Mufasa: The Lion King

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Mufasa: The Lion King

PG

Released Dec 20, 2024

1h 58m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Drama

Animation

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Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

216 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Verified Ratings

"Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka--the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny--their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

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Critics Consensus

Barry Jenkins' deft hand and Lin-Manuel Miranda's music go some way towards squaring the Circle of Life in Mufasa, but this fitfully soulful story is ill-served by its impersonal, photorealistic animation style.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It swings back and forth tonally very awkwardly, but there are some thrilling moments and it is Barry Jenkins' usual cinematographer, James Laxton, so it is quite lovely at times. But I wish Jenkins would take his artistry where it is his.

Feb 11, 2025

Full Review

Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

The script is safe and unoriginal, the voice talent is passable and while the scenes of the creatures racing through fields and prancing through canyons are fine, the drama peaks in the water bodies and on snow-capped mountains.

Jan 15, 2025

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

Barry Jenkins took this behemoth and it didn't entirely defeat him.

Jan 14, 2025

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Andrew Kendall

Stabroek News

“Mufasa” is marginally better than the 2019 film because it moves with the energy of something that is its own rather than an imitation of an earlier film, but it still feels like a whimper more than a roar.

Apr 13, 2025

Full Review

Nicholas Bell

Fish Jelly Films (YouTube)

The circle of life flatlines in this mundane, redundant Lion King prequel which sacrifices charm, heart, and comedy in the pursuit of vanguard visuals.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 21, 2025

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John Serba

Decider

My enthusiasm for Mufasa was initially low, and it’s only waned with further pondering of its ones-and-zeroes visual non-wizardry and borderline-pointless story.

Mar 10, 2025

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Tristan

great movie for family's a little too loud though... bring ear plugs... movie was 9.5/10 though!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/25

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Matthew

Super nostalgic and I love The Lion King, but the song’s do not match up with the original.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/10/25

Full Review

Lisa

was better than I expected. both my daughter and I enjoyed it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/08/25

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Adamary

Such a nice family movie and the songs were so pretty

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/07/25

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charlene

I had to go home and watch the lion king again. It was like watching a new movie. So much is now understood that wasnt before. An incredible film!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/04/25

Full Review

Disappointed in OH

A lot of emphasis on color of lion pride. Not child friendly. The kids around us were bored and restless.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/03/25

Full Review

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Barry Jenkins

Director

Aaron Pierre

Mufasa

Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Taka

Tiffany Boone

Sarabi

Kagiso Lediga

Young Rafiki

Preston Nyman

Zazu

Mufasa: The Lion King: Extended Preview

8:53

Mufasa: The Lion King: Music Clip - We Go Together

1:03

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Only You Can Help Us

0:34

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Hakuna Mufasa

0:52

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Rafiki's Dreams

1:02

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Timon and Pumbaa

0:33

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Why Are You Following Us?

0:47

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - We’re Trapped

0:59

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Who Are the Outsiders?

0:53

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - I Always Wanted a Brother Song Pt. 1

0:59

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Lin-Manuel Miranda on Writing Music for Mufasa

0:53

Barry Jenkins on Mufasa's Camerawork

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Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Creating the World

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Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Backstage Music

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The 'Mufasa: The Lion King' Cast on New Music and Hilarious Improv

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Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - The Music of Lebo M

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Mufasa: The Lion King: Booth to Screen Featurette - Beyoncé & Blue Ivy

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Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Booth to Screen

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Mufasa: The Lion King: Fight with Me

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Synopsis

"Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka--the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny--their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

Director: Barry Jenkins
Producer: Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak
Screenwriter: Jeff Nathanson
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: PG (Peril|Action/Violence|Some Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Drama, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 2024, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 18, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $254.5M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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