Barbie: Mermaid Power

Barbie: Mermaid Power has built a real following in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix and Hoopla among viewers who do not usually seek out animation. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. Its 7/10 TMDB score, built from 78 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. A harder one to justify skipping than to start. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Barbie: Mermaid Power is worth clearing space for. The look of Barbie: Mermaid Power gets people in the door, but the writing is what keeps them there. Barbie 'Brooklyn' Roberts, Barbie 'Malibu' Roberts, and sisters Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea go on an underwater adventure as they transform into mermaids to help save the world of Pacifica. Every line from America Young and Tatiana Varria lands with more craft than you'd expect. It was released in 2022. The animation style is distinctive enough to be immediately recognisable, but it is the writing underneath that keeps viewers coming back for more. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

If you have been sleeping on Barbie: Mermaid Power because of the format, the format is not the issue here. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. The writing operates at a level the format's reputation does not fully prepare you for. Adult animation that actually works for adults.

Barbie: Mermaid Power was released in 2022, directed by Ron Myrick. The full 64-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.