Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of The Little Mermaid is set to make a splash in theaters today, boasting an extraordinary runtime that breaks records for a Disney live-action film. This modern retelling of the beloved animated classic, starring the talented Halle Bailey, promises to captivate audiences with its enchanting underwater adventure.
Positive Reviews And Notable Changes:
The Little Mermaid’s live-action rendition has already garnered positive reviews, receiving a commendable 72% critic rating and an 85% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While staying true to the essence of the 1989 tale, the movie incorporates notable updates for a contemporary audience, including lyric changes to iconic songs such as “Kiss the Girl.”
Runtime Comparison:
With a confirmed runtime of 135 minutes (2 hours and 15 minutes), The Little Mermaid surpasses its predecessor, Cruella, by a mere one-minute to become Disney’s lengthiest live-action film to date. This substantial duration is significantly longer than the 83-minute runtime of the original animated version released in 1989.
Disney’s Live-Action Remakes/Adaptations Runtimes:
To gain perspective on The Little Mermaid’s runtime in relation to other Disney live-action remakes and adaptations, here is a list of their respective durations:
- The Jungle Book (2016) – 1 hour and 46 minutes
- Beauty and the Beast (2017) – 2 hours and 9 minutes
- Dumbo (2019) – 1 hour and 52 minutes
- Aladdin (2019) – 2 hours and 8 minutes
- The Lion King (2019) – 1 hour and 58 minutes
- Mulan (2020) – 1 hour and 55 minutes
- Cruella (2021) – 2 hours and 14 minutes
- Pinocchio (2022) – 1 hour and 45 minutes
While 2 hours and 15 minutes may appear lengthy, especially when compared to the brevity of the original animated film, it aligns with the runtime trend established by Disney’s live-action remakes. Excluding Pinocchio, designed for Disney+ streaming, these adaptations typically hover around the two-hour mark.
The Little Mermaid’s expanded runtime raises curiosity about how the additional minutes will be utilized. The film delves deeper into Ariel’s journey, offering a fresh perspective, and even introduces a new musical number. With Halle Bailey’s Ariel taking on a more prominent role, it’s expected that the rest of the talented cast will also receive greater character development.
Moreover, the inclusion of two original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda and composer Alan Menken contributes to the film’s extended duration. These factors collectively justify the runtime and emphasize the depth and richness this live-action remake aims to deliver.
