The Little Mermaid

1989

A mermaid princess who longs for the human world falls in love with a prince and makes a dangerous deal with a sea witch to become human.

Content Guide

⚔️

Violence & ScarinessVery mild

Violence & Scariness

💬

LanguageNone

Language

👀

Sex & NudityVery mild

Sex & Nudity

🍷

SubstancesNone

Substances

😱

Frightening ScenesMild

Frightening Scenes

💚

Positive MessagesGood

Positive Messages

⭐

Role ModelsGood

Role Models

What's in this movie

•Ursula the sea witch is frightening and uses dark magic
•Ariel's father destroys her treasured collection in a rage
•Ursula grows to enormous size in the climax
•Characters nearly drown

🌍 Cultural & Representation Concerns

Low

•Ariel literally gives up her voice — her means of communication and expression — to pursue a man she has never spoken to, framing self-erasure as romantic.
•Sebastian's Caribbean Jamaican accent is used primarily for comedic effect, reinforcing the use of ethnic accents as a source of humor.

Educational Value

Gorgeous animation and memorable songs. The film works best when paired with discussion about the cost of giving up one's identity for another person.

💬 Pause & Talk — Discussion Topics

1.Ariel trades her voice to pursue a man she has never spoken to — what does that choice say about her values?
2.How does Ariel's collection represent her longing and identity?
3.Does the happy ending justify the cost of what Ariel gave up?

🏆 Awards: Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Under the Sea)