Movie or TV show · Low risk
Is The Little Mermaid (2023) safe for your child?
Age guide
6+
We advise The Little Mermaid (2023) from age 6 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk).
- 5-8
- Younger children might be captivated by the vibrant underwater scenes and songs, but the villain Ursula's appearance and actions could be frightening.
- 9-12
- Children in this age group can appreciate the film's themes of self-discovery and challenging expectations, while understanding the narrative stakes involving Ariel's voice.
- 13-15
- Teenagers may engage with the film's updated portrayal of Ariel's agency and the nuanced character development, particularly in her interactions with Prince Eric.
- 16+
- Older teens can analyze the film's cultural impact and its modern interpretation of classic fairy tale tropes, including discussions around representation and adaptation choices.
This live-action adaptation reimagines the classic Disney animated film, following a young mermaid princess who longs to explore the human world and falls in love with a prince. She makes a perilous deal with a sea witch to gain legs, sacrificing her voice in the process.
- Age guide
- 6+
- Overall risk
- 3/10
- Violence
- 2/10
- Toxic behaviour
- 1/10
- Stranger contact
- 1/10
- Addiction risk
- 6/10
- Language
- 1/10
- Influence
- 5/10
What parents should know
The 2023 live-action 'The Little Mermaid' offers a visually rich adaptation of the classic story with strong vocal performances. Parents should be aware of potentially frightening scenes involving the villain Ursula for younger viewers. The film provides opportunities to discuss themes of independence, sacrifice, and finding one's place in the world.
What to do about The Little Mermaid (2023)
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 (2023) is 6+, and the answer changes with your child's age. - The one setting to change tonight
The exact The Little Mermaid (2023) 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 (2023) without a row. - Red flags to watch for
The signals in The Little Mermaid (2023) that mean it is time to step in.
The Little Mermaid (2023) age rating and parents guide: common questions
What age rating is The Little Mermaid (2023)?
Parentwise puts The Little Mermaid (2023) at 6+. We advise The Little Mermaid (2023) from age 6 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). Violence scores 2/10, language 1/10, stranger contact 1/10 and addiction risk 6/10.
Can a 10 year old watch The Little Mermaid (2023)?
Yes, 10 is at or above the age we advise for The Little Mermaid (2023) (6+). Children in this age group can appreciate the film's themes of self-discovery and challenging expectations, while understanding the narrative stakes involving Ariel's voice.
Can a 12 year old watch The Little Mermaid (2023)?
Yes, 12 is at or above the age we advise for The Little Mermaid (2023) (6+). Children in this age group can appreciate the film's themes of self-discovery and challenging expectations, while understanding the narrative stakes involving Ariel's voice.
Can a 13 year old watch The Little Mermaid (2023)?
Yes, 13 is at or above the age we advise for The Little Mermaid (2023) (6+). Teenagers may engage with the film's updated portrayal of Ariel's agency and the nuanced character development, particularly in her interactions with Prince Eric.
Is The Little Mermaid (2023) appropriate for kids?
The 2023 live-action 'The Little Mermaid' offers a visually rich adaptation of the classic story with strong vocal performances. Parentwise rates The Little Mermaid (2023) overall as low risk (3/10), with stranger contact at 1/10 and addiction risk at 6/10.
Is The Little Mermaid (2023) family friendly?
The Little Mermaid (2023) is one of the lower-risk titles we rate. Parents should be aware of potentially frightening scenes involving the villain Ursula for younger viewers.
The Little Mermaid (2023) parents guide: what should a parent know first?
The 2023 live-action 'The Little Mermaid' offers a visually rich adaptation of the classic story with strong vocal performances. The parts that most often catch parents out are stranger contact (1/10) and how hard it pulls for more time (6/10).
Is The Little Mermaid (2023) safe for kids?
We advise The Little Mermaid (2023) from age 6 and up. Overall risk 3/10 (low risk). Parents should be aware of potentially frightening scenes involving the villain Ursula for younger viewers.
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Release and popularity data comes in part from RAWG, TVMaze (CC BY-SA) and Wikidata (CC0). Safety guidance is written by Parentwise.