The Little Mermaid (1989 film) The Little Mermaid (1989 film) The Little Mermaid is a 1989 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and Walt Disney Pictures. Based on the Danish fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Little Mermaid" tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human. Written, produced, and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, with music by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (who also served as a co-producer), the film features the voices of Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Pat Carroll, Samuel E. Wright, Jason Marin, Kenneth Mars,
The Little Mermaid (1989 film) This success led to future Disney films being released on home video soon after the end of their theatrical runs, rather than delayed for several years. Following "Mermaid" 1997 re-release in theaters, a new VHS version was released in March 1998 as part of the "Masterpiece Collection" and included a bonus music video of Jodi Benson singing "Part of Your World" during the end credits, replacing "Under the Sea" as the end credit song. The VHS sold 13 million units and ranked as the third best-selling video of the year. "The Little Mermaid" was released in a Limited Issue "bare-bones"