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The Little Mermaid (1989)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 8/10
Reviews Counted: 52
Fresh: 47 | Rotten: 5

The Little Mermaid ushered in a new golden era for Disney animation with warm and charming hand-drawn characters and catchy musical sequences.

Average Rating: 7.3/10
Critic Reviews: 7
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 1

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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Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 818,706

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Movie Info

Disney's The Little Mermaid was the first in a series of blockbusters that restored the venerable firm's reputation as the world's premiere animated-feature factory. The title character is a precocious teenager named Ariel, the daughter of Triton, king of the Sea. Against her dad's wishes, Ariel journeys beyond her own world to the surface, where she falls in love with Prince Eric, a handsome human. Foolishly, the little mermaid enters into an agreement with evil sea witch Ursula in order to

G, 1 hr. 25 min.

Animation, Kids & Family, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: John Musker , Buddy Hackett

Written By: John Musker, Ron Clements

In Theaters: Nov 15, 1989 Wide

On DVD: Dec 7, 1999

Buena Vista Internationa

The Little Mermaid Trailer & Photos

Cast

Critic Reviews for The Little Mermaid

All Critics (52) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (54) | Rotten (5) | DVD (27)

You could wish upon a star and not conjure up a more joyous animated movie than this graceful retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen tale.

September 3, 2008 Full Review Source: TIME Magazine

| Comment

TIME Magazine

Top Critic

Within the apparently necessary aesthetic and ideological limitations (such as making the hero and heroine Americans surrounded by foreign servants a la Pinocchio), the animation manages to be fairly energetic.

September 3, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader

| Comment

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

A fantastic success.

June 10, 2008 Full Review Source: ReelViews

| Comment

James Berardinelli

ReelViews

Top Critic

May represent Disney's best animated feature since the underrated Sleeping Beauty in 1959.

May 20, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety

| Comment

Variety Staff

Variety

Top Critic

A marvel of skillful animation, witty songwriting and smart planning.

June 8, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times

| Comment

Janet Maslin

New York Times

Top Critic

Even at its highest points, it cannot claim a place next to even the least of the great Disney classics.

January 22, 2002 Full Review Source: Washington Post

| Comments (2)

Hal Hinson

Washington Post

Top Critic

A superbly entertaining animated musical.

December 28, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

The long-awaited proof that Disney animation could, in fact, return almost the quality and beauty of its Golden Age.

November 25, 2009 Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy

| Comment

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

The Little Mermaid finally receives proper homage as a significant cinematic achievement, in the process providing audiences with ample evidence that hand-drawn animation is as valuable as any of its contemporary CGI or even live-action compatriots.

December 23, 2008 Full Review Source: IGN Movies

| Comment

Todd Gilchrist

IGN Movies

This is unquestionably the best animated film in many years and is therefore highly recommended.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City

| Comment

Chris Hicks

Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Relying on a simple, recognized tale, great songs and marvellous animation, it turned its fortunes around.

September 3, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4

| Comment

Film4

Overall, it's an enjoyable film, thankfully free of the computerized look of later Disney cartoons, but it really can't compare to the real Disney classics.

September 2, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide

| Comment

TV Guide's Movie Guide

A coming of age fable for both Disney and the mermaid heroine

July 20, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Experience

| Comment

Nathaniel Rogers

Film Experience

Like all Disney two-disc versions of their animated films, this release is loaded with features both fun and informative.

March 2, 2007 Full Review Source: Calgary Movies

| Comment

Ryan Cracknell

Calgary Movies

The Little Mermaid was a mirage, not an oasis.

January 10, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central

| Comments (8)

Bill Chambers

Film Freak Central

Still a great entertainment and a welcome addition to any Disney library.

October 27, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid

| Comment

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

It's the movie that saved a genre and changed the way we think about animation for decades to come.

October 12, 2006 Full Review Source: CinemaBlend.com

| Comment

Joshua Tyler

CinemaBlend.com

The hand-drawn animation is terrific, and the soundtrack, which includes Part of Your World, Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl, is among Disney's best.

October 9, 2006 Full Review Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

| Comment

Forrest Hartman

Reno Gazette-Journal Source: Reno Gazette-Journal

Ariel didn't want to be part of your kids' world. That ***** wants to own your kids' world.

October 5, 2006 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine

| Comment

Eric Henderson

Slant Magazine

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Little Mermaid

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The Little Mermaid is a good animated film, but compared to many previous Disney features, this film isn't as memorable. Of course this is a good film that is a must watch for the entire family, however I think that it's pretty far from the first few Disney classics that put Disney on the map. Although very

April 28, 2012

Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

Flouder was always my favourite disney character in the mermaid movies! A sweet movie that every little girl especially will enjoy! It takes traditional romance to the next level very sweet and lovely disney movie!

September 9, 2007

Film Crazy

Super Reviewer

The Little Mermaid Quotes

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1. Ariel: [last lines] I love you, Daddy.
– Submitted by Alyssa B (6 months ago)

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