The 5 Best Merman Movies And TV Series

In this article, I will tell you about five merman movies and TV shows that are worth checking out.

While there are many mermaid movies and series out there, with new ones coming up regularly, we don’t often hear about movies featuring the male counterparts of mermaids: mermen.

So, let’s jump right into it.

1. Aquaman

Aquaman is the most popular underwater superhero after the 2018 hit movie of the same name. The story which is based on the popular DC comic revolves around the young Arthur who learns that the ocean urgently needs his help. As he discovers his aquatic superhero abilities, he also uncovers which dangerous scheming is happening in the underwater world.

Even though Aquaman does not have a merman tail himself, he is still pretty much what you would expect a merman to be. And some of the merfolk actually do have tails and scales as well.

With all the intricate underwater creatures and the beautiful underwater shots, this action-packed movie is a thrilling watch for mermaid and merman fans.

Since this is the most popular movie on this list, you might have already seen it. If that is the case, you can be excited as well: The second movie “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is scheduled to come out in 2023!

2. The Thirteenth Year

This Disney Channel Original is a comedy movie from 1999. It deals with the 13-year-old boy Cody who suddenly turns into a merman.

Until now, Cody was a seemingly normal boy who happens to love swimming for the school team. But on his thirteenth birthday, a lot of strange things start happening. From feeling very thirsty and developing electrical powers to taking to fish – this movie definitely holds a few fun surprises.

The changes in his body put Cody in a few difficult situations. One of them has to do with the mystery of his birth mother…

Seeing a boy transform into a mermaid, is refreshing to watch since most teen movies only feature female merpeople.

3. The Starry Night, The Starry Sea

This Chinese fantasy romance TV series from 2017 follows the story of a young woman named Shen Luo. After living in a big city, she decides to return to her small island hometown. One day, as she is taking a walk in the park, a strange man is asking her for water. She does not hesitate and buys him several bottles until his thirst is stilled.

But this encounter does not end up being the last one with that man. In fact, he came to the island with a purpose: he is on the search for a pearl that he desperately needs to keep himself alive. As it turns out, this search is dangerously tied to Shen Lou…

Instead of the typical love story between a mermaid and a human man, this one is just the opposite. Quite refreshing!

Now, the series is admittedly a little cheesy at times but it actually has many comedic elements and takes you on a mostly lighthearted, fun journey.

Thanks to the series platform Viki, you can watch the whole series with English subtitles online for free.

4. The Shape of Water

The next movie on this list is a bit dark but at the same time one of the most beautiful.

The Shape of Water is a 2017 romantic fantasy movie that plays back in 1962. The mute woman Elisa works as a cleaner at a high-security government laboratory. One day when she cleans a dodgy room, she discovers the unbelievable – a merman /amphibian-like creature captured in a big water tank.

She is instantly drawn to him and finds sweet ways to communicate with him. But a colonel from the laboratory has evil plans for the creature. Elisa has to act fast to save the merman while she is slowly falling in love with him…

This merman does definitely not have the typical merman look. He does not have a tail but instead scales all over his body and an uncanny resemblance to a lizard-like creature. But this fact actually makes the love story in this movie even more captivating!

5. Mako: Island of Secrets

The last mention on this list is a TV series from Australia with 3 seasons that were recorded from 2013 to 2016. As a spin-off of the most popular mermaid series ever (H2O: Just Add Water), it took a different approach to the mermaid shows by actually making a merman the center of the story.

The boy Zac accidentally falls into the secret moon cave on the island of Mako during the full moon. Through the magical powers of this pool, he is turned into a merman – to the horror of the three mermaids who were supposed to guard the magical pool that night. Because the mermaid’s power in the hands of a man is a very bad sign.

The three mermaids have no other choice but to leave the ocean and track that boy down before he gets too powerful…

This TV series takes a fun take on how mermaids feel when they have to enter the human world against their choice and how being a merman on the other hand can change one boy’s life completely. Definitely an interesting watch with many funny scenes.