The Little Mermaid!
- Genre: Musical fantasy
- Main actors: Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, Samuel E. Wright, Jason Marin, Kenneth Mars, and Buddy Hackett
- Length: 89 minutes
In 2023, a musical fantasy film called The Little Mermaid was released in the United States. It was directed by Rob Marshall and written by David Magee. The film was co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, Lucamar Productions, and Marc Platt Productions. This live-action adaptation is based on Disney's 1989 animated film of the same name, which in turn was loosely inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale from 1837. The cast includes Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Awkwafina as Scuttle, and Daveed Diggs as Sebastian.
The movie revolves around Ariel, a princess who is also a mermaid. Her deepest desire is to leave her underwater world and experience life as a human on the surface. To fulfill her dream, she strikes a bargain with Ursula, a wicked sea witch, agreeing to surrender her voice in exchange for the ability to walk on land. However, there's a catch. Ariel must successfully capture the heart of Prince Eric within a limited timeframe of three days. If she fails, Ursula will have power over her and keep her captive.
What is the plot summary of The Little Mermaid?
- Ariel is a mermaid princess in the kingdom of Atlantica, ruled by her father King Triton.
- Ariel is fascinated by the human world and dreams of becoming human herself.
- She saves a human prince named Eric from a shipwreck and falls in love with him.
- King Triton forbids Ariel from interacting with humans, warning her of their dangers.
- Determined to become human, Ariel strikes a deal with Ursula, the sea witch.
- Ursula grants Ariel legs in exchange for her voice and sets a deadline: Ariel must make Prince Eric fall in love with her within three days.
- Ariel swims to the surface, meets Eric, and they fall in love.
- Ursula, disguised as Vanessa, tricks Eric into marrying her.
- Ariel, along with her friends Flounder and Sebastian, must find a way to save Eric and break the spell.
- They confront Ursula in her lair, defeat her, and Ariel's voice is restored.
- Prince Eric breaks free from the spell and marries Ariel.
- Ariel and Eric live happily ever after.