The Little Mermaid

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.

93%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 70

88%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 900,258

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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 become human herself. The wistfully melancholy ending of the original Hans Christian Andersen story is dispensed with in favor of a joyously happy ending-but not before a spectacular climactic confrontation between Ursula and Triton. The obligatory Disney comic relief is handled by such freshly minted characters as Sebastian the Crab, who, courtesy of voiceover artist Samuel E. Wright, sings the film's Oscar-winning "Under the Sea." Other voices are provided by Broadway star Jodi Benson (as Ariel) and such Hollywood reliables as Buddy Hackett, Pat Carroll, Kenneth Mars, and Rene Auberjonois. The enormous box-office take of The Little Mermaid made possible such future Disney cartoon ventures as Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
  • Rating:
    G
  • Genre:
    Animation, Kids & Family, Musical & Performing Arts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance
  • Directed By:
    John Musker, Ron Clements
  • Written By:
    John Musker, Ron Clements
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Walt Disney Pictures

Cast

Jodi Benson
as Ariel
Samuel E. Wright
as Sebastian
Pat Carroll
as Ursula
Buddy Hackett
as Scuttle
Rene Auberjonois
as Louis
Christopher Daniel Barnes
as Eric
Paddi Edwards
as Flotsam & Jetsam
Jason Marin
as Flounder
Kenneth Mars
as King Triton
Edie McClurg
as Carlotta
Will Ryan
as Seahorse
Ben Wright
as Grimsby
Hamilton Camp
as UNKNOWN
Debbie Shapiro
as UNKNOWN
Robert Weil
as UNKNOWN
Ed Gilbert
as UNKNOWN
Charlie Adler
as UNKNOWN
Jack Angel
as UNKNOWN
Susan Boyd
as UNKNOWN
Steve Bulen
as UNKNOWN
Nancy Cartwright
as UNKNOWN
Philip Clarke
as UNKNOWN
Jennifer Darling
as UNKNOWN
Allan Davies
as UNKNOWN
Gail Farrell
as UNKNOWN
Donny Gerrard
as UNKNOWN
Mitch Gordon
as UNKNOWN
Willie Greene Jr.
as UNKNOWN
Linda Harmon
as UNKNOWN
Walter S. Harrah
as UNKNOWN
Phillip Ingram
as UNKNOWN
Luana Jackman
as UNKNOWN
William Kanady
as UNKNOWN
Edie Lehmann
as UNKNOWN
Anne Lockhart
as UNKNOWN
Sherry Lynn
as UNKNOWN
Melissa MacKay
as UNKNOWN
Guy Maeda
as UNKNOWN
Lynn Dolin Mann
as UNKNOWN
Arne B. Markussen
as UNKNOWN
Mickie T. McGowan
as UNKNOWN
Gene J. Merlino
as UNKNOWN
Lewis Morford
as UNKNOWN
Kathleen O'Connor
as UNKNOWN
Patrick Pinney
as UNKNOWN
Marilyn Powell
as UNKNOWN
Gloria G. Prosper
as UNKNOWN
Michael Redman Jr.
as UNKNOWN
Sally Stevens
as UNKNOWN
Robert Tebow
as UNKNOWN
Rob Trow
as UNKNOWN
Joe Turano
as UNKNOWN
Jackie Ward
as UNKNOWN
Bobbi White
as UNKNOWN
Robert S. Zwirn
as UNKNOWN
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Critic Reviews for The Little Mermaid

All Critics (70) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (65) | Rotten (5)

  • Audiences of all ages are bound to fall in love with this bubbly, thoroughly enchanting fish story.

    November 14, 2015 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Kathleen Carroll

    New York Daily News
    Top Critic

  • The Little Mermaid -- impudent, grandiose, a multilevel crowd-pleaser -- almost returns the Disney animated features to their glory traditions of the '30s and '40s.

    November 15, 2013 | Full Review…

    Michael Wilmington

    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic

  • It may not be a transcendent masterpiece of the Disney canon, but The Little Mermaid is still very heartening: It suggests the Disney magic isn`t lost after all.

    November 15, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Dave Kehr

    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic

  • The latest Disney offering looks back to the studio's unrivaled heritage. It has the look of classic animation. More important, it has the skill required to make it work.

    November 15, 2013 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

    Desmond Ryan

    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Top Critic

  • In adapting this animated film from Hans Christian Andersen's sad and beautiful fairy tale, writers/directors John Musker and Ron Clements came up with a bright and perky movie.

    November 15, 2013 | Full Review…

    Jay Boyar

    Orlando Sentinel
    Top Critic

  • 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…

    Richard Corliss

    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (70)

Audience Reviews for The Little Mermaid

  • Oct 02, 2013
    If there is an entertaining tale about a mermaid, Ron Clements and John Musker get it right in <i>The Little Mermaid</i>.<p>The plot details come and go at a solid pace. While sounding like a brief run time, 80 minutes turns out to be the perfect solution to this story that is fitting for adults and children alike.</p><p>The bright colors give the picture life and the musical numbers create a memorable soundtrack. It's safe to say that the visuals and music compliment the story without fail.</p><p>Sure, the lead character is a mermaid with an excellent voice, thanks to Jodi Benson, but it's the supporting cast of characters that get the job done. Sam E. Wright as Sebastian. That says it all.</p><p>Not much else to say except <i>The Little Mermaid</i> swims to the surface and explodes out of the water as a fantastic watch.</p>
    JY S Super Reviewer
  • Jul 24, 2012
    The Little Mermaid is an enchanting and magical animated classic from Disney. Based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, a young mermaid falls in love with a human and is given a chance to become one. The voice actors do a great job and the animation is outstanding. Additionally, the music and soundtrack are amazing, and includes such classic songs as "Part of Your World," "Kiss the Girl," and "Under the Sea." The Little Mermaid is the pinnacle of Disney animation, delivering a fun and delightfully film that can be enjoyed by all ages.
    Dann M Super Reviewer
  • Apr 28, 2012
    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.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Mar 04, 2012
    I hadn't seen this is in awhile, since I was really young, so I had pretty high expectations...I mean it's a treasured Disney classic. Needless to say, it did not disappoint. This is a fantastic film from beginning to end, and started a chain of awesome Disney films that brought the production company into the 1990s. The Little Mermaid is a thoroughly enjoyable film no matter what age you are.
    Stephen S Super Reviewer
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