TL;DR: While it’s still in select theaters across the country, the live-action Little Mermaid remake is officially available to watch online. You can purchase the film from digital retailers like Amazon, Vudu, and Apple TV as of July 25.
‘The Little Mermaid’ in UHD
‘The Little Mermaid’ in 4K UHD
‘The Little Mermaid’ in 4K
‘The Little Mermaid’ in 4K
‘The Little Mermaid’ in UHD
Whether you love Disney’s live-action remakes or raise a critical eyebrow every time a new one is announced, the hype around The Little Mermaid has likely left you a little curious. If you skipped the theatrical debut in hopes of throwing your own at-home watch party, your wait is over. The film will be available to purchase on digital platforms as of July 25 — then will be released on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on Sept. 19. Its streaming debut will require a bit more waiting, but here are all the details you need to know to watch Ariel and friends from the comfort of your couch.
Is the live-action Little Mermaid worth watching?
Despite any prior controversy surrounding the film, The Little Mermaid still made a splash in its opening weekend, bringing in an estimated $163.5 million worldwide. While Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy did their best to recapture that joyful magic of Ariel and Ursula in the live-action remake of the animated classic, they ultimately collected mixed reviews.
Some characters — Ursula, particularly — stood out for their performances, but others kind of creeped viewers out (ahem, Flounder and Scuttle). There are “some moments of cinematic underwater splendor,” according to Mashable Film Editor Kristy Puchko, but there are also some questionable choices, like the dim, grey color palette, boring deep dive into Prince Eric’s background, and mediocre song additions.
“Overall, this Little Mermaid has some splendor, but — like its eponymous heroine — I want mooooooooore!” exclaimed Puchko in her review.
It’s certainly worth giving it a shot if you’re a die-hard Disney fan or even a casual viewer wanting the nostalgia of singing along with Ariel and friends under the sea. Check out a glimpse into the film in the official trailer below.
Is The Little Mermaid coming to Disney+?
As with all major releases from Disney, we can say with certainty that The Little Mermaid is coming to Disney+, but we can’t say with certainty when that will be. Based on past releases, we can expect it as early as the end of August, but it’s more likely to arrive sometime in September after its physical release on Blu-ray and DVD.
If you want to secure a Disney+ subscription ahead of the release (and rewatch the original film), it’ll cost $7.99/month with ads or $10.99/month with no ads. You can also bundle it with Hulu (ideal if you already have a Hulu account) for only $9.99/month. That’s basically like getting Disney+ for just $2/month.
Opens in a new window
Disney+ monthly subscription
Opens in a new window
Disney Bundle Duo Basic (Hulu + Disney+)
Can I watch The Little Mermaid at home?
If you can’t wait for the streaming release, you can still explore the magical world of Ariel and friends with The Little Mermaid‘s digital release. The film will be available as of July 25 on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Vudu for purchase. And if you prefer a physical copy, the movie will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on Sept. 19. Stay tuned for rental details as well.
While streaming releases give you the convenience of watching the film at your leisure and moving on, dedicated fans might enjoy the benefits of purchasing The Little Mermaid for their digital or physical film collection. With your purchase, you’ll also get access to exclusive bonus features like a sing-along version of the film, song breakdowns, bloopers, and exclusive featurettes.
Here are the best digital platforms for purchasing the film.
-
Buy in UHD on Amazon Prime Video — $19.99
-
Buy in 4K UHD on Vudu — $19.99
-
Buy in 4K on Apple TV+ — $19.99
-
Buy in 4K on Google Play — $19.99
-
Buy in UHD on YouTube — $19.99
What are the bonus features?
The best part about purchasing the film, as opposed to streaming, is all the fun bonus features you get. Here’s a glimpse at what’s included in The Little Mermaid’s exclusive bonus features.
-
Sing-Along Version — Great for kids and kids-at-heart, the sing-along version includes on-screen lyrics for your very own karaoke watch party.
-
Hotter Under Water — Broken into five chapters, this documentary shows how director Rob Marshall and his team brought the live-action remake of the animated classic to life. Marshall takes viewers on set to see how the magic is made in part one. Part two gives you a glimpse into cast members’ journeys and how they came to secure their roles in the film. Parts three and four explore the virtual ocean and underwater visual effects, as well as the above-the-sea locations and production design. And finally, the last part dives into the musical aspect.
-
Song Breakdowns — Speaking of music, the Song Breakdowns special feature lets you go behind the songs in the film, from the writing and recording to the dancing and set-building.
-
Featurettes — Laugh along with the cast in a blooper reel, meet the sidekicks Flounder and Scuttle, and see the magic of Ariel meeting Ariel (when Halle Bailey worked with the original voice of Ariel from the animated film, Jodi Benson).
How to watch The Little Mermaid original film
If you want to relive the magic of the original Little Mermaid film while you wait for the remake to hit Disney+ — or rewatch it before diving into the live-action version — you have a couple of options. Disney+ subscribers can stream the original animated film for free with their subscription. Non-Disney+ subscribers can rent or buy the original film on digital retailers like Apple TV and Amazon.
Signing up for a Disney+ subscription not only lets you stream the original film, but also the film’s sequels and ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live! You’ll also be in good shape when the live-action remake hits Disney+ in the next month or two.
Opens in a new window
Disney+
