Yes, "The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning" is a prequel to Disney's original "The Little Mermaid." Released in 2008, it explores Ariel's early life and the events that lead to her desire to explore the human world. The film focuses on Ariel's relationship with her sisters and her mother, Queen Athena, as well as the reasons behind King Triton's strict rules against interacting with humans. It provides background on Ariel's character and the underwater kingdom of Atlantica before the events of the first film.

"The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning" primarily focuses on Ariel's backstory, her relationship with her family, and her passion for music. The film does not explicitly feature LGBTQ themes or characters. It remains consistent with the original Disney adaptation's focus on traditional romantic relationships. While Disney has made strides in recent years to include LGBTQ representation in some of its projects, this particular film does not address those themes. It mainly targets a younger audience with a focus on friendship and family dynamics.

"The Little Mermaid" is a classic Disney animated film released in 1989 that tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid who dreams of becoming human and falls in love with Prince Eric. In contrast, "The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning," released in 2008, is a prequel that explores Ariel's early life, her relationship with her sisters, and the events that lead to her desire to explore the human world. It delves into her family's backstory, particularly the loss of her mother and the impact on her life under the sea.

The first movie featuring Ariel is "The Little Mermaid," released in 1989. This animated classic from Disney tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human. She falls in love with a human prince named Eric and makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula to trade her voice for legs. The film is renowned for its memorable songs, enchanting animation, and themes of love and self-discovery, marking a significant moment in Disney's animation renaissance. "Ariel's Beginning" is a prequel that explores Ariel's life before the events of the original film.