Disney has confirmed that hand-drawn animation is making a comeback at Walt Disney Animation Studios, and fans have already begun speculating about what that first new 2D feature will be. One rumor that has spread online is that it will introduce a princess with long black hair—but that part remains just that: speculation.
While everyone debates who Disney’s next princess might be, I keep thinking about something else.
What if Disney used this long-awaited return to hand-drawn animation to give us The Little Mermaid 3—the sequel fans actually wanted?
For a generation of audiences, Disney animation wasn’t just about technology—it was about artistry. Every frame of films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame felt handcrafted. The movement, the colors, and the emotion carried a warmth that even today’s stunning computer animation often struggles to replicate.
If Disney is truly embracing traditional animation again, it has an opportunity to do more than introduce a brand-new princess.
It has the opportunity to revisit one of its most beloved stories.
The direct-to-video prequel The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning never felt like the continuation fans had been waiting for. Instead of exploring Ariel’s life after becoming human, it went backward. It answered questions few people were asking while leaving the story many of us actually wanted untold.
Imagine what a true third film could be.
Ariel has now spent years living between two worlds. She’s no longer simply “the little mermaid.” She’s a queen, a mother, and a bridge between humanity and Atlantica. Her family has grown, the relationship between the ocean and the human kingdom has evolved, and there are countless stories still waiting to be told.
A new sequel could explore diplomacy between two civilizations, environmental stewardship, family legacy, and the challenges of balancing two identities—all while delivering the unforgettable music, romance, and emotional storytelling that made the original a timeless classic.
For more than a decade, Disney has invested heavily in live-action remakes. While many have been commercially successful, they’ve also left many longtime fans asking for something different. We don’t just want to revisit these worlds—we want to see them move forward.
A return to 2D animation is more than a nostalgic decision. It’s a chance to celebrate one of Disney’s greatest artistic traditions while proving that hand-drawn animation still has the power to captivate audiences of all ages.
If Disney is searching for the perfect way to celebrate the return of hand-drawn animation, I think the answer has been swimming beneath the surface all along.
Forget another remake.
Give us The Little Mermaid 3.

By Jonathan Marquez and Deekseek