Most reviews of the film praised Bailey, with Hollywood bible Variety declaring that "a star is born".
The Guardian said she is "the best thing about this film" and its "only unmitigated triumph".
Those verdicts come after the casting of a mixed race actress as the mermaid caused controversy in some quarters.
But the 23-year-old singer-turned-actress "knocks all naysayers into place with an innately charismatic turn and full-throttle vocal powers", according to The Times' film critic Kevin Maher.
