Netflix and other streaming services have made it possible for us to watch any type of film whenever we want. And such streaming services must appeal not only to an older demographic but also to children. Children’s movies are now made in more significant quantities than they were even a few years ago.
In this growing demand for children’s content, streaming services have planned to include various children’s films in their catalog. It is also worth noting that their collection has become so refined that there are now sub-genres of children’s movies available. Today, we’ll be focusing on mermaid movies, one of the many sub-genres of kid movies.
We’ve all grown up watching mermaid movies and being intrigued by fairy tales featuring mermaids, dragons, princes and princesses, and so on. Although these stories are cloaked in tales of wonder, elegance, and enchantment, they also include valuable lessons that can form a child’s perspective on life and the universe. What exactly are mermaids? They are folklore and fairy tale beings. They have traditionally been portrayed as marine creatures with a human torso but the rest of their bodies resembling fish. These mythical creatures have been mentioned in literature since the beginning of time.
There have been many mermaid films made, and we’ve compiled a list of seven mermaid films that you can watch right now on Netflix. Here is a list of some of the best and most popular mermaid movies right now. The best Disney mermaid movies are included in this list.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
‘The Little Mermaid’ is the tale that first made Ariel famous. It is also the most well-known mermaid film ever made. It tells the story of Ariel, who decided to leave her mermaid life behind and live as a human after falling in love with a prince named Eric. The basic plot of the film is undoubtedly based on Hans Christian Andersen’s novel. Still, the filmmakers also incorporated several plot elements to adapt the story to the big screen. Ron Clements and John Musker are two key figures in the production of this film. They co-wrote, made, and directed ‘The Little Mermaid.
The two Disney productions credited with bringing this series new life are ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Aladdin. After winning two Academy Awards and a slew of other awards, this film proved to be a game-changer for Disney. The soundtrack to the film was also nominated for two Grammy Awards. The film is often included on lists of the mermaid films ever made.
The3Tails Movie: A Mermaid Adventure (2015)
This film was created as a switch of a YouTube series about three mermaids and their everyday lives. The film adaptation was released in 2015. It follows the lives of three young girls named Emily, Jackie, and Selena. Emily could communicate with fish but had no idea she was special. Emily’s tail first appeared when she was abducted and inadvertently dropped into the sea. She was being abducted because a wealthy man whose daughter was born without a leg desired to obtain the properties of the mermaid tail and apply them to his daughter.
Miranda
This 1948 film may have been partly responsible for rekindling interest in mermaids on the big screen. Miranda was the first major production for mermaids, even though short films had featured mermaids in the decades before it.
The film is based on a stage play about a fisherman who inadvertently captures and cares for a mermaid. When she finds herself amid everyone’s relationships in a small town, she creates all sorts of havoc. It also spawned a follow-up.
The Mermaid
The Mermaid was released in Chinese cinema in 2016. It outperformed the competition at the box office and became a big success.
Shan is the titular Mermaid in the film. She travels to China to help her mermaid family living in a wrecked ship off the coast. The idea is for her to kill the man whose company is to blame for the pollution in their section of the river. On the other hand, Shan falls for him once he lets down his guard, and the film becomes more of an action-adventure than a romantic comedy. The film is also notable for including characters other than mermaids, such as an uncle with octopus limbs.
Barbie Dolphin Magic (2017)
Barbie plays the lead in this 2017 film. Barbie movies have been made for quite some time now, and in these films, the iconic doll is seen having many adventures with her friends. These films are usually released on DVD rather than in theatres. Barbie’s voice is provided by Erica Lindbeck. Surprisingly, this was the first time that Universal Pictures did not distribute a Barbie film.
The story revolves around a pair of dolphins and their mate, Isla, who encounters Barbie and her sisters visiting Ken. Isla is a dolphin companion and Mermaid who lives under the sea with them. The plot revolves around Isla and the dolphins collaborating with Barbie and her sisters to save the corals and a mysterious green dolphin from the fishermen’s eyes. It’s not a great film, but it’s entertaining for kids and teaches important lessons about environmental protection instilled in them from a young age.
Splash
Splash, a rom-com film, was released in 1984. It is directed by Ron Howard and casts Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah and John Candy, and Eugene Levy as supporting cast. It’s worth noting that this was the first film released by Touchstone Pictures, founded by Walt Disney Studios. The plot of this film revolves around a man who falls in love with an intriguing woman… a woman who, yes, is a mermaid! If someone hasn’t seen it yet, put it on your to-do list.
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is another Disney film that features these fantastical creatures. This animated film, released in 1953, told the story of children fleeing to Neverland to escape life.
Wendy, John, and Michael Darling encountered several mermaids when they first arrived in this land with Peter. They had gleaming tails. They wore starfish as hair ornaments. They even attempted to drown Wendy! Although these supporting characters aren’t the most endearing, they merit more recognition as some very classic creatures from a very popular franchise.
