If you loved
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Film · 2000
You loved The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea because it explores the tension between hidden magical identities and the discovery of one's true heritage.
Start with the source
The source
The Little Mermaid
John Musker · Film · 1989
Adaptation
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
Peggy Holmes · Film · 2008
Books on the same thread
The Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan · Book · 2006
Explores: Greek mythology in modern settings, Coming-of-age, Found family.
Like Melody in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Percy must navigate a world where his secret lineage forces him into dangerous underwater adventures and complex family mysteries.
The Land of Stories
Colfer Chris Dorman Brandon · Book · 2014
Explores: Siblings, Good vs Evil, Magic.
Just as the parents in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea keep secrets to protect their children, these twins uncover hidden family truths while entering a magical realm.
Daughter of the Forest
Juliet Marillier · Book · 2000
Explores: Family Curse, Self-Sacrifice, Forbidden Love.
Sorcha’s journey mirrors the struggles of Melody in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea as she deals with the heavy burden of family curses and transformative magical journeys.
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
Rick Riordan · Book · 2008
Shares a thread with The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea: Coming of Age.
Much like the protagonist of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Percy finds that being a child of the ocean is a complex, life-altering reality to navigate.
Series on the same thread
Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure
Chris Sonnenburg · Series · 2017
Explores: Coming-of-Age, Self-Discovery, Royal Life.
Rapunzel’s need to define her identity while reconciling with her royal parents echoes the coming-of-age journey Melody experiences in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
H2O: Just Add Water
Jonathan M. Shiff · Series · 2006
Explores: Friendship, Secret Identity, Transformation.
The girls in this series face the same secret identity struggles as Melody in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea when they transform and must hide their aquatic nature.
The 10th Kingdom
Series · 2000
Explores: Fish Out of Water, Portal Fantasy, Fairy Tale Adaptation.
The father-daughter dynamic and the feeling of being a fish out of water in a magical land will remind you of Melody’s discovery in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
This family-led adventure captures the same spirit of collaborative storytelling and high-stakes questing that defined the journey of Melody in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cultural origins, archetypal storytelling, human condition.
If you were drawn to the mythological roots of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, these deep dives into the origins of classic folklore will satisfy your curiosity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea a direct sequel to the 1989 film?
Yes, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is a direct sequel. It takes place several years after the events of the original 1989 movie and follows the lives of Ariel and Prince Eric as they raise their daughter, Melody, while hiding her mermaid heritage from her.
What is the correct viewing order for The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea and Ariel's Beginning?
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning serves as a prequel to the franchise, while The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea functions as a sequel. To follow the chronological timeline of Ariel's life, you should watch Ariel's Beginning before watching the events depicted in the second film.
Does The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea feature the same villain as the original movie?
No, The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea features a new antagonist named Morgana. She is the Sea Witch who attempts to use Ariel's daughter, Melody, as a pawn in her quest to take control of the ocean away from King Triton.
Should I read the 2003 book before watching The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea?
You do not need to read the 2003 book to understand the plot of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea. The film is a standalone sequel that provides all the necessary context regarding Ariel, Prince Eric, and their daughter Melody to follow the story.