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The Little Mermaid
1989 83 min United States of America G 6+
★8.6
Animation, Family, Fantasy
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
🎭 Based on
«The Little Mermaid»
byHans Christian Andersen
Trailers
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Description
This colorful adventure tells the story of an impetuous mermaid princess named Ariel who falls in love with the very human Prince Eric and puts everything on the line for the chance to be with him. Memorable songs and characters -- including the villainous sea witch Ursula.
Budget:
$40M
US Gross:
$111.54M
Worldwide:
$211.34M
Starring
Jodi Benson
Actor
Samuel E. Wright
Actor
Rene Auberjonois
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Original Score
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Original Score
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Original Song
Golden Globe 1990
— Best Original Song
Academy Awards 1990
— Best Original Score
Key opinion
The Little Mermaid is widely celebrated as a masterful cornerstone of the Disney Renaissance that successfully transformed a tragic literary source into a vibrant, emotional, and kid-friendly musical. Critics and audiences alike praise the meticulous hand-drawn animation and Alan Menken's iconic score, cementing the film as a timeless classic.
| Production | The meticulous, hand-drawn animation remains visually stunning and superior to modern CGI-heavy works. | |
| Score | Alan Menken’s integrated songs and score are masterful, providing an emotional backbone to the narrative. | |
| Acting | The characters, including the brave Ariel and the distinct supporting cast, are beautifully rendered and emotionally resonant. | |
| Adaptation | The film effectively reshapes Andersen’s dark original material into a hopeful, family-friendly narrative. | |
| Adaptation | Opinions on the adaptation are split: some appreciate the departure from the tragic source material, while others note that the narrative simplifies the story into a standard good-vs-evil dynamic. |