:The Little Mermaid (2023 film)

Ariel is a mermaid princess and the youngest daughter of King Triton, ruler of the merpeople of Atlantica. She is fascinated with the human world despite never having seen it, as Triton forbids all merfolk from surfacing there after Ariel's mother was killed by a human.

One night, Ariel sees fireworks above the ocean and surfaces to see them better. They come from the ship of Eric, the prince of a nearby island. When a storm arrives, the ship crashes against rocks, forcing all to go for the lifeboats. Ariel rescues Eric, brings him to shore, and sings with her siren voice to help save his life. She flees before he can regain full consciousness.

Noticing Ariel's absent-minded behavior, Triton questions his advisor Sebastian the crab, who reveals that she saved a human. Enraged, Triton travels to Ariel's grotto to scold her; when she refuses to swear to never return to the surface, he destroys her collection of human objects. Ariel is later approached by two moray eels sent by the sea witch Ursula, Triton's estranged sister and Ariel's aunt who was banished from Atlantica 15 years prior.

At Ursula's lair, Ariel is presented with a deal: she will turn into a human for three days, during which she must receive a "true love's kiss" to remain human permanently. If Ariel fails, she will transform back into a mermaid and Ursula will claim her. To become human, Ariel must give up her tail, the ability to breathe underwater, and her siren voice, the last of which Ursula will keep in a nautilus shell. Ariel accepts the deal. After receiving human legs, she swims to the surface with her best friend Sergeant Major Flounder and Sebastian. In the human world, she is rescued and taken to Eric's castle. Eric, who has been searching for the woman who saved his life, rushes to meet Ariel. However, her lack of voice has him immediately turning away. While exploring the castle, Ariel finds Eric's collection of items he accumulated over his travels. Eric spends time with her poring over his collection.

The next day, Eric takes Ariel sightseeing around the kingdom. Sebastian, who has followed Ariel, realizes that Ursula has put a cheat in the spell that is causing Ariel to forget that she needs to kiss Eric. Along with Scuttle, a northern gannet, and Flounder, Sebastian takes it upon himself to get the pair to kiss. They are almost successful but are thwarted by Ursula's eels. Enraged by the close call, Ursula turns into a human and uses Ariel's siren voice to hypnotize Eric. Back at Atlantica, Triton has the kingdom search for Ariel and begins to regret the way he treated her.

The next morning, Ariel and her friends discover that Eric will be announcing his engagement to "Vanessa" (Ursula's alter ego) later that day. Ariel rushes to the engagement party, confronts Ursula, and breaks the shell. She gains back her voice, and the enchantment on Eric is broken. However, before they can kiss, the sun sets and Ariel transforms back into a mermaid. Reverting to her original form, Ursula drags Ariel back into the ocean.

Wanting to save Ariel, Triton confronts Ursula. However, the deal that she made with Ariel is unbreakable. Triton trades himself for Ariel and is turned to dust by Flotsam and Jetsam before losing his authority over Atlantica, much to her horror. Ursula declares herself the Queen of the Seven Seas and claims Triton's trident when Eric arrives with a harpoon. Ursula attempts to kill Eric, but Ariel intervenes and intentionally attacks Ursula who unintentionally kills Flotsam and Jetsam. Enraged, Ursula uses the trident to grow in size.

Ariel and Eric reunite on the surface just before a gigantic Ursula separates them. She then gains full control of the ocean, creating a storm and bringing sunken ships to the surface before Ariel gets on one. Just as Eric is about to be killed, Ariel commandeers a wrecked ship and impales Ursula with its splintered bowsprit. Once Ursula dies, Triton comes back to life; he and Ariel recognize the other's sacrifice for them.

Ariel returns home, where she is unhappy without Eric. On Sebastian's advice, Triton transforms Ariel into a human permanently, and she reunites with Eric. As Eric and Ariel marry on the beach, the pair decide to travel together, with the blessing of both their parents and the support of people from both their worlds.

{{main|List of The Little Mermaid characters}}

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| footer=Top row: Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, and Javier Bardem play Ariel, Eric, Ursula and King Triton.
Bottom row: Noma Dumezweni plays Queen Selina, with Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay, and Awkwafina voicing Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle.

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• Halle Bailey as Ariel,{{cite magazine|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=July 3, 2019|title=Disney's Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' Casts Halle Bailey as Ariel|magazine=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/little-mermaid-halle-bailey-chloe-x-halle-1203234294/|url-status=live|access-date=July 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703195132/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/little-mermaid-halle-bailey-chloe-x-halle-1203234294/|archive-date=July 3, 2019}} a curious, adventurous, and headstrong mermaid princess and King Triton's youngest daughter who is fascinated with the human world.
• Jonah Hauer-King as Eric,{{cite magazine|date=November 12, 2019|title='Little Mermaid' Live-Action Remake Finds Its Prince Eric in Jonah Hauer-King|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/little-mermaid-live-action-remake-finds-prince-eric-jonah-hauer-king-1254375/|url-status=live|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001170446/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/little-mermaid-live-action-remake-finds-prince-eric-jonah-hauer-king-1254375/|archive-date=October 1, 2023|access-date=February 27, 2024}} an adventurer and free-spirited human prince whom Ariel falls in love with after saving him from drowning. Hauer-King described his character as "restless and inquisitive about where he is in the world, like Ariel... He's quite isolated and sensitive."{{Cite web |last=Greenwood |first=Douglas |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Jonah Hauer-King, Bashful Disney Prince |url=https://www.thecut.com/2023/05/jonah-hauer-king-prince-eric-little-mermaid-interview.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527185025/https://www.thecut.com/2023/05/jonah-hauer-king-prince-eric-little-mermaid-interview.html |archive-date=May 27, 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=The Cut}}
• Melissa McCarthy as Ursula,{{cite magazine|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=June 28, 2019|title=Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' (EXCLUSIVE)|magazine=Variety|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/melissa-mccarthy-little-mermaid-ursula-1203217481/|url-status=live|access-date=June 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629230553/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/melissa-mccarthy-little-mermaid-ursula-1203217481/|archive-date=June 29, 2019}} a treacherous and conniving sea witch and King Triton's estranged sister, with whom Ariel makes a deal to become a human, which is secretly part of Ursula's plan to conquer Atlantica. McCarthy described her character as "so funny. There's wit, there's manipulation. She's a great broad and at the same time, I have to think about what armor does she put in? And I don't think her mental health is great."{{Cite web |last=Decklemeier |first=Joe |date=May 12, 2023 |title=Melissa McCarthy & Javier Bardem Interview: The Little Mermaid |url=https://screenrant.com/the-little-mermaid-melissa-mccarthy-javier-bardem-interview/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528154109/https://screenrant.com/the-little-mermaid-melissa-mccarthy-javier-bardem-interview/ |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |website=Screen Rant}}
• Jessica Alexander as Vanessa,{{cite magazine|last=Russell|first=Shania|date=May 27, 2023|title=Who plays Ursula's alter-ego Vanessa in The Little Mermaid? Director Rob Marshall on casting Jessica Alexander|url=https://ew.com/movies/the-little-mermaid-vanessa-actress-jessica-alexander|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=June 7, 2023|archive-date=June 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603162250/https://ew.com/movies/the-little-mermaid-vanessa-actress-jessica-alexander/|url-status=live}} Ursula's human alter ego, which she uses to sabotage her deal with Ariel. Alexander described her character as "a seductress, a temptress, the definition of a femme fatale and a sexy female villain."{{Cite magazine |last=Wickes |first=Jade |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Jess Alexander is The Little Mermaid's shining femme fatale |url=https://theface.com/culture/jess-alexander-interview-the-little-mermaid-ursula-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy-disney-film |url-status=live |magazine=The Face |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601164224/https://theface.com/culture/jess-alexander-interview-the-little-mermaid-ursula-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy-disney-film |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |access-date=June 1, 2023}}
• Javier Bardem as King Triton,{{cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=July 17, 2019|title=Javier Bardem In Talks For Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' Remake|work=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/javier-bardem-disney-the-little-mermaid-1202648060/|url-status=live|access-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717212730/https://deadline.com/2019/07/javier-bardem-disney-the-little-mermaid-1202648060/|archive-date=July 17, 2019}} Ariel's strict and overprotective father and the ruler of Atlantica who is prejudiced against humans due to the death of his wife at the hands of one of them. Bardem described his character as "a little bit less grumpy than the original because we were intending to bring more conflict to his behavior, like his fear and insecurity as a father. Being scared of letting his last daughter leave home ends up translating into being angry or too controlling."{{Cite magazine |last=Ford |first=Lucy |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Javier Bardem on playing a sexy King Triton in The Little Mermaid |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/javier-bardem-little-mermaid-interview-2023 |url-status=live |magazine=GQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526190719/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/javier-bardem-little-mermaid-interview-2023 |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023}}
• Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina,{{cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=January 5, 2021|title='The Undoing's Noma Dumezweni Joins Disney's Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' In Brand New Role|work=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/the-undoings-noma-dumezweni-disneys-live-action-little-mermaid-1234664675/|url-status=live|access-date=May 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105174101/https://deadline.com/2021/01/the-undoings-noma-dumezweni-disneys-live-action-little-mermaid-1234664675/|archive-date=January 5, 2021}} Eric's adoptive mother and the ruler of a Caribbean island kingdom. She is a new character for the film. Dumezweni described her character as a "loving queen and a mother queen and a parent and a land lover learning about herself through letting go of her children."{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Priyanka |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Actor Noma Dumezweni chats with The Telegraph on the enduring and magical appeal of The Little Mermaid |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/actor-noma-dumezweni-chats-with-the-telegraph-on-the-enduring-and-magical-appeal-of-the-little-mermaid/cid/1939008 |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527191502/https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/actor-noma-dumezweni-chats-with-the-telegraph-on-the-enduring-and-magical-appeal-of-the-little-mermaid/cid/1939008 |archive-date=May 27, 2023}}
• Art Malik as Sir Grimsby,{{Cite web |last=Eddy |first=Cheryl |date=September 10, 2022 |title=Disney's Live-Action Little Mermaid Shares Its First Teaser |url=https://gizmodo.com/disney-live-action-little-mermaid-first-teaser-1849519932 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912183748/https://gizmodo.com/disney-live-action-little-mermaid-first-teaser-1849519932 |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=Gizmodo}} the prime minister of Selina's kingdom and Eric's loyal confidant who acts as a father figure to him.

• Daveed Diggs as Sebastian,{{Cite magazine |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=October 8, 2019 |title=Daveed Diggs in Talks to Play Sebastian in Disney's Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/daveed-diggs-talks-play-sebastian-disneys-little-mermaid-1246288 |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008222634/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/daveed-diggs-talks-play-sebastian-disneys-little-mermaid-1246288 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |access-date=October 8, 2019}} a loyal fiddler crab and King Triton's majordomo who watches over Ariel.{{Cite web |last=Ong-Pizarro |first=Abigail |date=August 29, 2021 |title=Little Mermaid Has The Craziest Filmmaking Sebastian Actor Has Ever Seen |url=https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-live-action-production-crazy-daveed-diggs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912183750/https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-live-action-production-crazy-daveed-diggs/ |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 11, 2021 |website=Screen Rant}}
• Jacob Tremblay as Flounder,{{Cite magazine |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=July 1, 2019 |title=Jacob Tremblay, Awkwafina in Talks for Disney's Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/disneys-live-action-little-mermaid-eyes-jacob-tremblay-awkwafina-1221947 |url-status=live |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701185008/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/disneys-live-action-little-mermaid-eyes-jacob-tremblay-awkwafina-1221947 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=July 1, 2019}} an anxious yet noble sergeant major who is Ariel's best friend.
• Awkwafina as Scuttle,{{Cite news |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=July 1, 2019 |title=Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay Join 'The Little Mermaid' Live-Action Adaptation |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/jacob-tremblay-awkwafina-little-mermaid-1203257076/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704081959/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/jacob-tremblay-awkwafina-little-mermaid-1203257076/ |archive-date=July 4, 2019}} a dimwitted northern gannet and a friend of Ariel's to whom she provides inaccurate descriptions of any human/surface world object Ariel finds. The character is portrayed as a female diving bird instead of a male seagull as in the original to feature the character in underwater scenes.

Additionally, Martina Laird appears as Lashana, one of the maids in Eric's castle, who is based on Carlotta from the animated film; Emily Coates appears as Rosa, a young girl who works as a maid in Eric's castle; Christopher Fairbank and John Dagleish appear as Hawkins and Mulligan, two of Eric's shipmates; Jude Akuwudike appears as Joshua, a fisherman who discovers Ariel in her human form; and Russell Balogh and Adrian Christopher appear as two of King Triton's guards.{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Molly |date=March 2, 2021 |title=The Little Mermaid adds to its cast, and makes a huge change to Ursula |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/the-little-mermaid-adds-to-its-cast-and-makes-a-huge-change-to-ursula/ar-BB1e9FuT?ocid=msedgntp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427214540/https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/news/the-little-mermaid-adds-to-its-cast-and-makes-a-huge-change-to-ursula/ar-BB1e9FuT?ocid=msedgntp |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |access-date=June 26, 2021 |website=MSN}} Also appearing as the daughters of Triton and Ariel's sisters (renamed for the film) are Lorena Andrea as Perla, Simone Ashley as Indira, Karolina Conchet as Mala, Sienna King as Tamika, Kajsa Mohammar as Karina, and Nathalie Sorrell as Caspia.{{Cite web |last=Ferraro |first=Pietro |date=July 13, 2021 |title=La sirenetta: il remake live-action di Disney ha concluso le riprese |url=https://www.cineblog.it/post/la-sirenetta-fine-riprese-remake-disney |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912183750/https://www.cineblog.it/post/la-sirenetta-fine-riprese-remake-disney |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=July 20, 2021 |website=Cineblog |language=it}}{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2023 |title=Before Halle Bailey's Little Mermaid, Read the New Novel Inspired by the Film |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/before-halle-bailey-little-mermaid-read-the-new-novel-inspired-by-the-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203201206/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/before-halle-bailey-little-mermaid-read-the-new-novel-inspired-by-the-film |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2023 |website=Teen Vogue}}{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |date=January 10, 2023 |title=THE LITTLE MERMAID Books Give New Look at Upcoming Live Action Remake |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photos-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-Books-Give-New-Look-at-Upcoming-Live-Action-Remake-20230110 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111170405/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photos-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-Books-Give-New-Look-at-Upcoming-Live-Action-Remake-20230110 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=February 3, 2023 |website=BroadwayWorld}}

Flotsam and Jetsam, Ursula's green moray eel minions appear. Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel in the animated film, cameos as a market vendor who hands Ariel a dinglehopper during her tour of the kingdom.{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Lana |date=May 9, 2023 |title=Jodi Benson Cameo CONFIRMED & Other Highlights From 'Little Mermaid' World Premiere |url=https://www.disneydining.com/jodi-benson-cameo-confirmed-and-other-highlights-from-little-mermaid-world-premiere-lf1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509193401/https://www.disneydining.com/jodi-benson-cameo-confirmed-and-other-highlights-from-little-mermaid-world-premiere-lf1/ |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=Disney Dining}}{{Cite magazine |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=May 12, 2023 |title=When Ariel Met Ariel: Halle Bailey Got Jodi Benson's 'Stamp of Approval' on 'Little Mermaid' Set and Was Told to 'Just Go for It' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/halle-bailey-met-jodi-benson-little-mermaid-set-blessing-1235611179/ |url-status=live |magazine=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512181148/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/halle-bailey-met-jodi-benson-little-mermaid-set-blessing-1235611179/ |archive-date=May 12, 2023 |access-date=May 12, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Ashley |date=May 12, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid left Halle Bailey 'tired' and 'isolated.' And she thanked God for it |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-05-12/the-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-ariel-disney |url-status=live |access-date=May 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512152842/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-05-12/the-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-ariel-disney |archive-date=May 12, 2023}} Eric's Old English Sheepdog Max appears, portrayed by Gary and Edna respectively, with the latter being uncredited.{{cite web | url=https://aldlabradoodles.uk/gary | title=Gary ~ Max Disney's the Little Mermaid }}

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In May 2016, Walt Disney Pictures began developing a live-action adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Little Mermaid".{{Cite web |last=Jaafar |first=Ali |date=May 25, 2016 |title=Disney Mulling Live-Action Version Of 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/disney-mulling-the-little-mermaid-live-action-version-1201762354/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222091217/http://deadline.com/2016/05/disney-mulling-the-little-mermaid-live-action-version-1201762354/ |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=March 4, 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Three months later, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Marc Platt signed on to produce the film, which was confirmed to be a remake of the Disney's 1989 animated film of the same name.{{Cite magazine |last=Snetiker |first=Marc |date=August 16, 2016 |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alan Menken team up for live-action Little Mermaid |url=https://ew.com/movies/2016/08/16/little-mermaid-lin-manuel-miranda-alan-menken/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313223127/http://ew.com/movies/2016/08/16/little-mermaid-lin-manuel-miranda-alan-menken/ |archive-date=March 13, 2017 |access-date=March 4, 2017}} On December 6, 2017, it was reported that Rob Marshall was being courted by the Walt Disney Company to direct the film, while Jane Goldman would serve as screenwriter.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=December 6, 2017 |title=Rob Marshall Top Choice To Helm Disney's Live Action 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://deadline.com/2017/12/the-little-mermaid-rob-marshall-top-choice-disney-mary-poppins-returns-1202220650/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206223202/http://deadline.com/2017/12/the-little-mermaid-rob-marshall-top-choice-disney-mary-poppins-returns-1202220650/ |archive-date=December 6, 2017 |access-date=December 6, 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} On December 5, 2018, Marshall revealed that he, along with John DeLuca and Marc Platt were hired to begin developing the project for film adaptation, and said that "John and [Marshall] have begun our work trying to explore it and figure it out", as he felt that "it's a very complicated movie to take from animation to live-action. Live-action's a whole other world so you have to be very careful about how that's done, but so we're starting the exploration phase".{{Cite web |last=Jaafer |first=Ali |date=December 5, 2018 |title=FOR DIRECTOR ROB MARSHALL, MARY POPPINS RETURNS IS A VERY PERSONAL PROJECT |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/for-director-rob-marshall-mary-poppins-returns-is-a-very-personal-project |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206061543/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/for-director-rob-marshall-mary-poppins-returns-is-a-very-personal-project |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |access-date=December 6, 2018 |website=SyFy Wire}} Later in December, Marshall was officially hired as director for the film.{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2018 |title='Little Mermaid' Live-Action Director Rob Marshall Shares Production Update (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/little-mermaid-live-action-director-rob-marshall-shares-production-update-exclusive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907013213/https://www.etonline.com/media/videos/little-mermaid-live-action-director-rob-marshall-shares-production-update-exclusive |archive-date=September 7, 2020 |access-date=July 3, 2019 |website=Entertainment Tonight}} During an interview on December 21, 2018, Marshall revealed that the film is in very early stages of development, stating that the studio is trying to explore ways to translate the original film's story into live-action.{{Cite web |last=Weintraub |first=Steve |date=December 21, 2018 |title=Rob Marshall on Why He Signed an Overall Deal at Walt Disney Studios |url=http://collider.com/rob-marshall-interview-mary-poppins-returns/#images |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628195520/http://collider.com/rob-marshall-interview-mary-poppins-returns/#images |archive-date=June 28, 2019 |access-date=July 3, 2019 |website=Collider}} On July 3, 2019, David Magee, who previously wrote the screenplay for Marshall's Mary Poppins Returns, was revealed to have written the script with Goldman.{{Cite news |last=Geisinger |first=Gabriella |date=July 2, 2019 |title=The Little Mermaid cast: These stars in talks for the Disney remake – who will be in it? |work=Express.co.uk |url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1147939/The-Little-Mermaid-cast-Melissa-McCarthy-Awkwafina-Lin-Manuel-Miranda-disney-movie |url-status=live |access-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703022802/https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/films/1147939/The-Little-Mermaid-cast-Melissa-McCarthy-Awkwafina-Lin-Manuel-Miranda-disney-movie |archive-date=July 3, 2019}} Magee would receive sole credit for the screenplay. On February 10, 2020, Miranda revealed that rehearsals for the film had already begun.{{Cite web |title=Lin Manuel Miranda spills details on 'The Little Mermaid' remake on Oscar's red carpet |url=https://www.connectradio.fm/2020/02/10/lin-manuel-miranda-spills-details-on-the-little-mermaid-remake-on-oscars-red-carpet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214042506/https://www.connectradio.fm/2020/02/10/lin-manuel-miranda-spills-details-on-the-little-mermaid-remake-on-oscars-red-carpet/ |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=February 14, 2020}}

In the early stages of the film's development, Lindsay Lohan expressed interest in playing the role of Ariel.{{Cite magazine |last=Nolfi |first=Joey |date=February 19, 2017 |title=Lindsay Lohan wants Bill Condon to direct her in The Little Mermaid musical |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/02/19/lindsay-lohan-wants-bill-condon-direct-her-little-mermaid-musical/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708153653/http://ew.com/movies/2017/02/19/lindsay-lohan-wants-bill-condon-direct-her-little-mermaid-musical/ |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |access-date=May 24, 2017}} Zendaya was reported to have been offered the part in August 2018,{{Cite magazine |last=Bailey |first=Alyssa |date=August 23, 2018 |title=Zendaya Rumored to Be Offered Ariel Role in Disney's Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a22810296/zendaya-ariel-disney-live-action-the-little-mermaid-casting-rumor/ |url-status=live |magazine=Elle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309233944/https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a22810296/zendaya-ariel-disney-live-action-the-little-mermaid-casting-rumor/ |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023}} but she herself eventually stated that this was "just a rumor".{{Cite magazine |last1=Fernández |first1=Alexia |last2=McNiece |first2=Mia |date=September 21, 2018 |title=Zendaya Addresses Rumors She Will Play Ariel in a Live-Action Film of 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://people.com/movies/zendaya-addresses-rumors-playing-ariel-the-little-mermaid/ |url-status=live |magazine=People |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517163502/https://people.com/movies/zendaya-addresses-rumors-playing-ariel-the-little-mermaid/ |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |access-date=May 27, 2023}} Halle Bailey was the first to audition for the role{{Cite news |last=Richardson |first=Kalia |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Halle Bailey: 'The Little Mermaid' Star Connects With Her Inner Ariel |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/24/movies/halle-bailey-little-mermaid.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526234238/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/24/movies/halle-bailey-little-mermaid.html |archive-date=May 26, 2023}} after Rob Marshall saw her perform Donny Hathaway's 1972 single "Where Is the Love" at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.{{Cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Rebecca |date=May 20, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid's Halle Bailey: 'As a child, seeing a black Ariel would have changed my life' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/may/20/halle-bailey-the-little-mermaid-interview-as-a-child-seeing-a-black-ariel-would-have-changed-my-life |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526224308/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/may/20/halle-bailey-the-little-mermaid-interview-as-a-child-seeing-a-black-ariel-would-have-changed-my-life |archive-date=May 26, 2023}} According to Marshall, hundreds of other girls also tried out for the part,{{Cite magazine |last=Wang |first=Jen |date=April 24, 2023 |title=Making Waves: Halle Bailey On Reinventing The Disney Princess In The Little Mermaid |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/halle-bailey-british-vogue-interview |url-status=live |magazine=Vogue |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525164119/https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/halle-bailey-british-vogue-interview |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023}} but she "set the bar so high that nobody surpassed it."{{Cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=May 17, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Director Rob Marshall On Turning Animated Classic Into Live-Action Summer Disney Musical: Q&A |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-director-rob-marshall-halle-bailey-animated-classic-to-live-action-film-1235370539/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524234219/https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-director-rob-marshall-halle-bailey-animated-classic-to-live-action-film-1235370539/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023}} Hundreds of candidates auditioned for the role of Eric,{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=April 4, 2023 |title=Making a splash: A deep dive into the live-action Little Mermaid with a new generation's Ariel |url=https://ew.com/movies/the-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy-cover-story/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404180704/https://ew.com/movies/the-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy-cover-story/ |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |access-date=April 4, 2023}} including actors Asher Angel,{{Cite magazine |last=Calvario |first=Liz |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Asher Angel Says He Auditioned for Role of Prince Eric In 'The Little Mermaid' Live-Action Film (Exclusive) |url=https://www.etonline.com/asher-angel-says-he-auditioned-for-role-of-prince-eric-in-the-little-mermaid-live-action-film |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Tonight |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521094200/https://www.etonline.com/asher-angel-says-he-auditioned-for-role-of-prince-eric-in-the-little-mermaid-live-action-film |archive-date=May 21, 2022 |access-date=May 27, 2023}} Gavin Leatherwood,{{Cite magazine |last=Delgado |first=Sara |date=September 19, 2019 |title=Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Star Gavin Leatherwood Hinted He Also Auditioned for The Little Mermaid |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/chilling-adventures-sabrina-gavin-leatherwood-auditioned-the-little-mermaid |url-status=live |magazine=Teen Vogue |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329160958/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/chilling-adventures-sabrina-gavin-leatherwood-auditioned-the-little-mermaid |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |access-date=May 27, 2023}} Christian Navarro,{{Cite magazine |last=Highfill |first=Samantha |date=September 3, 2019 |title=13 Reasons Why star auditioning for Prince Eric in live-action The Little Mermaid |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/09/03/13-reasons-why-christian-navarro-the-little-mermaid-prince-eric/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908224702/https://ew.com/movies/2019/09/03/13-reasons-why-christian-navarro-the-little-mermaid-prince-eric/ |archive-date=September 8, 2019 |access-date=May 27, 2017}} Jack Whitehall,{{Cite news |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=July 28, 2021 |title=Wilmer Valderrama Says Father's Battle With COVID Inspired New Podcast About Essential and Frontline Workers |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/columns/wilmer-valderrama-essential-voices-frontline-workers-covid-podcast-1235028634/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512151942/https://variety.com/2021/film/columns/wilmer-valderrama-essential-voices-frontline-workers-covid-podcast-1235028634/ |archive-date=May 12, 2023}} and Cameron Cuffe, with the latter, along with Jonah Hauer-King, doing a screen test alongside Bailey.{{Cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |last2=D'Alessandro |first2=Anthony |date=September 24, 2019 |title='The Little Mermaid': 'Krypton's Cameron Cuffe, Jonah Hauer-King Testing For Prince Eric Role |url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/the-little-mermaid-prince-eric-cameron-cuffe-jonah-hauer-king-testing-role-1202743642/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926063547/https://deadline.com/2019/09/the-little-mermaid-prince-eric-cameron-cuffe-jonah-hauer-king-testing-role-1202743642/ |archive-date=September 26, 2019 |access-date=September 28, 2019 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Harry Styles was in early negotiations to play the part,{{Cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=July 16, 2019 |title=Harry Styles in Talks to Play Prince Eric in Disney's Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/harry-styles-talks-play-prince-eric-disneys-little-mermaid-1224669 |url-status=live |access-date=July 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716200249/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/harry-styles-talks-play-prince-eric-disneys-little-mermaid-1224669 |archive-date=July 16, 2019}} but ultimately turned it down{{Cite news |last=Gonzales |first=Umberto |date=August 13, 2019 |title=Harry Styles Turns Down Role of Prince Eric in 'Little Mermaid' (Exclusive) |work=TheWrap |url=https://www.thewrap.com/harry-styles-little-mermaid-prince-eric/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814031640/https://www.thewrap.com/harry-styles-little-mermaid-prince-eric/ |archive-date=August 14, 2019}} in favor of doing a concert tour.{{Cite magazine |last=Harrison |first=Ellie |date=November 4, 2019 |title=Harry Styles reveals why he turned down role of Prince Eric in Little Mermaid |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/harry-styles-little-mermaid-prince-eric-reject-role-a9183981.html |url-status=live |magazine=The Independent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820034829/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/harry-styles-little-mermaid-prince-eric-reject-role-a9183981.html |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |access-date=May 27, 2023}} Marshall later elaborated that Styles also refused because he wanted to do darker, non-musical roles.

By March 2021, Jessica Alexander was cast in an undisclosed role, which was eventually revealed to be Vanessa.{{Cite news |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=March 1, 2021 |title=Jessica Alexander Joins Disney's Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' Pic |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/jessica-alexander-disneys-little-mermaid-pic-1234704206/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313185614/https://deadline.com/2021/03/jessica-alexander-disneys-little-mermaid-pic-1234704206/ |archive-date=March 13, 2023}}

Of her casting, director Rob Marshall stated it was a conscious decision to cast a relatively unknown actress as Vanessa since McCarthy was already portraying Ursula. He also said: "She's just a beautiful, beautiful actress, and she went there. It's sort of rare for someone that beautiful and charismatic to be able to then turn into the sea witch literally in front of you and just lose it. It was exciting to see that change." Alexander enjoyed playing the role, commenting that she "love[s] being demonic, and just going crazy on screen, so this was a perfect opportunity for that".{{Cite web |last=Koh |first=Reena |date=June 1, 2023 |title=Scenes of Jessica Alexander Playing Ursula's Human alter-ego in The Little Mermaid Are Going Viral on TikTok. The Actress Loves 'Being Demonic, and Just Going Crazy on Screen.' |url=https://www.insider.com/jessica-alexander-viral-tiktok-little-mermaid-vanessa-ursula-melissa-mccarthy-2023-6 |access-date=June 7, 2023 |website=Insider |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912044607/https://www.insider.com/jessica-alexander-viral-tiktok-little-mermaid-vanessa-ursula-melissa-mccarthy-2023-6 |url-status=live }} Kacey Musgraves was also considered for the role.{{Cite web |last=Fuge |first=Jonathan |date=July 24, 2020 |title=Disney's The Little Mermaid Remake Goes After Grammy Winner Kacey Musgraves |url=https://movieweb.com/kacey-musgraves-little-mermaid-disney/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214000325/https://movieweb.com/kacey-musgraves-little-mermaid-disney/ |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=May 27, 2023 |website=MovieWeb}}

Filming was originally scheduled to begin in London between late March and early April 2020; however, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |last2=Couch |first2=Aaron |title=Disney Suspends Film Production Amid Coronavirus Concerns |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/disney-suspends-film-production-coronavirus-concerns-1284541 |url-status=live |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314060800/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/disney-suspends-film-production-coronavirus-concerns-1284541 |archive-date=March 14, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Kay |first=Jeremy |date=March 13, 2020 |title=London shoot on 'The Little Mermaid', other Disney live-action productions on hold |work=Screen International |url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/london-shoot-on-the-little-mermaid-other-disney-live-action-productions-on-hold/5148126.article |url-status=live |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314134713/https://www.screendaily.com/news/london-shoot-on-the-little-mermaid-other-disney-live-action-productions-on-hold/5148126.article |archive-date=March 14, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=March 13, 2020 |title=Disney Pausing Production On Features 'Little Mermaid', 'Home Alone', 'Nightmare Alley' & More Until Coronavirus Calms Down |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/disney-pausing-production-movies-little-mermaid-home-alone-nightmare-alley-coronavirus-1202882556/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313191113/https://deadline.com/2020/03/disney-pausing-production-movies-little-mermaid-home-alone-nightmare-alley-coronavirus-1202882556/ |archive-date=March 13, 2020}}{{Cite news |date=November 10, 2019 |title=The Little Mermaid |work=Production List |publisher=Film & Television Industry Alliance |url=https://productionlist.com/production/the-little-mermaid/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207195237/https://productionlist.com/production/the-little-mermaid/ |archive-date=February 7, 2023}} Set photos at Pinewood Studios in London, England leaked a few weeks after the production was shut down, it showed aerial images featuring Prince Eric's ship as well as indoor images of what seemed to be his castle. On July 29, 2020, based on a social media post, Jacob Tremblay began recording his lines for the film.{{Cite news |last=Yep |first=Kristin |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Voice Work Begins for Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid' |work=Inside the Magic |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2020/07/voice-work-little-mermaid-live-action-ky1/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907013218/https://insidethemagic.net/2020/07/voice-work-little-mermaid-live-action-ky1/ |archive-date=September 7, 2020}} Filming was scheduled to re-commence on August 10, 2020.{{Cite news |last=Jirak |first=Jamie |date=May 31, 2020 |title=Fantastic Beasts Sequel and The Little Mermaid Can Restart Production Thanks to New UK Bill |work=Comicbook.com |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/fantastic-beasts-sequel-the-little-mermaid-restart-production-uk-july/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609082723/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/fantastic-beasts-sequel-the-little-mermaid-restart-production-uk-july/ |archive-date=June 9, 2020}}

By November 2020, Disney's new CEO Bob Chapek announced that filming on all films that had been postponed during pandemic shutdowns had resumed filming, and in some cases completed principal photography.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Mike |date=November 13, 2020 |title=Disney Confirms ALL Movies Shut Down For COVID Have Restarted Or Completed Filming |url=https://screenrant.com/disney-movies-filming-delayed-update-bob-chapek/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411045136/https://screenrant.com/disney-movies-filming-delayed-update-bob-chapek/ |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2020 |website=Screen Rant}}

In December 2020, McCarthy stated that she would hopefully begin filming in January 2021.{{Cite news |last=Harmata |first=Claudia |date=December 2, 2020 |title=Melissa McCarthy Gives Update on Playing Ursula in Live-Action Little Mermaid: 'It's Just So Fun' |work=People.com |url=https://people.com/movies/melissa-mccarthy-gives-update-on-playing-ursula-in-live-action-little-mermaid-its-just-so-fun/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202211006/https://people.com/movies/melissa-mccarthy-gives-update-on-playing-ursula-in-live-action-little-mermaid-its-just-so-fun/ |archive-date=December 2, 2020}} The following month, Diggs discussed the large amount of work he had to do when it came to preparing for and recording dialogue for the role of Sebastian.{{Cite news |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |date=January 26, 2021 |title='The Little Mermaid' Star Daveed Diggs Says He Did More Research for Sebastian Than for Any Other Role in His Career |work=Collider.com |url=https://collider.com/daveed-diggs-sebastian-little-mermaid-comments/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623183726/https://collider.com/daveed-diggs-sebastian-little-mermaid-comments/ |archive-date=June 23, 2021}}

File:Cala Moresca.jpg, among the movie's filming locations{{Cite web |last=Natalie Paris |date=June 1, 2023 |title=The surprising Italian filming location |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/sardinia/disney-the-little-mermaid-sardinia-italian-filming-location/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602184439/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/sardinia/disney-the-little-mermaid-sardinia-italian-filming-location/ |archive-date=June 2, 2023 |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=Telegraph}}]]

Principal photography officially began at Pinewood Studios in Iver, England on January 30, 2021.{{Cite news |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=January 31, 2021 |title=Disney's The Little Mermaid Remake Has Officially Started Filming |work=Movieweb.com |url=https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-disney-remake-production-start/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517152357/https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-disney-remake-production-start/ |archive-date=May 17, 2021}} Filming for McCarthy's scenes eventually began in April 2021.{{Cite news |last=Tube |first=Stage |date=March 29, 2021 |title=VIDEO: Melissa McCarthy Teases Her Upcoming Role As Ursula in THE LITTLE MERMAID |work=Broadwayworld.com |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Melissa-McCarthy-Teases-Her-Upcoming-Role-As-Ursula-20210329 |url-status=live |access-date=March 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409152424/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Melissa-McCarthy-Teases-Her-Upcoming-Role-As-Ursula-20210329 |archive-date=April 9, 2021}} On April 6, it was announced that additional filming would be happening in summer in Sardinia, Italy, for a total of "roughly three months".{{Cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=April 6, 2021 |title=Disney's Live Action 'Little Mermaid' Set to Shoot in Sardinia |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/little-mermaid-disney-italy-sardinia-shoot-1234944756/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613155159/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/little-mermaid-disney-italy-sardinia-shoot-1234944756/ |archive-date=June 13, 2021 |access-date=April 6, 2021 |website=Variety}} In June 2021, production was temporarily halted due to multiple crew members of the film contracting COVID-19.{{Cite web |last=Swenson |first=Krysten |date=June 16, 2021 |title=COVID Outbreak On 'The Little Mermaid' Set Forces Shutdown |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2021/06/the-little-mermaid-shuts-down-covid-ks1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195910/https://insidethemagic.net/2021/06/the-little-mermaid-shuts-down-covid-ks1/ |archive-date=June 24, 2021 |access-date=June 16, 2021 |website=Inside the Magic}} Filming resumed about a week later and officially wrapped on July 11, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Hemmert |first=Kylie |date=July 12, 2021 |title=Little Mermaid: Halle Bailey Announces Filming Has Wrapped on Live-Action Movie |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1182187-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-announces-filming-has-wrapped-on-live-action-movie |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728144038/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1182187-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-announces-filming-has-wrapped-on-live-action-movie |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=July 12, 2021 |website=Comingsoon.net}}{{Cite web |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |date=July 12, 2021 |title=The Little Mermaid's Halle Bailey Reveals First Look at Live-Action Ariel as Filming Wraps |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/disney-the-little-mermaid-live-action-ariel-halle-bailey-first-look-filming-wraps/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712195243/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/disney-the-little-mermaid-live-action-ariel-halle-bailey-first-look-filming-wraps/ |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |access-date=July 12, 2021 |website=Comicbook.com}} On December 30, 2021, Bailey shared some new behind-the-scenes photos of the set, including a glimpse of her portrayal of Ariel. The actress took to Instagram to wrap up her year and shared photos of moments of shooting the film. The first photo showed the film's script, which was blurred to avoid spoilers, but still showed her character name "Ariel" in bold print. One photo showed her swimming in Sardinia's waters, while another showed the process of film-making using CGI.{{Cite web |last=Ong-Pizarro |first=Abigail |date=December 30, 2021 |title=Live-Action Little Mermaid BTS Images Give New Look At Halle Bailey's Ariel |url=https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-live-action-ariel-halle-bailey-bts-image/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211231034211/https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-live-action-ariel-halle-bailey-bts-image/ |archive-date=December 31, 2021 |access-date=December 30, 2021 |website=ScreenRant}} In February 2023, Marshall revealed that he hopes post-production work on the film will be completed by March, saying:

{{Blockquote|text="I'm very proud of the film. It's the most challenging film I've ever done, for sure. No question{{spaces}}... Using complicated, cutting-edge techniques to make this work. I don't think anybody's ever done an underwater musical before. I have to say every single moment of the film had to be choreographed in advance so that we could have a flow to the whole piece. It's crazy the apparatuses we worked with from wires to things called tuning forks to teeter-totters. Thank God we had the rehearsal time. You always need it on a musical anyway."|author=Rob Marshall{{Cite web |last=Villei |first=Matt |date=February 8, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Live-Action Adaptation Will Be Finished in March |url=https://collider.com/the-little-mermaid-live-action-movie-rob-marshall-comments/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209040337/https://collider.com/the-little-mermaid-live-action-movie-rob-marshall-comments/ |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=February 8, 2023 |website=Collider |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Drew |date=February 9, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Remake Director Teases "Massive" Under the Sea Number |url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-little-mermaid-remake-underwater-musical-rob-marshall/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209193127/https://www.thewrap.com/the-little-mermaid-remake-underwater-musical-rob-marshall/ |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=The Wrap |language=en-US}}}}

On March 22, 2023, Bailey revealed that she had to spend 13 hours underwater during certain days of filming and that practical water tanks and CGI were used to create the underwater environments, saying "I pushed myself as far as I've ever pushed myself in life{{spaces}}... And I feel like the message from [Ariel] was to know that you've always had it in you." She also revealed that the film's themes were updated so that it is not put at the forefront that Ariel "leaves the ocean for a boy" in response to recent criticism surrounding the portrayal of that desire in the original film. On that, she added "I'm really excited for my version of the film because we've definitely changed that perspective{{spaces}}... It's way bigger than that. It's about herself, her purpose, her freedom, her life and what she wants. As women we are amazing, we are independent, we are modern, we are everything and above, and I'm glad that Disney is updating some of those themes."{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=March 22, 2023 |title=Halle Bailey Spent 13 Hours a Day in Water Filming Parts of 'Little Mermaid,' Praises Disney for Story Update: Ariel Doesn't 'Leave the Ocean for a Boy' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/halle-bailey-little-mermaid-disney-updated-love-story-1235561966/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322224151/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/halle-bailey-little-mermaid-disney-updated-love-story-1235561966/ |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |access-date=March 22, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

File:Ariel and Eric Costume worn by Halley Bailey and Jonah Hauer King.jpg

Visual effects were provided by Industrial Light & Magic, Wētā FX, Moving Picture Company and Framestore.{{Cite web |title=Filmography |url=https://www.mpcfilm.com/en/filmography/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516040031/https://www.mpcfilm.com/en/filmography/ |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |access-date=June 15, 2022 |website=MPC Film}} DNEG also provided the stereo conversion.{{Cite web |title=The Little Mermaid |url=https://www.dneg.com/show/the-little-mermaid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801101906/https://www.dneg.com/show/the-little-mermaid/ |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |access-date=August 10, 2022 |website=DNEG}} For the "Under the Sea" sequence, Marshall called it a "big, massive musical number" and said that creating the underwater environments involved "a lot of work in advance with John DeLuca and myself creating these musical sequences, to prep it in advance from storyboards to something called pre-visualization, which is almost like a little mini-animated film, so we know how it flowed and how it worked ... You are creating a world, you're creating creatures, but it's very important to me that it feels real – you have to believe, you have to care about them, you have to follow their journey."{{Cite news |date=February 9, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Remake Director Teases "Massive" Under the Sea Number |work=Thewrap |url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-little-mermaid-remake-underwater-musical-rob-marshall/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209193127/https://www.thewrap.com/the-little-mermaid-remake-underwater-musical-rob-marshall/ |archive-date=February 9, 2023}}

On May 19, 2023, Marshall revealed that his work on Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (which featured a mermaid character named Tamara) helped influence his work on The Little Mermaid, using similar live-action and CGI techniques to bring Ariel, her sisters and King Triton to life. He called it "a great launching point for us" and showed his work on Pirates to the crew and visual effects team to break down the process. The colorful tails of the merpeople characters were designed by Marshall's frequent costume designer Colleen Atwood, who used real fish as references to make each of the tails of Ariel and her sisters look more distinct from one another, and also designed the costumes for the human characters.{{Cite web |last1=May 19 |first1=Nick Romano |last2=EDT |first2=2023 at 11:34 am |title=How 'Pirates of the Caribbean 4' influenced 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://ew.com/movies/the-little-mermaid-pirates-of-the-caribbean-influence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519212951/https://ew.com/movies/the-little-mermaid-pirates-of-the-caribbean-influence/ |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=EW.com}}

In August 2023, special effects artist Christine Overs filed a lawsuit against the film's producers over an accident that occurred on the film set that resulted in a broken wrist. In the lawsuit, Christine seeks compensation of 150,000 euros (US$190,000). Sandcastle Pictures, the Disney-owned production company responsible for filming, has admitted responsibility for the accident but disputes the amount Overs is seeking.{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Producers Sued Over Special Effects Artist's On-Set Injury |url=https://variety.com/2023/biz/global/the-little-mermaid-disney-sandcastle-pictures-sued-injury-1235699469/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904201340/https://variety.com/2023/biz/global/the-little-mermaid-disney-sandcastle-pictures-sued-injury-1235699469/ |archive-date=September 4, 2023 |access-date=September 4, 2023 |website=Variety}}

{{Main|The Little Mermaid (2023 soundtrack)}}

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| footer = Alan Menken (left) returned as the film's composer and co-wrote new songs alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda (right)

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On March 17, 2017, it was announced that Alan Menken, who previously scored and co-wrote songs for the original film, would return as the film's composer and to write new songs alongside producer Lin-Manuel Miranda. Three months later, Menken stated that his work on the film's music had been put on hold due to Miranda and Marc Platt's schedules with Mary Poppins Returns.{{Cite magazine |last=Applefeld Olson |first=Cathy |date=June 12, 2017 |title=Alan Menken Talks Working With Guy Ritchie on Live-Action 'Aladdin,' Progress of 'Little Mermaid' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7825906/alan-menken-interview-songwriters-hall-of-fame |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613010201/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7825906/alan-menken-interview-songwriters-hall-of-fame |archive-date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2017}} On May 20, 2019, Menken stated that The Little Mermaid would be his next project, following the release of the live-action adaptation of Aladdin,{{Cite web |last=April May |first=Rebecca |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Disney legend Alan Menken talks about updating Aladdin and the movie he thinks won't get remade |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a27527282/disney-remakes-aladdin-alan-menken-changes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527112146/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a27527282/disney-remakes-aladdin-alan-menken-changes/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |website=Digital Spy}} and on July 9, he and Miranda started working on new songs for the film.{{Cite web |last=Criscitiello |first=Alexa |date=July 9, 2019 |title=Photo: Lin-Manuel Miranda & Alan Menken Get To Work On A New Song For THE LITTLE MERMAID |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Lin-Manuel-Miranda-Alan-Menken-Get-To-Work-On-A-New-Song-For-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-20190709 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907013243/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Lin-Manuel-Miranda-Alan-Menken-Get-To-Work-On-A-New-Song-For-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-20190709 |archive-date=September 7, 2020 |access-date=September 20, 2019 |website=Broadway World}} On replacing the original film's lyricist, the late Howard Ashman, Miranda felt that "[he] will definitely fall short" to Ashman's work, arguing that "no one can write like him".{{Cite magazine |date=July 25, 2019 |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda on Writing Lyrics for New 'The Little Mermaid': 'I Will Definitely Fall Short' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8523972/lin-manuel-miranda-little-mermaid-music-interview |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101084452/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8523972/lin-manuel-miranda-little-mermaid-music-interview |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |access-date=September 20, 2019}} On January 16, 2020, Halle Bailey confirmed that the song "Part of Your World", from the original film, will appear in the remake.{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2020 |title=Halle Bailey Reveals the 1 Thing She Hopes to Bring to Her 'Little Mermaid' Character |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/halle-bailey-reveals-the-1-thing-she-hopes-to-bring-to-her-little-mermaid-character.html/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124195219/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/halle-bailey-reveals-the-1-thing-she-hopes-to-bring-to-her-little-mermaid-character.html/ |archive-date=January 24, 2020 |access-date=January 24, 2020}} On February 10, 2020, Miranda revealed that he and Menken wrote four new songs for the film. On February 19, 2021, Menken said that the new songs would be a "blend" of his and Miranda's styles. He elaborated that the songs would feature "some rapping" in the vein of Miranda's previous works, as well as a closer style to his usual work.{{Cite web |date=February 19, 2021 |title=LISTEN: Alan Menken Talks THE LITTLE MERMAID, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM Musical, New Upcoming Animated Film, and More! |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LISTEN-Alan-Menken-Talks-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-NIGHT-AT-THE-MUSEUM-Musical-New-Upcoming-Animated-Film-and-More-20210219 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219150250/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LISTEN-Alan-Menken-Talks-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-NIGHT-AT-THE-MUSEUM-Musical-New-Upcoming-Animated-Film-and-More-20210219 |archive-date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2021 |website=Broadway World}} Menken also stated that he updated the lyrics to "Kiss the Girl" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls" to reflect modern times.{{Cite news |last=VanHoose |first=Benjamin |date=May 19, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Soundtrack Is Here! Listen to New Songs Featuring Halle Bailey, Awkwafina and More |publisher=People |url=https://people.com/movies/little-mermaid-soundtrack-listen-new-songs/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524170720/https://people.com/movies/little-mermaid-soundtrack-listen-new-songs/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023}}

On September 22, 2021, Menken sat down with Disney's For Scores podcast and confirmed that the film will feature four new songs. He also recalled that Miranda was "daunted" by the prospect of following on in the footsteps of the late Howard Ashman, the lyricist who worked with Menken to write the original film's songs.{{Cite web |last=Tangcay |first=Jazz |date=September 23, 2021 |title='The Little Mermaid' Live-Action Film Will Feature Four New Songs, Alan Menken Reveals on 'For Scores' Podcast |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/little-mermaid-live-action-film-new-songs-alan-menken-podcast-interview-1235072731/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926201444/https://variety.com/2021/music/news/little-mermaid-live-action-film-new-songs-alan-menken-podcast-interview-1235072731/ |archive-date=September 26, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2021 |website=Variety}} On November 24, 2021, in an interview with Collider, Miranda talked about his admiration for The Little Mermaid and how Ashman and Menken helped shape his childhood. He said:

{{Blockquote|text="Oh, man. So much of my work on The Little Mermaid was that wish fulfillment. I actually didn't write any new songs for Sebastian the Crab because I love his songs so much. I was like, 'I can't. Nope, not me. I can't do it.' I did get to write for some of the other characters in that movie. Every song you love in The Little Mermaid is still in The Little Mermaid, we just found some new moments to musicalise. That's really tricky."|author=Lin-Manuel Miranda{{Cite web |last=Radish |first=Christina |date=2021-11-24 |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda on Writing the Songs in 'Encanto' and Working With One of His Musical Heroes on 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-live-action-lin-manuel-miranda-sebastian-songs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201020348/https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-live-action-lin-manuel-miranda-sebastian-songs/ |archive-date=December 1, 2021 |access-date=2021-11-30 |website=Screen Rant}}}}On January 20, 2022, Bailey spoke with Stylecater, saying that she was so emotional while filming "Part of Your World".{{Cite web |last=Pham |first=Jason |date=January 20, 2022 |title=Halle Bailey Cried the 'Whole Time' Filming This 'Surreal' Song For 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://stylecaster.com/halle-bailey-the-little-mermaid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123024648/https://stylecaster.com/halle-bailey-the-little-mermaid/ |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |access-date=January 22, 2022 |website=StyleCaster}} She said:

{{Blockquote|text="It was really surreal to film. It was really emotional for me. It was three days of intense being all over the place. I was crying the whole time because I was just like, 'What the heck?' We're all connected to that song and it means a lot to each of us."|author=Halle Bailey}} On February 17, 2022, during a podcast interview with Variety, Miranda revealed that one of the new songs for the live-action film, "For the First Time", will take place when Ariel is on land in her human form. He also revealed that star Daveed Diggs might rap in the film. This was confirmed later on March 31, 2023, by Menken, revealing the title of the new rap song as "The Scuttlebutt". He described it as a "harebrained" song for Scuttle and Sebastian "...trying to figure out what's going on because they hear rumors that the prince has decided to marry. They think it must be Ariel but of course it's Ursula in the form of Vanessa. It's all this delicious imagination. Lin's lyrics are to die for."{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Clayton |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda Defends Not Submitting 'Bruno' for Oscars, Teases New 'Little Mermaid' Songs |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/awards/lin-manuel-miranda-defends-not-submitting-bruno-for-oscars-teases-new-little-mermaid-songs-1235182753/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218190118/https://variety.com/2022/film/awards/lin-manuel-miranda-defends-not-submitting-bruno-for-oscars-teases-new-little-mermaid-songs-1235182753/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Labonte |first=Rachel |date=February 18, 2022 |title=Sebastian Might Rap In Disney's Little Mermaid Live-Action Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-live-action-movie-sebastian-songs-rap/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218190118/https://screenrant.com/little-mermaid-live-action-movie-sebastian-songs-rap/ |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=February 18, 2022 |website=ScreenRant}}{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid's New Original Song Will Celebrate Ariel's First Time on Land |url=https://collider.com/little-mermaid-new-original-song/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314190842/https://collider.com/little-mermaid-new-original-song/ |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |access-date=March 14, 2023 |website=Collider}}{{Cite magazine |last=Scheps |first=Leigh |date=March 31, 2023 |title=How Alan Menken, Disney's Most Prolific Composer, Inspired a Generation of Songwriters |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/03/alan-menken-disney-composer-inspired-a-generation-of-songwriters |url-status=live |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331165231/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/03/alan-menken-disney-composer-inspired-a-generation-of-songwriters |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |access-date=April 2, 2023}}

Menken then provided more details on the new songs, revealing that the first of the four that was written during the film's development was a solo for Prince Eric, "Wild Unchartered Waters", resulting from Marshall wanting "...a new song for this moment of waves and all the wildness of what's out there in the ocean...[Ariel] represented that to [Prince Eric]; she being the girl who saved his life. Live action films are really a director's medium." He then revealed that the fourth song did not make the final cut and was supposed to be a new song for King Triton entitled "Impossible Child", as he and the filmmakers felt that it "dramaturgically" was not needed, but did say that the song would be released to the public at a later date, possibly on the film's home media release. The song was featured as an additional track on a physical version of the soundtrack released as a HSN exclusive.{{Cite web |title=Disney's The Little Mermaid CD Exclusive Bonus Track with Poster |url=https://www.hsn.com/products/disneys-little-mermaid-cd-exclusive-bonus-outtake-track/21070634 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615064223/https://www.hsn.com/products/disneys-little-mermaid-cd-exclusive-bonus-outtake-track/21070634 |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=HSN}} Some of the lyrics for "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and "Kiss the Girl" were updated as well, with Menken explaining that for "Kiss the Girl", it was because "people have gotten very sensitive about the idea that [Prince Eric] would, in any way, force himself on [Ariel]," while that for "Poor Unfortunate Souls", it was because of "...lines that might make young girls somehow feel that they shouldn't speak out of turn, even though Ursula is clearly manipulating Ariel to give up her voice."{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |date=March 31, 2023 |title=Alan Menken Reveals Details on New LITTLE MERMAID Songs Written With Lin-Manuel Miranda |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Alan-Menken-Reveals-New-LITTLE-MERMAID-Song-Details-Written-With-Lin-Manuel-Miranda-20230331 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402162105/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Alan-Menken-Reveals-New-LITTLE-MERMAID-Song-Details-Written-With-Lin-Manuel-Miranda-20230331 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}

Two songs from the original film were cut: "Daughters of Triton", sung by Ariel's sisters and "Les Poissons", sung by the character of Eric's French cook Chef Louis, who also was cut from the film. Menken explained the reasons for cutting the former, saying that it felt "not needed" given the new approach the filmmakers gave to the sisters, and that they wanted the film to begin "with a much more of a live-action feel of the ocean and meeting Ariel, and then we wait a little bit, make you wait until we get to 'Part of Your World.' And I think that was, you know, it was an amazing choice because it just builds the power and anticipation."{{Cite web |last=Perine |first=Aaron |date=May 13, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid: Alan Menken Explains Why "Daughters of Triton" Song Was Cut (Exclusive) |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-little-mermaid-alan-menken-why-daughters-of-triton-song-cut-exclusive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514174315/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/the-little-mermaid-alan-menken-why-daughters-of-triton-song-cut-exclusive/ |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |access-date=May 14, 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} On cutting the latter, Marshall explained "It's literally a Saturday morning cartoon section. If we had filmed it – I don't know how we would've filmed it – it never would have played. It's also a vacation from the story and has nothing to do with the story, so you can't do that in a live-action film."{{Cite web |last=Davids |first=Brian |date=May 24, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Filmmakers Talk the Sea Creature Designs, Bypassing "Les Poissons" and Cutting Javier Bardem's New Song |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/the-little-mermaid-javier-bardem-new-song-1235499193/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524191959/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/the-little-mermaid-javier-bardem-new-song-1235499193/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

The soundtrack album was made available to pre-save and pre-order on March 13, 2023, and was released digitally on May 19, and on CD and vinyl on May 26, 2023, by Walt Disney Records.{{Cite magazine |title='The Little Mermaid' Soundtrack Gets an Official Release Date |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/the-little-mermaid-soundtrack-2023-release-date-1235285496/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314190622/https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/the-little-mermaid-soundtrack-2023-release-date-1235285496/ |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |access-date=March 14, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |date=March 13, 2023 |title=THE LITTLE MERMAID Soundtrack to Be Released in May Featuring New Songs By Lin-Manuel Miranda & Alan Menken |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-Soundtrack-to-Be-Released-in-May-20230313 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402163411/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-Soundtrack-to-Be-Released-in-May-20230313 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}} Bailey's version of "Part of Your World" was released as a digital download single on April 26, 2023, one month before the film's release,{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Halle Bailey Dreams Whozits and Whatzits Galore on New Version of 'Part of Your World' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/halle-bailey-little-mermaid-part-of-your-world-1234724311/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430151521/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/halle-bailey-little-mermaid-part-of-your-world-1234724311/ |archive-date=April 30, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2023}} as well as the Korean version by Danielle Marsh of NewJeans.{{Cite news |last=Bowenbank |first=Starr |date=May 19, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Live Action Soundtrack Has Arrived |publisher=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-little-mermaid-live-action-soundtrack-stream-it-now-1235332300/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524170719/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-little-mermaid-live-action-soundtrack-stream-it-now-1235332300/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023}} An outtake of "Impossible Child", an unused song performed by Javier Bardem, was released as a digital single on September 8, 2023.{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2023 |title=Unused Song 'Impossible Child' from Rob Marshall's 'The Little Mermaid' Released |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/09/08/unused-song-impossible-child-from-rob-marshalls-the-little-mermaid-released/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908205046/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/09/08/unused-song-impossible-child-from-rob-marshalls-the-little-mermaid-released/ |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=Film Music Reporter}}

In June 2023, the soundtrack reached number 1 on the Billboard Top Soundtracks chart, and number 21 on the Billboard 200.{{Cite news |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |date=June 8, 2023 |title='Little Mermaid' Tops Soundtracks Chart, Swims Past Peak of Original Album on Billboard 200 |publisher=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/little-mermaid-soundtrack-number-one-billboard-soundtracks-chart/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614203730/https://www.billboard.com/pro/little-mermaid-soundtrack-number-one-billboard-soundtracks-chart/ |archive-date=June 14, 2023}}

The Little Mermaid held its world premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on May 8, 2023, followed by the London premiere at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on May 15. It was released theatrically on May 26, 2023, in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=September 10, 2021 |title=Disney's Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid' to Open on Memorial Day Weekend in 2023 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/disneys-live-action-the-little-mermaid-memorial-day-weekend-opening-1235011622/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910214925/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/disneys-live-action-the-little-mermaid-memorial-day-weekend-opening-1235011622/ |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |access-date=September 10, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite news |last=Griffin |first=Caitlin |date=May 16, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid UK Premiere: All the pictures from the Red Carpet |publisher=Manchester Evening News |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/gallery/little-mermaid-uk-premiere-pictures-26922668 |url-status=live |access-date=May 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519150526/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/gallery/little-mermaid-uk-premiere-pictures-26922668 |archive-date=May 19, 2023}} A sing-along edition of the film was released in theaters on August 25, 2023.{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=August 21, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Returning to Theaters for Singalong Version |url=https://collider.com/little-mermaid-live-action-singalong-theaters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821190717/https://collider.com/little-mermaid-live-action-singalong-theaters/ |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |access-date=August 22, 2023 |website=Collider |language=en-US}}

On September 9, 2022, Rob Marshall and Halle Bailey appeared at the 2022 D23 Expo to introduce an exclusive presentation of the film's "Part of Your World" sequence, which received a positive response from the attendees, who praised Bailey's vocal performance. The film's teaser trailer was released to the public the same day.{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Wilson |date=September 9, 2022 |title='The Little Mermaid' First Look: Halle Bailey Debuts Her Version of 'Part of Your World' to an Enchanted D23 Crowd |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/the-little-mermaid-first-look-halle-bailey-disney-1235355847/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912170827/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/the-little-mermaid-first-look-halle-bailey-disney-1235355847/ |archive-date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 10, 2022 |website=Variety}} On October 13, 2022, the first poster was released to the public,{{Cite web |last=White |first=James |date=October 13, 2022 |title='New Poster For The Little Mermaid Has Halle Bailey's Ariel Pondering The World Above' |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/new-poster-for-the-little-mermaid-has-halle-baileys-ariel-pondering-the-world-above/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013211807/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/new-poster-for-the-little-mermaid-has-halle-baileys-ariel-pondering-the-world-above/ |archive-date=October 13, 2022 |access-date=October 13, 2022 |website=Empire}} which Bailey synchronously captioned on Twitter: "Words can't describe how immensely honored I feel to play the mermaid of my dreams."{{Cite tweet |number=1580606824553668617 |user=HalleBailey |title=Words can't describe how immensely honored I feel to play the mermaid of my dreams, Ariel in Disney's The Little Mermaid. Come under the sea with me, in theaters May 26, 2023 |first=Halle |last=Bailey |date=October 13, 2022 |access-date=October 13, 2022}}

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Marshall says that this new take on Ariel spotlights a "modern woman". He says that the character goes back to Hans Christian Andersen from another century, but at the same time in 1989, that it felt in some ways like a very modern woman, someone who sees Ariel's life differently than anyone around her, and goes to find that dream.{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=December 20, 2022 |title='Little Mermaid' director says his new take on Ariel spotlights a 'modern woman' |url=https://ew.com/movies/little-mermaid-modern-woman-halle-bailey-rob-marshall-interview/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220221745/https://ew.com/movies/little-mermaid-modern-woman-halle-bailey-rob-marshall-interview/ |archive-date=December 20, 2022 |access-date=December 20, 2022}} On January 21, 2023, Disney Live Entertainment announced a casting call for character look-alike actresses to portray Bailey's version of Ariel as a character meet-and-greet at Disneyland in Anaheim, California near the "It's a Small World" attraction, Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and the Walt Disney Studios park at Disneyland Paris in Paris, France, as part of the film's promotional campaign. It was later confirmed by Disney Parks that these meet-and-greets would run for a limited engagement throughout the summer, with the original, classic Ariel being reinstated afterward.{{Cite web |last=Michaelsen |first=Shannen |date=January 21, 2023 |title=Walt Disney World Hiring Ariel Character Look-Alikes to Portray Halle Bailey's Live Action 'The Little Mermaid' – WDW News Today |url=https://wdwnt.com/2023/01/disney-world-hiring-live-action-ariel-look-alike/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122234412/https://wdwnt.com/2023/01/disney-world-hiring-live-action-ariel-look-alike/ |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |access-date=January 21, 2023 |website=WDW News Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Aguila |first=Ed |date=February 2, 2023 |title=Disney Parks Seeking to Replace Classic Ariel Meet and Greets With Live-Action Version |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2023/02/disney-replacing-ariel-halle-bailey-little-mermaid-ea1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212163321/https://insidethemagic.net/2023/02/disney-replacing-ariel-halle-bailey-little-mermaid-ea1/ |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |access-date=February 12, 2023 |website=Inside the Magic |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Michaelsen |first=Shannen |date=April 27, 2023 |title=CONFIRMED: Live-Action Ariel Character Meet & Greet Coming to Disneyland, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disneyland Paris This Summer |url=https://wdwnt.com/2023/04/live-action-ariel-appearing-at-disneyland-park-disneys-hollywood-studios-and-disneyland-paris-this-summer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430152228/https://wdwnt.com/2023/04/live-action-ariel-appearing-at-disneyland-park-disneys-hollywood-studios-and-disneyland-paris-this-summer/ |archive-date=April 30, 2023 |access-date=April 30, 2023 |website=WDW News Today |language=en-US}}

On March 12, 2023, the official trailer was shown during the 95th Academy Awards, introduced on stage by Bailey and McCarthy, and then released online alongside a new poster.{{Cite web |last=Tapp |first=Tom |date=March 12, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Oscar Trailer Offers Best Look Yet At Melissa McCarthy's Cackling Ursula |url=https://deadline.com/video/little-mermaid-trailer-ursula/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326112941/https://deadline.com/video/little-mermaid-trailer-ursula/ |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |access-date=March 12, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

Disney spent an estimated $140 million promoting The Little Mermaid.{{Cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=May 31, 2023 |title='Little Mermaid's Loss Of Scales At Overseas Box Office Leaves Break-even In Question |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/little-mermaid-box-office-profit-loss-halle-bailey-1235383099/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531200324/https://deadline.com/2023/05/little-mermaid-box-office-profit-loss-halle-bailey-1235383099/ |archive-date=May 31, 2023}} The film had the biggest global promotional campaign for a Disney branded live-action title at $80 million in value, with partner deals with the likes of McDonald's, Booking.com, and Kellogg's.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=May 28, 2023 |title='Little Mermaid' Still Swimming To $117M+ Opening Boosted By $80M Promo Campaign, Biggest For Disney Live-Action Title – Monday AM Update |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/box-office-the-little-mermaid-1235380526/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526060900/https://deadline.com/2023/05/box-office-the-little-mermaid-1235380526/ |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released The Little Mermaid for digital download on July 25, 2023, and on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD on September 19, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Jonathan |date=July 6, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Live-Action Remake Blu-ray & Digital Release Date Set |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1303525-the-little-mermaid-live-action-remake-blu-ray-digital-release-date-set |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706163706/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1303525-the-little-mermaid-live-action-remake-blu-ray-digital-release-date-set |archive-date=July 6, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2023 |website=Comingsoon.net |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=July 6, 2023 |title=Disney's Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' Headed to Digital July 25, Disc Sept. 19 |work=Media Play News |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/disneys-live-action-little-mermaid-headed-to-digital-july-25-disc-sept-19/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162514/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/disneys-live-action-little-mermaid-headed-to-digital-july-25-disc-sept-19/ |archive-date=July 7, 2023}} The film was released on Disney+ on September 6, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Legacy |first=Spencer |date=August 7, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Disney+ Release Date Set for Live-Action Remake |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1315594-the-little-mermaid-disney-release-date-set-for-live-action-remake |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807170618/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1315594-the-little-mermaid-disney-release-date-set-for-live-action-remake |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=Comingsoon.net}}

The film debuted atop the chart of the ten most popular films on Fandango’s transactional digital service Vudu during the week of July 30, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Brueggemann |first=Tom |date=July 31, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Is a Big Hit on VOD |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/the-little-mermaid-big-hit-on-vod-1234889977/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807154029/https://www.indiewire.com/news/box-office/the-little-mermaid-big-hit-on-vod-1234889977/ |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=July 31, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Swims to Top of Weekly Vudu Chart |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/the-little-mermaid-swims-to-top-of-weekly-vudu-chart/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803012309/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/the-little-mermaid-swims-to-top-of-weekly-vudu-chart/ |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US}} It topped the VOD charts on iTunes and Google Play the same week.{{Cite web |last=Dick |first=Jeremy |date=August 1, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Swims to the Top of VOD Charts |url=https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-vod-charts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907201118/https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-vod-charts/ |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Jodee |date=August 1, 2023 |title=Disney's Live-Action Little Mermaid Makes a Splash on VOD Charts |url=https://www.cbr.com/little-mermaid-tops-vod-charts-disney/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907002822/https://www.cbr.com/little-mermaid-tops-vod-charts-disney/ |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}} Disney announced that The Little Mermaid had 16 million views in the five days following its release on Disney+, becoming the most watched film on the platform during the week of its premiere since Hocus Pocus 2 (2022); Disney defined views as total stream time divided by runtime.{{Cite web |last=Campione |first=Katie |date=September 11, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Among Most-Viewed Film Premieres Ever On Disney+ |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/the-little-mermaid-ratings-disney-plus-1235543594/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912044135/https://deadline.com/2023/09/the-little-mermaid-ratings-disney-plus-1235543594/ |archive-date=September 12, 2023 |access-date=September 12, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The film topped Official Charts Company's Official Film Chart in the United Kingdom during the week of August 2, 2023,{{Cite web |last=Ainsley |first=Helen |date=August 2, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid makes a splash as it debuts at Number 1 on the Official Film Chart |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/little-mermaid-no1-film/ |website=Official Charts Company |access-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802153314/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/little-mermaid-no1-film/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Gruenwedel |first=Erik |date=August 2, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Floats to Top of U.K. Weekly Home Entertainment Sales Chart |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/the-little-mermaid-floats-to-top-of-u-k-weekly-home-entertainment-sales-chart/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US |archive-date=August 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803025106/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/the-little-mermaid-floats-to-top-of-u-k-weekly-home-entertainment-sales-chart/ |url-status=live }} and during the week of August 9, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Ainsley |first=Helen |date=August 9, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid soaks in a second week at Number 1 on the Official Film Chart |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/little-mermaid-no1-film-week-2/ |website=Official Charts Company |access-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924165912/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/little-mermaid-no1-film-week-2/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Gruenwedel |first=Erik |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' Tops U.K. Home Entertainment Sales Chart for Second Week |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/disneys-the-little-mermaid-tops-u-k-home-entertainment-sales-chart-for-second-week/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924165919/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/disneys-the-little-mermaid-tops-u-k-home-entertainment-sales-chart-for-second-week/ |url-status=live }} According to Whip Media's TV Time, The Little Mermaid was the most streamed film across all platforms in the United States during the week of September 8 to September 10, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Suleiman |first=Nadine |date=September 12, 2023 |title=Movie Ranker - United States, September 8–10 |url=https://whipmedia.com/resource_items/movie-ranker/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Whip Media |language=en-US |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817002856/https://whipmedia.com/resource_items/movie-ranker/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Prange |first=Stephanie |date=September 12, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid,' 'Ahsoka' Top Weekly Whip U.S. Streaming Charts |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/the-little-mermaid-ahsoka-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |access-date=2023-09-15 |website=Media Play News |language=en-US |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915225714/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/the-little-mermaid-ahsoka-top-weekly-whip-u-s-streaming-charts/ |url-status=live }}

Variety reported that the official teaser trailer of The Little Mermaid garnered more than 104 million global views during the first weekend following its release. It surpassed recent Disney live-action releases including Beauty and the Beast with 94 million, Aladdin with 74 million and Cruella with 68 million.{{Cite web |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |date=September 12, 2022 |title='The Little Mermaid' Teaser With Halle Bailey Scores Over 104 Million Views (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/the-little-mermaid-teaser-halle-bailey-views-1235369551/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913003935/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/the-little-mermaid-teaser-halle-bailey-views-1235369551/ |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=Variety}} After the release of the trailer in September 2022, videos of Black girls positively reacting to it went viral.{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Videos of young Black girls reacting to 'Little Mermaid' trailer go viral |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/media/2022/09/13/little-mermaid-trailer-reactions-halle-bailey-orig-jc.cnn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913221742/https://www.cnn.com/videos/media/2022/09/13/little-mermaid-trailer-reactions-halle-bailey-orig-jc.cnn |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=CNN News}}{{Cite web |last=Sung |first=Morgan |date=September 13, 2022 |title='She's brown like me!': Girls react to seeing a Black Ariel |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/parents-tiktoks-children-halle-bailey-black-little-mermaid-rcna47398 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913220753/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/parents-tiktoks-children-halle-bailey-black-little-mermaid-rcna47398 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=www.nbcnews.com}}{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2022 |title=The backlash against Halle Bailey's Little Mermaid is as silly as it is predictable |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/little-mermaid-ariel-movie-halle-bailey-ursula-b2166767.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914064837/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/little-mermaid-ariel-movie-halle-bailey-ursula-b2166767.html |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |website=The Independent}} In December 2022, the film ranked number three as the "Most Anticipated Family Film" of 2023 in a poll conducted by Fandango Media while Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy ranked number one as the "Most Anticipated New Performance on the Big Screen" and "Most Anticipated Villain", respectively.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 20, 2022 |title=2023's Most Anticipated Movies: 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3' Leads Fandango Survey |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/top-movies-2023-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-fandango-1235203078/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229164022/https://deadline.com/2022/12/top-movies-2023-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-3-fandango-1235203078/ |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |access-date=December 29, 2022 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

Following its premiere at the 95th Academy Awards on March 12, 2023, the official trailer reportedly generated over 108 million global views within its first 24 hours.{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=March 17, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Trailer Earns Most Disney Live-Action Views Since 'The Lion King' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/little-mermaid-trailer-views-lion-king-1235355616/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318083242/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/little-mermaid-trailer-views-lion-king-1235355616/ |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |access-date=March 18, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} It is now among the most watched trailers for any reimagined title in Disney's growing stable of live-action adaptations, and the biggest for a Disney live-action title since the 2019 remake of The Lion King.{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=March 17, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Trailer Earns Most Disney Live-Action Views Since 'The Lion King' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/little-mermaid-trailer-views-lion-king-1235355616/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230318083242/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/little-mermaid-trailer-views-lion-king-1235355616/ |archive-date=March 18, 2023 |access-date=March 23, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

An early private test screening of the film's final cut took place on April 30, 2023, at The Whitby Hotel in New York City. The event, hosted by Marshall and DeLuca, was attended by 80 celebrities and industry professionals.{{Cite web |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=May 2, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid': Inside Rob Marshall's Private Screening With Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and John Krasinski (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-little-mermaid-screening-rob-marshall-halle-bailey-1235601354/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504180418/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-little-mermaid-screening-rob-marshall-halle-bailey-1235601354/ |archive-date=May 4, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}

The Little Mermaid grossed $298.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $271.5 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $569.6 million. Disney received a total of £46.6 million ($56.8 million) in tax reimbursements equivalent to 25% of the film's UK-based net spend, from the UK government's Film Tax Relief scheme.

In the United States and Canada, The Little Mermaid—released alongside The Machine, Kandahar, About My Father, and You Hurt My Feelings—was projected to gross $120–125 million from 4,320 theaters over its four-day Memorial Day opening weekend.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'The Little Mermaid' Swimming to $120 Million-Plus Over Memorial Day Weekend |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/little-mermaid-box-office-memorial-day-holiday-weekend-1235623771/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524150420/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/little-mermaid-box-office-memorial-day-holiday-weekend-1235623771/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Variety}} The film made $38 million on its first day, including $10.3 million from Thursday night previews.{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jordan |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'The Little Mermaid' Makes $10.3 Million in Previews |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/little-mermaid-box-office-previews-1235625709/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526151235/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/little-mermaid-box-office-previews-1235625709/ |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=May 26, 2023 |website=Variety}} It went on to debut to $95.6 million in the traditional three-day weekend, and $118.8 million over the four-day frame, topping the box office and making it the fifth highest Memorial Day opening in history{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=May 28, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Dominates Memorial Day Box Office With $118 Million Debut |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/little-mermaid-memorial-day-box-office-fast-x-disney-1235627238/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230528215932/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/little-mermaid-memorial-day-box-office-fast-x-disney-1235627238/ |archive-date=May 28, 2023 |access-date=May 28, 2023 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |title=Domestic 2023 Weekend 21 May 26–29, 2023 – Memorial Day weekend (US) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W21/occasion/us_memorialday_weekend/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601005805/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W21/occasion/us_memorialday_weekend/ |archive-date=June 1, 2023 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} (20th after inflation adjustment).{{Cite web |title=Memorial Day (All Movies, 4-Day, Fri-Mon, Inflation Adjusted) |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/domestic/all-movies/holiday-4-day-all-movies-infl-adj/memorial-day |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718202156/https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/domestic/all-movies/holiday-4-day-all-movies-infl-adj/memorial-day |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |access-date=July 19, 2023}} In its second weekend, the film declined 57% to $41.4 million while finishing in second place to newcomer Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=June 4, 2023 |title=Box Office: 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Slingshots to Huge $120.5 Million Debut |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/box-office-spiderman-across-the-spiderverse-opening-weekend-1235632404/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604143643/https://variety.com/2023/film/box-office/box-office-spiderman-across-the-spiderverse-opening-weekend-1235632404/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Domestic 2023 Weekend 22 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W22/?ref_=bo_we_nav |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604173244/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W22/?ref_=bo_we_nav |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} The film then made $23.2 million in its third weekend, finishing third behind newcomer Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Across the Spider-Verse.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=June 11, 2023 |title='Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts' Conquers 'Spider-Verse' With $60M+ Opening, But Animated Pic's Second Weekend Hold Strong – Box Office |url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-spider-man-spiderverse-1235412771/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611000522/https://deadline.com/2023/06/box-office-transformers-rise-of-the-beasts-spider-man-spiderverse-1235412771/ |archive-date=June 11, 2023 |access-date=June 11, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Domestic 2023 Weekend 23 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W23/?ref_=bo_we_nav |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611150119/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2023W23/?ref_=bo_we_nav |archive-date=June 11, 2023 |access-date=June 12, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} It remained in the top ten for five more weeks.{{Cite web |title=The Little Mermaid Domestic Weekend |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1913750273/weekend/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230723185404/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1913750273/weekend/?ref_=bo_rl_tab#tabs |archive-date=July 23, 2023 |access-date=July 23, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} In the United States and Canada, The Little Mermaid was the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2023.{{Cite web |title=Domestic Box Office For 2023 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2023/?grossesOption=totalGrosses&sort=grossToDate&ref_=bo_yld__resort#table |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205082918/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/2023/?grossesOption=totalGrosses&sort=grossToDate&ref_=bo_yld__resort#table |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |access-date=April 1, 2024 |website=Box Office Mojo}}

Outside of the U.S. and Canada, the opening weekend box office results fell short of expectations, grossing just $68.3 million.{{Cite web |last=Remley |first=Hilary |date=May 28, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Global Box Office Swims Against the Current |url=https://collider.com/little-mermaid-global-box-office-163-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529061243/https://collider.com/little-mermaid-global-box-office-163-million/ |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Collider |language=en}} A financial insider described the film's opening weekend to Deadline as "not a huge disappointment, but a disappointment, nonetheless." The film's biggest markets were Mexico ($8.5 million), the United Kingdom ($6.3 million), Italy ($4.7 million), Brazil and Australia (both around $4 million). The film also grossed $415,672 in India and $184,214 in South Africa during its opening weekend.

The film's biggest markets in gross value were the United Kingdom ($34.1 million), Japan ($23.9 million), Mexico ($20.9 million), Brazil (17.3 million) and Australia ($15 million). In the Philippines, the film earned more than The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 at the box office.{{Cite web |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |date=June 22, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Becomes a Blockbuster in the Philippines Amid Racist Backlash Elsewhere in Asia |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/little-mermaid-blockbuster-philippines-racist-backlash-1235521433/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622081810/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/little-mermaid-blockbuster-philippines-racist-backlash-1235521433/ |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Its performance in China and South Korea was considered disappointing; it grossed only $3.6 million in China, and $4.4 million in South Korea in first 10 days.{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Tanks In China and South Korea Box Office Amid Racist Backlash {{!}} THR News |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/little-mermaid-tanks-china-south-213255777.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608194428/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/little-mermaid-tanks-china-south-213255777.html |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=May 31, 2023 |title='Little Mermaid' Swimming Against Strong Tides At Overseas Box Office, Leaving Break-Even In Question |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/little-mermaid-box-office-profit-loss-halle-bailey-1235383099/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531200324/https://deadline.com/2023/05/little-mermaid-box-office-profit-loss-halle-bailey-1235383099/ |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} In contrast, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the film had achieved success in Japan after it had earned $10.3 million in its first two weeks of release.

The film received mixed reviews from critics.{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Tina |date=2023-05-09 |title=Disney's Little Mermaid remake gets mixed reviews |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/disney-little-mermaid-live-action-remake-reviews-premiere-halle-bailey-b1079793.html |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326145038/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/disney-little-mermaid-live-action-remake-reviews-premiere-halle-bailey-b1079793.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mayer |first=Grace |title='The Little Mermaid' defied backlash and review-bombing by opening at No. 1 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/the-little-mermaid-movie-box-office-defies-backlash-review-bombing-2023-5 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326145037/https://www.businessinsider.com/the-little-mermaid-movie-box-office-defies-backlash-review-bombing-2023-5 |url-status=live }} {{Rotten Tomatoes prose |score=67|count=347|average=6.3|consensus=With Halle Bailey making a major splash in the title role, Disney's live-action Little Mermaid ranks among the studio's most enjoyable reimaginings.|ref=yes |access-date=February 14, 2025}} {{Metacritic film prose|score=59|count=54|ref=yes|access-date=September 4, 2023}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, while those polled by PostTrak gave it an overall 91% positive score, with 76% saying they would definitely recommend it.

Brian Lowry of CNN wrote that the film "holds up nicely under the weight of those expectations, preserving the original's essence while updating undernourished aspects of it and riding a warm, hard-to-resist wave of nostalgia."{{Cite web |last=Lowry |first=Brian |date=May 22, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid' shines, thanks to Halle Bailey and a warm wave of nostalgia |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/22/entertainment/the-little-mermaid-review/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524043049/https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/22/entertainment/the-little-mermaid-review/index.html |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=CNN}} Ross Bonaime of Collider wrote that it "might not match the greatness of the original, but it's the rare remake that feels worthy of being part of our world."{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Review: A Rare Disney Live-Action Remake That Captures the Magic of the Original |url=https://collider.com/the-little-mermaid-2023-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524043049/https://collider.com/the-little-mermaid-2023-review/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Collider}} Lex Briscuso of TheWrap called it "a fresh take on a beloved classic that isn't afraid to take a fairy tale and make it as real as it can, inviting its audience to dive into uncharted waters alongside its engaging and charming central characters."{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Little Mermaid 2023 Review: Halle Bailey Shines in Disney Remake |url=https://www.thewrap.com/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524043049/https://www.thewrap.com/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023}} Pete Hammond of Deadline Hollywood wrote that "Marshall has made a movie with all the magic required to pull it off and, if not replace the original in our hearts, at least has made a movie that can stand next to that one to also become a memorable part of our cinematic world."{{Cite web |last=Hammond |first=Pete |date=May 22, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Review: Rob Marshall's Live Action Take On Disney Animated Classic Is A Winner Both Above And Under The Sea |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-review-rob-marshalls-live-action-take-disney-animated-classic-1235368418/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524020226/https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-review-rob-marshalls-live-action-take-disney-animated-classic-1235368418/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023}} Vanessa Armstrong of /Film called it a live-action remake "done well" that "improves on the original" and had no doubt that "it will become an indelible part of many a young person's childhood, and I can't wait to watch it with my daughter."{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Review: A Riveting Live-Action Tale That Improves On The Original |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1292418/the-little-mermaid-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523094316/https://www.slashfilm.com/1292418/the-little-mermaid-review/ |archive-date=May 23, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=/Film}}

Zoë Rose Bryant of Next Best Picture praised its sense of nostalgia and called Bailey and Hauer-King the "stars of the show". She did, however, criticize the visual effects, but said that they were "far better than the oft-maligned trailers would lead you to believe."{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Zoe Rose |date=May 22, 2023 |title="THE LITTLE MERMAID" – Review |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-little-mermaid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524020233/https://nextbestpicture.com/the-little-mermaid/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023}} Molly Edwards of Total Film gave it four stars out of five and called it "A sparkling, enchanting new spin that out-swims the original, with a pitch-perfect performance from Halle Bailey."{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Molly |date=May 22, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid review: "A fun, fresh reimagining" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-little-mermaid-2023-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524020232/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-little-mermaid-2023-review/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Total Film}} Brian Truitt of USA Today wrote that "While not everything goes swimmingly, Halle Bailey splendidly buoys this "Mermaid" as the naive underwater youngster with dreams of exploring the surface."{{Cite web |title=Review: Halle Bailey keeps Disney's live-action 'Little Mermaid' remake from being all wet |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/05/22/the-little-mermaid-movie-review-halle-bailey-disney-remake/70239548007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523215748/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/05/22/the-little-mermaid-movie-review-halle-bailey-disney-remake/70239548007/ |archive-date=May 23, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=USA TODAY}} Maureen Lee Lenker of Entertainment Weekly praised the performances of Bailey, Hauer-King and McCarthy, and named the "Under the Sea" sequence as the film's best musical highlight.{{Cite web |last1=May 22 |first1=Maureen Lee Lenker |last2=EDT |first2=2023 at 09:00 am |title=Halle Bailey sings her way to stardom in 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524020228/https://ew.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=EW.com}} Peter Debruge of Variety lauded the film, saying that "Halle Bailey is all the reason that any audience should need to justify Disney revisiting this classic."{{Cite web |last=Debruge |first=Peter |date=May 22, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Review: Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy Erase Any Doubts About This Remake's See-Worthiness |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy-1235620560/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523165009/https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy-1235620560/ |archive-date=May 23, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023}}

Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post called it an "on-the-other-fin mixed bag of a movie that honors its source material with a big, color-saturated production, while never precisely proving that it ever needed to exist."{{Cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Ann |date=May 24, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid': An Ariel for a new generation |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/movies/2023/05/24/the-little-mermaid-movie-review/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529182535/https://www.washingtonpost.com/movies/2023/05/24/the-little-mermaid-movie-review/ |archive-date=May 29, 2023}} Rachel LaBonte of Screen Rant felt mixed, saying that the film is "bolstered by deeper characterization and a grand scope, even as it grapples with flaws."{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Review: Halle Bailey Is The Perfect Ariel In Disney's Remake |url=https://screenrant.com/the-little-mermaid-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524020232/https://screenrant.com/the-little-mermaid-review/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=ScreenRant}} Helen O'Hara of Empire called it "Another 'live-action' remake that's darker and less compelling than the animated original, but it's saved by Bailey's charming performance, McCarthy's sass and the story's own eternal magic."{{Cite web |date=May 24, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-little-mermaid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524043050/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-little-mermaid/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Empire}} Moira MacDonald of The Seattle Times praised Bailey's performance, saying that "her singing voice has both sweetness and power, and her smile is the sort on which dreams dance."{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Review: Everything is bigger in the new 'Little Mermaid' — but is it worth watching? |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey-shines-in-live-action-remake/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524144820/https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey-shines-in-live-action-remake/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times}}

On the critical side, Angelica Jade Bastién of Vulture panned the film, writing that with this film, "Disney betrays its own lack of imagination and an essential misreading of what made its original children's fare such a joy to audiences in the first place."{{Cite web |last=Bastién |first=Angelica Jade |date=May 22, 2023 |title=What Happened to the Frothy Pleasures of The Little Mermaid? |url=https://www.vulture.com/2023/05/what-happened-to-the-frothy-pleasure-of-the-little-mermaid.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524020231/https://www.vulture.com/2023/05/what-happened-to-the-frothy-pleasure-of-the-little-mermaid.html |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 23, 2023 |website=Vulture}} Hillary Busis of Vanity Fair criticized the runtime and called it an "uneasy mix of carbon copy and superfluous added material, presented in "live-action" that looks and feels (and is) as artificial as Lightning McQueen."{{Cite magazine |date=May 22, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Review: Disney's Remake Neither Sinks Nor Swims |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-disney-remake-review |url-status=live |magazine=Vanity Fair |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522225104/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-disney-remake-review |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023}} Johnny Oleksinski of New York Post wrote that "Despite real actors, CGI and brand new material, 'Mermaid' is the studio's latest flesh-and-blood cash grab that's more lifeless than far better two-dimensional painted drawings." Justin Chang of Los Angeles Times wrote that "What's on-screen too often feels like wan, second-rate imitation, and the few differences seem motivated less by a spirit of imagination than one of joyless anxiety."{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Review: Halle Bailey makes a lovely 'Little Mermaid,' but this remake is less than shipshape |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-05-22/little-mermaid-review-disney-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524043050/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-05-22/little-mermaid-review-disney-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times}} Kat Rosenfield, writing for UnHerd, panned the film for being "propaganda" and for paling in comparison to the original, writing that "This is perhaps the worst thing about Disney's contemporary remakes: not that they are blatant cash grabs, but that they are infantilizing. The original Little Mermaid placed infinitely more trust in its intended audience of children than the new version places in those same children, now that they're grown up."{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid is Disney propaganda |url=https://unherd.com/2023/06/the-little-mermaid-is-disney-propaganda/ |url-status=live |last=Rosenfield |first=Kat |author-link=Kat Rosenfield |work=UnHerd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606014404/https://unherd.com/2023/06/the-little-mermaid-is-disney-propaganda/ |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |access-date=June 6, 2023}} Kelly Lawler, writing for USA Today, panned the film and noted that the story does not translate well to live-action as it did in animation and was particularly critical of the uncanny valley CGI and murky lighting, writing that "Every change − to aesthetics, to story, to soundtracks, to length − that is required to make these films 'live action' chips away at the magic of the originals. This relentless pursuit of realism doesn't make a good kids' movie: It may be dark underwater in the real ocean, but we want to see Ariel dance properly lit on the screen. The new films are too long, too monotone, too bland and full of photorealistic talking animals that range from boring to horrifying."{{Cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/06/01/live-action-disney-movies-including-the-little-mermaid-dissapoint/70273160007/ |title='The Little Mermaid': Why live-action Disney remakes never live up to the animated movies |website=USA Today |access-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223074619/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/06/01/live-action-disney-movies-including-the-little-mermaid-dissapoint/70273160007/ |url-status=live }}

Lindsey Bahr of Associated Press wrote that "For all its pizazz, everything about this Little Mermaid is just more muted. Miranda's new songs are odd, too, and don't seem to fit."{{Cite web |date=May 22, 2023 |title=Movie Review: Disenchantment under the sea in live-action 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://apnews.com/article/little-mermaid-halle-movie-review-0c1f706c41049400684c4c7bbaa51594 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524043049/https://apnews.com/article/little-mermaid-halle-movie-review-0c1f706c41049400684c4c7bbaa51594 |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=AP NEWS}} "The Scuttlebutt" musical number was widely criticized by critics and audiences for Awkwafina's vocal performance, Lin-Manuel Miranda's lyrics (particularly the line "Remember the swamp? Remember my song in the swamp? When I was like 'Womp, chicka womp-womp, chicka womp-woooomp{{' "}}) and its rap style not fitting in with the musical style of the other songs. Raven Brunner of Decider called the number "awkward" and that it felt "forced".{{Cite web |last=Brunner |first=Raven |date=May 23, 2023 |title=Awkwafina's Awkward 'Little Mermaid' Rap "The Scuttlebutt" Shows She's Learned Nothing From "Blaccent" Backlash |url=https://decider.com/2023/05/23/awkwafina-awkward-little-mermaid-rap-the-scuttlebutt-blaccent-backlash/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524043050/https://decider.com/2023/05/23/awkwafina-awkward-little-mermaid-rap-the-scuttlebutt-blaccent-backlash/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Decider}} A. Felicia Wade of DiscussingFilm wrote that "Considering the setting, it's really out of place for the film in general."{{Cite web |last=Wade |first=A. Felicia |date=May 22, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' Review – Halle Bailey Carries Disney Remake Out of Murky Waters |url=https://discussingfilm.net/2023/05/22/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey-carries-disney-remake-out-of-murky-waters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524043907/https://discussingfilm.net/2023/05/22/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey-carries-disney-remake-out-of-murky-waters/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=DiscussingFilm}}

John Musker, co-writer and co-director of the original 1989 film, disapproved of the film stating: "They didn’t play up the father-daughter story, and that was the heart of the movie, in a way. And the crab — you could look at live animals in a zoo and they have more expression."[https://variety.com/2024/film/news/disney-course-correction-political-messaging-little-mermaid-aladdin-director-1236016793/ Disney Needs ‘Course Correction’ Away From Political Messaging, Says ‘Little Mermaid’ and ‘Aladdin’ Director]

After the announcement of Bailey's involvement in July 2019 and the release of first teaser in September 2022, the film gained mixed responses from the public for casting an African-American actress as Ariel, who was Caucasian with red hair in the 1989 animated film.{{Cite web |date=June 10, 2023 |title="Are we paying too much attention to diversity?" Uncomfortable reactions to the live-action version of "The Little Mermaid" |script-title=ja:「多様性に配慮しすぎ？」実写版『リトル・マーメイド』の反応に抱く違和感「多様性は配慮するものではなく、すでに社会にあるもの」 |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/7adf0175379837f944ed33031efa0399e08fc4ce |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230618103053/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/7adf0175379837f944ed33031efa0399e08fc4ce/comments |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |access-date=June 18, 2023 |website=Yahoo! Japan |language=ja}} Arguments for the negative response have included the fact that a black mermaid does not adhere to the original story (Hans Christian Andersen's description of the mermaid is that "her skin was as clear and delicate as a rose-leaf, and her eyes as blue as the deepest sea"),{{Cite magazine |last=Dickson |first=E. J. |date=September 14, 2022 |title=Racists Are Worried About the Historical Accuracy of Mermaids |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/black-little-mermaid-racist-outcry-twitter-1234591724/ |url-status=live |magazine=Rolling Stone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916165152/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/black-little-mermaid-racist-outcry-twitter-1234591724/ |archive-date=September 16, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Aja |date=September 17, 2022 |title=The racist backlash to The Little Mermaid and Lord of The Rings is exhausting and extremely predictable |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/23357114/the-little-mermaid-racist-backlash-lotr-rings-of-power-diversity-controversy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919200526/https://www.vox.com/culture/23357114/the-little-mermaid-racist-backlash-lotr-rings-of-power-diversity-controversy |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |website=Vox}} the claim that the adaptation should be as close to the original as possible,{{Cite web |date=May 28, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' – tình yêu của nàng tiên cá da màu |trans-title=Review – 'The Little Mermaid' – the love of a colored mermaid |url=https://vnexpress.net/giai-tri/phim/thu-vien-phim/nang-tien-ca-599 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619221617/https://vnexpress.net/giai-tri/phim/thu-vien-phim/nang-tien-ca-599 |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |access-date=June 19, 2023 |website=VnExpress |language=vi}} and the idea that mermaids should be pale, not black, as they are underwater creatures.{{Cite web |last=Willingham |first=AJ |date=September 17, 2022 |title=Analysis: A definitive rebuttal to every racist 'Little Mermaid' argument |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/17/entertainment/little-mermaid-racist-backlash-halle-bailey-disney-cec/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919103227/https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/17/entertainment/little-mermaid-racist-backlash-halle-bailey-disney-cec/index.html |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |website=CNN}} Criticism of the casting after the teaser trailer release became viral and elicited the hashtag #NotMyAriel.{{Cite web |date=August 12, 2019 |title=Halle Bailey, Auli'i Cravalho respond to #NotMyAriel backlash from "The Little Mermaid" casting |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2019/08/halle-bailey-the-little-mermaid-response-ba1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814005414/https://insidethemagic.net/2019/08/halle-bailey-the-little-mermaid-response-ba1/ |archive-date=August 14, 2019 |access-date=September 18, 2019 |website=Inside the Magic |language=en-US}} Many media outlets as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film's producer and lyricist, criticized the negative response and described it as being racist.{{Cite web |last=Gajewski |first=Ryan |date=September 16, 2022 |title=Trevor Noah Rips Racist 'Little Mermaid' Criticism: "We're Doing This Again?" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/trevor-noah-rips-racist-little-mermaid-criticism-1235222015/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916055119/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/trevor-noah-rips-racist-little-mermaid-criticism-1235222015/ |archive-date=September 16, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2022 |title=The Little Mermaid and the big casting controversy |url=https://www.avclub.com/racist-backlash-casting-little-mermaid-rings-of-power-1849535442 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915195036/https://www.avclub.com/racist-backlash-casting-little-mermaid-rings-of-power-1849535442 |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 16, 2022 |website=The A.V. Club}}{{Cite web |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Lin-Manuel Miranda Blasts Racist 'Little Mermaid' Trolls: 'Halle Bailey Is Perfect for the Part' |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/columns/lin-manuel-miranda-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-1235385039/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008163504/https://variety.com/2022/film/columns/lin-manuel-miranda-little-mermaid-halle-bailey-1235385039/ |archive-date=October 8, 2022 |access-date=October 8, 2022 |website=Variety}} Stuart Heritage of The Guardian argued, "The boring spat over the Disney trailer makes idiots of us all – whether Ariel is Black or White, it is clearly a film that should rightfully be ignored then forgotten forever", suggesting instead that there should be a "grotesque scaly mutant as the lead".{{Cite web |last=Heritage |first=Stuart |date=September 15, 2022 |title=We are all losers in the 'woke v racist' Little Mermaid culture war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/15/little-mermaid-disney-trailer-culture-war-ariel-black-white |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925024340/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/15/little-mermaid-disney-trailer-culture-war-ariel-black-white |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}

During an interview in August 2019, Bailey said that "[she doesn't] pay attention to the negativity", while Auliʻi Cravalho, who played Ariel in a musical presentation as a part of The Wonderful World of Disney, expressed excitement at watching Bailey's portrayal of the character. Jodi Benson, the voice actress for Ariel in the 1989 film, praised Bailey, stating, "I think that the spirit of a character is what really matters".{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2022 |title=Original Ariel Jodi Benson: Halle Bailey 'absolutely amazing' in 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-09-12/halle-bailey-little-mermaid-jodi-benson-ariel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919042636/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-09-12/halle-bailey-little-mermaid-jodi-benson-ariel |archive-date=September 19, 2022 |access-date=September 19, 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times}} Brandy Norwood, the first woman of color to play Cinderella in the 1997 Disney television film of the same, and Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana (Disney's first official African-American Princess), also both praised the casting of Bailey as Ariel.{{Cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |date=July 30, 2020 |title=Why Brandy 'Was a Little Hesitant' to Release Her New Album 'B7' |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9426732/brandy-b7-interview |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113220610/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/9426732/brandy-b7-interview |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Muscaro |first=TJ |date=November 18, 2020 |title='Princess and the Frog' Actress Praises Halle Bailey, Yara Shahidi on Disney Roles |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2020/11/anika-noni-rose-halle-bailey-yara-shahidi-disney-tm1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925201559/https://insidethemagic.net/2020/11/anika-noni-rose-halle-bailey-yara-shahidi-disney-tm1/ |archive-date=September 25, 2022 |access-date=September 25, 2022 |website=Inside the Magic}} Rachel Zegler, who played Maria in Steven Spielberg's 2021 film version of West Side Story and the titular role in Disney's 2025 live-action remake of Snow White, also voiced her support for Bailey.{{Cite web |last=Conlin |first=Danl |date=November 13, 2022 |title=West Side Story's Rachel Zegler Offers Support for Halle Bailey's Little Mermaid |url=https://gamerant.com/rachel-zegler-halle-bailey-little-mermaid-support-west-side-story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230122223146/https://gamerant.com/rachel-zegler-halle-bailey-little-mermaid-support-west-side-story/ |archive-date=January 22, 2023 |access-date=January 22, 2023 |website=Gamerant}} In February 2023, Bailey said that she was trying to ignore the criticisms leveled by racist trolls on social media and focus on the anticipation for the film's release.{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=February 23, 2023 |title=Halle Bailey Ignores Racist 'The Little Mermaid' Trolls: 'As a Black Person You Expect It' and 'It's Not a Shock Anymore' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/halle-bailey-racist-little-mermaid-trolls-1235533564/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224033334/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/halle-bailey-racist-little-mermaid-trolls-1235533564/ |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=February 23, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} In a cover story for The Face, Bailey further added "I know people are like: 'It's not about race.' But now that I'm her... People don't understand that when you're Black there's this whole other community... It's so important for us to see ourselves."{{Cite web |last=Pometsey |first=Olive |date=February 23, 2023 |title=Halle Bailey is ready to stand |url=https://theface.com/culture/halle-bailey-interview-the-litte-mermaid-ariel-disney-beyonce-music-film |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615231942/https://theface.com/culture/halle-bailey-interview-the-litte-mermaid-ariel-disney-beyonce-music-film |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=The Face}}

In April 2023, Forbes reported that the visuals and CGI of the film, which it described as "an easy target for criticism", sparked viral discussions, criticism and memes on social media.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Conor |title='The Little Mermaid' Draws Criticism For Flounder's Uncomfortably Lifelike Design—The Latest Controversy For The Film |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/04/28/the-little-mermaid-draws-criticism-for-flounders-uncomfortably-lifelike-design-the-latest-controversy-for-the-film/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326145038/https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/04/28/the-little-mermaid-draws-criticism-for-flounders-uncomfortably-lifelike-design-the-latest-controversy-for-the-film/ |url-status=live }}

In May 2023, an editorial from Chinese state-run tabloid Global Times accused Disney of "forced inclusion of minorities" and "lazy and irresponsible storytelling",{{Cite news |last=Hawkins |first=Amy |date=June 9, 2023 |title=Disney's Little Mermaid flops in China amid racist backlash over casting |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jun/09/disney-little-mermaid-flops-china-racist-backlash-casting |url-status=live |access-date=June 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610170515/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jun/09/disney-little-mermaid-flops-china-racist-backlash-casting |archive-date=June 10, 2023 |issn=0261-3077}} echoing the views of some social media users in China, Japan, and South Korea.{{Cite web |last=Michelle Toh, Candice Zhu and Gawon Bae |date=June 6, 2023 |title='The Little Mermaid' tanks in China and South Korea amid racist backlash from some viewers |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/06/media/little-mermaid-box-office-china-korea-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618013154/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/06/media/little-mermaid-box-office-china-korea-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |access-date=June 18, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}} The Global Times similarly attributed the film's poor performance in China to "Disney turning classic tales into 'sacrificial lambs' for political correctness."{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=Erin |title=China's backlash against Little Mermaid exposes Hollywood bind |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/6/8/chinas-backlash-against-little-mermaid-exposes-hollywood-dilemma |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608194427/https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2023/6/8/chinas-backlash-against-little-mermaid-exposes-hollywood-dilemma |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}

Deadline Hollywood reported that the film was suffering from review bombing online, and that sites such as IMDb in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Mexico, and AlloCiné in France had added warnings to the rating pages for the film about "unusual" activity. IMDb's warning read, "Our rating mechanism has detected unusual voting activity on this title. To preserve the reliability of our rating system, an alternate weighting calculation has been applied."{{Cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=May 28, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Splashes To $164M Global Bow, But There's Something Fishy Overseas As Disney Pic Beset By Review-Bombing |url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-global-opening-review-bombing-international-box-office-1235381992/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529095922/https://deadline.com/2023/05/the-little-mermaid-global-opening-review-bombing-international-box-office-1235381992/ |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |access-date=May 29, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Deadline Hollywood cited these low user ratings as well as "backlash... over the casting of star Halle Bailey in the title role" in countries such as Korea, China, France, and Germany as contributing factors in the disappointing overseas box office.

A series of books based on the film was released on April 11, 2023, by Disney Press.{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Photos: THE LITTLE MERMAID Books Give New Look at Upcoming Live Action Remake |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photos-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-Books-Give-New-Look-at-Upcoming-Live-Action-Remake-20230110 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111170405/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photos-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-Books-Give-New-Look-at-Upcoming-Live-Action-Remake-20230110 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=April 17, 2023 |website=BroadwayWorld |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Robin |date=January 14, 2023 |title=Disney's The Little Mermaid: Will There Be Halle Bailey Merchandise? |url=https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-merchandise-halle-bailey/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702124504/https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-merchandise-halle-bailey/ |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}} It includes an illustrated picture book titled The Little Mermaid: Make a Splash by Ashley Franklin and Paul Kellam;{{Cite web |title=The Little Mermaid: Make A Splash |url=https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-make-a-splash/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702124505/https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-make-a-splash/ |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Disney Publishing Worldwide |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Tiffany |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Meet the author behind the newest book for Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' |url=https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/entertainment-news/arkansas-author-disney-little-mermaid-book-ashley-franklin/527-9e885f21-2f93-4392-9fc7-34e51bf860de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702124504/https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/entertainment-news/arkansas-author-disney-little-mermaid-book-ashley-franklin/527-9e885f21-2f93-4392-9fc7-34e51bf860de |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=KFSM-TV |language=en-US}} the guidebook The Little Mermaid: Guide to Merfolk detailing the depictions of Ariel, her sisters, and universe from the film by Eric Geron;{{Cite web |title=The Little Mermaid: Guide to Merfolk |url=https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-guide-to-merfolk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702124504/https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-guide-to-merfolk/ |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Disney Publishing Worldwide |language=en-US}} the novelization of the film titled The Little Mermaid: The Novelization by Faith Noelle;{{Cite web |title=The Little Mermaid Live Action Novelization |url=https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-live-action-novelization/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417142712/https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-live-action-novelization/ |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Disney Publishing Worldwide |language=en-US}} The Little Mermaid: This is Ariel by Colin Hosten;{{Cite web |title=The Little Mermaid: This is Ariel |url=https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-this-is-ariel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702124504/https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-this-is-ariel/ |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Disney Publishing Worldwide |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Louis |first=Brandon |date=January 13, 2023 |title=Halle Bailey's Ariel Gets Gorgeous Art On New Little Mermaid Books |url=https://screenrant.com/litter-mermaid-halle-bailey-ariel-books/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225858/https://screenrant.com/litter-mermaid-halle-bailey-ariel-books/ |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} and the young adult novel The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide by American author J. Elle.{{Cite web |title=The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide |url=https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-against-the-tide/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413203359/https://books.disney.com/book/the-little-mermaid-against-the-tide/ |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=April 13, 2023 |website=Disney Publishing Worldwide |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Iyana |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Under the Sea: 2023 Children's Books Featuring Mermaids |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/92129-under-the-sea-2023-children-s-books-featuring-mermaids.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225858/https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/92129-under-the-sea-2023-children-s-books-featuring-mermaids.html |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=Publishers Weekly |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Major |first=Michael |date=January 10, 2023 |title=Photos: THE LITTLE MERMAID Books Give New Look at Upcoming Live Action Remake |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photos-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-Books-Give-New-Look-at-Upcoming-Live-Action-Remake-20230110 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111170405/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photos-THE-LITTLE-MERMAID-Books-Give-New-Look-at-Upcoming-Live-Action-Remake-20230110 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=BroadwayWorld |language=en}} The novel serves as a prequel.{{Cite web |last=Mabee |first=Megan |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Mermaid Tails: 9 Enchanting Books Like The Little Mermaid |url=https://bookriot.com/books-like-the-little-mermaid/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225858/https://bookriot.com/books-like-the-little-mermaid/ |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=BookRiot.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Shotwell |first=Alyssa |date=October 3, 2022 |title=Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' Novel Tie-Ins Have Intriguing Clues About Ariel's Family |url=https://www.themarysue.com/live-action-little-mermaid-novel-tie-ins-have-intriguing-clues-about-ariels-family/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225857/https://www.themarysue.com/live-action-little-mermaid-novel-tie-ins-have-intriguing-clues-about-ariels-family/ |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=The Mary Sue |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bond |first=Emily |date=May 22, 2023 |title=14 'Little Mermaid'-Inspired Books That Should Be Part Of Your World |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-little-mermaid-books_n_644b1576e4b0408f3e588b26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701225857/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-little-mermaid-books_n_644b1576e4b0408f3e588b26 |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} It featured on The New York Times Best Seller list,{{Cite magazine |last=Muhammad |first=Latifah |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Under the Sea: All the Best 'Little Mermaid' Merch to Buy Online |url=https://www.billboard.com/shop/little-mermaid-merch-live-action-film-where-to-buy-1235324569/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701230238/https://www.billboard.com/shop/little-mermaid-merch-live-action-film-where-to-buy-1235324569/ |url-status=live }} where it spent several weeks in the top ten and reached the fifth spot in the category "Young Adult Hardcover Books".{{Cite news |title=Young Adult Hardcover Books – Best Sellers – Books – The New York Times |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/young-adult-hardcover/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008044624/https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/young-adult-hardcover/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2023 |title=For young readers: a new 'Little Mermaid' book and more on the New York Times bestsellers list |url=https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/05/01/for-young-readers-a-new-little-mermaid-book-and-more-on-the-new-york-times-bestsellers-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702124504/https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/05/01/for-young-readers-a-new-little-mermaid-book-and-more-on-the-new-york-times-bestsellers-list/ |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |website=The Virginian-Pilot |language=en-US}}

{{main|Ariel (TV series){{!}}Ariel (TV series)}}

In June 2023, a CGI-animated series inspired by the film was announced for Disney Junior.{{Cite web |last=Bałaga |first=Marta |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Disney Unveils Animated Series at Annecy, Teases 'Magicampers' and 'The Sunnyridge 3' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/magicampers-the-sunnyridge-3-disney-1235642369/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613164835/https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/magicampers-the-sunnyridge-3-disney-1235642369/ |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} The series, entitled Ariel, follows a young version of the titular character whose design takes influence from Bailey's portrayal. The series premiered on June 27, 2024.{{cite press release|title="Disney Jr.'s Ariel" to Make a Splash Thursday, June 27|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2024/05/08/disney-jrs-ariel-to-make-a-splash-thursday-june-27-630512/20240508disney03/|publisher=Disney Branded Television|via=The Futon Critic|date=May 8, 2022|access-date=May 22, 2022}}

In October 2022, after the positive repercussions of black children watching the trailer, rumors emerged that Disney had contacted Halle Bailey to negotiate a possible sequel.{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Halle Bailey 'already wanted' for another The Little Mermaid sequel after trailer response: 'The viral trend gave Disney no choice' |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/10/31/the-little-mermaid-disney-already-invited-halle-bailey-for-sequel-17670343/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228152102/https://metro.co.uk/2022/10/31/the-little-mermaid-disney-already-invited-halle-bailey-for-sequel-17670343/ |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |access-date=September 21, 2023 |website=Metro }} In April 2023, Marshall hinted at the potential for sequels if the film is successful: "It's a classic story that has a lot of characters and a lot of interesting stories. I do think it's right for certain things. But you have to see how a movie plays, and how it does... I think there's always opportunity to find stories within stories. That's always a wonderful thing."{{Cite magazine |last=Maytum |first=Matt |date=May 2023 |title=Shore Thing |magazine=Total Film |location=Bath |publisher=Future plc |page=53}} The following month, Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King spoke about the animated sequel The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, saying that they liked it and they would agree to reprise their roles if it were adapted into live action.{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2023 |title=The Little Mermaid Stars Address Possible Sequel |url=https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-stars-on-possible-sequel-happen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829114133/https://movieweb.com/the-little-mermaid-stars-on-possible-sequel-happen/ |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |access-date=August 29, 2023 |website=Movie Web}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://movies.disney.com/the-little-mermaid-2023}}
• {{IMDb title|5971474}}
• [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_little_mermaid_2023 The Little Mermaid] at Rotten Tomatoes

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