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A Full List of all of The Little Mermaid Movies

Dive into a sea of enchantment with me as we explore the mesmerizing world of The Little Mermaid! Ever since its debut in 1989, this Disney classic has been making waves in the hearts of viewers around the globe. With its captivating storyline, unforgettable characters, and iconic songs, The Little Mermaid has enchanted audiences and revolutionized animated storytelling.

Ariel's yearning for freedom, love, and self-expression resonates with us all, making her underwater odyssey a timeless tale that continues to inspire generation after generation.

But did you know that Ariel's adventures extend far beyond the original film? That's right, our favorite mermaid has inspired a treasure trove of cinematic gems, each adding a new layer to the rich tapestry of her story.

From sequels and prequels to live-action adaptations and spin-offs, an ocean of “The Little Mermaid” movies is waiting to be explored. Today, I am thrilled to share with you a comprehensive list of all these films, a veritable feast for all “The Little Mermaid” enthusiasts!

So, prepare to embark on an exciting journey as we dive deep into the cinematic universe of “The Little Mermaid.” Whether you're a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, get ready to rediscover the magic of Ariel's world in a whole new way. Let's make a splash together as we delve into every corner of Ariel's enchanting world!

How many versions of The Little Mermaid movie are there?

There are numerous versions of “The Little Mermaid” movie, inspired by the classic fairy tale. Disney has notably produced several adaptations, including the popular animated film “The Little Mermaid” (1989), followed by two sequels – “The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea” (2000) and “The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning” (2008). Additionally, Disney released a live-action remake in 2023, bringing their total to four films.
Beyond Disney, several other adaptations exist, ranging from full-length features to shorts, with at least 12 notable versions mentioned in various sources. These include earlier adaptations like “Hans Christian Andersen” (1952), “The Daydreamer” (1966), and “The Little Mermaid” (1975 and 1976), among others. Each version brings its unique twist to the timeless story, offering audiences diverse interpretations.
 

What is the oldest version of The Little Mermaid?

The enchanting tale of The Little Mermaid first swam into the world of literature in 1837, penned by the renowned Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. This original fairy tale, part of a Fairy Tales Told for Children collection, introduced us to an unnamed young mermaid yearning to exchange her sea life for a human soul. While the narrative took a darker tone than the familiar Disney adaptation, it laid the foundation for the captivating story we all know and love today.

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The oldest film adaptation seems to be the 1975 version titled Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, produced by TOEI Animation. This early cinematic interpretation brought the classic fairy tale to life, paving the way for future adaptations, including Disney's beloved 1989 film, and influencing how we perceive the enchanting undersea world of mermaids.

About The Little Mermaid Film Series

What are The Little Mermaid movies? 

The Little Mermaid
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jodi Benson (Actors)

The Little Mermaid

Ariel, the fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father's order to stay away from the world above the sea, she strikes a bargain with a devious sea witch to trade her beautiful voice for legs. But can she also win a prince's heart?

Little Mermaid II: Return to The Sea
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Tara Charendoff (Actors)

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea

Ariel and Eric must hide their precious daughter Melody's mermaid heritage to protect her from Ursula's revengeful sister, Morgana.

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Jim Cummings (Actors)

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning

King Triton’s fun-loving daughters and their friends bring music and magic back to Atlantica in The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning, a prequel to Disney’s The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid Live!

This special tribute to the original animated classic and its timeless music takes viewers on a magical adventure under the sea as live musical performances by a star-studded cast are interwoven into the broadcast of the original feature film.

This incredible hybrid format features beautifully intricate sets and costumes, with music from the original animated film.

 

The Little Mermaid Live-Action

The youngest of King Triton's daughters, Ariel is a beautiful and spirited young mermaid who thirsts for adventure. Longing to learn more about the world beyond the sea, Ariel visits the surface and falls for the dashing Prince Eric. Following her heart, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to experience life on land. It's showing in theaters on May 2023.

The Little Mermaid Characters

  • Ariel
  • Ursula
  • Flounder
  • Sebastian
  • Prince Eric
  • Scuttle
  • King Triton
  • Andrina
  • Aquata
  • Carlotta
  • Attina
  • Adella
  • Arista
  • Chef Louis
  • Alana
  • Flotsam
  • Sir Grimsby
  • Max
  • Jetsam

Which is the most popular version of The Little Mermaid?

The crown for the most popular version of “The Little Mermaid” undoubtedly goes to Disney's 1989 animated classic. With its vibrant animation, memorable characters, and catchy songs, this film truly made a splash in the world of cinema. It introduced us to Ariel, a young mermaid with a voice as enchanting as the sea itself and her exciting journey from under the sea to the world above.

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The film's enduring popularity is largely due to its iconic songs, such as “Part of Your World,” which continues to resonate with audiences even today. Interestingly, the recent 2023 live-action remake has also garnered attention, particularly for its fresh interpretations of the beloved songs. However, the 1989 film remains the fan-favorite, having captured hearts across generations and set the bar high for all subsequent adaptations.

According to Justwatch.com:

In what order should I watch The Little Mermaid movies?

The Little Mermaid Cast

Here is the list of The Little Mermaid cast:

  • Jodi Benson as Ariel
  • Pat Carroll as Ursula
  • Jason Marin as Flounder
  • Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian
  • Christopher Daniel Barnes as Prince Eric
  • Buddy Hackett as Scuttle
  • Kenneth Mars as King Triton
  • Caroline Vasicek as Aquata and Attina
  • Edie McClurg as Carlotta
  • Kimmy Robertson as Adella, Arista, Alana, and Andrina
  • René Auberjonois as Chef Louis
  • Paddi Edwards as Flotsam and Jetsam
  • Ben Wright as Sir Grimsby
  • Frank Welker as Max

The Little Mermaid Live-Action Cast

Here is the list of The Little Mermaid Live-Action Cast: 

  • Halle Bailey as Ariel 
  • Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
  • Jacob Tremblay as Flounder 
  • Daveed Diggs as Sebastian
  • Jonah Hauer as Prince Eric 
  • Awkwafina as Scuttle
  • Javier Bardem as King Triton
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda as Chef Louis
  • Jude Akuwudike as Joshua
  • Lorena Andrea as Perla
  • Art Malik as Grimsby
  • Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina
  • Emily Coates as Rosa
  • Kajsa Mohammar as Karina
  • Nathalie Sorrell as Caspia
  • Karolina Conchet as Mala
  • Simone Ashley as Indira
  • Jessica Alexander as Vanessa

The Little Mermaid release date

The Little Mermaid live-action is set to be released in theaters on May 26, 2023.

Is The Little Mermaid on Netflix?

The Little Mermaid is available on Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.

Is The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea on Netflix?

The Little Mermaid is available on Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.

Is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning on Netflix?

The Little Mermaid is available on Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.

Is The Little Mermaid Live Action on Netflix?

The Little Mermaid live-action is in theaters on May 26, 2023.

People also ask:

Is The Little Mermaid 2023 live-action?

Yes, “The Little Mermaid” 2023 is indeed a live-action film. Visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall directed this reimagining of Disney's beloved animated classic, featuring a screenplay by David Magee. Halle Bailey takes on the iconic role of Ariel, dazzling audiences with her performance. The film sticks relatively close to its 1989 predecessor while also introducing more intense live-action scenes. This new take on “The Little Mermaid” has been warmly received, ranking among Disney's most enjoyable live-action reimaginings.

Will The Little Mermaid 2023 be on Disney plus?

Yes, the 2023 live-action version of “The Little Mermaid” is indeed available on Disney+. The film was released on the streaming platform on September 6, 2023. This means that anyone with a subscription to Disney+ can now enjoy this reimagining of the classic fairy tale at their convenience. Despite some initial disappointment that it didn't come with an IMAX Enhanced edition, the film has been positively received and has even broken records on Disney+, ranking among the top ten films worldwide for 2023.

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Is Sebastian a crab or lobster?

Yes, the 2023 live-action version of “The Little Mermaid” is indeed available on Disney+. The film was released on the streaming platform on September 6, 2023. This means that anyone with a subscription to Disney+ can now enjoy this reimagining of the classic fairy tale at their convenience. Despite some initial disappointment that it didn't come with an IMAX Enhanced edition, the film has been positively received and has even broken records on Disney+, ranking among the top ten films worldwide for 2023.

Are Ursula and Triton siblings?

In the original Disney movie “The Little Mermaid” (1989), Ursula and Triton are not depicted as siblings. Ursula is portrayed as a sea witch, who King Triton banished for her wicked deeds. However, in an early draft of the film, there was an idea to make Ursula Triton's sister, which would have made her Ariel's aunt. This storyline was ultimately scrapped in the final version.

In the Broadway musical adaptation, however, Ursula and Triton are indeed written as siblings. In this version, they both were children of Poseidon, the former king of the sea. After their father's death, the kingdom was split between them, but Ursula's misuse of her half led Triton to banish her.

So, while Ursula and Triton are siblings in some adaptations of “The Little Mermaid,” they are not universally recognized as such across all versions.

Who is Ursula in The New Little Mermaid?

In the 2023 live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” Ursula is portrayed by actress Melissa McCarthy. Known for her roles in movies like “Bridesmaids” and “Spy,” McCarthy brings a unique spin to the character of Ursula, the sea witch. The actress learned new ways of moving to embody a creature who lives in the water, and her transformation into Ursula, complete with tentacles, was revealed in a sneak peek of the film.

Was The Little Mermaid 16?

Yes, in Disney's 1989 animated adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” Ariel is 16 years old. This is made clear when she argues with her father, King Triton, during the film. The age choice was slightly changed from the original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, where the Little Mermaid was 15, the age at which mermaids are allowed to swim to the surface and look at the world above.

Who is playing Little Mermaid in 2023?

In the 2023 live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” the character of Ariel (the Little Mermaid) is played by actress Halle Bailey. Known for her role in the TV show “Grownish” and as one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, Bailey was chosen for the role for her spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance, plus a glorious singing voice.

Is Ariel Black in The New Little Mermaid?

Yes, Ariel is portrayed by a Black actress, Halle Bailey, in the 2023 live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.” This casting decision was met with mixed reactions from the public. Some praised Disney for promoting diversity and representation, while others argued that it was an inauthentic interpretation of the original character. Despite this controversy, the director of the film, Rob Marshall, stated there was no particular agenda behind the casting choice.

Who is the hidden Disney in Little Mermaid?

In the 2023 live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” the most significant easter egg is the appearance of Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel in the original 1989 animated film. In this new adaptation, she plays the role of a shopkeeper who hands Ariel a fork, an object Ariel famously misidentifies as a “dinglehopper” in the original movie.

Moreover, there are several other hidden Disney elements or “easter eggs” throughout the film, such as the inclusion of characters from other Disney movies like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Also, the film features hidden images of the iconic Mickey Mouse symbol, commonly known as “Hidden Mickeys.”

What movie is Ariel's daughter in?

Ariel's daughter, Melody, is in the movie “The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.” In this film, Melody becomes an unwitting pawn in a scheme of revenge concocted by Morgana, the sister of the sea-witch Ursula.

The Little Mermaid Books

Are you looking for The Little Mermaid activities? Here's a Little Mermaid Activity Kit.

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