What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Little Mermaid
H. C. Andersen · Book · 2003
If you loved The Little Mermaid, start with The Little Mermaid (John Musker, 1989) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 films, 2 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Little Mermaid across media.
What hooked you in The Little Mermaid was the poignant way sacrifice and transformation define the journey toward a new life.
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
Beauty and the Beast
Film · 1946
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid: Sacrifice.
Like the protagonist of The Little Mermaid, you will find a similar depth of longing and personal sacrifice in this gothic romance centered on the redemptive power of love.
Cinderella
Film · 1950
Shares 2 threads with The Little Mermaid: Transformation, Fairy Tale.
If you enjoyed the magical transformation in The Little Mermaid, this film offers a similar sense of wonder as a desperate girl gains the chance to change her destiny.
The Princess and the Frog
Ron Clements · Film · 2009
Explores: Dreams and Ambition, Social Mobility, Class Differences.
Much like the sea princess in The Little Mermaid, the heroine here experiences a literal transformation that forces her to navigate the complexities of life in a new form.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
David Hand · Film · 1938
Shares 2 threads with The Little Mermaid: Transformation, Fairy Tale.
The focus on a young woman’s vulnerability and her struggle against a powerful, jealous antagonist echoes the emotional stakes that defined your experience with The Little Mermaid.
Series on the same thread
H2O: Just Add Water
Jonathan M. Shiff · Series · 2006
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid: Transformation.
The supernatural transformation at the heart of The Little Mermaid is reimagined here, exploring the secret burdens and identity shifts that come with living between two different worlds.
The Storyteller
Jim Henson · Series · 1988
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid: Fairy Tale.
This anthology series captures the same timeless, folklore-driven atmosphere that makes The Little Mermaid such a profound and enduring piece of classic children's literature.
Podcasts on the same thread
Literature and History
Doug Metzger · Podcast · 2026
Deepen your understanding of the cultural roots behind The Little Mermaid by exploring the historical context and literary evolution of the fairy tales that shaped our childhood imaginations.
Nani Ki Kahaniya
Podcast
Explores: Moral lessons, Values, Childhood education.
If you appreciated the moral weight and imaginative storytelling of The Little Mermaid, these captivating tales provide a similar space for children to explore complex values and fantasy themes.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is the 2003 book version of The Little Mermaid the same as the 1989 movie?
The 2003 book edition of The Little Mermaid is a retelling of the original tale by H. C. Andersen, which differs significantly from the plot and tone of the 1989 animated movie adaptation.
What order should I watch the movies The Little Mermaid, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
To follow the chronological release order of the animated films, you should watch The Little Mermaid first, followed by The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, and finally The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning.
Does the 2003 book edition of The Little Mermaid include extra content?
Yes, the 2003 book edition of The Little Mermaid includes the primary story alongside an unsigned, illustrated essay titled Edvard Eriksen's statue of The Little Mermaid, which provides additional context regarding the famous sculpture.
Is The Little Mermaid story about a mermaid wanting to become human?
In the 2003 book edition of The Little Mermaid, the plot focuses on a sea princess who trades her tail for legs in order to win the love of a prince and gain an immortal soul.