The Little Mermaid
Disney's 'The Little Mermaid' franchise, encompassing both the beloved 1989 animated classic and its 2023 live-action adaptation, explores themes of longing, self-discovery, and love. The story follows Ariel, a curious mermaid princess who dreams of life on land and falls for a human prince, Eric. To achieve her desire, she makes a perilous deal with the cunning sea witch, Ursula, trading her voice for human legs. This fantastical musical journey delves into the complexities of familial relationships, rebellion, and the pursuit of dreams, set against vibrant undersea and human world backdrops. The films are generally aimed at a family audience, with the animated version often appealing to younger children and the live-action remake offering a more visually intense experience for a slightly older demographic. Overall, both versions contain elements of fantasy, romance, and some intense scenes that parents should consider.
Concerns
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central to the plot of both 'The Little Mermaid' films, primarily through the character of Ursula, the sea witch. Her use of spells, potions, and the magical exchange of Ariel's voice for legs constitutes a significant portion of the narrative, representing a 'deal with the devil' to some Christian viewers.
In both the 1989 and 2023 films, Ursula is explicitly identified as a 'sea witch' who uses magic to manipulate others. She performs a clear magical ritual to transform Ariel, exchanging Ariel's voice for human legs. This involves a magical contract, glowing ingredients, and the direct use of spells and incantations. Christian reviews often interpret Ariel's deal with Ursula as 'making a deal with a devil' due to its Faustian nature and the dark, manipulative intent behind Ursula's magic.
Anti-Christian Themes
HighFrom a Christian perspective, the most prominent anti-Christian theme lies in the central narrative element of Ariel making a magical pact with Ursula, the sea witch. This 'Faustian bargain' is often viewed as engaging with dark spiritual forces or a 'deal with the devil,' which is explicitly condemned in Christian teachings. Some reviews also frame the themes of rebellion against parental authority through a biblical lens of obedience.
The core plot point where Ariel enters into a magical contract with Ursula, the sea witch, exchanging her voice for legs, is widely identified by Christian sources as problematic, likening it to a 'deal with a devil' or engaging in occult practices. The Christian Spotlight on the Movies explicitly states that the Bible commands against involvement with witches or the occult and advises caution regarding this movie for 'impressionable children'. While not explicitly anti-Christian in dialogue, the thematic reliance on witchcraft as a means to achieve desires is a significant concern for parents viewing the film through a Christian worldview.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
MediumThe 1989 animated film has been widely interpreted through a queer lens, largely due to the influence of writer-producer Howard Ashman, a gay man. Ursula, the sea witch, was notably inspired by the drag queen Divine. The original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale has also been reinterpreted by some as a tale of unrequited gay love. The 2023 live-action film reportedly cast a gay adult film star as a merman, which stirred some controversy, though no explicit LGBTQ characters or overt themes are presented in the narrative.
In the 1989 animated film, Ursula's character design and mannerisms were directly inspired by the famed drag queen Divine, a deliberate choice by writer-producer Howard Ashman, who imbued the film with queer themes of longing and transformation. The original author, Hans Christian Andersen, was bisexual, and his tale of 'The Little Mermaid' has been read as an allegory for unrequited gay love. In the 2023 live-action adaptation, reports circulated that a gay adult film star, Stefano Tomadini (also known as Dante Ferrari), was cast as a merman, leading to some discussion about Disney's casting choices.
Violence
MediumBoth the 1989 animated and 2023 live-action films contain scenes of peril and violence, with the live-action version presenting these more intensely due to its realistic visuals. Common elements include shipwrecks, a shark attack, and the climactic confrontation with Ursula.
In the 1989 film, Ariel and Flounder are chased by a menacing shark. The climax features Prince Eric steering a ship's broken mast to impale and defeat Ursula, leading to her electrocution and apparent disintegration in the sea. The 2023 live-action adaptation features a shipwreck during a fierce storm where Prince Eric nearly drowns, and sailors attempt to harpoon a sea creature. Ursula's transformation into a giant, more terrifying form and her eventual defeat are depicted with more realistic and intense visuals than the animated original.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumBoth films feature romantic themes, including flirting and kissing between Ariel and Prince Eric. The animated film contains a very brief, often unnoticed, depiction of Ariel's bare breasts during a magical transformation, obscured by her hair. The live-action film includes mermaid outfits that resemble bikini tops and Ursula's revealing attire.
The 1989 animated film includes several romantic moments between Ariel and Prince Eric, culminating in a kiss encouraged by the song 'Kiss the Girl'. During Ariel's initial transformation into a human, there is a very brief shot where her shell bra disappears, leaving her breasts exposed, though obscured by her long hair. In the 2023 live-action version, mermaids wear bikini-top style tops, and Ursula's costume shows cleavage, with a scene where she pushes up her bosom with her hands. The romantic chemistry between Ariel and Eric is highlighted, with flirting and a central kiss being crucial to the plot.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumBoth films contain scenes that can be frightening or intense for younger viewers, primarily revolving around the antagonist Ursula and moments of peril. The live-action remake intensifies these elements through more realistic visual effects.
In the 1989 film, Ursula's initial appearance and her transformation into a giant, monstrous form during the climax are often cited as scary for children. The shark chase scene with Ariel and Flounder also creates suspense. The 2023 live-action film heightens the intensity of these elements; Ursula's transformation is described as 'quite terrifying,' and scenes of the shipwreck, fire, and near-drowning are more realistic and impactful. The overall atmosphere of the climax is noted as 'far darker than the original'.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumAriel's defiance of her father, King Triton, is a central theme in both versions of 'The Little Mermaid.' Her longing for the human world despite her father's strict prohibitions drives the plot, illustrating a clear theme of youthful rebellion against parental authority.
In both the 1989 and 2023 films, Ariel consistently disobeys King Triton's commands to stay away from the human world, culminating in her making a deal with Ursula against his wishes. In the 2023 live-action version, Prince Eric also exhibits rebellious behavior by sneaking out of the castle against his adoptive mother Queen Selina's wishes, driven by his own desire for exploration and connection with the outside world.
Profanity
LowBoth the 1989 animated and 2023 live-action films are noted for having very little to no profanity. Any language considered questionable is typically mild insults.
The 1989 animated film contains no reported strong language or profanity. The 2023 live-action version is considered family-friendly in its language, with no profanity. Milder insult words such as 'brat,' 'idiot,' 'stupid,' and 'fool' are occasionally used.
Substance Use
LowSubstance use is minimal to absent in both 'The Little Mermaid' films. There are occasional, brief mentions or depictions of alcohol consumption, but it is not central to the plot or glorified.
In the 1989 animated film, there are no notable instances of substance use. For the 2023 live-action adaptation, some parental guides mention 'drinking' or 'alcohol use' as minor content, but without explicit details of intoxication or a focus on substances. Overall, it is not a prominent theme.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The Little Mermaid (1989) is rated G, making it suitable for all ages, though some scenes with Ursula may be frightening for very young children. The Little Mermaid (2023) is rated PG for action/peril and some scary images, making it more appropriate for children aged 6 and up, with parental guidance suggested for younger viewers due to heightened realism in intense scenes.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that the live-action 2023 adaptation, while largely faithful to the animated original, presents several scenes with increased realism and intensity, particularly concerning violence and frightening imagery. The runtime of the 2023 film (2 hours 15 minutes) is also significantly longer than the 1989 animated classic (1 hour 23 minutes), which may be a consideration for younger viewers. Discussions around Ursula's inspiration and the original tale's author can lead to conversations about LGBTQ interpretations, which may be a point of guidance for some parents.
Related Reviews
Is The Little Mermaid right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required