How to watch

The Little Mermaid helped launch the Disney Renaissance and turned Ariel into one of the studio's most iconic princesses. The franchise expanded with a sequel about Ariel's own daughter, a prequel exploring her youth, and a modern live-action remake — giving fans several ways to return to Atlantica.

🕐 Release Order

Release order shows how Disney expanded Ariel's world over the years, moving from the animated classic to sequels and finally a live-action version.

1. The Little Mermaid (1989)
2. The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
3. The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)
4. The Little Mermaid (2023)

Because the prequel and the sequel bookend the original story, chronological order shuffles these films quite a bit.

📖 Story Chronology

In story order, Ariel's Beginning comes first, followed by the original film and its live-action retelling, and finally Return to the Sea, which follows Ariel's daughter Melody years later.

1. The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008) — Ariel's youth
2. The Little Mermaid (1989) — Ariel makes her deal with Ursula
3. The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000) — Ariel's daughter Melody

Which Order Should You Choose?

First-time viewers should start with the 1989 original — it's the classic that defines the franchise. If you want more, Return to the Sea and Ariel's Beginning flesh out the family and backstory, and the 2023 live-action remake offers a fresh, expanded take on the original. Chronological order is a fun rewatch option once you already know Ariel's story.

🔗 Related Guides

• Aladdin Watch OrderGuide
• Tangled Watch OrderGuide
• Frozen Watch OrderGuide

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we'll keep this guide up to date!