Cast of The Little Mermaid 2023 Film: Full List and Details
Few movies sparked as much conversation before their release as Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid. Between the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel and the online storm that followed, the film arrived with a weight of expectation.
Lead actor (Ariel): Halle Bailey ·
Lead actor (Prince Eric): Jonah Hauer-King ·
Director: Rob Marshall ·
Box office gross: $569.6 million worldwide ·
Release year: 2023
Quick snapshot
- Halle Bailey cast as Ariel (Disney Movies)
- Melissa McCarthy performed own vocals (Los Angeles Times)
- Worldwide gross $569.6 million (Box Office Mojo)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67% critic score (Rotten Tomatoes)
- 94% audience score (Rotten Tomatoes)
- September 2016: Disney announces live-action adaptation (Wikipedia)
- July 2019: Halle Bailey cast as Ariel (Los Angeles Times)
- May 2023: Film released (IMDb)
- Opening weekend $95.5 million (CNBC)
- Worldwide total $569.6 million (Box Office Mojo)
- Fifth-highest Memorial Day opening (Variety)
Unverified claims
- Exact break-even point disputed by analysts
- Specific impact of backlash on box office difficult to isolate
- Disney+ streaming release expected within months
- Potential sequel or spin-off discussions
Six key facts, one pattern: the film’s production budget and box office earnings tell a story of a solid but not runaway success.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date | May 26, 2023 |
| Director | Rob Marshall |
| Budget | $240.2 million (reported) (Wikipedia) |
| Box office | $569.6 million worldwide (Box Office Mojo) |
| Runtime | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| MPAA rating | PG for action/peril and some scary images |
Was The Little Mermaid 2023 a hit or flop?
Box office numbers
- Opening weekend (U.S. and Canada): $95.5 million (CNBC)
- Memorial Day four-day projection: $118 million (Variety)
- Worldwide total: $569.6 million (Box Office Mojo)
Critical reception
- Rotten Tomatoes: 67% critic score, 94% audience score (as of June 2023) (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Production budget reported at $240.2 million (Wikipedia)
Audience response
- Audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes hit 94%, indicating strong viewer approval.
- Fifth-highest Memorial Day opening in box office history, per Variety.
The film earned enough to avoid being a flop, but its $240.2 million budget meant it needed roughly $600 million to break even — a target it missed by a narrow margin, according to industry estimates.
Why did Disney make Ariel black?
Casting process
- Director Rob Marshall stated: “We searched the world for a performer who could bring all of that … courage, passion, and that incredible voice.” (Los Angeles Times)
- Halle Bailey’s singing ability was the deciding factor, per Marshall.
Director Rob Marshall’s statement
- Marshall told The Los Angeles Times: “We just fell in love with Halle.”
- The search was global and open to all ethnicities.
Halle Bailey’s audition
- Bailey auditioned with “Part of Your World” and reportedly moved producers to tears.
- She was cast in July 2019, three years before the film’s release.
Disney’s decision was driven by talent, not a diversity quota — but the reaction to it revealed deep divides in the audience, as the backlash section below shows.
What is the backlash of The Little Mermaid 2023?
#NotMyAriel movement
- Social media saw a wave of criticism using the hashtag #NotMyAriel after Bailey’s casting was announced.
- Much of the backlash was racially charged, targeting Bailey’s appearance.
Racist social media responses
- According to the Los Angeles Times, the backlash was predominantly online and did not appear to affect box office performance significantly.
- Bailey herself addressed the hate, saying she focused on the love from fans.
Praise from diverse audiences
- Conversely, many viewers celebrated the casting. Bailey said: “I want the little girl in me and the little girls like me who are watching to see themselves in me.” (Los Angeles Times)
- The film’s 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes suggests broad appreciation among viewers.
The backlash was loud online but did not translate into poor box office performance. The film’s success in diverse markets suggests the controversy was more of a social media echo chamber than a real-world factor.
Did Melissa McCarthy sing in The Little Mermaid?
McCarthy’s vocal training
- McCarthy performed her own vocals for Ursula — no auto-tune or dubbing, she confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.
- She said: “I sang everything … I loved every second of it.”
Musical numbers performed
- She sang “Poor Unfortunate Souls” in the film.
- The song was newly arranged by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Original song comparisons
- McCarthy’s version was widely praised, with critics noting she brought a fresh yet faithful take to the iconic villain song.
Fans of the original Pat Carroll version may not agree, but McCarthy’s performance was a standout in the film, earning positive reviews from most critics.
Who are the main cast members of The Little Mermaid 2023?
Ariel: Halle Bailey
- Known for her work as a singer (Chloe x Halle) and actress.
- Cast in July 2019 (Los Angeles Times).
Prince Eric: Jonah Hauer-King
- British actor, known for “A Dog’s Way Home” and “The Last Thing He Wanted”.
- Cast as Eric in 2019 (IMDb).
Ursula: Melissa McCarthy
- Comedic actress, performed her own singing.
- Cast in 2019 (IMDb).
King Triton: Javier Bardem
- Academy Award winner, known for “No Country for Old Men”.
- Cast in 2020 (IMDb).
Queen: Noma Dumezweni
- British actress, known for “The Undoing” and stage work in “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”.
- Cast in 2020 (IMDb).
Scuttle: Awkwafina
- Rapper and actress, known for “The Farewell” and “Crazy Rich Asians”.
- Cast in 2020 (IMDb).
Sebastian: Daveed Diggs
- Tony-winning actor (Hamilton), known for “Blindspotting”.
- Cast in 2020 (IMDb).
Flounder: Jacob Tremblay
- Child actor known for “Room” and “Wonder”.
- Cast in 2020 (IMDb).
The cast combined veteran talent and fresh faces, with almost every principal actor providing their own vocals — a rare feat for a live-action musical.
“We searched the world for a performer who could bring all of that … courage, passion, and that incredible voice.”
Rob Marshall, director
“I want the little girl in me and the little girls like me who are watching to see themselves in me.”
Halle Bailey, actor
“I sang everything … I loved every second of it.”
Melissa McCarthy, actor
The Little Mermaid 2023 reignited a debate about representation in Hollywood while also delivering a solid box office performance. For Disney, the choice is clear: continue casting for talent regardless of race, or risk alienating a generation of fans who want to see themselves on screen.
Frequently asked questions
How much did The Little Mermaid 2023 earn at the box office?
It earned $569.6 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
Who directed The Little Mermaid 2023?
Rob Marshall directed the film.
Is there a post-credits scene in The Little Mermaid 2023?
No, there is no post-credits scene.
What songs are in The Little Mermaid 2023?
The film features new songs by Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda, including “Wild Uncharted Waters” and “For the First Time”.
Did Halle Bailey sing all her own songs?
Yes, Halle Bailey performed all of Ariel’s vocals in the film.
How long is The Little Mermaid 2023?
2 hours and 15 minutes.
Where was The Little Mermaid 2023 filmed?
Principal photography took place at Pinewood Studios in the UK.
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