The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
Seen it?2008 | 77 min | Family, Animation
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With just 33% on Rotten Tomatoes and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for families. If you loved The Little Mermaid, start here. Audiences love it more than critics do: a crowd-pleaser first.
- The mood
- Feel-good.
- The pace
- Moves along nicely, at 1 hr 17 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
- Critics were cooler on it than audiences.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsWeak
33% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerSolid
Streaming release that reached a solid audience; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 75K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Little Mermaid
Friday Night FlickFrom the same Little Mermaid series, and critically acclaimed.
Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy
Sunday Safe BetAlso from director Peggy Holmes: an animated story, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Barbie: The Pearl Princess Weeknight WatchAnother family film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Weeknight WatchAnother animated story, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Barbie in A Mermaid Tale 2 Weeknight WatchAnother animated story, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Peggy Holmes
- Jodi BensonAriel (voice)
- Samuel E. WrightSebastian (voice)
- Jim CummingsKing Triton / Shelbow / Additional Voices (voice)
- Sally FieldMarina Del Ray (voice)
- Tara StrongAdella / Andrina / Additional Voices (voice)
- Jennifer HaleAlana (voice)
- Grey DeLisleAquata / Arista (voice)
- Kari WahlgrenAttina (voice)
- Parker GorisFlounder (voice)
- Jeff BennettBenjamin / Additional Voices (voice)