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The Little Mermaid (G, 1989)

common sense media says

Superb, entertaining animated musical with some scary stuff.

parents & educators say
  • 30% say there are positive messages
See all 60 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this Disney fairy tale based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen has some scary moments. The sea witch grows into a giant and wields a trident in a climatic scene. Also, a bloodthirsty French chef merrily chases after Sebastian the crab with a cleaver hoping to make him the main course. Parents may also want to keep in mind that Ariel is a very popular Disney Princess, whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc. as well as in books, websites, and other media. Finally, Ariel's decision to give up her voice and her family for a chance at love sends some subtle, potentially troubling messages, to kids about priorities.

Educational value: Kids can try to name all the sea creatures -- crabs, oysters, dolphins, etc. -- when Sebastian sings "Under the Sea." They can also look up the original (much darker) story by Hans Christian Andersen and decide which version they like better.
Positive messages: Because it's a fairytale, three days is plenty of time for true love to take root. Whether there's harm in the idea is up for debate. Ariel is the one who rescues Eric from a sinking ship at the beginning of the movie, though she later gives up her voice for the chance at love.
Positive role models: Ariel is adventuresome, rebellious, and brave. She also gives up everything -- her family, her home, her voice -- for love, even though her trust in the sea witch puts everyone she loves in danger. Eric doesn't show much of a personality. Sebastian is loyal and tries hard to help Ariel even though he doesn't agree with what she's doing. Ariel's father is protective and will do anything to help save his daughter.
Violence & scariness: Ariel's father is imprisoned by the cruel sea witch, Ursula, who also grows larger than a ship and tries to crush it wielding a giant trident. Ursula brags about all the mermaids she's imprisoned and those "poor unfortunate souls" are shown shrunken down and sad. A French chef runs around the kitchen after Sebastian the crab with a cleaver and merrily chops up other fish. Eric almost drowns when his ship sinks in stormy waters.
Sexy stuff: One sweet-natured song is all about getting a kiss out of Prince Eric.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Ariel is a very popular Disney Princess, whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc. as well as in books, websites, and other media.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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More on The Little Mermaid

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about villains. Why is Ursula both a little scary and a little fun?

  • They can also talk about Ariel and the decisions she makes. Why do you think she chose to give up her voice (and her family) to meet Eric? Are you troubled by the message her decision sends about women and their priorities, or is that over-thinking this kind of movie?

  • Families can also talk about the Disney Princess craze. Has it swept your household? Do you have a favorite princess? How often do you see your favorite princesses on display when you're out shopping? Does watching this movie make you want to buy more Ariel stuff?

  • Why do you think Sebastian tries to help her even though he doesn't agree with what Ariel's doing?

What's the story?

What's the story?

THE LITTLE MERMAID is Ariel, a mermaid princess who collects human artifacts. One day, she rescues Prince Eric, who was thrown from his ship during a storm, and Ariel falls in love. Desperate for the chance to have a life with Eric, Ariel enters into an agreement with a sea witch, Ursula. She gives up her voice and gets her legs. But she only has three days to woo Eric. If he doesn't kiss her in that time, she will become Ursula's slave forever.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

After some lackluster years, Disney came back into the top rank of animated features with this superbly entertaining musical, based loosely on the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen (but with a happier ending). Ariel was the first in a series of refreshingly plucky Disney heroines. Instead of dreaming about the day her prince will come, or waiting for a fairy godmother or a Prince's kiss, Ariel is a spirited and curious mermaid who is willing to take action in order to meet Prince Eric, the man of her dreams, though she is gullible and impetuous in agreeing to the terms demanded by the sea witch in exchange for making it possible for her to go on land.

The wonderful voice characterizations in this film include Buddy Hackett (The Music Man) as Scuttle the scavenging seagull and Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian, the calypso-singing crab. The first-class musical score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (who worked together on the off-Broadway hit, Little Shop of Horrors) ranks with the best of Broadway and won Oscars for Best Score and Best Song ("Under the Sea"). Some viewers criticize the movie for providing yet another wasp-waisted Disney heroine whose whole world revolves around a man. But Ariel is adventuresome, rebellious, and brave. It is true that she makes the mistake of giving up her voice to the sea witch (a very strong female character, to say the least), which provides a good opportunity for family discussion.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: John Musker, Ron Clements
Cast: Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jodi Benson, Rene Auberjonois
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 83 minutes
Theatrical release: November 15, 1989
DVD release: October 3, 2006
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: some scary scenes
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

5
Based on 30 parent & educator reviews:
  • 30% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

reviewgirl13
teen, 16 years old
11
 
Pretty iffy.
Actually, I'm not too fond of the Little Mermaid movies. I think it's a bit iffy when Ariel is trying to impress Eric. All you have to do is be yourself, so I don't think this is a great role model for girls. Plus, look at the way that mermaid dresses! Get a shirt, lady! I mean, seriously, young girls don't need to see Ariel like this. It's just too iffy.
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universalxoxo
adult
2
 
You're kidding...
You've got to be kidding me. Some of you parents who say that this movie is 'seductive' and 'scary' must have kids who get beat up at school. Now, I'm not the type of person who wants you to show your kids 'The Hangover' and 'Silence of the Lambs,' but 'The Little Mermaid?' A Disney classic? That has got to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. You can't do that to your kids. You can't forbid them from watching anything but the Wiggles (but you all probably think that that's inappropriate too) until they're 18. You can't shelter them. They've gotta figure out the real world. Not by watching Rated R movies, but you've gotta at least let the watch 'The Little Mermaid.' For God's sake.
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CSM Screen ...
adult
 
Another movie to shame Walt
What are we teaching our kids? Everyone says that morals are going down the drain and no wonder! Our "kids" and "family" films descreetly... and sometimes undescreetly, teach bad morals. Let's show girls how to wear sea shells on their breasts and flaunt their bodies. Let's show them how cool and great it is to do stupid things to flip for some guy you don't know and show how, in the end, it'll all be great! Wow! What a great thing to teach our kids! Yep, another classic family film! The one star is for the songs. Fantastic. Still....don't see it.
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leftbehindcrazed8
teen, 14 years old
5
 
part of your world!!!!
Best. Disney. Movie. EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know EVERY SINGLE LINE to this entire movie!! I had Ariel everything, and I was Ariel for the school's talent show. Anyways, this is a great move with some scariness. When you first enter Ursula's cave, there are plant-like creatures that used to be mermaids, and they look very creepish! And when Ursula get's the Trident, she gets huge and almost zaps Ariel, almost stabs Eric, and turns King Trident into one of those creepish creatures I was talking about earlier. Then Eric stabs her in the heart and it is very disturbing when she's dying. But there are positive role models and messages here. GREAT MOVIEEEE!!!!!!!!
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EmmaLu
teen, 15 years old
4
 
I have loved this movie since I was little bitty! I think it is great and EVERYONE needs to see it!
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rebma97
teen, 14 years old
6
 
I used to be obsessed with Ariel <3
I still love it :). The music is good and the story is entertaining. Ursula may be scary for kids, though. And the violence is a bit intense. There are some subtle sexual content that will go over kids heads, like when Ursula tells Arial to use her body language to attract Eric. When Arial is human she is naked but you don't really see anything. Arial and Eric kiss. As much as I love this film, there are some bad messages in it. Arial is hot-headed (like her father) and disobeys him. She also falls for a guy she doesn't knows; she just thinks he's cute.
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toons27
parent of 6 year old
8
 
greatest disney movie ever!
This is my beloved disney movie! It has wonderful music. The song, "Part of Your World," is really sweet and uplifting. I showed this to my four-year-old cousin and she adored it! She loves the song, "Part of Your World," as much as I do! When I first showed her the movie, I was surprised that she didn't get scared of Ursula at all! And she's only four! What makes me adore the movie was the romance between Ariel and Eric. They're so sweet together because he loves her despite her mermaid heritage and she loves him despite the bad things her dad said about humans. I like how in the movie, Ariel gets her voice back and Eric said, "you can talk! You're the one!" Then he runs up to Ariel and embraces her! Awwwww!! It is was awesome seeing Ariel and Eric saving each other. Ariel saves Eric from drowning and again from marrying Ursula. Eric saves Ariel from Ursula. They take the cake for the best ending of the disney princess movies. It's where you get to see them get married at a wedding. Other movies just end couples dancing Little Mermaid is one of the few disney movies of the Renaissance that have great comedy. You have Scuttle, the wise-cracking seagull, Sebastian, the over-worrying crab, Ursula, the evil sea witch, whose dry sense of humor has comic relief.
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TheGreatNoOne
teen, 17 years old
4
 
My favorite Disney Princess movie!
Ariel! Flounder! EVERYONE! I've always loved mermaids, especially the way they move. And this movie just highlighted everything cool about them!
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Dominicboo1
teen, 16 years old
4
 
Great For The Whole Family To Sea
This is probably one of Disney's best films and is known for starting the Disney Renaisance. Ariel is a much better role model than Snow White, because she actually decides to try to find her true love at a great sacrifice to herself. Flounder and Sebastian are good friends to Ariel. Triton sacrfices his throne for his daughter. The controversy of Ariel's shell bra isn't an issue in my mind, but you know what's best for your kids. One scene where Grimbsy smokes a pipe, and Ariel blows it in his face believing what Scuttle said that it's a musical instrument.
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FatherofDeuce
parent of 2 and 5 year old
4
 
The two aspects of this movie that I don't think are covered by the review are a) Ariel's relationship with her father, and b) the violent end to the Sea Witch. My 4 y.o. son is always a bit upset with how King Triton treats his daughter, esp when he comes into her little treasure room and destroys all her "human stuff." So it's definitely something that leads to discussions about listening to each other, being patient, not losing your temper, etc. Also, Ursula the sea witch is killed at the end in a pretty gruesome way; she turns into a giant monster, and Eric the Prince steers a boat toward her abdomen and impales her with a sharp jagged piece of wood on the boat. And at the very end, Sebastian the crab hits the French chef with a large wooden beam, knocking out all his teeth. But, if you go in prepared for those scenes and how to address them, they aren't a terrible problem. Ariel's sweetness, the wonderful songs, and the entertaining storyline make this an excellent kids movie.
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susieboo
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Some good, some bad.
I thought this movie was... okay. That's it. Just okay. *dodges fangirls* I love Ursula and the music, but Ariel drives me crazy. "I sold my soul for a vagina and a man I don't know!" Actually, the person who changes the most is Ariel's dad, King Triton, who goes from a selfish, overbearing, and even kind of mean dad to a kind, caring father who learns to let his daughter go and be happy.
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Tsion
parent of 15 year old
5
 
Wonderful!
This film officially started Disney's rennesciance, the beginning of high-quality Disney films after a 20-some-odd year relapse. There is really nothing to worry about. There's a scary shark and sea witch in scenes, but not horrible. The animation is keen and the music spectacular. Highly recommended.
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Mi3
adult
6
 
Bikinis, cleavage, romance
WAY to much cleavage, and bikinis. in one scene Ariel is COMPLETELY NAKED (nothing shown exept for the side of her boobs and butt.) scary scenes for a 5 year old.
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kbierma
parent of 1 and 4 year old
8
 
Awesome movie, but not for preschoolers!
I truly love this movie. That being said, I don't think it's a great movie for preschoolers, but better for older kids. Ariel is heaving cleavage through the whole movie, and the premise of the story is the pursuit of love based on appearances and something he has that she wants. That's not love. This is not appropriate for young children who aren't capable of evaluating, even with the help of parents, what they are really watching. I think this is a great movie for kids that are a little bit older. They will still love the movie ( I loved it when I saw it as a teenager for the first time) but will better be able to see the posotives and negatives. There are so many great movie choices out there for young preschool children that this one will wait in my house until my kids are a little older.
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MovieFan777
teen, 16 years old
6
 
A True Disney Classic
Disney's first film in what is called the Golden Age of Disney animated films truly deserves to be put up on the shelf next to the classics such as Snow White, Cinderella, and Peter Pan. This is a film the whole family will enjoy together. But scenes including Ursala the sea witch may frighten children.
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WaterNymph
adult
10
 
Too much weird sexual stuff.
Don't let little boys watch it because they will be thinking about Ariel's boobs and belly button for a long time. And your little girls will think that it's okay to parade around showing your skin to everyone and that men will only love you if you're beautiful. Inappropriate!
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LikaLaruku
parent
 
Terribly backwards morals.
Don't recommend this movie for anyone under 18 because it will put dumb ideas in their impressionable heads. I recommend instead watching the dubbed 80s anime of the same name, the one with the blonde mermaid. Not the newer Mermaid Melody one though; don't confuse the two. This movie has removed the morals of the original story, which was "don't try to be something you're not," "don't bite off more than you can chew," & "dire risks come with dire consequences." Originally, the prince was already engaged to a princess; an arranged marriage through their parents. In the end, the mermaid realized that everything she had done was foolish & died alone. This movie says: *Abandon your family for a chance at love. *Aim high; why marry an unattractive local you grew up with when you can marry a rich handsome stranger? *True love happens instantly, & not slowly over time. *It's totally cool to be a packrat. *If the guy you like can't accept you for who you are, has another woman on the side, & is still chasing his ideal woman, just keep trying. *Take huge risks; they totally won't blow up in your face. *Teenagers are totally old enough to make their own big life decisions.
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Megumi Yosei
teen, 13 years old
10
 
Awful
This movie is awful. It takes away from the real story, it just doesn't do it justice.
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MRW2
kid, 8 years old
17
 
DISGUSTING VIOLENCE, SO BAD I CAN TASTE IT.
Very scary. HORRIBLE VIOLENCE AND SCARINESS! IT'S NOT A THREE IT'S A FIVE! did anyone else notice a shark eats flounder and chases Ariel.
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ScreennameGirl
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Perfect Movie For Kids
This is the perfect movie for kids. It's cute. It has positive messages and good role models. Buy the DVD for a child you know!
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