The Little Mermaid
Disney Jr. is ready to dive under the sea with its upcoming series, Disney Jr.’s Ariel, taking the curious and lively mermaid princess on a series of animated adventures that fans have never experienced before.
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Set in the Caribbean-inspired fairytale kingdom of Atlantica, the series follows young Ariel (Mykal-Michelle Harris) as she embarks on underwater fun with her family and friends, including King Triton (Taye Diggs), Ursula (Amber Riley), Flounder (Gracen Newton) and mermaid friends Fernie (Cruz Flateau) and Lucia (Elizabeth Phoenix Caro).
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“I can’t even begin to tell you the enthusiasm in our workspace about putting this show together,” the series’ executive producer Lynne Southerland tells Billboard. “Everyone is really bringing their A-game. We all feel really honored to be moving the magic Ariel into a new space, a new way of seeing her and a new audience.”
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As to how this version of Ariel differs from the princess seen in the original 1989 film and the sub-sequent 2023 live-action film, Southerland says that the Disney Jr. mermaid is young but sure of herself. “It was very important to me that Ariel exudes a sense of personal agency, that she already kind of knows who she is at eight years old and we’re just watching her continue to grow and expand that sense of self,” she says. “We started with a core element of Ariel, which is her beautiful voice — but what are the many ways that voice expresses? How we communicate with others, how we express our dreams, how we can express ourselves when we make a mistake. To show her as a full character who is able to speak out rather than be closed up, that was really principal to this character.”
Harris, the 12-year-old actress who plays Ariel in the show, agrees, adding that she was encouraged to put her own spin on the character. “In this version, we’re seeing Ariel younger than we’ve ever seen her before, so it was important for me to add some qualities that she might have had when she was younger,” she explains. “A few qualities that I brought into this version of Ariel was her love of singing, of course, and also she was definitely an empath in the feature films. She is also just a really curious, excited person that always wants to explore the world around her.”
She continues, “It’s such a dream come true, playing the role of Ariel. It’s just so fulfilling, because I’ve always loved Disney princesses. I mean, who doesn’t? I always loved to watch Ariel, Elsa and Anna, Aladdin — all those classic Disney stories. I always wished to be Disney princess when I grow up, and now I actually am! My wish came true!”
Another crucial element of Disney Jr.’s Ariel is the protagonist’s relationship with her father, King Triton. “It’s not often that we get to see Black fathers in strong roles,” Southerland says. “There can be a perception of Black fathers as being stern. It was really important that Triton, despite being king, when he’s with his kids he’s just a dad who understands and loves his children and want the best for them.”
Diggs, a father himself who plays the underwater king, adds, “I love that he listens to his child. It sounds very simple, but you’d be surprised how many parents think that it’s their job to talk at their kid instead of listening to them. He’s the kind of father who listens and that’s the kind of father I’m striving to be.”
To conclude, Harris chimes in with what she hopes young viewers will gain from watching the new series. “It’s OK to be yourself. It’s OK to love who you are, it’s OK to like what you like, and I think Ariel really shows that,” she says. “There’s so much diversity and inclusion in this series, that you’ll definitely be able to see yourself in one of the characters.”
In addition to the Disney Jr.’s Ariel premiere episode airing June 27 on Disney Junior and later on Disney Channel, an initial batch of eight episodes will be available on Disney+ the following day (Friday, June 28). Plus, a new series of two-minute shorts, called Disney Jr.’s Ariel: Mermaid Tales, were previously featured across Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney Jr. beginning earlier this month, to build excitement around the new show.
Sign up for Disney+ here. Regularly $7.99 monthly, you can get access to Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ for one low price of $12.99. The so-called “Disney Bundle” gets you unlimited, on-demand streaming on all three services for under $13 total. It’s a savings of 50% versus paying for each streamer on its own.
We just got one step closer to Halley Bailey’s debut solo project. In a new interview with Cosmopolitan, the younger half of Grammy-nominated R&B duo Chloe x Halle revealed that her debut solo EP will “definitely” be released “before the end of the year.”
Last month (Aug. 4), Bailey unleashed her debut solo single, a gospel and jazz-tinged empowerment anthem titled “Angel.” In her Cosmo interview, the multitalented artist touched on how her recent life experiences have influenced the creation of her upcoming project. “Ariel was my college experience. She was the one to say, ‘Look, look what you have in you. You can.’ Nettie was the same type of lesson, almost in a spiritual way. These characters are speaking to me and teaching me,” she said. “It’s cool to learn things about life through their eyes. And all musical inspiration really just comes from life experiences. Love has been a really big one for me too, because that’s something I’m experiencing for the first time.”
This winter Bailey will star as Young Nettie in the film adaptation of The Color Purple musical directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones. The Color Purple, which is currently slated for release on Christmas Day, will also star Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Ciara, H.E.R., Aunjanue Ellis, Colman Domingo, Danielle Brooks and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.
The film will mark the second cinematic event that Bailey has lent her talents to this year. A few months ago, she starred as Princess Ariel in Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, which grossed more than $118 million during its opening weekend, which happened over Memorial Day. Bailey also blessed the Rob Marshall-helmed film’s hit soundtrack with her inimitable voice, treating audiences to stunning renditions of Little Mermaid classics such as “Part of Your World” and impressive new songs including “For the First Time.”
“This has been a really beautiful transformative time for me. I have all this new material to write about,” she gushed. “I was very creatively inspired, and then from there, I fell in love. And so I really just played with those themes in my music. Sound-wise, it’s a little modern R&B-ish, with all the jazz elements and hints of pop that I love.”
Once her EP arrives later this year, both members of Chloe x Halle will have officially released solo projects. Older sister Chloe Bailey, known mononymously as Chlöe, released In Pieces, her debut solo studio album, earlier this year. Featuring singles such as “Pray It Away” and the Chris Brown-assisted “How Does It Feel,” In Pieces peaked at No. 119 on the Billboard 200.
As a duo, Chloe x Halle have earned two entries on the Billboard 200: 2018’s The Kids Are Alright (No. 139) and 2020’s Ungodly Hour (No. 16). They have also earned one entry on the Billboard Hot 100: “Do It” (No. 63), the lead single from Ungodly Hour.
Three months after the release of the live-action Little Mermaid movie starring Halle Bailey, we now know who will bring the famous mermaid and her underwater pals to life once more in the upcoming animated series based on the film, Disney Junior’s Ariel. Disney Junior announced Friday (Aug. 18) that 11-year-old actress Mykal-Michelle Harris (Raven’s […]
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The Little Mermaid is swimming towards a digital release! Disney’s live-action adaptation of the classic mermaid tail will be available to on Prime Video and other digital platforms starting July 24, per Amazon.
Under the Sea: All the Best ‘Little Mermaid’ Merch to Buy Online
07/18/2023
A modern reimagining of the fairytale, The Little Mermaid, stars Halle Bailey as Ariel, a spirited mermaid who swims to shore (against her father’s wishes), saves a prince from drowning, and makes a deal with a sea witch, Ursula, to become human. Jonah Hauer-King plays Ariel’s love interest, Prince Eric.
Melissa McCarthy stars as Ursula and Javier Bardem plays King Triton, Ariel’s father and Ursula’s estranged brother. Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay round out the cast as Ariel’s friends Sebastian, Flounder and Scuttle.
The Little Mermaid debuted in theaters over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Since its May release, the Rob Marshall-directed movie has raked in more than $550 million worldwide becoming the seventh-biggest film of 2023. It’s unclear when The Little Mermaid will be released on Disney+.
In the meantime, audiences will officially be able to stream The Little Mermaid on Prime Video ($19.99) starting next Monday, July 24, at 9:00 p.m. PT. The movie will also be available on other digital platforms like Apple TV.
Prime Video has a large roster of entertainment — including a ton of movies streaming free for Prime members, movies that you can buy and rent including blockbuster hits such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. and John Wick 4.
The Little Mermaid joins other Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse, Babylon: The Road Home, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1, Joy Ride, Insidious: The Red Door and other new movies that you can pre-order on Prime Video and stream from anywhere.
The Little Mermaid (Includes Bonus Content)
$19.99 (pre-order)
The Little Mermaid will be released on Blu-ray/DVD ($24.99) on Sept. 19, according to Target. The Blu-ray includes the theatrical release and a singalong version of the movie. Fans will also be able to peek inside the making of the film with behind-the-scenes footage showcasing how the swimming sequences were filmed, song breakdowns and more.
The Little Mermaid Collectible Steelbook Edition ($29.99), which is available exclusively at Best Buy and includes a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray and a digital copy of the movie, drops on Oct. 3 (click here to pre-order from Best Buy).
The Blu-ray/DVDs is currently available at Walmart and Target, and Barnes & Noble. Pre-order below.
The Little Mermaid Collectible SteelBook Edition ($29.99), which is available exclusively at Best Buy and includes a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray and a digital copy of the movie, drop on Oct. 3 (click here to pre-order from Best Buy).
Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has been garnering box-office success and strong soundtrack streaming tallies alike, and the new version of the 1989 classic can now add another accolade. On Tuesday (June 13), Disney Branded Television announced that it greenlit a new animated series titled Disney Junior’s Ariel inspired by Halle Bailey‘s Ariel. […]
The soundtrack to the new live action The Little Mermaid film jumps 4-1 on Billboard’s Soundtracks chart (dated June 10), while also surging 103-21 on the overall Billboard 200 chart. On the latter tally, the new set swims past the peak of the original soundtrack to the 1989 animated The Little Mermaid, which topped out […]
A group of movie-goers seeing The Little Mermaid in theaters recently had no idea that the Little Mermaid herself was in their midst. In a new TikTok, the live action Disney remake’s star Halle Bailey revealed that she basically snuck into a theater to watch the film by wearing a low-key outfit, looking unrecognizable from […]
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. The release of the live-action Little Mermaid movie may be spawning a host of new merch, but it’s also helping fans […]
The Weeknd wants to retire his alter ego, The Weeknd and is open to making music as Abel Tesfaye, the stars were out for ‘The Little Mermaid’ Hollywood premiere and Halle Bailey talks about playing the iconic role of Ariel, Colde, and RM top the Hot Trending Songs chart. Elena Rose tells us who she wants to be in her dream girl group and get to know Shenseea more on Billboard’s speed date!
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid will splash its way onto movie screens later this month, nearly four years after Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel in the live-action adaptation of the ’90s animated film. Fans have been waiting year for Bailey to make her silver-screen debut, and with the movie finally hitting theaters May 26 — and a new clip, which premiered during Sunday night’s MTV Movie & TV Awards — there’s a whole plethora of Little Mermaid merch that needs to be “part of your world.”
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From Barbies and Legos to clothing and costumes, officially licensed merch can be found at shopDisney as well as retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart. Ebay has a decent selection of those harder-to-find items, like Disney Parks exclusives, and Etsy is great for finding lots of shirts in adult sizes, posters, mermaid costumes, wigs and more.
To make your search a little easier, we dove around the web to find the 16 best Little Mermaid merch items that you can buy for kids and adults.
Target
The Little Mermaid Sing-Along Boombox
$29.99
Starting in the toy department, this adorable boombox lets kids sing along to an extended version of “Part of Your World.” The boombox, designed for ages 3+, includes a wired microphone for hours of musical fun.
Target
The Little Mermaid Sing-Along Microphone
$12.99
For a scaled-down version of the musical boombox, pick up this sing-along microphone (for ages 3+).
Disney Store
The Little Mermaid Women’s Denim Jacket
$79.99
Get stylish with Ariel! This denim jacket boasts gorgeous screen art of Ariel and Flounder and a scenic ocean design complete with underwater plants, shells, bubbles, and the phrase “Ready to Stand” embroidered on the back. The jacket, which is part of shopDisney’s The Little Mermaid collection, is available in women’s sizes ranging from S-3X.
shopDisney
Ariel Spirit Jersey for Adults
$74.99
Part of your wardrobe! Get comfy in a stylish Ariel Spirit Jersey featuring an “undersea” dye effect with Ariel art and “Part of Your World” written in glittery text. The shirt is available in sizes XS-XXL.
Amazon
Loungefly Disney Little Mermaid Ariel Live Action Flap Wallet
$40.00
“Beautiful” and “absolutely darling,” according to customer reviews, Loungefly’s Ariel Flap Wallet shows our favorite mermaid sitting pretty “under the sea.” The wallet matches Loungefly’s Little Mermaid Double-Strap Shoulder Bag ($80).
Disney Store
Ariel Limited-Edition Doll 17″
$149.99
Not your average Ariel Barbie! The Little Mermaid Limited-Edition Barbie will be released on May 11 at shopDisney.com. The fully possible, 17-inch doll has flowing red hair, with a sequined tail, ruffled trims and iridescent organza fins. Disney is only releasing 5,200 of the collectible dolls, so you might want to pre-order yours before it sells out (limit two per guest).
Amazon
Funko Pop! Deluxe: Disney – The Little Mermaid, Ariel & Friends
$29.74
For Funko fans, this Little Mermaid Funko features a 3.9-inch Ariel Pop! vinyl flanked by Sebastian, Scuttle and Flounder. Funko also released a Pop! vinyl of Ariel in her signature blue dress, which is available at Walmart ($14.99), HSN and Funko.com.
Amazon
The Little Mermaid Non-Toxic Peel-Off Water-Based Safe Quick Dry Nail Polish| Gift Kit Set for Kids| Ages 3+
$11.99
Pick a shade! This gift set is packed with 15 glittery, shimmery and opaque non-toxic, peel-off nail polishes. The color lineup includes orange, purple, peach, blue, neon blue, glittery green, chunky pink glitter, pink shimmer, light blue shimmer, silver confetti, blue and silver confetti, yellow confetti, and teal confetti.
Target
The Little Mermaid 18 oz Water Bottle
$27.99
Quench your thirst with this 18 oz., stainless steel water bottle. The water bottle is equipped with a built-in straw and carrying loop.
Amazon
Franco Disney’s The Little Mermaid Ariel Live Action Movie Kids Bedding
$63.76 $69.99 9% OFF
Shopping for bedding? This Little Mermaid bedding set includes a reversible comforter with a fitted sheet, flat sheet, pillowcase, and pillow sham for kids’ beds.
Amazon
Northwest Disney’s Little Mermaid Silk Touch Throw Blanket, 50″ x 60″
$43.80
Also available in bedding, a decorative throw blanket perfectly designed for cozying up on the couch or in bed. The 50-inch x 60-inch blanket is available in six different designs of Ariel and her Mersisters.
Target
The Little Mermaid Storage Bin (15″ x 15″)
$22.99
Perfect for keeping things tidy in a kids’ bedroom or playroom, this 15-inch x 15-inch storage bin has rope handles with an seashell-themed interior.
Hanna Andersson
Disney’s Little Mermaid Short Juan Pajama Set for Kids
$44
From bedding to PJs! This kids’ pajama set includes shorts and a tee available in sizes 2-12.
Amazon
The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide
$14.24 $18.99 25% OFF
The Little Mermaid meets the New York Times bestsellers list! Against the Tide has been on the bestsellers list for three weeks and counting. Based on an original story, the novel follows Ariel and her sisters on a journey to rescue their sister, Mala, while uncovering family secrets.
Amazon
The Little Mermaid Live Action Novelization
$6.74 $8.99 25% OFF
If you’d rather dive into the story from the film, join Ariel as she explores the wonders of the human world in The Little Mermaid Live-Action Novelization. Want more books? The Little Mermaid: Make a Splash ($16.19) is picture book retelling of the live action adaptation, while The Little Mermaid: This is Ariel ($5.99) is great for younger readers.
Amazon
SwimWays The Little Mermaid Pool Float, Ages 5 & Up
$34.99
Kids can make a splash all summer long with this inflatable pool float featuring the Disney princess and her six sisters. Complete the collection with this inflatable boat ($26.99), glitter dive wands ($10.99), life vest ($26.99) and arm floaties ($22.99).