The Little Mermaid Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A rebellious fish girl gives up her voice for a chance to land a prince, proving once and for all that silence is golden (and gets you a husband).

🍿 The Little Mermaid: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ariel’s Fascination with the Human World

Ariel, a young mermaid princess, is fascinated by the human world, a world forbidden to her by her father, King Triton. She collects human artifacts, dreaming of life beyond the sea. Her curiosity and rebellious spirit lead her to constantly challenge the boundaries set by her father, much to the dismay of her loyal friend Flounder and the watchful court composer, Sebastian.

Meeting Prince Eric

During a storm, Ariel rescues Prince Eric from a shipwreck, falling deeply in love with him. This encounter intensifies her desire to become human. Driven by her feelings for Eric, she makes a dangerous decision to seek out Ursula, the sea witch, despite warnings from her friends and her father’s strict rules.

The Deal with Ursula

Ariel strikes a deal with Ursula, trading her voice for legs and a chance to win Eric’s love. She has three days to receive true love’s kiss, or she will belong to Ursula forever. Stripped of her voice and now human, Ariel must navigate the human world and capture Eric’s heart before the deadline.

Ursula’s Deception

As Ariel struggles to win Eric’s affection, Ursula interferes, disguising herself as Vanessa and using Ariel’s stolen voice to bewitch Eric. With Eric under Ursula’s spell and poised to marry her, Ariel and her friends must race against time to break the enchantment and reveal Ursula’s true identity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ariel (Jodi Benson): A rebellious mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human and falls in love with a human prince.
• Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes): A human prince who is saved by Ariel and captured by her enchanting voice and beauty.
• Ursula (Pat Carroll): A devious sea witch who manipulates Ariel in her quest to overthrow King Triton.
• Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright): King Triton’s court composer and Ariel’s reluctant guardian who becomes a supportive friend.
• Flounder (Jason Marin): Ariel’s loyal and timid best friend who accompanies her on her adventures.
• Triton (Kenneth Mars): The overprotective king of Atlantica and Ariel’s father, who initially forbids her fascination with humans.
• Scuttle (Buddy Hackett): A somewhat eccentric seagull who provides Ariel with inaccurate information about human objects.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ariel: “I don’t know when, I don’t know how, but I know something’s starting right now.” – Ariel sings about her desire for something new as she dreams of life on land.
• Sebastian: “The human world, it’s a mess. Life under the sea is better than anything they’ve got!” – Sebastian tries to convince Ariel to abandon her dreams of becoming human, promoting the joys of undersea life.
• Ursula: “Poor unfortunate souls! Now I’ve got her, boys!” – Ursula sings triumphantly after Ariel signs the contract, solidifying her evil plan.
• Ariel: “Daddy, I love him!” – Ariel proclaims her love for Eric to her father, King Triton, during the film’s climax.
• Ursula: “Life’s full of tough choices, innit?” – Ursula says this when Ariel comes to her for help in becoming a human.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $111,543,479
• Worldwide Gross: $211,343,479

💥 The Little Mermaid Reviews

Personal Review

I remember being completely swept away by The Little Mermaid as a kid. The songs, the characters, the underwater world – it was pure magic! I think “Part of Your World” spoke to that part of me that always wanted something more. Even now, watching it brings back that sense of wonder. The animation is beautiful, and Ursula is the best Disney villain ever! It’s a movie I’ll always cherish.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Disney animated classics”
  • “Families looking for wholesome entertainment”
  • “Viewers who enjoy musical fantasy films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild peril and threat from the villain Ursula”
  • “Brief moments of suspense”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “The Little Mermaid revitalized Disney animation with its stunning visuals and unforgettable music. Jodi Benson’s performance as Ariel is both charming and powerful, capturing the spirit of a young woman yearning for something more. A true classic.
• RogerEbert.com: “A visual feast with a captivating story, The Little Mermaid blends classic fairy tale elements with modern sensibilities. Ursula is one of Disney’s most memorable villains, and the songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman are timeless.

Audience Reactions

Ursula’s amazing villain song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” is everyone’s favorite!: The music is timeless and Jodi Benson as Ariel is wonderful.

The visuals of the undersea kingdom are breathtaking!: A classic story that holds up across generations.

Overall Consensus: The Little Mermaid is a beloved Disney classic that revived the studio’s animation department with its stunning visuals, memorable characters, and unforgettable music. It remains a cherished film for audiences of all ages.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Song)- 1990
2. Academy Award (Best Original Score)- 1990
3. Golden Globe Award (Best Original Song)- 1990
4. Golden Globe Award (Best Original Score)- 1990

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jodi Benson, the voice of Ariel, recorded “Part of Your World” in a dark studio to simulate being underwater.”
• “The animators used live-action reference footage of Alyssa Milano to help them capture Ariel’s mannerisms and expressions.”
• “Ursula’s design was inspired by the drag queen Divine, adding a unique flair to the villain’s appearance.”
• “The film is credited with helping to revitalize Disney’s animation department and ushering in the Disney Renaissance.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Little Mermaid?

The Little Mermaid (1989) is readily available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on Disney+ with a subscription. For rental or purchase options, check platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Availability may vary depending on your region, so it’s best to check these services directly for the most up-to-date information.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Little Mermaid, you might like these similar films:

• Beauty and the Beast (1991): Another animated Disney classic with a strong-willed female protagonist and memorable songs.
• Splash (1984): A human falls in love with a mermaid and experiences the challenges of living in a different world.
• Anastasia (1997): An animated musical about a young woman discovering her true identity and finding love, with a mix of adventure and romance.
• Ponyo (2008): A Ghibli film with similar themes of a fish/sea creature transforming into a human to be with someone they love.
• The Princess Bride (1987): A fairy tale adventure with humor, romance, and memorable characters that appeals to a broad audience.

🛒 The Little Mermaid Related Products

• The Little Mermaid (The Walt Disney Signature Collection): Own the digitally remastered version of this timeless classic, featuring bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage. Enjoy crystal-clear picture and sound quality.
• Disney The Little Mermaid Ariel Doll: A beautifully crafted Ariel doll, perfect for collectors and fans alike. Features intricate detailing and comes in a collector’s box. A timeless classic.
• The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Story Studio: Create your own Little Mermaid adventures with this interactive storytelling game. Features voice acting, animation tools, and branching storylines. A creative outlet.
• The Little Mermaid Soundtrack (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Enjoy all the beloved songs from the movie in this digitally remastered soundtrack. Includes “Part of Your World”, “Under the Sea”, and more. A musical must-have.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Little Mermaid features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Part of Your World” – performed by Jodi Benson
• “Under the Sea” – performed by Samuel E. Wright
• “Poor Unfortunate Souls” – performed by Pat Carroll
• “Kiss the Girl” – performed by Samuel E. Wright

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Little Mermaid Remake Is Utterly Bizarre

Hey, have you seen Alex Meyers’ take on the new Little Mermaid remake? It’s so funny and spot-on! He goes through all the weird changes they made and gives his hilarious commentary on them. I highly recommend checking it out, especially if you’re a fan of the original movie.

The VERY Messed Up Origins of The Little Mermaid (REVISITED!) | Disney Explained – Jon Solo

Ever wondered about the original, darker version of The Little Mermaid? Jon Solo takes us on a historical journey in this video, uncovering the twisted origins of the beloved Disney classic. It’s a fascinating blend of history, folklore, and cultural analysis that will make you appreciate the original story in a whole new way.

Disney is wrong about “The Little Mermaid”

Hey, have you seen this video where mjtanner debunks Disney’s claims about the original Little Mermaid movie being problematic? It’s a great watch, especially if you’re a fan of the classic film. Tanner provides a well-reasoned critique of Disney’s marketing strategy, highlighting the enduring value and timeless appeal of the original.

✨ Rate