Save the Cat rankings

THE LITTLE MERMAID script analysis

THE LITTLE MERMAID script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Ariel, a curious mermaid, longs for life among humans and clashes with her father, King Triton. After rescuing Prince Eric, she makes a fateful deal with Ursula that strips her voice and throws her world into chaos. With help from her friends, Ariel races to stop Ursula’s wedding ruse and reclaim her voice. In the end, true love and family bonds are restored, and Ariel finds her place on land.

85 Save the Cat fit score 70% analysis confidence / 13 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

70%

Introduces ocean setting and mermaid lore with sailors singing about merpeople.

Isn't this great? The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face . . . a perfect...
2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / Page 1 / 5% target

60%

Establishes Ariel’s absence at her father’s concert hinting at her desire to be elsewhere, foreshadowing theme of longing for freedom.

3

Set-Up

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 10% target

70%

Ariel’s fascination with human artifacts and bond with Flounder are established during the sunken ship exploration.

4

Catalyst

Scene 7 / Page 1 / 12% target

80%

Ariel rescues the drowning Prince Eric, setting the main quest in motion.

Whoa, hang on - I've gottcha.
5

Debate

Scene 6 / Page 1 / 20% target

70%

Confrontation with King Triton highlights Ariel’s conflict between obedience and her own desires.

As long as you live under my ocean, you'll obey my rules!
6

Break into Two

Scene 5 / Page 1 / 25% target

60%

Ursula plots to use Ariel as a pawn, moving the story into the undersea villain’s domain.

7

B Story

Scene 4 / Page 1 / 30% target

70%

Ariel’s friendship with Scuttle develops as he explains human artifacts, grounding the emotional support storyline.

It's a dinglehopper! Humans use these little babies . . . to straighten their hair out.
8

Fun and Games

Scene 3 / Page 1 / 40% target

60%

Ariel’s fascination with human world deepens through her playful artifact collection.

9

Midpoint

Scene 8 / Page 1 / 50% target

80%

Ursula’s transformation into Vanessa raises stakes as she actively manipulates events on land.

Nice work, boys. That was a close one. Too close. The little tramp! Oh, she's better than I...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scene 9 / Page 1 / 65% target

70%

Eric becomes enchanted by Ursula/Vanessa, tightening Ursula’s control and isolating Ariel.

Eric, if I may say, far better than any dream girl, is one of flesh and blood, one...
11

All Is Lost

Scene 10 / Page 1 / 75% target

70%

Scuttle’s announcement of the impending royal wedding suggests Ariel has lost her chance to win Eric.

Ariel! Ariel, wake up! Wake up! I just heard the news. Congratula- tions, kiddo, we did it!
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 11 / Page 1 / 80% target

70%

Ariel watches helplessly as Ursula’s plan unfolds on the wedding ship, feeling truly defeated.

The sea witch! Oh no . . . She's- I gotta. . . Ariel! Ariel! Ariel. I was...
13

Break into Three

Scene 12 / Page 1 / 85% target

80%

Ariel regains her voice during the ceremony, reigniting hope and launching the final push.

You - you can talk. You're the one.
14

Finale

Scene 13 / Page 1 / 95% target

80%

Climactic battle sees Ursula defeated and Triton restoring Ariel’s humanity in resolution.

15

Final Image

Scene 13 / Page 1 / 99% target

70%

Ends with Ariel on land, fulfilling her dream and contrasting the opening ocean image.