Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Ariel
The Little Mermaid character
A promotional image of Ariel
First appearanceThe Little Mermaid (1989)
Based onThe Little Mermaid
by Hans Christian Andersen
Adapted by
  • Ron Clements
  • John Musker
Voiced byJodi Benson (1989–present)
Kathryn Haywood (Ariel's Majestic Journey)
Mykal-Michelle Harris (Ariel)
Portrayed by
  • Marietta DePrima (Little Mermaid's Island)
  • Sierra Boggess (musical)
  • Rachelle Ann Go (2011 musical)
  • AuliÊ»i Cravalho (The Little Mermaid Live!)
  • Halle Bailey (2023 film)
In-universe information
AliasThe Little Mermaid
SpeciesHuman (via magical transformation)
Mermaid (originally)
TitleQueen Consort of Eric's Kingdom
Princess of Atlantica
AffiliationDisney Princesses
Family
  • King Triton (father)
    Queen Athena (mother)
    King Poseidon (paternal grandfather)
    King Neptune (paternal great-grandfather)
  • Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista and Andrina (older sisters)
    Ursula (paternal aunt in some media)[1]
SpousePrince Eric (husband)
ChildrenMelody (daughter)
NationalityAtlantican
Age
  • 16 (first film)[2][3]
  • 15 (TV Series)
  • 14 (Ariel's Beginning)

Ariel is a fictional character in Walt Disney Pictures' animated film The Little Mermaid (1989). Voiced by Jodi Benson, Ariel is the youngest daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena of an underwater kingdom called Atlantica.[4][5] She is often rebellious, and in the first film, she longs to be a part of the human world. She marries Prince Eric, whom she rescued from a shipwreck, and together they have a daughter, Melody.[6] She is the fourth Disney Princess, the first Disney Princess to be developed during the Disney Renaissance, and the first Disney Princess since Aurora.

The character is based on the title character of Hans Christian Andersen's 1837 fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" but was developed into a different personality for the 1989 animated film adaptation. Ariel has received a mixed reception from critics; some publications such as Time criticize her for being too devoted to Eric whereas others, such as Empire, praise the character for her rebellious personality, a departure from previous Disney Princesses' roles. Halle Bailey portrays a live-action version of the character in the 2023 live-action adaptation of the original 1989 film.

  1. ^ April 04, Nick Romano; EDT, 2023 at 12:00 PM. "A deep dive into the live-action 'Little Mermaid'". EW.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ The Little Mermaid. I'm 16 years old! I'm not a child anymore!"
  3. ^ Singer, A. L. (1997). Disney's The Little Mermaid adapted from the film by A. L. Singer. Disney Press. p. 20. ISBN 9780786842025. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2020. But Daddy, I'm sixteen years old," Ariel began in her defense. "I'm not a child anymore!
  4. ^ Ron Clements and John Musker (directors) (1989). The Little Mermaid. Walt Disney Pictures.
  5. ^ Peggy Holmes (director) (2008). The Little Mermaid III: Ariel's Beginning. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
  6. ^ Jim Kammerud and Brian Smith (directors) (2000). The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea. Buena Vista Home Entertainment.