The Little Mermaid In Theatres 2013!

The Little Mermaid will be returning to Australian Theatres in 2013!

So far, the release is only expected to go for the one weekend, the 31st of August/ 1st of September, apparently as part of a larger, thus-far undisclosed event.

The announcement came from the official Disney Australia & New Zealand Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/DisneyAUNZ) in response to a query about the film in a "What Would You Like To Get From This" post the page managers had started that same day. On Wednesday the 24th of April they wrote:

"We can give you an update on The Little Mermaid theatrical for sure. Sorry about the conflicting info. The Little Mermaid will DEFINITELY return to theatres in Australia & New Zealand this year. We are running a special limited edition screening of The Little Mermaid in select cinemas on the last weekend of August, Saturday August 31st and Sunday September 1st. We will share with you more information about the screening as we get closer to August."

There was no mention as to whether the film would be given a cinematic 3D release, but given the additional expenditure to do so combined with the very short season I'd speculate "No".

Hoyts will be the probable distributor, as they currently carry most of Disney's classic cinematic releases as of late. For example,  Disney's Peter Pan (1953) is currently screening at Hoyts and not at Village Cinemas. This contrasts to a few weeks ago when Village Cinemas had a page dedicated to The Little Mermaid in 3D, including dates and specific cinemas later this year. This page (http://secure.villagecinemas.com.au/Movies/The-Little-Mermaid-3D.htm) disappeared for a few days but was then put back up. At the time of this writing, it was up and states:

"Screening Saturday June 8 to Monday June 10 at Southland, Fountain Gate and Knox"

Based on what I've heard from Disney, I don't think this will go ahead. But keep an eye on it!
Update: I called Village Cinemas, who confirmed that the screenings will not be going ahead.

If you can't make it on the weekend but are dying to see it in this premium experience, do not lose all hope. Screenings at a later point in time may still be possible (though thus far unscheduled) as long as the movie is out of moratorium. It is not unusual for Hoyts to have small Disney festivals and screening reruns.

Also, if you live in Melbourne, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI; acmi.net.au) often runs large-screen screenings of movies currently out on home release. However, if you are after the true cinema experience, ACMI screenings can be somewhat lackluster. I went to a screening of Snow White a few years ago and it hurt my eyes to look at the old film stock they were using.

This super-short cinema season coincides with the release of the movie on DVD/Blu-Ray in Australia on September 4th.

While I haven't found any details about a US cinema release, the US Blu-Ray release is slated as being one month after AUS. Since the Australian cinema announcement was only made this week, the US may very well still get it on the big screen.

To those who can make it, YAY! To those who miss out, sit tight; your dream of seeing this beautiful masterpiece on the big screen may yet come true!