Mermaids

Play trailer

Mermaids

PG-13

1990

1h 50m

Comedy

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

71%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Flax (Winona Ryder) is tired of her wacky mom (Cher) moving their family to a different town any time she feels it is necessary. When they move to a small Massachusetts town and Mrs. Flax begins dating a shopkeeper (Bob Hoskins), Charlotte and her 9-year-old sister, Kate (Christina Ricci), hope that they can finally settle down. But when Charlotte's attraction to an older man gets in the way, the family must learn to accept each other for who they truly are.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Variety Staff

Variety

03/26/2009

The delightful Ryder, billing notwithstanding, is really the star.

Go to Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

06/24/2006

Self-conscious, eccentric...

Go to Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

05/20/2003

3/5

Miss Ryder is so good, in fact, that "Mermaids" might have dared to be a tougher, more satisfying movie than the stylish sitcom it is.

Go to Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

06/11/2023

... a sweet if familiar tale, part eccentric family comedy and part coming of age romance.... It’s not always convincing but it is warmly directed by Richard Benjamin and set to a soundtrack of pop songs of the early 1960s.

Go to Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

11/03/2022

Mermaids is not offensively bad. It would need energy for that. [Full review in Spanish]

Go to Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

09/14/2020

7/10

Every character is personable and amusingly written, with a persevering wittiness present even during sadder moments.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Douglas E

@RT50442544 Feb 5

I watched this movie because of Winona Ryder and ended up enjoying it. I recommend it.

See more

Monty G

@Montyginger Jan 1

A Cult Classic ! Winona and Cher’s chemistry GOD I LOVE THIS MOVIE !

See more

Tiandra F

@RT34062981 Oct 2

super nostalgic. hard to believe i hadn’t heard of it before, especially considering all the star power!! but, if you think about it Ryder and Ricci probably weren’t considered stars just yet. the age difference was the only cringe-worthy thing, but gotta consider the times… the title drew me in, the story line and acting kept me! and the score was well done. this just made it to my top 15 list, maybe even top 10. the trick-or-treat scene was timely considering i watched it on October 1st. so yeah, an easy 5/5 for me.

See more

Frans B

@FransB Jul 27

Loved this one. Cher, Bob Hoskins, Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci really shines in their characters. Very well written and directed to a T by Richard Benjamin. Great cinematography. This movie might just be a benchmark in many senses of the word. Deeply emotional, highly energetic, wacky, witty and razor sharp wit. Very entertaining.

See more

Dahiana M

@dahi_martinez 07/13/2025

Amé esta película de inicio a fin, Winona dando una actuación impecable y Cher que nunca decepciona. Definitivamente merece mucho más reconocimiento

See more

ADAM K

@RT96449799 02/16/2025

Cher is a fantastic actress. Ricci and Ryder perfect for their roles. Funny, serious and touching film. Real life

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Richard Benjamin

Director

Cher

Mrs. Flax

Winona Ryder

Charlotte Flax

Bob Hoskins

Lou Landsky

Michael Schoeffling

Joe

Christina Ricci

Kate Flax

Mermaids: Official Clip - Charlotte and Joe Kiss

1:36

Mermaids: Official Clip - You Drive Like Old People

0:45

Mermaids: Official Clip - Can't We Just Stay?

3:55

Mermaids: Official Clip - Running Away

2:26

Mermaids: Official Clip - Shoe Shopping

1:15

Mermaids: Official Clip - He's Late

1:45

Mermaids: Official Clip - You Kissed Him!

1:48

Mermaids: Official Clip - Pregnancy Scare

1:34

Mermaids: Official Clip - Bus Ride Home

2:27

Mermaids: Official Clip - Charlotte Babbles

1:24

View more videos

Hannah and Her Sisters

92%

90%

Hannah and Her Sisters

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Hannah and Her Sisters

Desperately Seeking Susan

86%

63%

Desperately Seeking Susan

Watchlist

Men Don't Leave

83%

63%

Men Don't Leave

Watchlist

Immediate Family

54%

55%

Immediate Family

Watchlist

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

90%

89%

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Watchlist

TRAILER

for What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Charlotte Flax (Winona Ryder) is tired of her wacky mom (Cher) moving their family to a different town any time she feels it is necessary. When they move to a small Massachusetts town and Mrs. Flax begins dating a shopkeeper (Bob Hoskins), Charlotte and her 9-year-old sister, Kate (Christina Ricci), hope that they can finally settle down. But when Charlotte's attraction to an older man gets in the way, the family must learn to accept each other for who they truly are.

Director: Richard Benjamin
Producer: Lauren Lloyd, Wallis Nicita, Patrick J. Palmer
Screenwriter: June Roberts
Production Co: Orion Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.9M
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo