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The Little Mermaid Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

Out of the sea, wish I could be... part of that world.

Portrait of Amy Renner Amy Renner

Last modified: May. 23, 2023

The Little Mermaid

Release Date: Friday, May 26, 2023 Theaters

Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of the studio’s Oscar®-winning animated musical classic.

Director: Rob Marshall

Starring: Halle Bailey Melissa McCarthy Jacob Tremblay Awkwafina Daveed Diggs

  • 4.41 / 5.0
83% 17%

Plot – What's the story about?

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Plot
The Little Mermaid is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
Cited as official plot version
Adventure Family Romance Live-Action/CGI Fairy Tale

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Who stars in The Little Mermaid – Cast List

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Who is making The Little Mermaid – Crew List

A look at The Little Mermaid behind-the-scenes crew and production team. The film's director Rob Marshall last helmed Mary Poppins Returns and Into the Woods. The film's writer David Magee last penned The Tiger's Apprentice and A Man Called Otto.

Screenwriter
Producers
John DeLuca
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Marc Platt
Production Companies

Production – What we know about the The Little Mermaid

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Key Facts

  • The film stars singer and actress Halle Bailey (“grown-ish”) as Ariel; Tony Award® winner Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton,” “Snowpiercer”) as the voice of Sebastian; Jacob Tremblay (“Luca,” “Room”) as the voice of Flounder; Awkwafina (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) as the voice of Scuttle; Jonah Hauer-King (“A Dog’s Way Home”) as Prince Eric; Art Malik (“Homeland”) as Sir Grimsby; Noma Dumezweni (“Mary Poppins Returns”) as Queen Selina; with Oscar® winner Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men,” “Being the Ricardos”) as King Triton; and two-time Academy Award® nominee Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?” “Bridesmaids”) as Ursula.
  • Set to shoot on the Italian island of Sardiniac (4/10/2021).
  • The film will incorporate original songs from the 1989 animated classic, as well as new tunes from original composer Alan Menken and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Deadline, 1/5/21).
  • Noma Dumezweni will be joining the cast in a brand new role that was not in the animated movie (Deadline, 1/5/21)
  • "After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle [Bailey] possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role,” explained Rob Marshall in a statement (7/3/19).
  • This is singer-actress Halle Bailey's first leading role (7/3/19). She's part of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle and had a supporting role on Freeform's Grown-ish.
  • Being orchestrated as a mix of pre-existing songs from the 1989 Disney animated classic movie (Deadline, 8/16/16).
  • Hamilton‘s Lin-Manuel Miranda with iconic songwriter Alan Menken will write the songs together (Deadline, 8/16/16).
  • A live action feature adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale.

Movie Filming Timeline: Production Status Updates

Completed

Changed The Little Mermaid movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

Post-Production

Changed the movie production status to Post-Production. The movie is now in the editing and finishing stages.

Production

Changed the movie production status to Production. Currently filming in Sardinia, Italy.

Production

Changed the movie production status to Production. The movie is currently being filmed.

Pre-Production

Changed the movie production status to Pre-Production. Preparations are underway to start production.

Pre-Production

Changed the movie production status to Pre-Production. An early 2020 production start is being planned.

Development

Changed the movie production status to Development. Rob Marshall is the top choice to direct.

Development

Changed the movie production status to Development. Disney, Lin-Manuel Miranda with iconic songwriter Alan Menken are teaming for a live action feature adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid.

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Additional Information

Parent Rating
PG Parental Guidance Suggested for action/peril and some scary images
Runtime
N/A
Tagline
Out of the sea, wish I could be... part of that world.
Also known as
Not available
Language
English
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The Little Mermaid Trailers and Clips

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The Little Mermaid

Official Trailer

The Little Mermaid

Clip: Under The Sea

The Little Mermaid

A World Reimagined Featurette

The Little Mermaid

Teaser Trailer

The Little Mermaid Release Date: When was the film released?

The Little Mermaid was released in nationwide movie theaters on Friday, May 26 , 2023. There were 15 15 other movies released on the same date, including Kandahar, The Machine and About My Father.

The estimated home release date for The Little Mermaid is currently being determined. Stay tuned!

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On DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Release

  • Estimated DVD Release Date

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