Dr. Mac Christian Movie Reviews: The Little Mermaid (1989)

“It’s got catchy songs, a crab with rhythm, and a mermaid who basically tells Dad: ‘I know better than you.’ Parents, beware — this one’s beautiful but sneaky.”

📖 Quick Snapshot

Ariel, a curious young mermaid, dreams of the human world. Against her father’s warnings, she makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for legs so she can pursue Prince Eric. Music, love, rebellion, and some of Disney’s most iconic songs follow.

🗣️ Language & Profanity

• Very clean in terms of spoken profanity.

• No curse words, just standard Disney banter.

😬 Inappropriate or Questionable Content

• Rebellion against authority: The heart of the story is Ariel disobeying her father’s clear warnings. Kids may interpret this as “Dad doesn’t understand, so go your own way.”

• Witchcraft: Ursula is a straight-up sea witch, complete with spells, potions, and a soul contract.

• Immodesty: Ariel is half-dressed the entire movie. Harmless to some, but worth noting for parents raising kids in a culture obsessed with body image.

• Romantic obsession: Ariel falls in love at first sight and risks her soul for a boy she doesn’t even know. A shallow message compared to biblical wisdom on love.

✝️ The Christian Parent Grading Scale

Category	Grade	Explanation
Biblical Truth & Redemption	D	Teaches following your heart over parental authority.
Suitability for Kids (6–12)	B	Fun and catchy, but heavy rebellion themes.
Language & Cleanliness	A	No profanity issues at all.
Family & Emotional Engagement	A-	Memorable songs and characters, but the lesson learned is questionable.
Overall Christian Values	C-	Teaches independence, but at the cost of honoring parents (Ephesians 6:1).

🛠️ The Filter Fix

• VidAngel / Enjoy Movies Your Way: You can trim Ursula’s darker witchcraft moments and maybe some romantic intensity.

• That said, the central theme of rebellion isn’t editable — it’s baked into the story.

🧑‍⚕️ Dr. Mac’s Verdict

🚦 Yellow Light — A Disney classic with unforgettable music, but Christian parents should talk through the dangers of Ariel’s choices.

Best Age Range: 7+ (with discussion)

Family Discussion Starter: “What does the Bible say about honoring parents, and how would this story change if Ariel trusted her father’s wisdom?” (Ephesians 6:1–3).