THE LITTLE MERMAID
Delightful, colorful family entertainment with strong Christian overtones.
Should You Watch It?
This is a superbly colorful, incredibly well-animated musical with strong Christian overtones. Its story presents love, family responsibility, self-sacrifice and the triumph of good over evil in ways that can delight both children and adults.
The film does use mythology to move its story along, so parents should explain the difference between myth and biblical reality. But the source specifically notes that this re-release has no offensive wedding scene, despite reports about the original release.
If you want family-friendly entertainment with memorable music, humor and themes worth discussing, WORTH THE TRIP.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESAriel, the beautiful daughter of Triton, the Sea King, longs to experience the human world despite her father’s wishes. After she saves Prince Eric from a shipwreck, Ariel falls in love with him.
When Ariel encounters Ursula, an evil sea witch who promises to make her human in exchange for her voice, Ariel must face the consequences of a dangerous bargain while trying to win the Prince’s love.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is an outstanding family film. The animation is incredibly well done, the movie is superbly colorful, and the orchestration is wonderful.
“Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl” turn the sea, teeming with life, into a living orchestra. The source also highlights many scenes that may delight audiences to tears, along with a hilarious sequence involving Sebastian the crab and an overzealous French chef.
The Worldview
The film uses mythology but carries strong Christian overtones, especially through its treatment of self-sacrifice. Ariel is willing to give up everything she has known because she loves Eric. Triton is willing to give up his kingdom because he loves his daughter. The review presents these sacrifices as illustrative of God sending His only begotten Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.
The movie also positively depicts a well-run household with a respected father who lays down rules effectively and wisely. Triton’s final decision about his daughter resonates with Genesis 2:24: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife.”
The source further compares Ariel’s transformation and redemption with humanity’s redemption from the consequences of the biblical Fall, noting that she does not return to her former state. Parents should explain the difference between the film’s mythology and biblical reality while appreciating the biblical principles it presents.
The film’s central vision is that love gives itself for another. Scripture says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Ariel and Triton are both willing to give up something precious for someone they love. What makes self-sacrifice loving rather than foolish?
John 15:13 · Philippians 2:3–4Triton sets rules for Ariel because he is concerned about her. How can parents establish rules effectively and wisely?
Ephesians 6:4 · Proverbs 22:6The film uses mythology while presenting Christian themes. Why is it important to distinguish a story’s imaginative world from biblical reality?
1 Thessalonians 5:21 · Acts 17:22–31The ending resonates with Genesis 2:24. What does that verse teach about marriage and the forming of a new household?
Genesis 2:24 · Matthew 19:4–6The Final Word
Colorful, funny, beautifully animated and rich with themes of love and self-sacrifice, The Little Mermaid offers family-friendly entertainment worth enjoying. Explain the mythology, then take the trip together. WORTH THE TRIP.
