The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid is currently streaming in Australia on Disney Plus, and in the US on Disney Plus, and it earns its premise rather than just borrowing genre trappings. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. With 3,346 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Halle Bailey's performance is the anchor the more ambitious scenes need. Start it on Disney Plus whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

The Little Mermaid arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The Little Mermaid uses its genre premise as cover for asking bigger questions. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters, and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea, and while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. With mermaids forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land, but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy. Halle Bailey and Jonah Hauer-King lead a cast that never lets the concept overwhelm the characters. The Little Mermaid came out in 2023. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, The Little Mermaid fits the bill. It rewards viewers regardless of what else is in their watch history. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Halle Bailey grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Once you are in, you will want to talk about it.