magical creatures and friendship themes

Release Date

1992-09-12

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

6.8 / 10 (733)

What is The Little Mermaid about?

Before the events of the 1989 film, a young mermaid princess Ariel explores the undersea kingdom and the surface world with her friends.

What is The Little Mermaid like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Little Mermaid as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is The Little Mermaid violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Little Mermaid.

What did critics think of The Little Mermaid?

Audiences rated the series mixed, with ratings slipping across its three seasons, and it is valued mainly as a family-friendly prequel to the 1989 film.

Which shows are like The Little Mermaid?

Shows with a similar feel include Gargoyles (1994), Darkwing Duck, and Aladdin.

How long is The Little Mermaid?

The Little Mermaid: 3 seasons, 31 episodes.

Is The Little Mermaid still running?

No, The Little Mermaid has ended.

Where can I watch The Little Mermaid?

In United States, The Little Mermaid streams on Disney Plus, fuboTV, Amebatv Amazon Channel.