If there is ever a subgenre of cinema that is full of reused clichés and at the same time somehow underrated, it has to be the mermaid movie. There are many such movies, and the best of them show how interesting, fun and exciting life can be under the sea.
Below, we rank the 22 best mermaid movies ever made, from best to worst. Based on the quality of the film, its use of medium (live-action or animation), and its interpretation of mermaids and adjacent styles of humanoid seafarers, these are the ones to watch now and how to watch them.
1. The Little Mermaid (1989)
Where to watch: Disney+
This is the Disney animated film that popularized the mermaid genre and it is still unrivaled. Ariel is the mermaid daughter of King Triton, and she wishes only to see a prince who has fallen in love with the human world.
Ariel is the strongest mermaid character ever created, and she’s a character-filled film, decades-old visuals, and starring roles in “Under the Sea” and “Part”. I have songs like “Of Your World”. She can get out of her head. little mermaid A typical mermaid movie.
2. Ponyo (2008)
Where to See: Max
Studio Ghibli is a one-of-a-kind piece of 2D animation, and it’s at its best. Ponyo, one of the Japanese anime studio’s most underrated films. A Japanese interpretation of the classic tale of a fish girl who wants to live with a human, this work is packed with amazing sights, wonders and unforgettable her two main characters.
3. Splash (1984)
Where to watch: Disney+
Years before Disney made one of the best animated movies, Tom Hanks starred in a stunning live-action mermaid story that still stands as a masterpiece of its kind. Hanks, who was saved by a mermaid as a child, returns as an adult in search of the beloved mermaid he wishes to meet again.
It balances everything very well, knowing when to make the viewer laugh, move them, and ooze conflict and romance.
4. Luka (2021)
Where to watch: Disney+
Pixar rarely misses an animated film, and Luka is no exception. The relationship between his two main characters, Luka and Alberto, is a powerful and heartwarming tale of brotherly friendship, striking in its visuals and often emotional plot about a sea monster boy.
5. Song of the Sea (2014)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
Boasting a one-of-a-kind animation style, this family-friendly feature tells the story of a young boy who discovers his sister is a mermaid-like selkie and sets out on a journey to regain his voice. Stunning with a touching plot from start to finish, a very unique mermaid story is a must.
6. The Lure (2015)
Where to See: Max
This Polish mermaid movie is one of the genre’s most underrated and a must-see for old mermaid fans. This dark thriller tells the story of her two mermaids falling in love with the same man and the terrifyingly dark events that follow.
7. Barbie: Mermaidia (2006)
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Here’s why it’s one of the best Barbie animated movies ever made. mermaidia Numerous spin-off films and sequels have sprung up. The story of the mermaid Elina and her journey to save a prince from an evil fairy is her one of the best representations of the undersea world in cinema.
8. The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
Where to watch: Disney+
Arguably, this minor sequel to the greatest mermaid movie of all time hardly compares to its predecessor. This is mostly due to the run-of-the-mill storyline that mimics the original too much. Still, the movie is an exciting mermaid movie thanks to new characters and songs such as Ariel’s daughter Melody.
9. The Mermaid of Paris (2020)
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV+
This French romantic comedy takes the common premise of a man falling in love with a random woman he meets and puts a nice mermaid twist on it. There’s danger, action, romance, and plenty of laughs in this surprisingly solid mermaid tale that feels fresh in its characters and script.
10. The Little Mermaid (2023)
Viewing location: Disney+ (date TBD)
The live-action remake of the classic Disney animated film is pretty close to the original material, but it loses some direction. The special effects aren’t perfect, and the musical direction of some songs like “Kiss the Girl” isn’t the best, but Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy at least do their roles as Ariel and Ursula respectively. play.
11. Mermaid (2016)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
A Chinese interpretation of the classic mermaid tale, this story is a hilarious and often surprising version of the classic tale. Instead of the usual setting, it’s an adversarial lover situation where a mermaid girl falls in love with a man who threatens the very existence of the people.
12. Aquaman (2018)
Where to See: Max
You might not think of DC superhero Aquaman as a traditional merman, but he fits right in as an underwater humanoid with the power to control the ocean. Jason Momoa is perfect for the role, and he does a fine job in this beautiful yet ubiquitous superhero movie.
13. Blue My Mind (2017)
Where to watch: Vudu, Prime Video, Apple TV+
A mermaid coming-of-age twist, this story is unlike any other on this list. Much deeper and more serious than other films, this film tells the story of a German girl who finds her body is changing unexpectedly, even though she doesn’t want it.
14. Miranda (1948)
Where to watch: This movie cannot be legally streamed in the United States.
This is one of the most mysterious and interesting mermaids, and also one of the first. This black-and-white film tells the story of a doctor who meets a mermaid and asks him to show her around London. Her power draws in the men around her, creating a moment of magical enchantment.
15. Aquamarine (2006)
Where to watch: Disney+
The story of two teenagers who encounter a mermaid, played by Sarah Paxton, is an interesting one. The best part is how you navigate the friendship between the two girls and your new mermaid friend, leading to all the troubles they go through. As expected, the performance of the female trio, including Jojo and Emma Roberts, contributes to the overall improvement.
16. Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948)
Where to watch: This movie cannot be legally streamed in the United States.
As one of the earliest attempts to tell the story of a mermaid on film, this film laid the foundation for everything that followed. This fantasy movie follows a man and his wife who catch a mermaid while fishing.
17. The Little Mermaid: The Beginning of Ariel (2008)
Where to watch: Disney+
The third film in Disney’s Ariel Mermaid film series, oddly a prequel, is the weakest in the series. Happening before the groundbreaking first film, this production is mostly plagued by a plot that carries little weight to it. Seeing Ariel’s mother die is a nice touch, but other than that it’s mostly uninteresting.
18. The Thirteenth Year (1999)
Where to watch: Disney+
It’s rare to see a mermaid story about a mermaid, but here you can experience just that. It’s pretty much his standard 1990s Disney-his-channel original movie, a coming-of-age story about a boy who finds his place in a world unlike his own.
19. Mermaid Down (2019)
Places to see: Peacocks
This horror movie is as metaphor-busting as a mermaid story. Instead of the usual adorable story about cute mermaids, this is a more realistic and disturbing perspective of a mermaid who is kidnapped, stripped of her story, and then sent to a mental institution for further torture.
20. The Little Mermaid (1976)
Where to watch: YouTube
This Czech version of Andersen’s classic fairy tale is far more faithful than Disney’s animated versions that followed. This makes for a trippy, dark, messy and disturbing movie without the happy ending you’re used to.
21. Killer Mermaid (2014)
Places to see: Peacocks
Another of the more horror-style mermaid live-action films, the film features several women who encounter an evil mermaid’s lair and have to risk their lives to survive. It’s not as original or spooky as other mermaid horror movies, but it’s a bit forgettable.
22. Lou Over The Wall (2017)
Where to watch: Prime Video, Apple TV+
This mermaid story is about a lonely boy named Kai and a mermaid girl named Lou whom he meets. Let me be clear, if you’ve seen all the other mermaid animated movies, it might be fun, but sadly the animation is way too loose and incoherent to look good.
