The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

Year: 2023

Language: English

Director: Rob Marshall

Echo Score: 62
AdventureFantasyRomanceFamilyMusical

Ariel, a spirited mermaid princess, yearns to experience the human world. Defying her father's orders, she makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch, Ursula, to trade her voice for legs and a chance to win the love of Prince Eric. As she navigates life on land, she must contend with Ursula’s schemes and fight to protect her family and the underwater kingdom from a looming threat.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Little Mermaid yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Little Mermaid (2023)

Trace every key event in The Little Mermaid (2023) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Sailors Awaken

As the glimmering sunrise casts its glow over the ocean, sailors awake filled with excitement, believing they have found a mythical mermaid.

Ocean
2

Prince Eric Saves a Dolphin

In their fervor, the sailors brandish their spears, endangering a frightened dolphin. Prince Eric leaps from his ship to save it, disarming the sailors in the process.

Onboard Eric's Ship
3

King Triton's Coral Moon Festival

In the magical underwater world, King Triton gathers his seven daughters, preparing for the highly anticipated Coral Moon festival while sending Sebastian to watch over Ariel.

Underwater Kingdom
4

Ariel's Shipwreck Adventure

Ariel and Flounder find a shipwreck and humorously mistake a fork for treasure, only to be confronted by a lurking shark. Ariel cleverly distracts the predator using the reflection.

Underwater
5

Meeting Scuttle

Ariel and Flounder encounter Scuttle, an eccentric bird who humorously claims the fork is a grooming tool for humans, calling it a 'dinglehopper'.

Underwater
6

Missed Coral Moon Celebration

Sebastian rushes in to inform Ariel that she has missed the Coral Moon celebration, urging her to return home to her father King Triton.

Underwater Kingdom
7

Triton Confronts Ariel

King Triton confronts Ariel about her fascination with the human world, igniting an emotional rift between them and leading to Triton's destruction of Ariel's human artifacts.

Underwater Kingdom
8

Ariel Meets Ursula

Ursula, Triton's malevolent sister, lures Ariel into a trap, offering her a deal: her voice for legs, with the condition to secure Eric's kiss within three days.

Ursula's Lair
9

Ariel on Land

Ariel arrives at the castle, trying to hide her true identity while developing a bond with Eric. She struggles to fit into the human world.

Castle
10

Romantic Outing

Eric convinces Grimsby to take Ariel out, where they enjoy a carriage ride and a boat ride, while Sebastian and Flounder plot to ignite their romance.

Marketplace and Lake
11

The Engagement Surprise

Ariel is devastated to see Eric with Vanessa, who has stolen her voice, just as Scuttle brings shocking news of Eric's impending engagement.

Castle
12

Scuttle Causes Chaos

During the engagement ceremony, Scuttle creates a diversion, exposing Ursula's true identity which begins to turn the tide in Ariel's favor.

Castle
13

Epic Battle with Ursula

As Ursula reveals her monstrous form, a climactic battle ensues. Eric and Ariel unite against Ursula and her minions, showcasing their bravery.

Underwater
14

Triton's Sacrifice

In a moment of bravery, Triton relinquishes his trident to grant Ursula extraordinary power, confronting her to protect his daughter.

Underwater
15

A New Beginning

With harmony restored, Triton makes a pivotal decision to transform Ariel back into a human. Overjoyed, Ariel and Eric share a kiss, sailing toward a hopeful future together.

Ocean

Last Updated: October 21, 2024 at 20:56

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about yearning for another world like The Little Mermaid

Heroines who dream of a different life and defy their worlds to find it.If you liked the theme of following your heart to a new world in The Little Mermaid, discover more movies like it. This collection features similar fantasy romance stories where a hopeful protagonist defies their circumstances to chase a dream, perfect for fans of magical journeys and self-discovery.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a central character who feels trapped or unfulfilled in their own world, harboring a powerful curiosity about an unknown realm. A catalyst event, often involving a bargain or risk, propels them into this new world, where they must navigate unfamiliar rules and dangers. The journey is fundamentally one of identity, as they learn about themselves and fight for the life they've chosen, culminating in a fulfilling resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a core emotional engine of yearning and a thematic focus on crossing boundaries—be they magical, social, or personal. They consistently feature a hopeful, character-driven tone, a steady narrative pace that focuses on the protagonist's emotional journey, and a blend of whimsical charm with moments of meaningful conflict.

Movies about magical bargains and consequences like The Little Mermaid

Stories where a magical deal unlocks a dream but comes with a hidden price.Fans of the dangerous deal with Ursula in The Little Mermaid will enjoy this collection of movies about magical bargains. Discover similar stories where characters make risky pacts that grant their deepest desires but unleash new conflicts, perfect for viewers who love high-stakes fantasy with clear good versus evil battles.

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Narrative Summary

The plot is structured around a central, magical transaction. The protagonist, driven by a powerful need, accepts terms from a cunning antagonist, gaining a boon but sacrificing something vital. The middle act revolves around navigating the unintended consequences of this deal, while the antagonist moves their own plans forward. The story builds to a climactic confrontation where the hero must outwit the dealmaker to nullify the bargain and save the day.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific plot mechanism—the magical bargain—that drives the core conflict. They consistently feature a clear villain who personifies the consequences of the deal, a steady pacing that builds tension towards a final showdown, and a mix of light-hearted character moments with medium-intensity action sequences rooted in a straightforward good-versus-evil dynamic.

Unlock the Full Story of The Little Mermaid

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Little Mermaid in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Little Mermaid is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Little Mermaid Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Little Mermaid, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Little Mermaid Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Little Mermaid

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Little Mermaid. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid Ending Explained

What really happened at the end of The Little Mermaid? This detailed ending explained page breaks down final scenes, hidden clues, and alternate interpretations with expert analysis and viewer theories.

The Little Mermaid Ending Explained

The Little Mermaid Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Little Mermaid that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Little Mermaid Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Little Mermaid

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Little Mermaid: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Little Mermaid