Aquamarine (film)
A mermaid must prove true love exists in three days.
Aquamarine is a 2006 American teen fantasy romantic comedy film directed by Elizabeth Allen in her feature film directorial debut, loosely based on the 2001 young adult novel by Alice Hoffman. It stars Emma Roberts, Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque in her film debut, and Sara Paxton as the mermaid. Released by 20th Century Fox on March 3, 2006, the film has since gained a cult following, particularly among Generation Z, and a sequel series pilot was ordered by Disney in June 2026.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Elizabeth Allen
- Screenplay
- John Quaintance; Jessica Bendinger
- Based on
- Aquamarine, Alice Hoffman
- Producer
- Susan Cartsonis
- Starring
- Emma Roberts
- Joanna "JoJo" Levesque
- Sara Paxton
- Cinematography
- Brian Breheny
- Editing
- Jane Moran
- Music
- David Hirschfelder
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Best friends Claire Brown and Hailey Rogers are spending their last days of summer in Baybridge, Florida, before Hailey moves to Australia. Hailey prays for a miracle, and a storm hits. The next day, Claire falls into a pool flooded with seawater, and the girls later discover a mermaid named Aquamarine there. She explains she fled an arranged marriage and must prove true love exists within three days to end the engagement. Aquamarine can transform her tail into human legs during the day but reverts if she touches water or at sunset. She becomes interested in lifeguard Raymond, whom the girls have long admired. They agree to help her, hoping to use a wish to stop Hailey's move. Aquamarine initially fails to connect with Raymond, but the girls coach her using teen magazines. Popular girl Cecilia Banks, who also likes Raymond, tries to sabotage them. Aquamarine and Raymond bond at a local celebration, and she kisses him before sunset. Cecilia discovers Aquamarine's secret, traps her in a water tower, and calls the news.
Reception
Aquamarine opened with $7.5 million in 2,512 theaters, ranking fifth at the box office, and finished with $18.6 million domestically and $4.4 million internationally, totaling $23 million worldwide. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 53% approval rating from 89 critics, with an average rating of 5.5/10, and the site's consensus calls it a lighthearted film with a hopeful message for young girls. Metacritic gave a weighted score of 51 out of 100 from 27 reviews, indicating mixed or average reviews, while CinemaScore audiences rated it A−. Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter described it as a bright and breezy tween fantasy romantic comedy with charming performances. Variety's Joe Leydon praised its inventive wit and warmth. Critics highlighted the film's themes: Chris Kaltenbach of The Baltimore Sun noted its empathy for adolescent girls and its lessons on friendship and self-confidence. Callie Ahlgrim of Insider emphasized the deep love between the female leads as the true emotional core. Wesley Morris of The Boston Globe commended its respect for girls' loyalty, and Ruthe Stein of the San Francisco Chronicle found it sweet and innocent yet willing to address serious issues. Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel called it an adorable movie.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack includes songs such as 'One Original Thing' by Cheyenne Kimball, 'Strike' by Nikki Flores, 'Connected' by Sara Paxton, 'Gentlemen' by Teddy Geiger, 'One and Only' by Teitur, 'Island in the Sun' by Emma Roberts, 'Time for Me to Fly' by Jonas Brothers, 'Can't Behave' by Courtney Jaye, 'Summertime Guys' by Nikki Cleary, 'One Way or Another' by Mandy Moore, 'Sweet Troubled Soul' by Stellastarr, and 'I Like the Way' by Bodyrockers. In 2008, La La Land Records and Fox Music released a limited edition CD of David Hirschfelder's score, which incorporates Paxton's voice, with tracks including 'Main Titles', 'The Storm', 'Washed Ashore', and others. Additional songs featured in the film include 'A Comer Chicharron (Guaracha)' by Charanga Cubana, 'City Girls Jr.' by Simon Leadley, 'Control Me' by The A-Team, 'Dejenme Vivir' by Charanga Cubana, 'Don't Cry Baby' by Alana Dafonseca, 'Drive Me Crazy' by Miss Eighty 6, 'I Rock Hard' by Miss Eighty 6, 'Island in the Sun' by Halfday, 'Underground' by Puretone, 'Smile 2005' by Vitamin C, and 'Right Now 2004' by Atomic Kitten.
Sequel series
In June 2026, Disney ordered a pilot for a sequel series, with Emma Roberts returning as a guest star and executive producer. Jake McDorman will reprise his role as Raymond, now a single father to his daughter Coral with Aquamarine, played by Kenzi Richardson. The series also adds regulars Briella Guiza as Coral's friend Mia, Theodore Dalton as surfer August, and Annika Reese as mean girl Paige. Director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum and producer Susan Cartsonis will executive produce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote Aquamarine (film)?
Aquamarine was written by John Quaintance and Jessica Bendinger.
How long is Aquamarine (film)?
Aquamarine has a running time of 104 minutes.
What was the budget of Aquamarine (film)?
Aquamarine had a budget of $12 million.
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