The Little Mermaid (1989) | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

91%

Tomatometer

75 Reviews

88%

Audience Score

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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The Little Mermaid

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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The Little Mermaid (1989) | Rotten Tomatoes (1)

Pauline Kael

New Yorker

This is a technologically sophisticated cartoon with just about all the simpering old Disney values in place.

Sep 12, 2023

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The Little Mermaid (1989) | Rotten Tomatoes (2)

Kathleen Carroll

New York Daily News

Audiences of all ages are bound to fall in love with this bubbly, thoroughly enchanting fish story.

Rated: 4/4

Nov 14, 2015

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The Little Mermaid (1989) | Rotten Tomatoes (3)

Michael Wilmington

Los Angeles Times

The Little Mermaid -- impudent, grandiose, a multilevel crowd-pleaser -- almost returns the Disney animated features to their glory traditions of the '30s and '40s.

Nov 15, 2013

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The Little Mermaid (1989) | Rotten Tomatoes (4)

Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

It’s still as spirited and delightful as you’d remember, the film that kicked off the Disney renaissance with aplomb and deliriously catchy musical numbers.

May 27, 2023

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The Little Mermaid (1989) | Rotten Tomatoes (5)

Kevin Carr

Fat Guys at the Movies

Efficient and charming, this beautiful animated classic was responsible for breathing new life into the studio in the 80s.

Rated: 4/4

May 19, 2023

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The Little Mermaid (1989) | Rotten Tomatoes (6)

Carson Timar

ButteredPopcorn

The film carries all the style of modern Disney while holding on to the tired tropes of Disney's past, truly becoming a clear turning point in the studio and its ideology in how to write characters and stories.

Jan 14, 2023

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Audience Reviews

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Lan D My favorite cartoon of all time! This cartoon is beautifully done with an amazing storyline and outstanding music! I love everything about it! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/26/24 Full Review Jack N Another great family movie from Disney. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/23/24 Full Review Josues R This is definitely one of, if not THE best Disney film of all time. The Little Mermaid is rightfully credited for saving Disney animation because every artistic scene is better than the last. The way her hair moves, the beautiful songs, and the story-telling. Absolutely adore Ariel and everything about this film. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/22/24 Full Review Carter C The animation and story is amazing. The voice acting is spot-on and the songs are some of the catchiest Disney can make. Although most of the characters don’t make sense and the big fight scene near the end is disappointingly anticlimactic, this movie is a satisfying classic. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/14/24 Full Review Alexis R I adore this movie and its animated sequels. Ariel has and probably will always be my favorite licensed Disney Princess. No doubt in my mind about that. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/14/24 Full Review Noe G The little mermaid 1989 is also one of my favorite Disney movies I give this film a 10/10 Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/06/24 Full Review Read all reviews

The Little Mermaid

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Cast & Crew

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

The Little Mermaid: Trailer 1

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The Little Mermaid

A scene from the film "The Little Mermaid."

The Little Mermaid (1989)

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Movie Info

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: BV International Pictures [no], Buena Vista Distribution Co. Inc.
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 15, 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