If you loved
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
Peggy Holmes · Film · 2008
What hooked you in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning was the way music and family dynamics define identity during grief.
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
Frozen (Little Golden Book)
RH Disney · Book · 2014
Explores: Sisterhood, Self-acceptance, Overcoming Fear.
Much like in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, this story explores the profound bond of sisterhood and the emotional journey of overcoming fear to find one's true place.
The Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan · Book · 2006
Explores: Greek mythology in modern settings, Coming-of-age, Found family.
If the search for belonging in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning resonated with you, you will appreciate this journey through a hidden magical world where family bonds are tested.
Fun Home
Alison Bechdel · Book · 2007
Explores: Father-Daughter Relationship, Sexual Identity, Family Secrets.
While more mature, this graphic novel mirrors the complex father-daughter tensions seen in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, providing a deep look at how family secrets shape personal identity.
Little Blue Truck
Alice Schertle · Book · 2014
Explores: Friendship, Community, Helping Others.
The spirit of unity found in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning carries over here, as this story emphasizes the importance of relying on community when facing difficult challenges.
Series on the same thread
Your Lie in April
Series · 2014
Explores: Grief, Healing Through Art, Overcoming Trauma.
This series perfectly captures the specific healing power of music found in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, illustrating how art helps characters process the pain of sudden loss.
Primal
Genndy Tartakovsky · Series · 2019
Explores: Survival, Unlikely friendship, Human-animal bond.
You will recognize the core theme of finding an unlikely companion during a time of great adversity, mirroring the loyal friendships that support Ariel in her own difficult journey.
Steven Universe
Rebecca Sugar · Series · 2013
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning: Musical animation.
This series echoes the musical heart and self-discovery elements of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, focusing on a young protagonist who must navigate their legacy while finding their voice.
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
Lauren Faust · Series · 2010
Explores: Friendship, Magic, Teamwork.
The emphasis on friendship and teamwork that drives the narrative in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning is central here, offering a charming look at how companions overcome obstacles together.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Critical thinking, Media literacy, Civic engagement.
If you appreciated the way characters in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning learn to navigate complex systems, you will value this podcast for its clarity on challenging modern issues.
Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cultural origins, archetypal storytelling, human condition.
The legendary underwater world of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning finds a parallel here, as these stories explore the cultural roots of the myths that shape our shared imagination.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the chronological order of the movies starting with The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning serves as a prequel to the original 1989 film. You should watch it first to understand the backstory of Queen Athena and the origin of the music ban in Atlantica, followed by The Little Mermaid, and finally 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 a film directed by Peggy Holmes that explores a unique narrative about Ariel's childhood and her mother, Queen Athena. It is not an adaptation of the 2003 book, which is a separate entity within the franchise of Little Mermaid titles.
Does The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning explain why music was banned in the kingdom?
Yes, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning depicts the tragic death of Queen Athena at the hands of pirates. This event causes King Triton to become grief-stricken and subsequently outlaw all singing and music throughout the underwater kingdom of Atlantica, which sets the stage for Ariel's journey to restore it.
Who are the main characters that help Ariel in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
In The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, Ariel is accompanied by her friends Flounder and Sebastian. Together, they embark on a quest to challenge King Triton's decision to ban music from the kingdom after the loss of Queen Athena, aiming to bring joy and song back to their home.