Is The Little Mermaid scary?

Only a little. The Little Mermaid has a few tense moments, nothing that follows you to bed.

How gory is The Little Mermaid?

No gore and some violence. Squeamish viewers are fine here.

What is The Little Mermaid rated, and is it OK for kids?

Yes. It is rated G, and nothing we tagged runs past mild.

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Film · 1h 23m · Rated G

Animation, Family, Fantasy, Musical

A spirited mermaid princess dreams of a human world, risking everything for love in a vibrant underwater adventure.

Uplifting, with wholesome humor. A family watch at a measured pace. Emotionally it carries some weight.

Streaming on Disney+.

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The Little Mermaid parents guide

No surprises for a G: no swearing and a few tense moments.

Our estimate: fine from about 7. Rated G.

Scare: Mildly scary; A few tense or eerie moments.
Jump scares: A couple; One or two sudden jolts.
Gore: No gore
Violence: Some violence; Some fighting or peril.
Sex and nudity: None noted
Language: None noted

How we rate: an AI reads what is known about each title and tags it 0 to 3; we check the tags against a hand-rated set and correct them by hand when readers tell us. Estimates, not a scene-by-scene review. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

Three questions

Is The Little Mermaid scary?: Only a little. The Little Mermaid has a few tense moments, nothing that follows you to bed.
How gory is The Little Mermaid?: No gore and some violence. Squeamish viewers are fine here.
What is The Little Mermaid rated, and is it OK for kids?: Yes. It is rated G, and nothing we tagged runs past mild.

What is The Little Mermaid about?

This colorful adventure tells the story of an impetuous mermaid princess named Ariel who falls in love with the very human Prince Eric and puts everything on the line for the chance to be with him. Memorable songs and characters -- including the villainous sea witch Ursula.

Does it have a happy ending? (spoiler-safe)

Yes. It lands on a happy note.