November 17 is the 321st day of the year, and marks 44 days until the end of the year. However, for Disney fans, this date holds a special meaning. November 17th, 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of one of Disney’s greatest – The Little Mermaid. Considered by many to be one of Disney’s greatest films, The Little Mermaid allowed children to find their voices and to go under the sea.
The film has become one of Disney’s greatest hits. The music was creative, fun, and memorable, it had a decent story, and it appealed to both children and adults. Ariel became one of the most popular princesses. It also marked Disney’s first fairy tale since 1959’s Sleeping Beauty. Because of the success of the film, there was an increase of jobs at the animation studios in under a year, from just over 800 to well over 2000. It is also considered the film that started what became Disney’s greatest period in animation and what many consider the reason why Disney is head of the animation field. The Little Mermaid did so well, it spawned two sequels and a hit Broadway musical.
One of the main songs, Part of your World, still moves many to tears and is still performed by Jodi Benson at conventions, award shows and more. It has become one of the most interpreted Disney songs to this day and brings many back to their childhood memories. Artists who have covered the song include Miley Cyrus, Megan Hilty, Darren Criss and more. Perhaps the most stunning version, apart from the original is that of Broadway’s Ariel, Sierra Boggess.
Whether you watched the film for the first time as a child, or watched it for the first time with your own children, it’s pretty much a given that you’ll see the film at least once. Here’s to 25 more years!