International Mermaid Day is a holiday dedicated to celebrating the mythical creature known as the mermaid. Observed annually on March 29, it is a day for people to dress up like mermaids, watch mermaid-themed movies and indulge in other activities related to these magical creatures. In honor of International Mermaid Day, here are 10 movies, books and shows to watch out for.
The Waterfire Saga
The Waterfire Saga, by Jennifer Donnelly, is a series of four books about six teenage mermaids who team up to destroy a monster named Abbadon. They go on a quest to find six talismans, forming a strong sisterhood along the way. The mermaids have different backgrounds and strengths, but together, they become an unstoppable force. Donnelly describes one of the mermaids, Serafina, as brave, kind, loyal, nerdy, tough and devoted to her people. The series is available to purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.
“H2O: Just Add Water”
“H2O: Just Add Water” is a classic Australian TV series with three seasons. The show features Emma, Cleo and Rikki as three normal teenage girls. One day, when coming in contact with water after a full moon, they suddenly gain magical powers and transform into mermaids. The series follows their journey facing challenges and villains. It first aired in 2006 and ended in 2010 and is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
“The Little Mermaid” (1989 film)
“The Little Mermaid” is a Walt Disney animated film released in 1989. The story follows Ariel, a mermaid who saves Prince Eric and falls in love with him. Ursula, a sea witch, offers to make Ariel human in exchange for her voice, giving her three days to make Eric fall in love with her. In the end, Ariel ruins Ursula’s plan, regains her voice and marries Eric with the blessing of her father, King Triton. The film ends with a grand wedding celebration. “The Little Mermaid” is now streaming on Disney+.
“Barbie in A Mermaid Tale”
“Barbie in a Mermaid Tale” is an animated film about Merliah, a teenage surfer who discovers her true identity as a half-mermaid. Merliah journeys to the underwater kingdom of Oceana to save it from Eris, an evil sea monster. The film’s vivid animation brings Oceana to life and imparts a valuable lesson about being true to oneself. It remains a beloved favorite among Barbie enthusiasts and has a sequel, “Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2,” which are both available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, YouTube and Google Play.
“Aquamarine”
“Aquamarine” is a 2006 American romantic comedy fantasy film. Directed by Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum, the story follows two best friends, Claire and Hailey. They encounter a mermaid named Aquamarine in the swimming pool of the beach club where they work. Aquamarine, on a quest to prove that love exists, enlists the girls’ help to win the heart of a human boy, Raymond, in exchange for granting them a wish. As the girls aid Aquamarine in her quest, they find their own romantic interests and overcome obstacles, such as mean girls at the beach club and Aquamarine’s father, who is determined to take her back to the sea. This film is another classic known for its lighthearted and exciting storyline, and is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
“Ponyo”
A well-known Studio Ghibli film, “Ponyo,” released in 2008. The film’s plot revolves around the extraordinary tale of a young adventurous fish named Ponyo. Ponyo is able to transform into a human being and in this film, she forges a bond with a young boy named Sosuke. As her magical abilities become more powerful, she ruins the balance of nature. This Japanese film shows the special bond that humans have with nature and goes in-depth to show the importance of a healthy balance between humans and nature. The music and visuals in “Ponyo” give it the quality that every Studio Ghibli film is famous for. The film is available to stream on HBO Max.
“Fishtales”
The 2007 film “Fishtales,” starring Billy Zane, Kelly Brook and director and actor Alki David, is another movie that many of us grew up with. This story is about Thomas Bradley, a classics professor whose wife died. Thomas spends a summer on an island in Greece to finish some of his research on ancient love spells. The professor brings his daughter with him to the Greek island and she goes on a quest to find a mermaid for her lonely father. He falls in love with the most beautiful mermaid and battles an evil sea captain for her love. “Fishtales” is a comedy and romance movie all in one. This movie is available to rent or purchase on YouTube, Google Play and Apple TV.
“The Thirteenth Year”
The 1999 movie, “The Thirteenth Year,” is about Cody Griffin, a 13-year-old boy who faces some new challenges. Cody is a regular boy with adoptive parents, but when he turns 13 years old, he discovers some new things about himself that he did not know before. Cody begins to grow scales on his hands when coming into contact with water, as well as fins on his arms. Cody soon discovers that his own birth mother is a mermaid. Cody’s friend soon discovers his merman features and becomes fascinated with his abilities. Cody is able to do things like generate electricity, stick to the walls and ceilings, and grow scales and fins on his body. Since this movie is made by Disney, viewers can watch it on Disney+ or Amazon Prime.
“The Little Mermaid” (2023 film)
“The Little Mermaid” is a live-action remake of the 1989 Disney classic, starring Halle Bailey as the titular character. The film’s storyline remains faithful to the original animated version, and the trailer features a glimpse of underwater scenes and Halle Bailey singing “Part of Your World.” David Magee, Rob Marshall and John DeLuca are producing the movie, which is set to be released exclusively in theaters nationwide on May 26.
“To Kill A Kingdom”
“To Kill A Kingdom” by Alexandra Christo, published in 2018, features Princess Lira, a siren who is transformed into a human by her mother, the Sea Queen, after she kills one of her own. In order to regain her siren form, Lira must deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen before the winter solstice. The book contains similarities to “The Little Mermaid,” including a sinking ship. “To Kill A Kingdom” is available to borrow as an e-book from the Alvin Sherman Library.
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