The remake of the 1989 Disney animated classic features Halle Bailey as Ariel and has been praised by critics for Bailey's performance, but has received a mixed reaction from critics with a 67% positive review on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, audiences have given the movie a much more positive reception with a 95% rating on the same site.

The movie has been the subject of controversy due to the casting of a Black actress as Ariel, which has led to some social media users posting racist tropes.

Despite the controversy, the movie was successful and was the second-highest grossing movie of the weekend behind 2007's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End".

The movie has already surpassed the $100 million mark including international ticket sales.