“Splash”, 1984
Director: Ron Howard
This romantic comedy tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a mermaid, who saves him from drowning as a boy and comes to find him in New York City. The film is both a heartwarming love story and a comedic exploration of the challenges a mermaid faces while adapting to life on land.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Dody Goodman, Shecky Greene, Richard B. Shull, Bobby Di Cicco, Howard Morris, Tony DiBenedetto;
Production year: 1984;
Genre: fantasy, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Splash” on the website imdb.com
“The Little Mermaid”, 1989
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
Disney’s animated classic is about Ariel, a young mermaid princess who dreams of living on land. She makes a deal with the sea witch, Ursula, to become human, but at a great cost. This film is beloved for its catchy songs, vibrant animation, and timeless story.
Starring: Jodi Benson, Pat Carroll, Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Paddi Edwards, Buddy Hackett, Jason Marin, Kenneth Mars, Edie McClurg, Will Ryan;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, melodrama, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 83 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The Little Mermaid” on the website imdb.com
“Mermaids”, 1990
Director: Richard Benjamin
While not about literal mermaids, this comedy-drama film draws on the enchanting and mysterious qualities of its namesake. It follows the story of a quirky family, focusing on the relationships between a free-spirited mother and her two daughters as they move to a new town.
Starring: Cher, Bob Hoskins, Winona Ryder, Michael Schoeffling, Christina Ricci, Caroline McWilliams, Jan Miner, Betsy Townsend, Richard McElvain, Paula Plum;
Production year: 1990;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Mermaids” on the website imdb.com
“Aquamarine”, 2006
Director: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
This fantasy comedy-drama revolves around two teenage girls who discover a mermaid in their beach club's swimming pool. In exchange for the girls' help in finding true love, the mermaid offers to grant them a wish.
Starring: Emma Roberts, Joanna «JoJo» Levesque, Sara Paxton, Jake McDorman, Arielle Kebbel, Claudia Karvan, Bruce Spence, Tammin Sursok, Roy Billing, Julia Blake;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: fantasy, melodrama, comedy, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,4;
More information about the film “Aquamarine” on the website imdb.com
“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”, 2011
Director: Rob Marshall
While it’s part of the larger Pirates of the Caribbean series, this film includes a subplot involving mermaids that are both enchanting and deadly. The mermaids play a crucial role in the quest for the Fountain of Youth.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane, Kevin McNally, Sam Claflin, Astrid Berges-Frisbey, Stephen Graham, Keith Richards, Richard Griffiths;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: adventure, action, fantasy, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 136 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,6;
More information about the film “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” on the website imdb.com
“The Little Mermaid”, 1989
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker
A live-action fantasy adventure film inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen story, this version takes a different approach, focusing on a young girl and her reporter uncle who discover a circus mermaid claimed to be real.
Starring: Jodi Benson, Pat Carroll, Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Paddi Edwards, Buddy Hackett, Jason Marin, Kenneth Mars, Edie McClurg, Will Ryan;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, melodrama, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 83 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “The Little Mermaid” on the website imdb.com
“The Lure”, 2016
Director: Tomas Leach
This Polish horror musical film offers a darker, more mature take on the mermaid myth. It tells the story of two mermaid sisters who end up working in a nightclub, exploring themes of love, jealousy, and survival in a human world.
Starring: Amanda Fry, David Rice, Paulina Longenbaugh;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: documentary;
Duration: 77 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “The Lure” on the website imdb.com
These films, each in their own way, bring to life the enchanting world of mermaids, exploring the intersections of human and aquatic realms, and the enduring fascination with these mythical beings.
The rich tapestry of films about mermaids has woven a fascinating thread through cinematic history, encompassing a breathtaking variety of genres, from enchanting family tales to haunting romantic dramas. These films have not only captured audiences' imaginations with the allure and mystery of the oceanic depths but have also served as a mirror reflecting humanity's complex relationship with nature, freedom, and identity. Through the lens of these captivating sea creatures, filmmakers have explored themes of love and loneliness, transformation and acceptance, often challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of the other and the unknown. As cinema continues to evolve, the enduring fascination with mermaids in film stands as a testament to our collective yearning for magic, mystery, and the untold stories that lie beneath the waves, reminding us of the power of myth and storytelling in navigating the depths of the human experience.
