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Trailer

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning

2008Movie1 h 17 minPG

AnimationFamily
47
MediocreGoodWatch score
IMDb6.1Rotten Tomatoes33%57%

A wholesome, nostalgic family movie about fantasy and family.

Good for family movie night · kids · background watch

Skip it if you want dark or edgy material

Where to watch

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Not for big ideas, scares or brutality.

Movies with

Story

Every Tale Has A Beginning, But Only One Begins Under The Sea

Follow Ariel's adventures before she gave up her fins for true love. When Ariel wasn't singing with her sisters, she spent time with her mother, Queen Athena. Ariel is devastated when Athena is killed by pirates, and after King Triton outlaws all singing. Along with pals Flounder and Sebastian, Ariel sets off in hopes of changing her father's decision to ban music from the kingdom.

Feels like

  • Disney Prequel Origin Story
  • Musical Adventure
  • Wholesome Family Bonding
  • Underwater Fantasy World
  • Nostalgic Sequel Era
  • Heartwarming Redemption
  • Classic Disney Animation Style
  • Lighthearted Comedy
  • Music as Healing Force

Cast

12 of 12

Crew

Directed by
Peggy Holmes
Written by
Evan Spiliotopoulos, Jenny Wingfield, Jule Selbo
Produced by
Mary Ellen Bauder, Jamie Thomason, Bill Bloom
Music by
Jim Dooley

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

August 25, 2008 · 1 h 17 min · PG

Released
August 25, 2008
Runtime
1 h 17 min
Age rating
PG
Genres
Family, Animation
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
71 countries

Tropes

Strong Family Resemblance, Casting Gag, Informed Species +9

  • Strong Family Resemblance
  • Casting Gag
  • Informed Species
  • Killed Offscreen
  • Alliterative Family
  • Deadpan Snarker
  • Dystopian Edict
  • Ominous Clouds
  • Ambiguous Situation
  • Gory Discretion Shot
  • Villain Song
  • The Fashionista

12 of 79 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?"

Questions about The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?

Disney+

In the United States, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning streams on Disney+. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 60 other countries.

Is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning worth watching?

47
MediocreGoodWatch score

Reviews are weak, with a GoodWatch score of 47 (IMDb 6.1 and Rotten Tomatoes 33%). Audiences rate it higher (59 out of 100) than critics (33).

Is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning okay for kids?

PG

Yes: it's rated PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

Can I half-watch The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?

Easy watchDemanding

Yes: it's easy to follow, with complexity at only 2 of 10, and the viewing guide calls it good for background watching.

Will I feel good after watching The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?

BleakHopeful

Yes, it's an uplifting movie: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for wholesome and 7 for hopefulness.

What tropes does The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning use?

Strong Family ResemblanceCasting GagInformed SpeciesKilled OffscreenAlliterative FamilyDeadpan SnarkerDystopian EdictOminous CloudsAmbiguous SituationGory Discretion ShotVillain SongThe Fashionistaand 67 more

TV Tropes lists 79 tropes for it, including Strong Family Resemblance, Casting Gag, and Informed Species.