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Horror film

The Little Mermaid (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Little Mermaid (2024) movie poster

The Little Mermaid is a 2024 horror film starring Mike Markoff as Dr. Eric Prince, Jeff Denton and Winston Crooke. It runs 1 hour 28 minutes and earned $569.6 million worldwide on a $297 million budget. IMDb users rate it 3.6/10.

IMDb rating
3.6/10
worldwide gross
$569.6M
Echo Score
49
budget
$297M
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The Little Mermaid (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 28m (88 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$297M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Little Mermaid About?

The premise of The Little Mermaid without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

After archaeologist Dr. Eric Prince and his students discover an ancient pagan temple in the Caribbean, he becomes captivated by a mysterious woman who bears a striking resemblance to a mermaid his team previously encountered. Their relationship deepens as she leads him into a dangerous underwater realm, forcing him to confront a difficult choice between love and a greater peril.

The Little Mermaid Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • blue eyed redhead
  • mermaid
  • mermaid horror
  • b horror
  • red lipstick
  • human remains
  • redheaded woman
  • caribbean
  • dilated pupils
  • bolting upright from a nightmare
  • lured by a woman
  • archaeological dig
+38 more
  • bribe
  • tiara
  • woman wears a mesh top
  • mysterious woman
  • nipples visible through clothing
  • close up of a woman's legs
  • walking on a beach
  • woman wears a sheer top
  • gold coins
  • archaeologist
  • reference to rosetta stone
  • museum
  • side boob
  • sex with a mermaid
  • caught in a net
  • seductive woman
  • jeep wrangler
  • woman sits on a man's lap
  • scuba diving
  • idol
  • female star appears semi nude
  • woman wears a strapless dress
  • fishing boat
  • sarcophagus
  • mummified corpse
  • french hair braid
  • reference to king tut
  • woman wears a slit dress
  • reference to tom hanks
  • sexual attraction
  • underwater scene
  • treasure
  • nude female
  • long red hair
  • sushi
  • woman dresses in white
  • archaeology professor
  • painting
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Cast & crew

The Little Mermaid Cast & Characters

Mike Markoff leads the cast as Dr. Eric Prince, with Jeff Denton as Ferdinand Ashley and Winston Crooke.

Ratings

The Little Mermaid Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate The Little Mermaid 3.6/10. Our Echo Score gives it 49/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in character & emotion (35).

49 /100

The Little Mermaid Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, the film delivers an inventive reinterpretation of the classic tale but struggles to coalesce its strengths into a satisfying whole. Reviewers note the moody underwater cinematography and imaginative creature design as highlights, while repeatedly criticizing uneven performances and thinly realized tonal shifts. The narrative premise attracts interest, yet its execution feels uneven, limiting emotional impact. Consequently, the movie offers occasional intrigue but lacks the cohesion needed for strong recommendation.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of art and craft, the film benefits from a moody underwater cinematography that creates an atmospheric setting, and its practical creature effects show creativity despite budget constraints. However, critics point to uneven direction and inconsistent editing, and some reviewers note camera work that feels amateurish. The production design supports the mythic premise but does not consistently elevate the visual experience.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When evaluating character and emotion, the performances are a primary source of division. Several reviewers describe the acting as flat, monotone, and over‑acted, reducing the protagonist’s intended menace. Conversely, a few viewers find the ensemble adequately engaging for a B‑movie context and praise occasional chemistry. Overall, the character depth remains limited, and emotional resonance is weakened by inconsistent portrayals.

  • Story & Flow 45

    In terms of story and flow, the film presents an original premise that blends classic fairy‑tale elements with cosmic horror, which many reviewers find intriguing. Yet the execution suffers from uneven pacing and a script that toggles between serious and campy tones, leading to a fragmented narrative. While the mythic concept offers occasional depth, the overall coherence remains modest.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Regarding sensory experience, the movie’s soundscape is largely unremarkable, but the visual style receives notable praise. Reviewers highlight the moody underwater lighting, atmospheric color palette, and effective practical effects that contribute to a grim aesthetic. The soundtrack, while serviceable, does not significantly enhance tension. Overall, the sensory components are stronger than other elements, anchoring the film’s mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch factor, the majority of feedback suggests the film is best suited for a single viewing due to uneven tone and inconsistent performances. A few viewers appreciate its novelty and have watched it more than once, but most cite limited replay value and describe it as a curiosity rather than a repeatable experience. Consequently, the film’s lasting appeal remains modest.

Plot

The Little Mermaid Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Little Mermaid from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Under the vast expanse of the Caribbean Sea, within the enchanting kingdom of Atlantica, we meet the curious mermaid princess Ariel. Fascinated by the mysteries of the human world, she spends her time collecting rare artifacts in her grotto, despite never having experienced life above the waves. This insatiable curiosity goes against the wishes of her father, King Triton, who has forbidden all merfolk from surfacing due to the tragedy of Ariel’s mother’s death at the hands of a human.

Full summary

The whole story of The Little Mermaid, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Little Mermaid Box Office & Budget

The Little Mermaid grossed $569.6 million worldwide on a $297 million budget, 1.9 times what it cost. $298.2 million came from the US and Canada and $271.5 million (48%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$569.6M

1.9× its budget

US & Canada
$298.2M
International
$271.5M
Budget
$297M
US & Canada 52% Rest of the world 48%
Videos

The Little Mermaid Trailers & Videos

36 videos: 2 trailers, 3 teasers, 12 clips, 16 featurettes and 3 behind-the-scenes videos.

All 36 videos
Official Teaser Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
  • Teaser Wish
  • Teaser Choices
  • Teaser Unfortunate
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Little Mermaid?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the underwater kingdom where the mermaid princess lives?

Details

The Little Mermaid Also Known As

42 alternative titles, including “La sirenita” and “Kiçik Su Pərisi”.

Also known as
  • La sirenita
  • Kiçik Su Pərisi
  • A Pequena Sereia
  • Малката русалка
  • La Petite Sirène
  • 小美人鱼真人版
  • Mala sirena
  • Malá mořská víla
  • Den lille havfrue
  • Pieni merenneito
  • Η μικρή γοργόνα
  • 小魚仙
+30 more
  • A kis hableány
  • Litla Hafmeyjan
  • La sirenetta
  • リトル・マーメイド
  • Русалочка
  • Mazā nāriņa
  • Undinėlė
  • Den lille havfruen
  • Mała syrenka
  • Mica sirenă
  • Malá morská víla
  • Mala morska deklica
  • Den lilla sjöjungfrun
  • Arielle, die Meerjungfrau
  • 小美人魚
  • Küçük Deniz Kızı
  • Русалонька
  • Nàng Tiên Cá
  • De Kleine Zeemeermin
  • 인어공주
  • בת הים הקטנה
  • เงือกน้อยผจญภัย
  • الحورية الصغيرة
  • Мала сирена
  • 小美人鱼
  • پری دریایی کوچولو
  • La sireneta
  • الحوريةالصغيرة
  • Litla hafmeyjan, პატარა ქალთევზა
  • Väike merineitsi

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FAQ

The Little Mermaid FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Little Mermaid, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Little Mermaid?

The Little Mermaid runs 1 hour 28 minutes (88 minutes).

When was The Little Mermaid released?

The Little Mermaid was released on December 17, 2024.

Who is in the cast of The Little Mermaid?

The Little Mermaid stars Mike Markoff as Dr. Eric Prince, Jeff Denton as Ferdinand Ashley and Winston Crooke, among 4 credited actors.

How much did The Little Mermaid make at the box office?

The Little Mermaid grossed $569.6 million worldwide ($298.2 million domestic, $271.5 million international) on a budget of $297 million.

How is The Little Mermaid rated?

The Little Mermaid has 3.6/10 on IMDb.

Does The Little Mermaid have a post-credit scene?

No. The Little Mermaid has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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