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.

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 (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

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

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.

Painful Transformations for Forbidden Love Like in The Little Mermaid

Stories where characters endure physical or emotional agony to bridge an impossible divide.Explore movies like The Little Mermaid where characters endure immense pain for love. If you liked the mermaid's sacrifice, you'll find similar stories of impossible choices, unrequited longing, and transformative journeys in this thread of poignant fantasy and romance films.

painful loveyearningsacrificemelancholictransformationforbidden romancedreamliketragic beauty

Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread follow a character who desires something or someone seemingly out of reach, often from a different world or station. They make a drastic, painful bargain to cross that divide, leading to a journey where their endurance and the true cost of their choice are tested, usually culminating in a bittersweet resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the agony of transformation as a metaphor for love's challenges. They create a specific melancholic and dreamlike mood, blending romance with significant emotional pain, and often feature a steady pace that allows the weight of the sacrifice to be fully felt.

Bittersweet Fairy Tale Endings Like in The Little Mermaid

Classic fairy tale stories where hope and sorrow are intertwined at the conclusion.Discover fairy tale movies with bittersweet endings like The Little Mermaid. If you appreciated the film's poignant blend of hope and sorrow, this thread features similar fantasy stories where love and sacrifice lead to emotionally complex and unforgettable conclusions.

bittersweetfairy talepoignantmelancholicsacrificehopeful sorrowyearningtragic beauty

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a protagonist striving for a dream within a magical or heightened reality. Their journey involves significant personal cost, and the resolution acknowledges this sacrifice. The ending delivers a form of hope or transcendence, but it is deeply intertwined with a sense of loss, creating a powerful emotional blend rather than simple victory.

Why These Movies?

These movies share a specific emotional signature defined by their bittersweet conclusions. They balance whimsical or romantic elements with a melancholic undertone and a medium emotional weight, creating a distinct feel that is both moving and contemplative, often rooted in themes of duty, desire, and selflessness.

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 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