‘The Little Mermaid’ Makes a Splash with $163.8M Worldwide Opening
The story's enduring themes of love and self-discovery continue to resonate strongly today and give the film a timeless appeal. Learn more below.
Disney's enchanting live-action remake of the 1989 animated classic, "The Little Mermaid," made a resounding impact since its release on Memorial Day weekend. Directed by Rob Marshall, known for his work on "Chicago" and "Mary Poppins Returns," the PG-film resonated with audiences worldwide, grossing $117.5 million in North America and $163.8 million worldwide.
Opening to great anticipation and fanfare, "The Little Mermaid" secured the fifth biggest Memorial Day weekend opening ever. Audiences flocked to theaters, eager to experience the beloved tale brought to life in a new and magical way, and loved it. The film earned an “A” CinemaScore and an impressive 95 percent verified audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“It’s a perfect family film,” said Paul Dergarabedian, chief analyst at Comscore. “The character of Ariel resonates as strongly today, if not stronger, than it did when the original animated film opened.”
The live-action adaptation stays true to the spirit of the original while introducing updated elements to captivate modern audiences. Ariel, the youngest of King Triton’s daughters, longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea. While visiting the surface, she falls for Prince Eric. However, mermaids are forbidden from interacting with humans. To experience life on land, Ariel strikes a deal with evil sea witch Ursula that ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
“The most captivating live-action Disney film yet.” Forbes
Starring Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy, Simone Ashley, Jessica Alexander, Daveed Diggs, and Jacob Tremblay, this film garnered praise for its captivating storytelling, powerful performances, and multi-generational appeal.
The star of the film, Halle Bailey, received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Ariel. Yahoo! described her performance as “powerful” and “sensational,” while the Seattle Times called it “effortless sunshine.” ABC News praised Bailey for infusing the musical with heartfelt emotion and a soaring spirit. Variety hails her as the reason for revisiting this classic, and Entertainment Weekly states that she brings a refreshing energy to Disney's live-action adaptations.
“The Little Mermaid” is playing in theaters now and will be available for licensing from Swank soon.