The History and Evolution of The Little Mermaid Posters Over 30 Years

The History and Evolution of The Little Mermaid Posters

The Little Mermaid is one of Disney's most beloved animated films. First released in 1989, the movie tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human. The film was a huge box office success and marked the start of the Disney Renaissance era. But before the film hit theaters, Disney heavily marketed The Little Mermaid with a series of stunning posters and promotional artwork.

In this article, we'll take a look at the different Little Mermaid posters and artwork used to promote the film over the past 30+ years. We'll examine how the marketing and posters have evolved from the initial theatrical release to home video and Blu-ray. Let's dive in!

1989 Theatrical Poster

The original 1989 theatrical poster for The Little Mermaid features Ariel perched on a rock looking longingly at the surface, with a bright blue background. The poster clearly establishes Ariel's desire to join the human world. Her flowing red hair and green tail pop against the background. The font used for the title is ornate and fanciful, fitting the magical fairy tale theme.

This iconic imagery let audiences know The Little Mermaid would be a whimsical and visually stunning adventure. Disney heavily featured this art across promotional items like shirts, lunchboxes, and bedding. It remains one of the most recognizable Little Mermaid posters even today.

1990 VHS Release Poster

In 1990, Disney released The Little Mermaid on VHS home video. The VHS poster features similar art to the theatrical release, with Ariel perched on a rock looking at the surface. But the background is darker, with a shipwreck and deep sea creatures like an octopus and shark lurking below.

This ominous imagery hints that danger awaits Ariel on land. The poster lets audiences know they'll be getting the same enchanting tale with some new ominous elements. The deep sea creatures also foreshadow Ursula the villainous sea witch.

1990s International Posters

Disney created unique Little Mermaid posters for international markets in languages like Spanish, French, and Japanese. Many spotlight Prince Eric, the human Ariel falls in love with. In Germany, the poster depicted their iconic dance scene. An Italian poster focused on the comical Chef Louis character.

These international posters allowed specific cultures to connect with characters and moments that resonated most with local audiences. The posters also featured altered title fonts and text tailored to each language.

1990s Special Edition Posters

As The Little Mermaid remained popular through the 1990s, Disney re-released the film in theaters. They created new posters that put Ariel front and center with bolder background colors of yellow, purple, and red.

Some special edition posters spotlighted Ariel looking longingly at Prince Eric. Others featured Ariel smiling brightly, conveying her cheerful optimism. The re-release posters helped attract new generations of audiences to the film while generating nostalgia for fans of the original.

1998 VHS Poster

In 1998, Disney gave The Little Mermaid another VHS home video release with updated cover art. The poster features Ariel peeking around a pillar, with deep shades of blue and purple. Sebastian the crab joins her, adding bright pops of red.

This art focused more on the sense of mystery and magic of the underwater world. The pillar frames the image almost like we're spying on a private moment between Ariel and Sebastian. The dreamlike quality aims to capture viewers' imaginations.

2006 Platinum Edition DVD

For the 2006 Platinum DVD edition, Disney returned to the iconic image of Ariel sitting on the rock and looking up at the surface. But the art was updated in a more vivid, dynamic style. Ariel's flowing hair swirls dramatically around her.

The bolder art nicely conveyed the film's energy and dynamism. Brighter shades of teal and purple in the background create a magical underwater scene. This Platinum DVD cover helped make the film feel fresh and exciting for contemporary audiences.

2013 3D Blu-ray

When The Little Mermaid was converted to 3D in 2013, Disney used the makeover as a chance to create new poster art. The Blu-ray cover features Ariel swimming upward with a trail of bubbles behind her. The iconic castle from the film is visible at the ocean surface.

The bubbly underwater scene captures Ariel's sense of motion, adventure, and enchantment. The 3D conversion of the film is hinted at through the bubbles and depth of field. Ariel's flowing hair and the rippling ocean create a dynamic, vivid scene fitting for a 3D animated world.

2019 Signature Collection Poster

For the 30th anniversary Signature Collection Blu-ray/DVD release in 2019, Disney commissioned all-new Little Mermaid art. The poster features Ariel gazing into a bubble, presumably dreaming of the human world above. Vibrant coral frames the simple, elegant composition.

The subdued, introspective art nicely celebrates the film's legacy and lasting impact on audiences. The bubble symbolizes Ariel's boundless imagination. And the piece has an artful, timeless quality befitting an iconic film entering its 30th year.

The Enduring Legacy of The Little Mermaid Posters

Over the past 30+ years, The Little Mermaid posters and promotional art have constantly evolved to keep pace with animation styles and marketing trends. Yet certain iconic images and compositions remain unforgettable, like Ariel sitting on the rock gazing at the surface world.

Disney has carefully ensured the posters stay fresh and exciting for new generations of viewers, while tapping into nostalgia for longtime fans. The beautiful art also captures the wondrous imagination, optimism, and heart that make The Little Mermaid so beloved. These qualities shine through in each new poster created for the film.

So for Disney animation fans, The Little Mermaid posters offer a visual timeline of the film's journey into the hearts of audiences worldwide. They remind us of the magic that arises when you dare to dream a better world. Or as Ariel sings, "Bright young women, sick of swimming, ready to stand..."

FAQs

What was unique about the 1989 theatrical poster for The Little Mermaid?

The 1989 poster featured Ariel sitting on a rock looking longingly at the surface, establishing her desire to join the human world. Her bright red hair and green tail popped against the blue background. This iconic imagery let audiences know they were in for a magical adventure.

How did international posters for The Little Mermaid differ?

International posters often focused on Prince Eric or highlighted moments and characters that resonated with specific cultures. The posters featured altered fonts and text tailored to each language.

How did the 2006 Platinum Edition DVD poster update the original art?

The 2006 poster returned to the iconic scene of Ariel gazing at the surface, but updated it in a bold, dynamic style with swirling hair and vivid background colors. This helped make the film feel exciting and fresh.

What unique approach was taken for the 2013 Blu-ray poster art?

The 2013 poster featured Ariel swimming upward towards the ocean's surface, with the film's castle in view. This captured her sense of motion, adventure and 3D environment.

Why does the 2019 Signature Collection poster stand out?

The elegant 2019 art of Ariel gazing into a dreamlike bubble nicely celebrated the film's legacy for its 30th anniversary. The introspective art has a nostalgic, timeless quality.