The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)

62% of users liked it
(5,259 ratings)

This prequel to Disney's widely acclaimed feature film The Little Mermaid follows Ariel's adventures from long before she gave up her fins for true love. When she wasn't singing alongside her sisters, Ariel spent her time with her mother, Queen Athena. Ariel is devastated when Athena is kidnapped by… More This prequel to Disney's widely acclaimed feature film The Little Mermaid follows Ariel's adventures from long before she gave up her fins for true love. When she wasn't singing alongside her sisters, Ariel spent her time with her mother, Queen Athena. Ariel is devastated when Athena is kidnapped by pirates, and even further so after King Triton outlaws all singing. Along with pals Flounder and Sebastian, Ariel sets off in hopes of changing her father's decision to ban music from the kingdom. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Peggy Holmes
Genres: Animation, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Aug 26, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Aug 26, 2008
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
It's a beautifully told, charming story with lyrical songs and fabulous dance routines
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
Should Disney continue with other straight-to-DVD sequels or prequels like this one, "Bambi II"....needs to be required viewing. A close relationship between characters, as with Bambi and his father, works. An insufferable Flounder does not.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
for young girls and die-hard Little Mermaid fans, it works
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
Perfectly watchable yet not entirely memorable.
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
A tuneful, colorful, under-the-sea adventure that should appeal to boys as well as girls. But for if you ask me, there was just one dugong too many.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

Judge it compared to the original and it looks awful. For a direct to video film, and compared to the sequel, it's pretty darn good. The best thing about it, is that it doesn't go for bigger action. Had it done, it would lesson the impact of the adventure in the original.… More
Judge it compared to the original and it looks awful. For a direct to video film, and compared to the sequel, it's pretty darn good. The best thing about it, is that it doesn't go for bigger action. Had it done, it would lesson the impact of the adventure in the original. This does mean that the villain isn't particularly awful, nor is the adventure THAT exciting. What it does do is present a solid prequel. It adds some layers, with the death of Ariel's mother, and gives us a plot that doesn't effect/change the original. Characters are also able to learn valuable lessons, without contradicting their future selves. The film also has a great character in a softly spoken manatee. It makes a nice change to see an engaging Disney character that isn't obnoxious and loud. Can be watched before or after the original.
Dead A

This was boring :|
Dannielle A

Much more chessey than the first two, but if I were younger I think I'd love it. I enjoyed getting to know Ariel's sisters in this movie, who we were very briefly introduced to in the first movie due to cut scenes. I think a younger audience would enjoy this one.
Jackson W

I surprisingly liked Little Mermaid 3 and I'll tell you why. It was an original story that answered questions left unsaid in the original (i.e. Ariel's mother) and also provided a background to Atlantica that makes the first film all the more enjoyable than it formerly was.… More
I surprisingly liked Little Mermaid 3 and I'll tell you why. It was an original story that answered questions left unsaid in the original (i.e. Ariel's mother) and also provided a background to Atlantica that makes the first film all the more enjoyable than it formerly was. The animation is it's only flaw.
Remi L

I tried to sit through the whole thing, but my attention span is only so long. I used to watch the Little Mermaid television series and I think if this movie had come out then, I would've been mildly entertained. The FIRST sequel was better than this one. I didn't even… More
I tried to sit through the whole thing, but my attention span is only so long. I used to watch the Little Mermaid television series and I think if this movie had come out then, I would've been mildly entertained. The FIRST sequel was better than this one. I didn't even finish watching this one!
Sunil J

Interesting. Not especially good but watchable. I was interested in seeing if it would go anywhere but...eh.