The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning

Year: 2008

Runtime: 77 mins

Language: English

Director: Peggy Holmes

FamilyAnimationFairy-tale fantasy and enchanted magicKids' animated fun and adventureHoliday joy and heartwarming Christmas

Before she trades her tail for legs, Ariel embarks on a daring under‑sea adventure. After her beloved mother, Queen Athena, is slain by pirates, King Triton bans all music, leaving Ariel heart‑broken. Determined to restore song to the kingdom and hoping for true love, she teams with Flounder and Sebastian to challenge her father's decree.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Timeless fantasy

Set in a timeless, mythical underwater era, the story unfolds ten years after Athena's death. The kingdom's ban on music marks a dark moment in Atlantican history and shapes daily life for the sisters. The action moves between the palace, the lagoon, and a hidden music club as Ariel seeks to reclaim music’s place in Atlantica.

Location

Atlantica

Atlantica is an expansive underwater kingdom ruled by King Triton and Queen Athena. It is renowned for its music, color, and family life, though a tragedy leads to a decade-long ban on music. The palace, lagoon, and an underground music club anchor the story and drive Ariel's rebellion and the kingdom's eventual reconciliation.

🌊 Oceanic realm 👑 Royal underwater kingdom 🎶 Musical culture

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:40

Main Characters – The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008)

Meet the key characters of The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ariel (Jodi Benson)

Youngest of King Triton's seven daughters, Ariel is curious, adventurous, and drawn to music despite the ban. She resents the dull routine enforced by her governess and secretly attends a music club with Flounder. Ariel's love of song drives her to seek joy for Atlantica and protect her friends, ultimately helping her father remember happiness.

👑 Royalty 🎶 Music lover 🧭 Adventurous

Marina Del Rey (Sally Field)

The governess to Ariel and her sisters, Marina dislikes her role and longs to be King Triton's attaché, a job held by Sebastian. She discovers the underground club and later reveals its existence to Triton, using her position to gain leverage. Her schemes culminate in a confrontation that escalates until she is imprisoned following the kingdom's reconciliation.

🗝️ Ambition 👑 Power struggles 🧭 Cunning

King Triton (Jim Cummings)

Ruler of Atlantica and father to Ariel and her sisters, Triton is powerful yet grieving after Athena's death. He bans music for a decade, believing it led to his loss, and must learn to forgive and embrace joy again. By the story's end, he lifts the ban, reconciles with Ariel, and reappoints Sebastian as Court Composer.

👑 Authority 💔 Grief ❤️ Family

Queen Athena (Lorelei Hill Butters)

Ariel's mother and former queen whose death during a pirate incident triggers the initial tragedy that reshapes Atlantica. Her memory lingers as a source of longing and a reminder of the kingdom's former joy in music.

👑 Memory 💖 Motherhood 🕊️ Legacy

Flounder (Parker Goris)

Ariel's loyal young friend who accompanies her to the secret music world and helps defend against threats. Flounder is quick-witted and supportive, contributing to Ariel's quest with a blend of courage and innocence.

🫶 Friends 🐠 Loyalty 🎶 Music ally

Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright)

Ariel's cautious mentor and the band leader who runs the underground music performance behind the scenes. He longs to protect the royal family while balancing his fear of trouble, ultimately supporting Ariel's mission to bring music back to Atlantica. His practical humor keeps the group grounded amid chaos.

🦀 Guardianship 🎶 Music authority 🤝 Loyal

Attina (Kari Wahlgren)

One of Ariel's elder sisters and part of the seven princesses, Attina represents the royal line and participates in the family dynamics that shape Ariel's choices. She informs Triton when Ariel and Sebastian are missing, highlighting the siblings' complicity in palace events.

👑 Sibling royalty 🗣️ Informant 🧭 duty

Alana (Jennifer Hale)

Another of Ariel's sisters, Alana shares in the royal duties and family dynamics. Her stance during the events reflects the tension between curiosity and obedience within the royal household.

👑 Sibling royalty 🧭 Duty 🧩 Family

Adella (Tara Strong)

One of Ariel's sisters who navigates the palace life alongside the others. Adella contributes to the ensemble dynamic of the princesses, illustrating the pressures of royal expectations.

👑 Sibling royalty 🗣️ Ensemble 🎭 Drama

Andrina (Tara Strong)

Another sister, Andrina participates in the family dynamic and palace routines. Her role helps show the collective experience of the sisters under Marina's governance and the aftermath of the music ban.

👑 Sibling royalty 🧭 Involvement 🎶 Culture

Aquata (Grey DeLisle)

One of Ariel's elder sisters, Aquata is part of the seven-mermaid princesses. She shares in the family life of Atlantica and the consequences of challenging the status quo.

👑 Sibling royalty 🧭 Family 🎶 Music

Arista (Grey DeLisle)

Another sister among the royal siblings, Arista's presence emphasizes the close bond and collective experience of the sisters under the music ban and parental rule.

👑 Sibling royalty 🧭 Family 🎭 Ensemble

Benjamin (Jeff Bennett)

A kind-hearted manatee who assists Marina and helps the sisters, providing support and levity to the royal household. His loyalty and good nature help balance the tensions within Atlantica.

🧭 Helper 🐾 Loyal 🐊 Gentle giant

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:40

Major Themes – The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008)

Explore the central themes of The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎶 Music

Music is the heartbeat of Atlantica, shaping identity, memory, and family bonds. Ariel's love of song clashes with the ban, revealing how art sustains joy even in repression. The narrative centers on the power of melody to heal a grieving family and revive a joyful society. The climactic return of music rekindles trust and unity in the kingdom.

💔 Loss

Athena's death catalyzes a shift in ruling and culture. Triton's grief fuels anger and a draconian ban on music, affecting the entire kingdom. The loss also fuels Ariel's longing to connect with her mother’s memory and family history. Reconciliation hinges on accepting that healing comes through remembering what was lost.

🕊️ Freedom

Ariel's curiosity and rebellion against dull routines spark a journey toward personal autonomy. The enchanted music club represents a space of expression and community outside the palace rules. The tension between obedience and exploration drives the plot and culminates in reconciliation through shared joy and understanding. The story champions choosing truth and connection over blind conformity.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:40

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The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning Summary

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The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning Summary

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning Timeline

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The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning Timeline

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning Spoiler-Free Summary

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