The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

Year: 1976

Runtime: 77 mins

Language: Russian

MusicFantasyFamilyRomance

After rescuing a prince from a storm, a young mermaid falls in love and asks a sea witch to trade her shimmering blue hair for human legs. The spell lets her walk on land, but each step sears her with pain. She endures the agony to be near the prince, who, unaware of her sacrifice, becomes smitten with a vain princess.

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Timeline – The Little Mermaid (1976)

Trace every key event in The Little Mermaid (1976) 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

Mermaid's birthday and longing for the surface

On her birthday, the little mermaid is impatient to glimpse the world above the waves. Her grandmother tells stories about the surface and warns her never to kiss a human. The combination of curiosity and caution sets the tone for her adventurous heart.

On her birthday Undersea kingdom
2

Storm sinks a ship and the prince is saved

A violent storm wrecks a prince's ship during the birthday festival. The mermaid dives into danger to save him, carrying him to the shore where he can be found by others. She leaves before he wakes, returning to the safety of the sea.

During the storm Coastline shore
3

A princess discovers the prince and falls in love

Soon after the rescue, a young princess discovers the prince and believes she was the savior. The prince falls in love with the mysterious savior, shaping a love that will drive future choices. The true savior remains unseen by him.

Soon after rescue Shore
4

One year later: the mermaid seeks life on land

One year later, the mermaid rejects a sea prince's marriage proposal and seeks life on land. She visits a sea witch and trades her voice for legs, hoping to win the prince's heart. The witch warns that if the prince loves another, the mermaid will turn into sea foam.

One year later Sea witch's lair
5

The transformation and arrival as a human

The transformation is painful, but she becomes human and is found by the prince. He welcomes her to his court and they begin to form a cautious friendship. Her new life among humans marks a turning point in both of their lives.

Shortly after the bargain Prince's realm
6

The Sea King's curse and its lifting

Moved by longing for his daughter, the King of the Seas curses the prince's kingdom. The mermaid persuades him to lift the curse, and the kingdom begins to prosper again under this new alliance. She becomes a trusted ally and miracle worker.

After she becomes human Sea king's realm
7

A journey to meet a suitable princess

The prince is persuaded to meet a suitable princess from another kingdom, traveling with the mermaid by his side. They discover that the princess is the shore maiden, and the prince and princess instantly fall in love and marry soon after.

Some time later Foreign court
8

The dagger and the choice

Before the wedding, the King of the Seas presents a dagger that would allow the mermaid to kill the prince and return to her mermaid form. The mermaid is faced with a deadly choice between love and transforming back, and her heart is torn.

Before the wedding Sea King's domain
9

The mermaid's self-sacrifice

Loving the prince, the mermaid chooses to sacrifice herself and throws herself into the sea as dawn approaches. Her father, grandmother, sisters, and other mermaids watch sadly as she is carried away by the tides. The act marks a final, selfless gift of love.

Dusk to dawn Sea near shore
10

Dawn brings a miraculous blessing

At dawn, the prince and his new wife wake to see a multitude of flowers floating on the sea, a sign of the mermaid's lasting love. The flowers symbolize a bridge between sea and shore and promise a peaceful future for both kingdoms.

Dawn Sea surface

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:43

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The Little Mermaid Summary

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The Little Mermaid Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Little Mermaid

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Little Mermaid

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The Little Mermaid (1976) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Little Mermaid (1976) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Little Mermaid (1976) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow