Princess Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" (1989)

She is 16, going on 17, innocent as a ... as a mermaid princess. Princess Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson) is a very curious and defiant girl who learns the hard way that making deals with sea witches is the worst way to get what you want.

Ariel's obsession is the world of humans: She collects their artifacts and keeps going to the surface to see them, against her father King Triton's orders that it is forbidden. She falls hard for Prince Eric, whose ship is destroyed by a storm and whom she saves from drowning.

Bing: More about 'The Little Mermaid' | Related: Parent's guide to 2012 summer movies

Even with the whole mess of her lost voice -- her deal with Ursula the sea witch gone wrong -- Eric almost marrying someone else, her father losing his kingdom, and Ursula attempting to destroy her, Ariel maintains her hopeful spirit. 

Unlike the truly tragic story by Hans Christian Andersen on which it is based, in the film version, love wins out in the end.

For more movie news, follow MSN Movies on Facebook and Twitter.

(Disney)