The Little Mermaid

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1:58

The Little Mermaid

G,

1989,

1h 22m,

Kids & Family/

Fantasy/

Animation

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92%

127 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

250,000+ Ratings

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.

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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.

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Caroline Siede

Girl Culture (Substack)

Dec 1, 2025

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.

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Eleanor Ringel Cater

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dec 13, 2024

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.

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Dolores Barclay

Associated Press

Dec 13, 2024

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.

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Scott Hettrick

Kansas City Star

Sep 23, 2025

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

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Mat Brunet

AniMat's Review (YouTube)

Apr 4, 2025

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.

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Hal Lipper

Tampa Bay Times

Dec 13, 2024

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.

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Apr 4, 2019

The film is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Disney classics ever made. Among the most beautiful things in the film are the fairytale and dreamy settings, the finely crafted drawings of both the characters and the backgrounds, the crazy animations, the simple story but with an always-green morality about realizing one's dreams and of course the music more than beautiful. The protagonist is captivating and gracious, the antagonist as funny as it is intimidating and the rest of the characters are well written and play a decent role in the plot.

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Mar 8, 2019

A Movie about a spoiled brat who does not listen to her parents.

Leia S

Mar 8, 2019

I mean what is there really to say? One could argue this is the perfect film. Every song is a show stopper, the story is truly timeless and the animation brilliant. This film began the Disney renaissance and currently occupies the Number One spot on my Greatest animated films list and I suspect shall remain there forever for this is the film that defined my childhood.

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Kylo R

Mar 8, 2019

Its Disney at the height of their animated movies. The story and lyrics are quickly memorized and you will find yourself singing along to the songs for years to come.

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Ron S

Mar 4, 2019

A movie that revolutionized Disney Animation, for if this movie hadn't succeeded, we probably wouldn't have seen all the classics that came after it. Though the story is pretty basic, the character of Ariel is the most lovely of all the Disney princesses.

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Anakin W

Feb 10, 2019

My favorite movie as a child! ð'

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Ron Clements

Director

John Musker

Director

Jodi Benson

Ariel

Pat Carroll

Ursula

Christopher Daniel Barnes

Eric

Rene Auberjonois

Louis

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The Little Mermaid: Trailer 1

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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

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