Miss Mermaid: A Fresh Take on Reinvention
What Miss Mermaid Is About
Fanny's life, by most measures, has stalled. Freshly divorced, living back with her parents in Fécamp, she's got a vinyl sofa, mounting debts, and zero interest in the conventional "starting over" narrative—especially not the one that involves finding another man. Then she meets Anémone, a professional mermaid, and something shifts. What begins as curiosity about the mermaiding world—that niche universe of people who perform in mermaid tails—becomes a genuine escape route. The film is set to explore how this unlikely detour into aquatic performance becomes a vehicle for personal emancipation, a way for Fanny to reclaim her sense of self without apology.
What We Know So Far
According to Folivari, the production company behind the project, Miss Mermaid is a France-Belgium co-production directed by Pauline Brunner and Marion Verlé. The film stars Aloïse Sauvage as Fanny, alongside Thomas VDB (Thomas Vandenberghe), Alison Wheeler as Anémone, and Annie Mercier. It's a 91-minute dramedy—that's the sweet spot where comedy doesn't overshadow the emotional stakes—and the entire production is in French. According to AlloCiné, the film is scheduled for theatrical release in France on July 1, 2026, with Jour2Fête handling distribution domestically and Urban Sales managing international sales.
Why It's Anticipated
Honestly? There's something refreshing about a film that centers on a woman who doesn't want to be "fixed" by romance. The mermaiding angle could've been gimmicky—and maybe it is—but the premise suggests something more thoughtful: a character-driven story about rebuilding confidence through a subculture that's genuinely niche and strange. The fact that it's a co-production between French and Belgian producers, backed by France 3 Cinéma, signals serious intent. Pre-acquisitions from Canal+, Ciné+, and France Télévisions on the television side indicate confidence in the finished product. What's striking is that we haven't seen much buzz around mermaiding in cinema lately—this could fill that gap, or it could fail spectacularly. Hard to say which until we see it.
Release Date & Where to Watch
Miss Mermaid is expected to hit French theaters on July 1, 2026. It is not yet released, and streaming availability hasn't been formally announced. Movie OTT will track platform announcements as they're confirmed—keep an eye on the Where-to-Watch widget on this page for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Miss Mermaid releasing? The film is scheduled for theatrical release in France on July 1, 2026. International release dates haven't been announced yet.
Is Miss Mermaid out yet? No. It's currently in post-production and expected to premiere in 2026. You can't watch it yet.
Where will I be able to watch Miss Mermaid? Streaming availability hasn't been confirmed. The film is currently slated for theatrical release, and TV pre-acquisitions exist (Canal+, Ciné+, France Télévisions), but no OTT platform has been formally announced. Movie OTT will update this information as soon as rights are disclosed.
Who's in the cast? Aloïse Sauvage plays Fanny, the lead. Alison Wheeler appears as Anémone, the professional mermaid. Thomas VDB and Annie Mercier round out the ensemble.
Who directed Miss Mermaid? The film was directed by Pauline Brunner and Marion Verlé.
What to Look Forward To
In 2026, Miss Mermaid arrives as a curious, character-focused dramedy about finding yourself in the strangest places. A woman, a mermaid tail, and the Normandy coast. That's the setup. Whether it lands as profound or absurd—or somehow both—we'll find out when it hits theaters next summer.
