Where to start
The Little Mermaid
5 versions · originally a film, 1989
Themes: Forbidden Love, Sacrifice for Love, Fish Out of Water, Desire for Belonging, Father-Daughter Conflict.
The Little Mermaid explores the transformative, often perilous pursuit of belonging between the disparate worlds of land and sea.
✦ Most fans start here
The Little Mermaid (1989)
The original movie
✦ Start hereThe Little Mermaid
John Musker · Film · 1989
The Little Mermaid (1989) is the definitive animated classic that established the iconic musical tone and visual style of Ariel's journey, making it the essential foundation for all subsequent adaptations.
2000 film
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Film · 2000
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000) shifts the perspective to the next generation, focusing on the daughter of Ariel and Eric as she navigates her hidden, dual-world heritage.
2003 book
The Little Mermaid
H. C. Andersen · Book · 2003
The Little Mermaid (2003) presents the classic H. C. Andersen prose, offering a more somber, literary exploration of the mermaid's longing for an immortal soul that predates modern cinematic interpretations.
2008 film
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
Peggy Holmes · Film · 2008
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008) serves as a prequel, detailing the backstory of Ariel’s family and the tragic loss of her mother, which explains her early complex relationship with music.
2026 series
Goodbye, Lara
Series · 2026
Goodbye, Lara (2026) reimagines the familiar mermaid myth through a television lens, emphasizing the high-stakes, existential cost of the witch’s magic and the struggle to find love before time runs out.
Common questions
What order should I watch The Little Mermaid movies in?
To follow the chronological story of Ariel, start with the 2008 prequel The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, followed by the original 1989 The Little Mermaid, and conclude with the 2000 sequel The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
Is The Little Mermaid book related to the 1989 movie?
The 2003 book titled The Little Mermaid is a separate adaptation of the source material. It is distinct from the 1989 animated movie and does not follow the same narrative continuity established by the film franchise.
How long is The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning?
The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning is a 2008 film that serves as a prequel to the original 1989 movie. It explores Ariel's life before she met Prince Eric and establishes the backstory for the events depicted in the first film.
Should I watch Goodbye, Lara if I enjoyed The Little Mermaid?
Goodbye, Lara is a 2026 television production. While it is listed alongside titles like The Little Mermaid, it is a separate entity. You can watch it if you are interested in exploring different media beyond the established 1989 The Little Mermaid film series.