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The Little Mermaid 3D Play Trailer

The Little Mermaid 3D (1989)

tomatometer

90

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.

88

Average Rating: 7.3/10
Critic Reviews: 8
Fresh: 7 | 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.

audience

83

liked it
Average Rating: 3.6/5
User Ratings: 888,496

My Rating

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,

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

,

John Musker, Ron Clements

Dec 7, 1999

Walt Disney Pictures - Official Site External Icon

Cast

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The Little Mermaid 3D Trailer & Photos

Critic Reviews for The Little Mermaid 3D

All Critics (52) | Top Critics (8) | 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
TIME Magazine
Top Critic IconTop 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
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A fantastic success.

June 10, 2008 Full Review Source: ReelViews
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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

May 20, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This return to traditional Disney territory is geared to captivate children while allowing them to maintain their street cred, largely by combining extravagant animated technique with ranging musical styles.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out
Geoff Andrew
Time Out
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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

June 8, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Times
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Superb, entertaining animated musical has some scary stuff.

December 28, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ryan Cracknell
Calgary Movies

The Little Mermaid was a mirage, not an oasis.

January 10, 2007 Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | Comments (9)
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
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
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
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
Eric Henderson
Slant Magazine
View all critic reviews (52)

Audience Reviews for The Little Mermaid 3D

View All
Definitely not one of the better Disney-animated films out there, feeling a little dull at times, but the heart of the film is always in the right place, making it a very enjoyable film to watch. Ariel's character is very likeable as she is given a chance to have legs and fall in love with a prince. Sure, the idea is as old as the hills, but when it's done right, time never makes a difference. "The Little Marmaid" is a classic tale that will never get old, but it's not one of their efforts that will stay in my heart. It's fun and then it's over. There is not much to this one, but it's very likeable!
September 25, 2010
KJ Proulx
KJ Proulx

Super Reviewer

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 entertaining, The Little Mermaid does not belong among the greatest films in Disney's history. Despite this, the film is still worth watching and is lots of fun. I don't view it as an all time classic, but it does manage to bring back elements of some Disney classics. Compared to others in Disney's repertoire, The Little Mermaid is fairly average. Nonetheless if you're a fan of animated flicks, then watch this one. The film has a story everyone will enjoy no matter what age you are. A fun filled film with a good voice cast; this is a film that conveys old school ideas with a modern twist. If you love Disney's other films, and then give this one a view. The film may not be as great as the classics such as Snow White, but it still is entertaining and fun for the entire family. As a whole, The Little Mermaid is a good film, but like I said isn't the best film in Disney's catalogue. For me personally, I much prefer the older Disney classics. Despite this, I still recommend this film. Entertaining, and lots of fun for people of all ages. A very good animated film, just not in the same category as other Disney films. I still think that The Lion King is the best Disney flick that stands among the traditional Disney classics.
April 28, 2012
TheDudeLebowski65
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski

Super Reviewer

The Little Mermaid 3D Quotes

View All
    1. Triton: Well? I guess theres one problem left.
    2. Sebastian: And what's that, Your Majesty?
    3. Triton: How much I'm going to miss her.
    – Submitted by Berny G (50 days ago)
    1. Ursula: [singing] Come on, you poor unfortunate soul Go ahead! Make your choice! I'm a very busy woman And I haven't got all day It won't cost much Just your voice! You poor unfortunate soul.
    – Submitted by Emelyn W (3 months ago)
    1. Sebastian: Ariel? Ariel? Somebody's got to nail dat girl's fins to de floor!
    – Submitted by MarieBella C (7 months ago)
    1. Sebastian: What do they got a lot of sand? We got a hot crustacean band!
    – Submitted by Jenna L (8 months ago)
    1. Sebastian: Ariel what have you, how could you what is all this?
    2. Ariel: It's just my collection.
    3. Sebastian: Oh (laughs) I see your collection, hmm. IF YOUR FATHER KNEW ABOUT THIS PLACE HE'D...
    4. Flounder: (interrupts Sebastian) You're not going to tell him are you?
    5. Ariel: Oh please Sebastian he would never understand.
    6. Sebastian: Ariel, you're under a lot of pressure down here Come with me I'll take you home and et you something warm to drink.
    7. Ariel: What do you suppose? (swims out of grotto)
    8. Sebastian: Ariel? Ariel!
    – Submitted by Matthew C (10 months ago)
    1. Ariel: Daddy, they are not barbarians!
    – Submitted by Bernard O (10 months ago)

Discussion Forum

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There are no discussion threads for The Little Mermaid 3D yet.

Latest News on The Little Mermaid 3D

January 15, 2013:
Disney Cancels Plans for 3D Little Mermaid
It's because you didn't buy enough tickets to "Monsters, Inc. 3D."

May 23, 2011:
Competing Little Mermaids in the Works
Joe Wright's upcoming "Little Mermaid" project has company: "Country Strong" director Shana Feste is...

August 23, 2010:
Movies Kids Watch Over and Over (and Over) Again
Anyone who has children knows that the little ones enjoy watching the same movies again and again,...

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Foreign Titles

  • Arielle, die Meerjungfrau (DE)
  • The Little Mermaid (UK)
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