List of The Little Mermaid characters facts for kids

Artwork from the sequel showing most of the main characters in the franchise. Top row, from left to right: Scuttle, King Triton, Melody, Ariel, Eric, Tip, and Sebastian. Bottom row: Dash, and Flounder.

Welcome to the amazing world of Disney's The Little Mermaid! This article introduces you to the wonderful characters from the original 1989 movie, its TV show, and the sequel and prequel films. You'll also learn about characters from the stage musical and the live-action movie. Get ready to dive deep and meet everyone from mermaids to princes, and even a few villains!

Characters from the Original Movie (1989)

Ariel

Ariel is the brave and curious main character of The Little Mermaid. She is a mermaid princess, the youngest daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena. Ariel dreams of exploring the human world. In the first movie, she falls in love with a human prince named Eric. She makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to become human. Ariel is the only Disney Princess to become a parent in the animated movies. In The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, she is the mother of Melody.

Ariel's voice in the animated films is provided by Jodi Benson. In the 2023 live-action movie, Halle Bailey plays Ariel.

Prince Eric

Prince Eric is a human prince who lives in a castle by the sea. He is based on the prince from the original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. Eric is rescued by Ariel when he almost drowns in a storm. He is haunted by her beautiful voice and searches for the girl who saved him.

When Ariel becomes human, Eric brings her to his palace. He starts to fall for her, even though she can't speak. Ursula, disguised as a human named Vanessa, tries to trick Eric into marrying her. Luckily, Ariel and her friends stop the wedding. Eric realizes Ariel is the girl he loves and helps her defeat Ursula. He then marries Ariel, and they live happily ever after.

In the 2023 live-action movie, Jonah Hauer-King plays Eric. He even sings a new song called "Wild Uncharted Waters."

Sebastian

Sebastian is a red Jamaican crab and a loyal servant to King Triton. He is also the king's main music composer. Sebastian is famous for his song "Under the Sea". He is voiced by Samuel E. Wright in the animated films and TV series.

Sebastian was created just for the Disney movie. Originally, he was going to be an English lobster, but songwriter Howard Ashman suggested making him a Jamaican crab to fit the film's music style.

Sebastian tries his best to keep Ariel out of trouble, especially when she's curious about humans. He often gets into funny situations, like trying to escape from Chef Louis. In the 2023 live-action movie, Daveed Diggs voices Sebastian.

Flounder

Flounder is a yellow and blue tropical fish and Ariel's very best friend. He is voiced by Jason Marin in the 1989 film. Flounder gets scared easily, especially by sharks, but he is always brave when Ariel needs him. He is the only one (besides Scuttle) who supports Ariel's love for human objects. He even gives Ariel a statue of Eric as a gift!

Flounder appears in the prequel TV series, where we learn he first met Ariel when they were kids. He also has a role in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea, where he is grown up and has five children. In the 2023 live-action movie, Jacob Tremblay voices Flounder.

Scuttle

Scuttle is a funny seagull and a good friend of Ariel. He is voiced by Buddy Hackett in the original film. Scuttle thinks he knows everything about human objects, even though he often gets them wrong! He calls a fork a "dinglehopper" and a smoking pipe a "snarfblatt."

Scuttle helps Ariel when she becomes human and needs to win Eric's heart. He is the one who discovers that Vanessa is actually Ursula in disguise and quickly tells Ariel. In the 2023 live-action movie, Scuttle is a female Northern gannet voiced by Awkwafina. This change allows her to be seen underwater.

Ursula

Ursula is the main villain of the 1989 film. She is a powerful sea witch who is half-octopus. She is voiced by Pat Carroll, who gave her a very memorable voice. Ursula is based on the sea witch character from the original Hans Christian Andersen story.

Ursula tricks Ariel into giving up her voice in exchange for human legs. She wants to take over King Triton's kingdom. In the 2023 live-action movie, Melissa McCarthy plays Ursula.

King Triton

King Triton is the powerful ruler of Atlantica and Ariel's father. He has white hair, a white beard, and carries a magical trident. In the original film, he doesn't like humans, which causes problems with Ariel. When he finds out Ariel loves a human, he gets very angry and destroys her collection of human treasures.

After Ariel disappears, Triton feels bad and learns she made a deal with Ursula. He bravely takes Ariel's place, turning into a sea plant. He is restored after Ursula is defeated. Seeing Ariel happy with Eric, he uses his trident to turn her into a human permanently.

In the 2008 prequel, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning, Triton bans music from Atlantica after his wife, Queen Athena, dies. This makes his relationship with Ariel difficult. In the 2023 live-action movie, Javier Bardem plays King Triton. In this version, he is Ursula's brother, and his dislike for humans comes from his wife being killed by one.

Ariel's Sisters

Ariel has six older sisters: Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista, and Andrina. They are often seen together, especially at the beginning of the 1989 film when they perform the song "Daughters of Triton." They are supportive of Ariel, especially when they notice she's in love.

In the 2023 live-action movie, Ariel's sisters have different names and backgrounds, showing a diverse group of mermaids from around the world.

Glut

Glut is a fierce great white shark. He appears at the beginning of the 1989 film when Ariel and Flounder are exploring a sunken ship. Glut chases them, trying to catch them, but he gets his head stuck in an anchor. He doesn't appear again in the original film.

Glut also appears in the 2023 live-action movie, where he chases Ariel and Flounder through the sunken ship.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Flotsam and Jetsam are Ursula's sneaky green moray eel helpers. They are voiced by Paddi Edwards in the 1989 film. They look exactly alike, but you can tell them apart by their eyes: Flotsam's right eye is yellow, and Jetsam's left eye is yellow.

These eels spy on Ariel for Ursula and convince her to visit the sea witch. They are accidentally killed by Ursula during the film's big battle. In the 2023 live-action movie, they appear in CGI form and do not speak.

Grimsby

Grimsby is Prince Eric's loyal assistant and close friend. He is voiced by Ben Wright in the original film. Grimsby cares deeply for Eric and hopes the prince will find a good wife. He even encourages Eric to consider Ariel, even though she can't speak.

In the 2023 live-action movie, Art Malik plays Grimsby. He is shown as a father figure to Eric and the prime minister of the kingdom.

Max

Max is Prince Eric's loving Old English Sheepdog. Unlike other animals in the film, Max doesn't speak human language, but he is very smart. His barks and growls are provided by Frank Welker.

Max is the first to sense Ariel's presence and later helps Eric find her when she becomes human. He is also the only one who sees through Ursula's disguise as Vanessa and tries to stop the wedding. Max helps Scuttle break Ursula's spell by biting Vanessa. Max appears in the 2023 live-action film as well.

Chef Louis

Chef Louis is the castle chef, voiced by René Auberjonois. He has a French accent and loves cooking seafood, especially crab. He sings the song "Les Poissons" while happily preparing fish. This puts him in a funny rivalry with Sebastian, who tries to avoid becoming one of his dishes!

Chef Louis also appears in the stage musical, where he leads a group of chefs. He does not appear in the 2023 live-action movie.

Carlotta

Carlotta (voiced by Edie McClurg) works in Eric's castle, likely as a housekeeper. She is kind and caring, especially towards Ariel when she first arrives as a human. Carlotta also appears in the sequel, continuing her role after Eric and Ariel are married.

In the 2007 stage musical, Carlotta develops a motherly bond with Ariel. In the 2023 live-action film, she is renamed Lashana and played by Martina Laird.

Seahorse

The Seahorse (voiced by Will Ryan) is King Triton's official messenger and announcer. He appears in the 1989 film, the TV series, and the sequel, always delivering important news or making announcements for the king.

Characters from the TV Series (1992-1994)

Urchin

Urchin (voiced by Danny Cooksey) is an orphaned merboy and a close friend of Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder in the prequel television series. He first appears wanting friends and gets involved with some small-time villains. Ariel helps him, and he proves his loyalty by helping her escape. Urchin becomes like a little brother to Ariel's sisters and is close to the royal family.

Gabriella

Gabriella is one of Ariel's friends from the TV series. She is a deaf mermaid who uses sign language to communicate. She appears in two episodes, where she shares adventures with Ariel and expresses her feelings through dance. She wishes she could sing like Ariel, but Ariel helps her see that she can express herself beautifully in her own way.

Ollie

Ollie (voiced by Whitby Hertford) is a blue octopus who is Gabriella's close friend and interpreter. He helps Gabriella communicate and joins her and Ariel on their adventures.

Pearl

Pearl (voiced by Cree Summer) is a fun-loving mermaid with a blue tail. She is popular and enjoys parties. In the TV series, she sometimes encourages Ariel to break the rules, like driving King Triton's chariot to a party town called Eel-ectric City.

Spot

Spot (vocal effects by Frank Welker) is a playful baby orca whale. Ariel finds him when he gets scared by human poachers. She takes care of him until he can return to his family. Spot later reappears as a grown-up whale.

Dudley

Dudley (voiced by Dave Coulier) is an elderly sea turtle who helps King Triton. He mumbles when he speaks and walks slowly on the seafloor. He often carries important documents inside his shell.

Hans Christian Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen (voiced by Mark Hamill), the author of the original Little Mermaid fairy tale, appears in one episode. He explores the undersea world in a submarine and meets Ariel. This encounter inspires him to write the famous story.

Lobster Mobster and Da Shrimp

Lobster Mobster (voiced by Joe Alaskey) and Da Shrimp (voiced by David Lander) are a silly lobster and shrimp duo. They are con-artists who often cause trouble for Ariel and her friends in the TV series. They are designed to look like old-fashioned gangsters.

Manta

Manta (voiced by Tim Curry) is a recurring villain in the TV series. He is a powerful manta ray who was trapped in an undersea volcano. Ariel accidentally frees him, and he tries to take over Atlantica. He later has a son, "Little Evil," who becomes friends with Ariel, leading to Manta changing his ways.

Characters from The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)

Melody

Melody is the daughter of Ariel and Eric, and the princess of their kingdom. She is also King Triton's granddaughter. She is voiced by Tara Strong.

At her birth, Morgana, Ursula's sister, attacks. To keep Melody safe, Ariel decides to hide Melody's mermaid heritage and keep her away from the sea. However, Melody is drawn to the ocean and secretly swims. On her 12th birthday, she finds a locket and questions Ariel about it. Melody runs away and meets Morgana, who tricks her into becoming a mermaid to steal Triton's trident.

Melody succeeds but is then trapped by Morgana. She helps her grandfather defeat Morgana. In the end, Melody chooses to destroy the wall separating her home from the sea, bringing the land and sea together.

Morgana

Morgana is the younger sister of Ursula and the main villain of The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea. She is also half-octopus, like her sister. She has three helpers: a shark named Undertow, and two manta rays named Cloak and Dagger.

Morgana wants to get revenge for Ursula and take King Triton's trident. She attacks Melody's birth celebration and later tricks 12-year-old Melody into stealing the trident for her. Morgana is eventually defeated by Melody and Triton and trapped in ice. She is voiced by Pat Carroll, just like Ursula.

Undertow

Undertow is a minion of Morgana. He starts as a large tiger shark but is turned into a small piranha by Triton. He convinces Melody to visit Morgana, and once Morgana gets the trident, she turns him back into a shark.

Cloak and Dagger

Cloak and Dagger are two dark blue manta rays who are Morgana's silent henchmen. They follow her orders and help her in her plans.

Tip and Dash

Tip and Dash are supporting characters in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea and friends of Melody. Tip is an emperor penguin voiced by Max Casella, and Dash is a walrus voiced by Stephen Furst. They are an unlikely pair of best friends.

Melody meets them when she becomes a mermaid, and they join her on her adventure to find the trident. In the end, they find their courage and help save the day.

Characters from The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (2008)

Queen Athena

Queen Athena was King Triton's wife and the mother of Ariel and her six sisters. She is voiced by Lorelei Hill Butters (speaking) and Andrea Robinson (singing). She appears in the beginning of the prequel film.

Athena loves music and sings a special song with Triton. Sadly, she is crushed to death by a pirate ship while trying to save a music box. This tragedy causes Triton to ban music from Atlantica. Her death is likely why Triton dislikes humans so much in the first film.

Marina Del Rey

Marina Del Rey is a mermaid and the governess of King Triton's daughters in Ariel's Beginning. She is the main villainess of the film. Marina is tired of her job and wants to take Sebastian's place as the king's assistant.

She gets Sebastian and Ariel's secret music band sent to prison because music is banned. When they escape, Marina tries to stop them with her electric eels. She is eventually caught and sent to the dungeon for her crimes.

Benjamin

Benjamin is a light green manatee and Marina Del Rey's sidekick. Unlike Marina, Benjamin is kind and loves Ariel and her sisters. He wishes Marina would be nicer. After Marina is defeated, Benjamin is also sent to the dungeon with her.

Catfish Club Band

The Catfish Club Band is an underground music group in Atlantica. They play music even though King Triton has banned it. Sebastian is their bandleader and vocalist.

The other members are:

• Ray-Ray - A blue manta ray who plays the bass.
• Cheeks - A green blowfish who plays the saxophone.
• Ink Spot - A violet octopus who plays the piano.
• Shelbow - A teal sea turtle who plays the drums.

Characters from the Live-Action Film (2023)

Queen Selina

Queen Selina is Prince Eric's adoptive mother and the ruler of a Caribbean island kingdom. She was created specifically for the 2023 live-action film and is played by Noma Dumezweni.

Images for kids

• Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista and Andrina.png

  Ariel's sisters in the animated film.

• Glut.png

  Glut the shark.

• Flotsam and Jetsam.png

  Flotsam and Jetsam, Ursula's eel minions.

• 

  Grimsby, Prince Eric's loyal majordomo.

• Max.png

  Max, Prince Eric's dog.

• Chef Louis.png

  Chef Louis, the castle chef.

• Carlotta.png

  Carlotta, the castle housekeeper.

• Seahorse.png

  King Triton's herald, the Seahorse.

• Urchin.png

  Urchin, Ariel's merboy friend from the TV series.

• Gabriella and Ollie.png

  Gabriella and Ollie from the TV series.

• Pearl.png

  Pearl, a fun-loving mermaid from the TV series.

• Spot.png

  Spot, the orca whale calf.

• Dudley.png

  Dudley, the elderly sea turtle.

• Hans Christian Andersen.png

  Hans Christian Andersen in the TV series.

• Lobster Mobster and Da Shrimp.png

  Lobster Mobster and Da Shrimp, the bumbling villains.

• Manta.png

  Manta, a recurring villain from the TV series.

• Melody.png

  Melody, Ariel and Eric's daughter.

• Morgana.png

  Morgana, Ursula's sister and the villain of the sequel.

• Undertow.png

  Undertow, Morgana's shark minion.

• Cloak and Dagger.png

  Cloak and Dagger, Morgana's manta ray henchmen.

• Tip and Dash.png

  Tip and Dash, Melody's friends.

• Queen Athena.png

  Queen Athena, Ariel's mother.

• Marina Del Rey.png

  Marina Del Rey, the villainess from the prequel.

• Benjamin.png

  Benjamin, Marina Del Rey's manatee sidekick.

• Catfish Club Band.png

  The Catfish Club Band.

• Queen Selina.png

  Queen Selina, Eric's adoptive mother in the live-action film.