The Little Mermaid

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1:58

The Little Mermaid

G

1989

1h 22m

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Animation

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Tomatometer

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

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

12/13/2024

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

12/13/2024

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

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

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

12/13/2024

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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C T

@MoralesC Jan 18

Ehhh not my cup of tea.

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Zohaib A

@slayingfashion5 Jan 13

The Chef’s song and the scene with Sebastian is one for the history books

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Traci F

@Trace922 Dec 15

I love the music and I love the movie. When I was little I even had a game of it. This was my childhood also.

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Sarah S.

@Braxton188 Dec 4

Good pacing and music makes good movies? Who would’ve thought!

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Zema K

Oct 13

Disney’s underwater classic revived the magic of animation with Ariel’s heartfelt longing, Ursula’s iconic villainy, and a soundtrack that still makes waves. “Part of Your World” became an anthem, and the film launched the Disney Renaissance with dazzling visuals and emotional depth. It’s a tale of love, sacrifice, and seafoam dreams.

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John K

@WQCMI Sep 18

Everything about the movie was excellent! From the amazing animation to the brilliant musical numbers, its no question why this is an instant classic.

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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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