20 Fun Facts About 'The Little Mermaid' That Will Blow Your Mind!
Originally published by MSN Entertainment on MSN
1. The Disney Renaissance Kicked Off Here!
"The Little Mermaid" brought Disney back to its golden days of animated glory when it hit theaters in 1989.
2. From Fairy Tale to Fairy Tale Ending
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, Disney gave it the happy ending we all wanted!
3. Why Ariel’s Hair is Red
Ariel's signature red hair was a bold move to make her stand out from the blonde mermaid in "Splash."
4. Meet the Voice Behind Ariel
Jodi Benson's voice work, especially in "Part of Your World," is nothing short of legendary.
5. Pioneering Animation Techniques
Blending hand-drawn animation with CGI, the film was cutting-edge for its time.
6. Oscar Glory
The movie snagged two Academy Awards: Best Original Score and Best Original Song for "Under the Sea."
7. Sebastian’s Calypso Charm
Originally meant to be British, Sebastian's Caribbean accent fit the calypso vibe of "Under the Sea" perfectly.
8. Ariel’s Sisters Are Sea-nsational
Each of Ariel's sisters is named after a different sea – so clever!
9. Ursula’s Fabulous Inspiration
The sea witch was modeled after the fabulous drag queen Divine – no wonder she’s so fierce!
10. Broadway on the Big Screen
With songs inspired by Broadway, the movie’s musical numbers are pure magic.
11. Ariel and Alyssa Milano?
Ariel's look was partly inspired by teen star Alyssa Milano. Who knew?
12. Star Voices Everywhere
Many background characters were voiced by actors who played big roles in other Disney classics.
13. Directors Making Waves
Ron Clements and John Musker made their directorial debut with this film and went on to direct more Disney hits.
14. Composer Cameo
Alan Menken, the movie’s composer, voiced a character but didn’t get credited for it!
15. Songs You’ve Never Heard
Several songs were written but didn’t make it into the final film, though some appear in later adaptations.
16. Soundtrack Perfection
The soundtrack is one of Disney’s best – admit it, you still know all the words!
17. Mermaid Mania
The movie’s success sparked a huge interest in all things mermaid and underwater adventures.
18. Ariel’s Tail Has a Secret
Her tail is a custom shade known as "Ariel green," making her pop in underwater scenes.
19. Cultural Phenomenon
The movie influenced fashion, music, and media, proving its lasting impact on pop culture.
20. Forever a Classic
Even today, "The Little Mermaid" continues to enchant new generations of fans.
This blog post is inspired by an article originally published on MSN Entertainment. Read the full original article here.
