If you loved
The Little Mermaid
H. C. Andersen · Book · 2003
What hooked you in The Little Mermaid was the profound ache of transformation and the sacrifices made to bridge two different worlds.
Start with the source
The source
The Little Mermaid
John Musker · Film · 1989
Adaptation
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Film · 2000
Adaptation
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
Peggy Holmes · Film · 2008
Films on the same thread
The Princess and the Frog
Ron Clements · Film · 2009
Explores: Dreams and Ambition, Social Mobility, Class Differences.
Like the protagonist of The Little Mermaid, Tiana faces a literal transformation that complicates her desires, mirroring the same struggle between personal ambition and the cost of human connection.
The Little Prince
Mark Osborne · Film · 2015
Explores: Imagination vs. Conformity, Loss of Innocence, The Importance of Friendship.
This film captures the same sense of longing found in The Little Mermaid, focusing on the tension between a rigid, conformist world and the imaginative spirit that yearns for more.
Song of the Sea
Film · 2014
Explores: Loss and grief, Sibling bond, Connection to nature.
The Little Mermaid shares a deep connection with this story through the aquatic heritage of its characters, highlighting the poignant sacrifice and emotional weight found in navigating between land and sea.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Peter Jackson · Film · 2003
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid: Sacrifice.
The theme of sacrifice that defines The Little Mermaid resonates strongly here, as characters face heavy burdens and make difficult choices to secure a future in the face of darkness.
Series on the same thread
H2O: Just Add Water
Jonathan M. Shiff · Series · 2006
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid: Transformation.
The visceral experience of physical transformation seen in The Little Mermaid finds a modern echo in this series, where the sudden shift into a mermaid form dictates every aspect of life.
Merlin
Jake Michie · Series · 2008
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid: Forbidden Love.
Just as The Little Mermaid explores the complexities of forbidden love and royal connection, this series centers on the secret bond between a commoner and a prince navigating their shared destiny.
Podcasts on the same thread
Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cultural origins, archetypal storytelling, human condition.
If you were captivated by the origins of The Little Mermaid, this podcast provides an essential look at the archetypal storytelling and cultural folklore that shaped such enduring, transformative myths.
Literature and History
Doug Metzger · Podcast · 2026
This podcast deepens your appreciation for The Little Mermaid by placing its themes of longing and mortality within the broader, fascinating context of the cultural history of world literature.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Little Mermaid book by H. C. Andersen the same story as the 1989 movie?
The Little Mermaid book by H. C. Andersen is the original source material for the story. While the 1989 movie is an adaptation of this narrative, the book explores the sea princess's desire for an immortal soul and includes an essay on Edvard Eriksen's statue of The Little Mermaid.
What order should I watch The Little Mermaid movies?
To follow the chronological release of the film series, you should begin with The Little Mermaid from 1989. This is followed by the 2000 sequel, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, and finally the 2008 prequel titled The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning.
Does the 2003 book edition of The Little Mermaid include extra content?
Yes, the 2003 edition of The Little Mermaid by H. C. Andersen includes additional material. Following the main text of the story, the book features an unsigned, illustrated essay titled Edvard Eriksen's statue of The Little Mermaid, which provides context regarding the famous sculpture.
Is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning a sequel to the 1989 movie?
No, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning is not a sequel to the 1989 movie. As the title suggests, this 2008 film serves as a prequel to the original story, exploring the character's background before the events depicted in the first film.