You know that feeling when the screen fades to black, the music swells, and half the theater starts fumbling for their popcorn buckets? It’s a classic move. But honestly, if you walked out the second the screen went dark on Disney’s 2023 live-action reimagining, you missed more than just a list of names. The little mermaid end credits are actually a pretty massive undertaking that bridges the gap between 1989 nostalgia and modern filmmaking tech.
It’s not just about who played "Crab #4."
People usually stick around for one of two reasons: they’re waiting for a post-credits scene (the Marvel effect is real) or they’re soaking in the music. With this film, the "why" is a bit more nuanced. Rob Marshall, the director, chose a specific path for how this movie wraps up, and it says a lot about where Disney is at right now.
Is There a Post-Credits Scene in The Little Mermaid?
Let’s get the big question out of the way immediately. No.
There is no "stinger" or secret teaser at the very end of the little mermaid end credits. If you were hoping to see a glimpse of a sequel—maybe something hinting at Return to the Sea or a Melody spin-off—you’re out of luck. Once the final names scroll past and the production logos pop up, that’s it. The lights come up.
Why though? Well, unlike the MCU, Disney’s live-action remakes don't usually do the "cinematic universe" thing. They tend to be self-contained stories. Marshall’s vision for Ariel’s journey was a complete arc. Adding a goofy scene of Sebastian getting chased by a seagull after the music stops would have probably killed the emotional weight of that final farewell between Ariel and King Triton. Sometimes, a clean break is better.
The Music That Keeps You in Your Seat
Even without a bonus scene, people stayed. They stayed for Alan Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
👉 See also: Charlie Charlie Are You Here: Why the Viral Demon Myth Still Creeps Us Out
The little mermaid end credits are basically a victory lap for the soundtrack. You get the instrumental reprises that remind you why these songs have been stuck in our heads for thirty-plus years. But more importantly, the credits serve as a showcase for the "Big Three" new songs written specifically for this version: "Wild Uncharted Waters," "For the First Time," and "The Scuttlebutt."
Whether you love or hate the rap section in "The Scuttlebutt," hearing the orchestral arrangements of these tracks over the credits gives you a chance to appreciate the sheer scale of the production. The mix of Menken’s classic Broadway sensibilities and Miranda’s rhythmic modernism is a weird, beautiful hybrid that defines this era of Disney.
Breaking Down the Visuals and the Names
The scroll is long. Like, really long.
When you watch the little mermaid end credits, the sheer volume of VFX artists listed is staggering. This wasn’t just a "guy in a suit" movie. We’re talking about thousands of people from companies like MPC (Moving Picture Company) and Framestore. They had to invent "wet-for-dry" filming techniques, where actors were suspended on wires to simulate being underwater, and then every single strand of hair was digitally added later.
If you pay attention to the names, you see the specialized roles. Hair simulation leads. Water interaction specialists. Bioluminescence designers.
- The VFX Teams: These are the people who made Halle Bailey’s tail look like it actually belonged in the Caribbean.
- The Orchestrators: Led by Kevin Kliesch and others, they took Menken’s 1989 themes and inflated them for a massive 2023 soundstage.
- The Animal Wranglers: Yes, even in a heavy CGI movie, there are often real animals used for reference or in shore scenes.
It's a massive machine. It makes you realize that while Ariel is the heart, the "under the sea" world is built by people sitting behind monitors in London, Vancouver, and Los Angeles.
✨ Don't miss: Cast of Troubled Youth Television Show: Where They Are in 2026
The Tribute to Howard Ashman
One of the most touching aspects of the little mermaid end credits—and the film in general—is the lingering spirit of Howard Ashman. For those who aren't deep-track Disney nerds, Ashman was the lyrical genius behind the original movie who passed away from AIDS-related complications before he could see the full impact of his work.
The credits acknowledge the foundations he laid. You’ll see his name prominently alongside Menken’s. It’s a reminder that even though the 2023 version updated some lyrics (like in "Kiss the Girl" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls") to better reflect modern ideas of consent and agency, the DNA of the story still belongs to Ashman.
Why the Credits Style Matters
The aesthetic of the little mermaid end credits mirrors the film's "naturalistic" approach. It’s not flashy or cartoony. It’s elegant.
This reflects a specific trend in Disney’s live-action "Diamond" collection. They want these films to feel like prestige cinema. By using a more sophisticated font and a slower, more deliberate scroll over evocative imagery or a black background, they are signaling to the audience: This wasn't just a kids' cartoon; this was an Epic.
The Real Reason You Should Stay (E-E-A-T Perspective)
From a film industry standpoint, staying for the credits is about more than just finding Easter eggs. It’s about acknowledging the technical complexity that people often take for granted.
Experts in cinematography, like Dion Beebe, used incredible lighting rigs to simulate the way light refracts through water (caustics). When you see the lighting department listed in the little mermaid end credits, you’re seeing the names of people who had to figure out how to make a blue-screen room in London look like a coral reef.
🔗 Read more: Cast of Buddy 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
If you’re a film student or a technical geek, the credits are a map. They tell you which studios are currently at the top of the food chain for water simulation. They show you who the go-to choreographers are for "movement in zero-gravity" environments.
Common Misconceptions About the Ending
People often get confused about a few things regarding how the movie wraps up during that final scroll.
- "I heard there was a teaser for Hercules!" No. That was a TikTok rumor. There is zero connection to other live-action remakes in the credits.
- "Did they change the credits for the Disney+ release?" Sometimes Disney tweaks things for streaming (like adding "In Memory Of" cards), but the core of the little mermaid end credits remains the same as the theatrical run.
- "Is the original Ariel in the credits?" Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel, has a wonderful cameo in the movie (she’s the one who hands Ariel the fork—sorry, dinglehopper—at the market). Her name is indeed in the credits, which is a lovely full-circle moment for fans of the 1989 version.
What to Do Now
If you’re a fan of the film or just curious about the craft, don't just let the credits roll in the background while you're cleaning your living room.
Take a second to look for the "Casting" section. Notice how many people it took just to find the right voices for the background merfolk.
Check out the "Special Thanks" list. This is usually where you’ll find nods to the original creators or family members of the production team who passed away during filming. It adds a human layer to a very digital-heavy movie.
Listen for the transition in the score. The way the music shifts from the sweeping orchestral "Main Titles" into the pop-influenced tracks is a masterclass in sound editing.
The little mermaid end credits aren't a chore to sit through—they are the final chapter of a massive creative journey. Next time you watch, stay for the music, stay for the names, and stay for the sheer scale of what it takes to bring a mermaid to life in the 2020s.
To dive deeper into the technical side, you can look up the "Making Of" specials on Disney+, which often interview the very people you see scrolling past in those final minutes. It makes the names on the screen feel a lot more real when you see the actual faces behind the digital magic.