On this day, November 17, 1989, The Little Mermaid premiered in theaters, bringing the magic of Disney animation back to the big screen! Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, this beloved classic introduced audiences to Ariel, a young mermaid with dreams of living on land, and unforgettable characters like Sebastian and Ursula. With a $40 million budget, The Little Mermaid earned over $233 million globally, helping kick off Disney’s animation renaissance.