On what date was The Little Mermaid released in theaters?

The Little Mermaid was released in theaters on November 17, 1989.

The Walt Disney animated musical was directed by John Musker and Ron Clements and produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. Its release followed a major creative shift toward Broadway-style storytelling, with songs helping structure the plot rather than simply interrupting it.

The film was loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1837 Danish fairy tale, but Disney substantially reshaped the story. Ariel became a more active, rebellious heroine, while characters such as Sebastian and Flounder helped create a lighter comic tone. The movie’s commercial and critical success is widely associated with the beginning of the Disney Renaissance.

A common mix-up is confusing the original theatrical release with later reissues. The film returned to cinemas in 1997, and it later inspired television series, sequels, a stage musical, and a 2023 live-action adaptation. Its original 1989 release date, however, remains November 17.