Movie or TV show · Low risk
Is The Little Mermaid safe for your child?
Age guide
7+
We advise The Little Mermaid from age 7 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk).
- 5-8
- Younger children will be captivated by the vibrant underwater world, the catchy songs, and the magical transformation of Ariel.
- 9-12
- Viewers in this age range can follow the romantic storyline and understand the stakes of Ariel's deal with Ursula, appreciating the adventure and character development.
- 13-15
- Teenagers can analyze the themes of independence, sacrifice, and the challenges of communication, particularly through Ariel's loss of her voice.
- 16+
- Older teens can critically examine the film's portrayal of female agency, cultural integration, and the complexities of familial expectations versus personal desires.
This live-action adaptation reimagines the classic Disney tale of Ariel, a young mermaid who dreams of exploring the human world and falls in love with a prince. She makes a perilous deal with the sea witch Ursula to gain legs, risking her voice and her soul.
- Age guide
- 7+
- Overall risk
- 3/10
- Violence
- 3/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 1/10
- Stranger contact
- 1/10
- Addiction risk
- 8/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Influence
- 4/10
What parents should know
The Little Mermaid is a classic animated musical about a mermaid who longs to be human. It features fantastical elements, memorable songs, and themes of love and self-discovery. Parents should be aware of a potentially frightening villain and some moments of peril.
What to do about The Little Mermaid
Free with a Parentwise account. The age-by-age verdict needs your child's age, which is why it lives behind the account.
- The age-by-age verdict
What we advise for under 8, 8-12 and 13+ - our age guide for The Little Mermaid is 7+, and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact The Little Mermaid setting that cuts the most risk, with the steps to find it. - What to say
Word-for-word openers for talking about The Little Mermaid without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in The Little Mermaid that mean it is time to step in.
The Little Mermaid age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is The Little Mermaid?
Parentwise puts The Little Mermaid at 7+. We advise The Little Mermaid from age 7 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). Violence scores 3/10, language 1/10, stranger contact 1/10 and addiction risk 8/10.
Can a 10 year old watch The Little Mermaid?
Yes, 10 is at or above the age we advise for The Little Mermaid (7+). Viewers in this age range can follow the romantic storyline and understand the stakes of Ariel's deal with Ursula, appreciating the adventure and character development.
Can a 12 year old watch The Little Mermaid?
Yes, 12 is at or above the age we advise for The Little Mermaid (7+). Viewers in this age range can follow the romantic storyline and understand the stakes of Ariel's deal with Ursula, appreciating the adventure and character development.
Can a 13 year old watch The Little Mermaid?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for The Little Mermaid (7+). Teenagers can analyze the themes of independence, sacrifice, and the challenges of communication, particularly through Ariel's loss of her voice.
Is The Little Mermaid appropriate for kids?
The Little Mermaid is a classic animated musical about a mermaid who longs to be human. Parentwise rates The Little Mermaid overall as low risk (3/10), with stranger contact at 1/10 and addiction risk at 8/10.
Is The Little Mermaid family friendly?
The Little Mermaid is one of the lower-risk titles we rate. It features fantastical elements, memorable songs, and themes of love and self-discovery.
The Little Mermaid parents guide: what should a parent know first?
The Little Mermaid is a classic animated musical about a mermaid who longs to be human. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (1/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (8/10).
Is The Little Mermaid safe for kids?
We advise The Little Mermaid from age 7 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). It features fantastical elements, memorable songs, and themes of love and self-discovery.
Parents also checked
Browse all 1,275 entries · Read our safety guides
Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.