Merbabies
Merbabies
Your feedback improves this guide
Your feedback highlights guides that need a second look and keeps the rating trustworthy.
Does this age rating seem accurate to you?
Sign in to vote
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
0/5
None
Fear
1/5
Mild
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated short presents a whimsical, musical underwater world centered on tiny merbabies attending a sea circus. Sensitive content is very limited and mostly comes from classic cartoon style action, including quick movement, unusual sea creatures, and a few mildly surprising visual moments linked to the ocean setting. The intensity stays very low throughout, with no real violence, no problematic language, and no adult material, making it broadly reassuring for young children. Very sensitive viewers might still react to the busy visuals, the parade atmosphere, or the large marine animals, especially if they are easily startled by sudden sound or motion. For parents, this is mainly a film to watch alongside very young children if they can become overstimulated, while gently naming the creatures and reminding them that the whole story is playful and make believe.
Synopsis
Walt Disney enlisted former colleagues Hugh Harman and Rudy Ising to help create this underwater Silly Symphony. Ocean waves form merbabies who are summoned to an aquatic circus playground on the sea floor, where they interact with a parade of seahorses, starfish and other marine life, before disappearing into the surface from which they came.
Difficult scenes
The sudden appearance of many merbabies emerging from the waves may briefly surprise a very young child because the motion is quick and the image is visually busy. The scene still feels gentle and magical, with no threat or real danger. During the underwater circus sequence, several sea creatures parade and perform lively visual acts. A sensitive child may be slightly unsettled by some unusual shapes or by the energetic sound and movement, even though the overall tone remains light and playful.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Short film
- Year
- 1938
- Runtime
- 8m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Studios
- Walt Disney Productions
Content barometer
Violence
0/5
None
Fear
1/5
Mild
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated short presents a whimsical, musical underwater world centered on tiny merbabies attending a sea circus. Sensitive content is very limited and mostly comes from classic cartoon style action, including quick movement, unusual sea creatures, and a few mildly surprising visual moments linked to the ocean setting. The intensity stays very low throughout, with no real violence, no problematic language, and no adult material, making it broadly reassuring for young children. Very sensitive viewers might still react to the busy visuals, the parade atmosphere, or the large marine animals, especially if they are easily startled by sudden sound or motion. For parents, this is mainly a film to watch alongside very young children if they can become overstimulated, while gently naming the creatures and reminding them that the whole story is playful and make believe.
Synopsis
Walt Disney enlisted former colleagues Hugh Harman and Rudy Ising to help create this underwater Silly Symphony. Ocean waves form merbabies who are summoned to an aquatic circus playground on the sea floor, where they interact with a parade of seahorses, starfish and other marine life, before disappearing into the surface from which they came.
Difficult scenes
The sudden appearance of many merbabies emerging from the waves may briefly surprise a very young child because the motion is quick and the image is visually busy. The scene still feels gentle and magical, with no threat or real danger. During the underwater circus sequence, several sea creatures parade and perform lively visual acts. A sensitive child may be slightly unsettled by some unusual shapes or by the energetic sound and movement, even though the overall tone remains light and playful.