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 captures the tension between protecting family secrets and a daughter's desperate need to discover her true identity.
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
Frozen (Little Golden Book)
RH Disney · Book · 2014
Like Melody in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, these sisters navigate the burden of hidden magical powers and the struggle to embrace their true selves against parental expectations.
How to Catch a Mermaid
Adam Wallace, Andy Elkerton · Book · 2018
If you enjoyed the aquatic curiosity that drives the plot of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, this whimsical book offers a playful exploration of the mermaid world.
Goosebumps
R. L. Stine · Book · 1992
This story echoes the underwater exploration found in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, though it trades magical heritage for a suspenseful, mysterious adventure beneath the ocean surface.
Ronia, the Robber's Daughter
Astrid Lindgren · Book · 1981
The coming-of-age journey in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea finds a parallel here, focusing on a young girl navigating family expectations while forging her own path.
Series on the same thread
Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure
Chris Sonnenburg · Series · 2017
Much like Melody discovering her place after being sheltered in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Rapunzel learns to balance her royal duties with a desire for independence.
The Apothecary Diaries
Series · 2023
If the tension of hidden identities in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea kept you watching, you will appreciate this protagonist navigating palace secrets and restricted roles.
InuYasha
Series · 2000
The sense of inherited destiny seen in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is central here, as a young girl discovers her past links her to a larger world.
Cardcaptor Sakura
Series · 1998
Just as Melody must embrace her heritage to save the ocean in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, Sakura learns to accept her magical destiny through personal growth.
Podcasts on the same thread
Sh**ged Married Annoyed
Chris & Rosie Ramsey · Podcast · 2026
The domestic challenges and parenting dynamics that Ariel and Eric face in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea are explored with humor in this relatable look at family.
Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod · Podcast · 2026
If you were captivated by the underwater lore of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, these stories reveal the surprising origins behind the myths that shape our world.
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 1989 movie The Little Mermaid, following 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 Disney films including The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea?
To follow the chronological story, you should start with the prequel The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, followed by the original 1989 film The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is the final installment in this trilogy, focusing on Ariel's daughter, Melody.
Does The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea feature the same villain as the original movie?
No, the primary antagonist in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is Morgana, who is the sister of the original film's Sea Witch. Morgana attempts to use Ariel's daughter, Melody, as a pawn in her quest to take control of the ocean from King Triton.
Is the plot of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea based on the 2003 book?
No, the plot of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is not based on the 2003 book. The film is an original animated story that expands upon the lives of Ariel, Prince Eric, and their daughter, Melody, after the events of the first movie.