Ariel fans, especially Halle Bailey‘s followers are thrilled by The Little Mermaid movie’s early social media reviews calling it one of Disney’s best live-action remakes. The mouse house held the blue carpet premiere event in Los Angeles and while the early reactions by themselves are taking the internet by storm – dazzling star-studded appearance by Simone Ashley, Seinna King, Lorena Andrea and the original voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson has Little Mermaid on the trending list.
Since 2019, when Halle Bailey was first announced to be playing Ariel for the live-action remake – The Little Mermaid fans have stood through thick and thin supporting the casting choice. Even amidst extreme backlash for casting a POC, the fanbase rallied to shower support for the actress as well as the crew that was involved in the project. four years later and ahead of its May 26 release, the mouse house’s live-action adaptation is being hailed as a magical, romantic adaptation of the animated classic.
While not all critics are on board the positive hype train – The Little Mermaid seems to have won over critics through Halle Bailey’s Ariel, Melissa McCarthy‘s Ursula and Daveed Diggs‘ Sebastian Steal performances. And although journalists like Insider’s Kirsten felt the remake “isn’t as good as the animated masterpiece” and some like Scott Menzel even going as far as calling it mediocre, the few negative reviews are being submerged by the increasingly acclaimed early social media reactions for The Little Mermaid.
Jonah Hauer-King also earned similar praises for his chemistry with Bailey’s Ariel. Moreover, director David Magee has received applaud worthy mentions too for the underwater scenes and in general, his “great direction” as BSL puts it. Readers can check out reactions below.
Seeing a lot of people say the little mermaid is one of if not the best live action Disney adaptation yet WE MOVED 🤧👏🏽🙏🏽 #TheLittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/5SutpQttJF
— 𝙶𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎✖️✖️//💥⏳🥀🐉 (@giselleb1234) May 9, 2023
#TheLittleMermaid: Charming, but incredibly spotty. Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, Melissa McCarthy & Javier Bardem put their heart & souls into a film that can’t escape its animated legacy. Best when it leans into campy bonkers, yet limits its fantasy elements for no reason. pic.twitter.com/c7Bt2BO5rq
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) May 9, 2023
A lot to love in #TheLittleMermaid. Halle Bailey is fantastic and also thought Melissa McCarthy & Daveed Diggs were soooo good and had the theater laughing. I also thought Rob Marshall did a great job with the underwater scenes.
But… pic.twitter.com/oaulWW7jfW
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) May 9, 2023
#TheLittleMermaid is a live-action remake that retains the heart and soul of the story we know and love, and it’s elevated even further by a note-perfect star-making performance from Halle Bailey – she was born to be on the big screen, & she’s why this new take is worth watching. pic.twitter.com/Tcewp2L4MY
— Zoë Rose Bryant (@ZoeRoseBryant) May 9, 2023
#TheLittleMermaid captures the magic of the original animated movie. Halle Bailey makes Ariel her own. Her chemistry with Jonah Hauer-King makes this movie soar. Daveed Diggs’ Sebastian is a scene stealer! pic.twitter.com/9Shc1VAVD3
— Meredith Loftus 🐘 (@MeredithLoftus) May 9, 2023
It brings me no joy to report that The Little Mermaid is very mediocre. While the music is still great (minus two of the new songs) this live action version lacks Disney magic. The performances are fine with Melissa McCarthy being the standout. The iconic sea characters like… pic.twitter.com/T4y00uKn2d
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) May 9, 2023
It’s real simple. Are you excited for #TheLittleMermaid? You’ll like it. It’s exactly what you think it is. Are you skeptical and worried about it? That’s valid too. It looks weird and disjointed. Bailey is great, McCarthy rules, the songs work but it just feels so unnecessary. pic.twitter.com/n4qp7MsVFH
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) May 9, 2023
#TheLittleMermaid is #Disney's best live action adaptation, in that it succeeds not just as nostalgia
but as an often stunning film in its own right.
Not PERFECT, but it's got the Disney magic!
And should definitely be seen on the big screen.Review embargo lifts 5/22 9am EST pic.twitter.com/7Yquwk82eK
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) May 9, 2023
The Little Mermaid is magical. Halle Bailey is absolutely phenomenal. That girl has some pipes! Scuttle & Sebastian are hilarious & had me laughing the whole way through. Love the new songs & added plot points! Some CGI issues, but they don't take away from it. #TheLittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/PCDRNotK7L
— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) May 9, 2023
#TheLittleMermaid is filled with a few great performances from Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, but it's a mostly paint-by-numbers remake that's isn't as good as the animated masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/YY4ielYXiR
— Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) May 9, 2023
#TheLittleMermaid is FANTASTIC! Rob Marshall’s great direction gives us one of Disney’s best live-action remakes and a joyful theatrical experience. @HalleBailey is PERFECT as #Ariel and is the heart of the movie. It’s an ENCHANTING journey under the sea I can’t wait to rewatch! pic.twitter.com/rqdsHtbg3t
— Big Screen Leafs has THE PASSION™️ (@bigscreenleaks) May 9, 2023
#TheLittleMermaid makes it pretty close to being the best live action Disney movie, however it still struggles in the villain department. Halle Bailey IS Ariel and I had literal chills throughout her performance. This is a little mermaid retelling like you’ve never seen before. pic.twitter.com/JjtLOR61vL
— Felicia (@becomingfelicia) May 9, 2023
the fresh tomato getting ready for the the little mermaid’s rotten tomatoes score reveal pic.twitter.com/S1RjulM9Rh
— wiLL (@willfulchaos) May 9, 2023
LOOK HOW THE TURN TABLES. LITTLE MERMAID HIVE NEVER LOSE pic.twitter.com/yoYujpxHuA
— comictwit (@blackncomictwit) May 9, 2023
brb i’m gonna cry #TheLittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/Y5tKoQ1JGf
— coreyn 💗 (@coreynmarie) May 9, 2023
3 of Ariel’s sisters at the premiere 😍 Tamika (Sienna King) Indira (Simone Ashley) Perla (Lorena Andrea) #TheLittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/DI0onV4dk6
— Mario🫧🧜🏽♀️ (@mmdisney200) May 9, 2023
#TheLittleMermaid is the best Disney live-action adaptation to date. Halle Bailey IS Ariel. Major props to the sound effects team. Good changes, though one new song with too much autotune. Could watch this version’s Under the Sea all day, it was the highlight of the whole thing.
— Gillian Blum (@GillianBlum) May 9, 2023
I was blown away by #TheLittleMermaid. Some visual issues aside, it’s the most romantic and, dare I say, magical Disney has been in years. The best live-action remake by a mile. Daveed Diggs is the MVP. Halle Bailey is a superstar, and her Part of Your World is a showstopper. pic.twitter.com/496HuuTfcd
— Brandon Lewis (@blewis1103) May 9, 2023
Halle wearing a Valdrin Sahiti dress for The Little Mermaid world premiere, I’m obsessed pic.twitter.com/XEc4LutfLQ
— r (@hexrings) May 9, 2023
Kulture meeting Halle Bailey for the first time at #TheLittleMermaid premiere. 🥹✨ pic.twitter.com/x2WS41NOR9
— Fan Account | #BLM 💎❤️🔥 (@BardiUpdatess) May 9, 2023
OMG ANIKA, THE FIRST BLACK ANIMATED DISNEY PRINCESS IS AT THE LITTLE MERMAID PREMIERE!! LET’S GOOO!! pic.twitter.com/oLSBKgAwIo
— khalia. | queen charlotte era 🕌🌿 (@VERONASFILMS) May 9, 2023
MARSAI, EAT IT UP SISTERRRR! 🤩🤎✨ #thelittlemermaid pic.twitter.com/WTaBTYJTmK
— 𝔏𝔢𝔞𝔥.❁ | TogetherAgainTour ❤️🔥 (@redforjanet) May 9, 2023
EVERY SINGLE review about #TheLittleMermaid being POSITIVE. yeah this is how we win. pic.twitter.com/XOS2MXuvNv
— fay (@korysstar) May 9, 2023
the little mermaid beating every allegation against it, I have to laugh pic.twitter.com/fa5T2POO9i
— ceo of monica (@photonsmight) May 9, 2023
brb i’m gonna cry #TheLittleMermaid pic.twitter.com/Y5tKoQ1JGf
— coreyn 💗 (@coreynmarie) May 9, 2023
Meanwhile, the celeb appearances on the Little Mermaid blue carpet are the highlight of any discussions related to Ariel on Twitter. One particular heartwarming moment that’s trending on Twitter shows Offset‘s daughter Kulture hugging Halle Bailey after meeting her for the first time. Similarly, Benson’s interaction with Bailey on the carpet was also wholesome. Speaking of who, Halle donning a custom Valdrin Shaiti dress as she dazzled for the blue carpet photographs earned her more praise for sticking to the mermaid theme.
Songs like Poor Unfortunate Souls and Kiss the Girl are being hailed for their visual effects and stunning cinematography. In fact, journos like Grace Randolph are already predicting an Oscar nom for best cinematography and are applauding the VFX work.
The review embargo for The Little Mermaid lifts on May 22 – the same week as its premiere on May 26 in theaters worldwide. Could this join Disney’s billion-dollar remake club like Aladdin and The Lion King? It remains to be seen so stay tuned for more updates on its box office earnings.
