The film was originally released on November 17 , 1989 , followed by re-release on November 14 , 1997 . After the success of the 3D re-release of '' The Lion King '' , Disney announced a 3D re-release of '' The Little Mermaid '' scheduled for September 13 , 2013 , but this was cancelled on January 14 , 2013 , due to the under-performances of other Disney 3D re-releases until further notice . The 3D version was released on Blu-ray instead , but it did play a limited engagement at the El Capitan Theatre from September to October 2013 . On September 20 , 2013 , '' The Little Mermaid '' began playing in select theaters where audiences could bring iPads and use an app called Second Screen Live . The film was also screened out of competition at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival
1990 Cannes Film Festival
1990 Cannes Film Festival
The Little Mermaid (1989 film)