The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

Year: 1968

Runtime: 28 mins

Language: Russian

Director: Ivan Aksenchuk

FamilyAnimationFantasy

Set in modern Copenhagen, tourists gather around the Little Mermaid statue as a guide explains its story. A fish beneath them scoffs and begins recounting the mermaid’s love. On her fifteenth birthday she surfaces, sees a prince battling a storm, saves him and declares that the beautiful and brave should not die, leading her to wish to become human.

The Little Mermaid (1968) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Little Mermaid (1968) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In bustling modern Copenhagen, a group of tourists gathers around the iconic Little Mermaid statue at Langelinie, their curiosity sparked by the Guide who weaves the tale of the sea‑bound heroine into the city’s contemporary rhythm. The camera pulls beneath the surface, where a sardonic fish narrator offers a wry commentary on human notions of love, setting a tone that is both playful and reverent as the story slips from stone to water.

Below the waves lies an alabaster palace inhabited by a family of mermaid princesses, their lives suffused with the quiet magic of the deep. On her fifteenth birthday, the Little Mermaid is presented with a vivid red cloak—an unspoken signal of destiny—by her older sisters. This poignant moment hints at the pull between duty and yearning that defines her character, while the surrounding sea glimmers with both wonder and restraint.

When a storm tosses a royal galleon, a young prince is thrown overboard, his struggle visible against a churning sky. The Little Mermaid rises to the surface, rescuing the unconscious figure and, in a breath‑caught instant, declares that the beautiful and brave should never be allowed to die. The encounter ignites a fierce longing within her, the seed of a wish to trade her watery home for a fleeting taste of humanity.

The film balances the timeless allure of folklore with the sleekness of a contemporary city, its mood shifting from wistful lyricism to quiet anticipation. The fish narrator’s sardonic musings keep the audience aware that each myth carries layers of meaning, while the mermaid’s newfound hope promises a journey that will test the boundaries between two worlds, inviting viewers to wonder what lies just beyond the tide.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 23:19

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Bittersweet Fairy Tale Movies like The Little Mermaid

Stories of profound sacrifice and tragic love in enchanted worlds.Explore movies like The Little Mermaid that delve into the heart of bittersweet fairy tales. If you were moved by the themes of sacrificial love and tragic romance, this collection features similar stories of longing and transformation where love's cost is high and the ending is emotionally complex.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a protagonist who, driven by intense longing or love for an unattainable ideal, makes a great sacrifice—often involving their identity or well-being. The story unfolds in a magical or enchanted setting, where the rules of fate and magic dictate a path towards a resolution that is emotionally resonant but not conventionally happy.

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Dreamlike stories centered on the ache of impossible love.Discover movies similar to The Little Mermaid that capture the specific feeling of melancholic longing. If you appreciated the dreamlike, reflective pace and the central theme of an impossible, unrequited love, this list features films with a comparable wistful and emotionally resonant vibe.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative arc is emotionally driven, revolving around a character's intense but unfulfilled desire. Conflict often arises from internal struggles and external circumstances that keep the object of affection distant. The story's structure prioritizes mood and emotional reflection over complex plotting, leading to an ending that acknowledges the beauty and pain of the longing itself.

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The Little Mermaid Summary

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The Little Mermaid Summary

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The Little Mermaid Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Little Mermaid

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Little Mermaid

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