Common Sense Media Review
Through grief and peril, Ariel discovers music's magic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
What's the Story?
In THE LITTLE MERMAID: ARIEL'S BEGINNING, the undersea world was once the very model of domestic bliss. Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson) and her sisters wiggled and giggled as daddy Triton (Jim Cummings) and mommy Athena (Lorelei Hill Butters) danced and sang in their underwater kingdom. But then Queen Athena was captured by pirates, and the now joyless King Triton has banned music from the kingdom. When Ariel later discovers an underground underwater jazz club where the sea nightlife bops, she relearns the magic of music. With a furious father, a dastardly governess (Sally Field), and a flock of bickering sisters to cope with, Ariel is soon in hot water. It's up to her—and her friends Flounder (Parker Goris) and Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright)—to bring harmony back to her family.
Is It Any Good?
For a quickie prequel seemingly made just to capitalize on The Little Mermaid's popularity, this movie is actually pretty darn good. Romance-happy kids may find the lack of a prince in Ariel's Beginning a weakness, but this story is a nice break from the typical formula. In lieu of amour, music becomes the sought-after but forbidden aspiration, making room for a lot of deep-sea musicality and witty visual humor, with sea critters jamming on inventive undersea instruments.
Viewers will particularly enjoy Sebastian's rendition of Harry Belafonte's infectious calypso "Jump in Line"—a real show-stopper. Kids will also appreciate the amusing sibling rivalries and spats between Ariel's very different sisters. As a bonus, Field takes on the role of villainous nanny Marina del Rey with juicy malice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Ariel and King Triton's relationship in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. Do you think Ariel is disobedient? Do you think King Triton's rules are unreasonable, or justified? What feels like a fair parent-child relationship when it comes to this duo?
Why does King Triton ban music? Does it help or hinder his grieving process over Ariel's mom? What are some other ways of trying to move on after a loved one has gone?
How does this movie fit in with the original The Little Mermaid? Does it change how you see that story at all? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 20, 2008
- On DVD or streaming : August 25, 2008
- Cast : Jodi Benson , Sally Field , Samuel Wright
- Director : Peggy Holmes
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 23, 2025
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