Ariel is 18 years old in the 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. While she was originally portrayed as 16 years old in the 1989 animated film, Disney's production notes for the 2023 version describe her as a "spirited 18-year-old." This age adjustment aligns better with Halle Bailey's age (the actress playing Ariel) and allows for a slightly more mature portrayal of the character
. In the live-action film, clues such as Ursula mentioning Ariel was a child 15 years ago help confirm this age. This change also helps address concerns about Ariel's quick marriage to Prince Eric by making her older and more believable in the role
