The Little Mermaid (2018) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A young reporter and his niece discover a beautiful and enchanting creature they believe to be the real little mermaid.
Rated PG • 2018 • 1h 38m
This 2018 live-action adaptation, titled The Little Mermaid, received its PG rating for peril, thematic elements, and some fantasy action. The story follows a reporter, Cam, and his ill niece, Elle, who discover a real mermaid, Elizabeth, held captive by a circus wizard named Locke. Parents should be aware of scenes involving the kidnapping of a child, the concept of a soul being stolen and trapped, and a child character's chronic… Sign up for the full guide
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Is The Little Mermaid appropriate for kids?
This 2018 live-action adaptation, titled The Little Mermaid, received its PG rating for peril, thematic elements, and some fantasy action. The story follows a reporter, Cam, and his ill niece, Elle, who discover a real mermaid, Elizabeth, held captive by a circus wizard named… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Little Mermaid
What happens in The Little Mermaid, moment by moment
- 0:04 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:12 🍷 Substances 2/10
Sex and nudity in The Little Mermaid
Content is mild and brief. The mermaid is seen wearing a bra-like top while in her tank. In one scene where she gains legs, she is briefly nude from the side and back, but she is immediately covered and no sensitive parts are shown. Two characters share a gentle farewell kiss at the end of the film.
Violence and gore in The Little Mermaid
Violence is infrequent and stays within the bounds of fantasy action. A child character is kidnapped by the villain, which is a key point of peril. There are chase scenes and a final confrontation involving magical powers and some fighting, but it is not graphic or bloody. A character's death occurs but is handled without gore. The mermaid is shown held captive in a glass tank, which may be distressing.
Language in The Little Mermaid
Language is not a concern. According to IMDb user reports, the word "freak" is used once in the context of the circus, but there is no other profanity.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Little Mermaid
The plot involves a fraudulent substance. The villain, Locke, sells "mermaid healing water" to desperate people, claiming it can cure any ailment. A main character investigates this, and it is shown to be a scam. The substance itself is just water and is not depicted as having any real effect.
Mature themes in The Little Mermaid
Thematic content is moderate and may be the biggest concern for parents. A central character, a young girl named Elle, suffers from a serious, undiagnosed illness. The themes of exploitation and enslavement are prominent, as the wizard Locke has stolen the mermaid's soul to control her. The kidnapping of a child is a major plot point and could be frightening.
Scary moments in The Little Mermaid
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for The Little Mermaid yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Little Mermaid appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Little Mermaid is best for ages 9+. It's rated PG. This 2018 live-action adaptation, titled The Little Mermaid, received its PG rating for peril, thematic elements, and some fantasy action. The story follows a reporter, Cam, and his ill niece, Elle, who discover a real…
What age rating does The Little Mermaid have?
The Little Mermaid is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 9+.
What is The Little Mermaid about?
This 2018 live-action adaptation, titled The Little Mermaid, received its PG rating for peril, thematic elements, and some fantasy action. The story follows a reporter, Cam, and his ill niece, Elle, who discover a real mermaid, Elizabeth, held captive by a circus wizard named Locke. Parents should be aware of scenes…
Is there sex or nudity in The Little Mermaid?
Content is mild and brief. The mermaid is seen wearing a bra-like top while in her tank. In one scene where she gains legs, she is briefly nude from the side and back, but she is immediately covered and no sensitive parts are shown. Two characters share a…
How violent is The Little Mermaid?
Violence is infrequent and stays within the bounds of fantasy action. A child character is kidnapped by the villain, which is a key point of peril. There are chase scenes and a final confrontation involving magical powers and some fighting, but it is not…
Is the language in The Little Mermaid appropriate for kids?
Language is not a concern. According to IMDb user reports, the word "freak" is used once in the context of the circus, but there is no other profanity.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Little Mermaid?
The plot involves a fraudulent substance. The villain, Locke, sells "mermaid healing water" to desperate people, claiming it can cure any ailment. A main character investigates this, and it is shown to be a scam. The substance itself is just water and is not…
What mature themes appear in The Little Mermaid?
Thematic content is moderate and may be the biggest concern for parents. A central character, a young girl named Elle, suffers from a serious, undiagnosed illness. The themes of exploitation and enslavement are prominent, as the wizard Locke has stolen the…
How long is The Little Mermaid?
The Little Mermaid runs 98 minutes, directed by Chris Bouchard, Blake Harris, released in 2018.
Where can I read the full The Little Mermaid parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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