Films like The Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid (1989) reads as Cosy, kinetic, measured animation / family, inventive in texture. Redemptive, mid-stakes, tender. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Happy Feet (2006) (2006) poster
1. Happy Feet2006

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) poster
2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone2001

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

A Bug's Life (1998) poster
3. A Bug's Life1998

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Cat Returns (2002) poster
4. The Cat Returns2002

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Porco Rosso (1992) poster
5. Porco Rosso1992

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998) poster
6. Kirikou and the Sorceress1998

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Lilo & Stitch (2002) poster
7. Lilo & Stitch2002

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Unico (1981) poster
8. Unico1981

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Babe: Pig in the City (1998) poster
9. Babe: Pig in the City1998

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism; trades toward a cold, bleak undertow.

Castle in the Sky (1986) poster
10. Castle in the Sky1986

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Magic Flute (1975) poster
11. The Magic Flute1975

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Princes and Princesses (2000) poster
12. Princes and Princesses2000

Keeps the stubborn streak of hope and the documentary-plain realism — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are The Little Mermaid’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

Find my film for tonight — 60 sec →