Ariel makes waves.
The first full trailer promotion The little Mermaid generated more than 108 million global views in its first 24 hours, making it one of the most-viewed trailers for any title in Disney’s growing stable of live-action reimaginings and the largest for a Disney live-action title page Lions King in early 2019, according to the study. The number of impressions is inclusive of the broadcast TV audience and digital.
The little Mermaid trailer dropped March 12 during the Oscars, where stars Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy introduced the spot. Bailey stars as Ariel in the live-action update of the 1989 animated classic, while McCarthy stars as the villainous Ursula.
Lions King‘s first full trailer got around 130 million views in the spring of 2019. Otherwise, The little Mermaid trailer surpassed the first full place to Aladdinwhich was viewed 106.5 million times. Mermaid also surpassed Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019), Mulan (2020) and Cruella (2021).
Directed by Rob Marshall, The little Mermaid opens in theaters over Memorial Day. Oscar winner Alan Menken returns to update his score and write a new song with lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The film will also feature four new songs original to the remake.
Javier Bardem, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay and Jonah Hauer-King star in the film, which tells the story of a mermaid longing to join the human world. Bailey, known as one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, was cast in July 2019, with the film marking her biggest role to date after work including a role on Adult-like. She will also be seen in the future The color Purple musical.
Over the past decade, Disney has found success with live-action remakes of its animated classics, with Beauty and the beast (2017), Aladdin and Lions King among those clearing $1 billion globally. Its upcoming remakes include snow white, starring Rachel Zegler and releasing in March 2024. Others in the works include Lilo & Stitchas well as one Lion King prequel, Mufasa: The Lion Kingfrom director Barry Jenkins.
Immediately following his in-show debut at the Oscars, The little Mermaid was Twitter’s No. 2 trend, where it remained for most of the night. The trailer also climbed to YouTube’s No. 1 Globally Trending video.
Disney revealed one The little Mermaid teaser trailer last year at D23.