What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
Peggy Holmes · Film · 2008
If you loved The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, start with The Little Mermaid (John Musker, 1989) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning across media.
What hooked you in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning was the way the weight of personal loss transforms into a courageous, musical quest for self-expression.
Start with the source
The source
The Little Mermaid
John Musker · Film · 1989
Adaptation
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Film · 2000
Books on the same thread
Thumbelina
Christian Andersen Hans · Book · 1961
Explores: Coming of Age, Self-Discovery, Forced Marriage.
Like the young protagonist in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, you will appreciate this classic tale of a small, resilient figure navigating a vast world while seeking her own identity.
Beneath
Ariel Sullivan · Book
Explores: coming of age, covert operations, regime resistance.
If you resonated with the rebellion against authority in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, this story of a girl undergoing covert training to challenge a regime will captivate your interest.
The Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan · Book · 2006
Explores: Greek mythology in modern settings, Coming-of-age, Found family.
Just as Ariel found an unlikely support system in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, you will enjoy watching Percy Jackson forge deep bonds while navigating a dangerous, hidden mythological world.
Fun Home
Alison Bechdel · Book · 2007
Explores: Father-Daughter Relationship, Sexual Identity, Family Secrets.
The complex father-daughter dynamic central to The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning is mirrored in this poignant graphic novel, which explores the tension and secrets defining a young woman's difficult familial relationship.
Series on the same thread
Your Lie in April
Series · 2014
Explores: Grief, Healing Through Art, Overcoming Trauma.
This anime perfectly captures the healing power of music featured in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, showing how art can help a grieving character overcome trauma and find their voice again.
Primal
Genndy Tartakovsky · Series · 2019
Explores: Survival, Unlikely friendship, Human-animal bond.
Fans of the deep bond between Ariel and her companions in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning will appreciate this story of an unlikely friendship forged to survive in a hostile world.
Steven Universe
Rebecca Sugar · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning: Musical animation.
Much like Ariel in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, the protagonist here must step into his mother's legacy and discover his own strength within a world of magical, musical wonder.
Phineas and Ferb
Dan Povenmire · Series · 2007
Explores: Summer Vacation, Sibling Rivalry, Secret Identity.
Those who enjoyed the spirited, rule-breaking energy of Ariel in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning will delight in these inventive siblings who constantly challenge the status quo during their summer vacation.
Podcasts on the same thread
Grief to Growth
Podcast
Explores: grief, loss, resilience.
If the themes of grief and loss in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning moved you, this podcast offers a raw, honest look at the journey toward growth following a life-altering tragedy.
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Critical thinking, Media literacy, Civic engagement.
Much like Ariel's quest to understand the truth behind her father's rules in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, this podcast provides the clarity needed to navigate a complicated and confusing world.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What order should I watch The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning in relation to the other movies?
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning is a prequel that takes place before the events of the 1989 film. You can watch it first to understand Ariel's history with her mother, Queen Athena, or view it after The Little Mermaid and The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
Is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning based on the 2003 book?
No, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning is not an adaptation of the 2003 book. It is a standalone prequel film directed by Peggy Holmes that explores Ariel's life in Atlantica before she met Prince Eric and gave up her fins for true love.
Why is music banned in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
In The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, King Triton outlaws all singing throughout the kingdom after the tragic death of his wife, Queen Athena. Ariel eventually sets out with Flounder and Sebastian to challenge this decision and bring music back to Atlantica.
How long is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning is a 2008 movie directed by Peggy Holmes. While the runtime is not specified in the provided metadata, the story focuses on Ariel's efforts to restore music to her home following the loss of her mother, Queen Athena, and the subsequent ban by King Triton.