The Little Mermaid

Ariel is a restless mermaid princess who longs to experience life above the waves. When she becomes fascinated by a human prince, she makes a risky bargain in hopes of living on land and winning his affection. The film follows her choices and the sea's reaction as friends and foes react to the consequences, with many musical set pieces and comical supporting characters along the way. The story keeps its focus on Ariel's curiosity and courage, and on the rivalry with a scheming sea witch who complicates everything without revealing later surprises.

Released in 1989, the movie was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker and adapts elements of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale. The project drew on work from creators Roger Allers, Ed Gombert, and Gary Trousdale and marked a major push in Disney animation techniques and storytelling at the time.

The film won two Academy Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Original Song for "Under the Sea." Those wins helped highlight the movie's strong musical identity and the songwriting team's contribution to its success.

The Little Mermaid left a big cultural footprint: songs became standards, Ariel turned into one of Disney's most recognizable princesses, and the film is often cited as the start of the Disney Renaissance that revitalized animated features in the 1990s. Its imagery, from Ariel's grotto to Ursula's lair, appears across merchandise, theme parks, and parodies.

Critics gave the film largely favorable reviews, praising the animation quality, lively characters, and memorable soundtrack, while audiences embraced its family-friendly blend of humor and romance. Central themes include yearning for independence, the cost of bargains, and the tension between personal desire and familial duty, all presented in a way that mixes lighthearted moments with genuine emotional stakes.