Little Mermaid, The: Ariel’s Beginning (film) Direct to DVD animated feature, released by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment on August 26, 2008. A year before Ariel meets Prince Eric, she and her sisters share a love for music with their mother, Queen Athena. But when the Queen is captured by pirates, King Triton is heartbroken and bans music from Atlantica forever. Directed by Peggy Holmes. Voices include Jodi Benson (Ariel), Samuel E. Wright (Sebastian). From DisneyToon Studios.