Mark your calendars for a chance to revisit one of this year’s most resonating summer sensations as The Little Mermaid gets set to surface on digital platforms starting July 25th. Beyond the scope of digital copies, the film is also slated for release in the superior formats of 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, and DVD on September 19. This reimagining of the timeless 1989 animated film under the helm of Rob Marshall created quite the splash in its May debut. Audiences notably gravitated towards Halle Bailey’s charming rendition of Ariel, the naïve young princess on the brink of discovering love, while simultaneously being the target of a malevolent character from her past.
Mirroring its animated predecessor, Ariel is depicted as a young, curious princess with an unwavering fascination for the human world. Ariel’s mother tragically lost her life in an incident involving humans, prompting King Triton, portrayed by Javier Bardem, to forbid Ariel from venturing to the land above the sea. This restriction fuels Ariel’s determination to learn more about men and women who walk under the sun. Her curiosity inevitably leads her to her malicious aunt, Ursula, brilliantly performed by Melissa McCarthy. The crafty sea witch entices Ariel with a proposition she finds hard to resist, granting her the ability to explore the human world for a span of three days at the expense of her voice.
However, Ariel’s yearning to venture above the sea extends beyond her fascination with commonplace human objects. The primary motive behind her desperate desire to experience the world above the ocean depths is her profound love for Prince Eric, portrayed by Jonah Hauer-King. Ariel saves Prince Eric’s life when his ship capsizes and sinks, leading to an unexpected romance. Mute due to Ursula’s pact, Ariel relies on Sebastian, played by Daveed Diggs, and Scuttle, brought to life by Awkwafina, to concoct a strategy to make Eric reciprocate her feelings. Through shared moments of dance, games, and exploration, their connection deepens, leaving them content with the bond they’ve nurtured.
Dive Deeper with Bonus Features
In addition to the main feature, the home media release of The Little Mermaid is set to provide an abundance of supplementary content, offering viewers an enriched experience when they revisit this year’s standout hit. A fun-filled sing-along version promises to engage families as it displays song lyrics on-screen, inviting viewers to chime along with the catchy melodies of Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Additionally, a five-part documentary titled “Hotter Under the Water” takes audiences behind the scenes, revealing the ingenuity of Marshall and his team in bringing Ariel’s fantastical world to life.
