The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The 28th Disney animated feature film, it is based on the Danish fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. The film tells the story of a mermaid princess named Ariel who dreams of becoming human and gives up her tail and voice to the sea witch Ursula in exchange for legs.

The film was directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, and features the voices of Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, Samuel E. Wright, and René Auberjonois. The film’s songs were written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, and the score was composed by Menken.

The Little Mermaid was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $843 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing animated film of all time at the time of its release. The film was praised for its animation, music, and story, and it won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“Under the Sea”).

The film’s success led to a franchise that includes a Broadway musical, several direct-to-video sequels, and a live-action adaptation that was released in 2023.

Here is a more detailed plot of the film:

Ariel is the youngest daughter of King Triton, the ruler of Atlantica. She is a free-spirited mermaid who loves to explore the ocean and dream of the human world above. One day, Ariel saves the life of a human prince named Eric, and she falls in love with him.

Ariel’s father forbids her from interacting with humans, but she is determined to be with Eric. She makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula, who promises to give Ariel legs in exchange for her voice. Ariel agrees, but she soon realizes that she has made a terrible mistake.

Ursula tricks Ariel and takes her voice. Ariel is now unable to speak to Eric, and she must race against time to break the deal with Ursula before it’s too late.

With the help of her friends Flounder and Sebastian, Ariel must find a way to win Eric’s love and break the curse. In the end, Ariel succeeds, and she and Eric live happily ever after.

The Little Mermaid is a classic Disney film that has been enjoyed by generations of fans. It is a story about love, loss, and the power of dreams. The film’s beautiful animation, catchy songs, and memorable characters have made it a timeless classic.