10 Mermaid Movies To Watch After The Little Mermaid If You Enjoyed The Live-Action Version
Amidst the resounding waves of applause for Disney's live-action rendition of The Little Mermaid, a deep enchantment has taken hold—a fascination with the mystical allure of mermaids that stretches far beyond the silver screen. From the depths of romance to the heights of heroism, this fascination beckons us into a world where aquatic legends intertwine with human emotions. Remember how Jason Momoa transformed into the legendary Aquaman, propelling himself into stardom with a surge of underwater prowess?
And who can forget the heartwarming dance of love and laughter in the '80s classic, Splash, where Tom Hanks's charisma splashed onto the shores of cinema? As our yearning for mermaid magic persists, we dive into a trove of captivating tales that evoke the allure of these mythical beings. From charming animated fantasies to electrifying superhero spectacles, the ocean of cinema offers an array of mermaid-themed treasures, waiting to be explored by those who adored The Little Mermaid's spellbinding voyage.
#1. Aquamarine
Source: 20th Century Fox
The 2006 teen fantasy rom-com Aquamarine, based on the Alice Hoffman novel of the same name, follows best friends Claire (Emma Roberts) and Hailey (Joanna "JoJo" Levesque) as they face the titular beautiful and sassy mermaid (Sara Paxton) after a violent storm in their small Florida coastal town.
In order to avoid being forced into an arranged marriage, Aquamarine is determined to show her father that true love exists, so the teenage girls set out to help her win the heart of a handsome lifeguard. The family-friendly movie has a touching plot and endearing performances from its leads, making it ideal for children of all ages.
#2. Aquaman
Source: Warner Bros. Pictures
Jason Momoa developed himself as one of the most charismatic leading men on the big screen when he starred in the 2018 superhero extravaganza Aquaman, a thrilling film based on the legendary DC character that follows Arthur Curry, A.K.A. the almighty half-Atlantean, half-human, as he squares off against his devious half-brother King Orm (Patrick Wilson) in order to save both the underwater kingdom of Atlantis and humanity. The film, which also starred Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, and Willem Dafoe, wowed audiences with its action-packed fun and electrifying visuals.
When he starred in the 2018 superhero extravaganza Aquaman, a thrilling film based on the legendary DC character that follows Arthur Curry, A.K.A. the almighty half-Atlantean, half-human, as he squares off against his devious half-brother King Orm (Patrick Wilson) in order to save both the underwater kingdom of Atlantis and humanity, Jason Momoa established himself as one of the most charismatic leading men on the big screen. The film wowed audiences with its action-packed fun and electrifying visuals, starring Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, and Willem Dafoe.
#3. A Mermaid in Paris
Source: Sony Pictures Releasing
The French fantasy rom-com of 2020 A Mermaid in Paris follows the passionate love affair of cabaret musician Gaspard Snow (Nicolas Duvauchelle) and Seine siren Lula (Marilyn Lima), who washes up on the cobblestone streets and is rescued and restored to health by the romantically aimless man. The cursed Lula is hesitant to connect with Gaspard, but the two naturally fall head over heels for one another and share a passionate romance neither expected.
The visually stunning visuals are a modern-day fairy tale that delves into mermaid mythology and captivates viewers with the mesmerizing chemistry between two lonely souls. A Mermaid in Paris currently holds a very coveted score on 100% of critics' Rotten Tomatoes, with rave reviews for its eccentric characters and mesmerizing soundtrack.
#4. Splash
Source: Buena Vista Distribution
Splash, a 1984 fantasy rom-com directed by Ron Howard, stars Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah as star-crossed lovers Allen Bauer and Madison, who meet and fall in love despite the fact that the beautiful woman is a mermaid who rescued him from drowning decades before.
The delightful comedy follows the blossoming romance between the down-on-his-luck Allen and the lovestruck Madison as they are pursued by a scheming scientist who wants to expose the mermaid for his own profit.
#5. The Thirteenth Year
Source: Disney Channel
The Disney Channel Original Movie from 1999 The Thirteenth Year is an exciting story about an adolescent boy who discovers he is a merman after experiencing unexplainable changes such as breathing underwater, communicating with fish, and growing scales. Cody Griffin (Chez Starbuck) begins to transform into the mythical creature after his 13th birthday and discovers that his birth mother was a mermaid who was forced to leave him behind to avoid capture.
The family-friendly film went on to become the Disney Channel's second highest-rated film at the time, ranking 17th on Complex magazine's list of the 25 best Disney Channel Original Movies. The family comedy was described as a "heartwarming and somewhat creepy tale of growing up, leaving the nest, and, of course, being yourself" by Entertainment Weekly.
#6. The Shape of Water
Source: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Guillermo del Toro's Oscar-winning 2017 romantic fantasy The Shape of Water follows mute custodian Elisa Esposito (Sally Hawkins) as she works as a cleaning lady for a secret government laboratory in 1962 Baltimore. The courageous woman sets out to free the imprisoned Amphibian Man from the clutches of a nefarious government agent (Michael Shannon), precipitating a profound chain of events.
The Shape of Water was released to universal acclaim, with its phenomenal performances, visuals, screenplay, and stunning cinematography being lauded at its worldwide premiere at the Venice International Film Festival. The gorgeous fantasy won four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, and the American Film Institute named it one of the top ten releases of the year.
#7. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Johnny Depp returned to his role as the swashbuckling, iconic Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, a standalone sequel to On Stranger Tides. It follows the eccentric, bumbling pirate on his quest to find the mythical Fountain of Youth, with the help of his fiery former flame Angelica (Penélope Cruz) and missionary prisoner Philip Swift (Sam Claflin).
On their journey, the trio must face the legendary pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane), who is looking for the hallowed spring to avoid a prophesied death. Swift falls in love with a beautiful mermaid named Syrena who is captured by Blackbeard's crew in the epic fourth installment of the enduring franchise, with the young man stopping at nothing to rescue his lady love.
#8. Miranda
Source: Eagle Lion
Glynis Johns plays the titular spirited mermaid in the 1948 British comedy Miranda, who finds herself wreaking havoc on all the men and women she meets as the lonely mythical creature captures Dr. Paul Martin (Griffith Jones) in the hopes that he will show her around London under the guise of her being one of the physician's patients.
Miranda is shown in the picture inadvertently making every man she meets fall head over heels for her, while Martin's wife becomes increasingly suspicious of her true identity. Miranda was one of the first Hollywood films to feature mermaids, and it went on to become one of the most popular and profitable films at the British box office that year. Due to the film's massive success, Johns reprised her flirtatious role in the 1954 sequel Mad About Men.
#9. Ponyo
Source: Toho
Ponyo, a 2008 Japanese animated fantasy directed by Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid that follows the eponymous goldfish princess as she is rescued by a kind-hearted human boy named Ssuke after being washed ashore and trapped in a glass jar.
Ponyo longs to leave the ocean and become a human after developing a deep bond with Ssuke, as their friendship causes her to become more and more human-like.
#10. The Mermaid
Source: Beijing Enlight Pictures
Chinese fantasy rom-com from 2016. The Mermaid is the enchanting story of a beautiful young mermaid who is sent to assassinate a property tycoon and ladies' man who poses an extreme threat to her fellow merfolk's vital ecosystem, but the job becomes complicated when the pair fall in love with each other.
The Stephen Chow film, which starred Lin Yun and Deng Chao as the unlikely couple, broke records upon its release and had the biggest opening week of all time in China, grossing $553.8 million after its impressive theatrical run.
The Mermaid received positive reviews from both audiences and critics, with Vulture writing, "It's amazing how distinctive and strange Mermaid manages to be, especially given the highly derivative concept - how personal it feels, amid all the absurdist, go-for-broke humor." It merits to be seen."