Mufasa: The Lion King

Play trailer

2:23

Mufasa: The Lion King

PG

2024

1h 58m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Drama

Animation

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

222 Reviews

88%

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

Audience Says

A profound prequel, Mufasa is visual poetry that tickles a childhood itch that emotionally satisfies.

Read Audience Reviews

Esther Zuckerman

Bloomberg News

Jun 24

Simply put, it looks really weird when photorealistic lions sing songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. But what really drags Mufasa down is the lackluster storyline and the bluntly obvious screenplay by Jeff Nathanson.

Go to Full Review

Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

Feb 11

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.

Go to Full Review

Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

Jan 15

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.

Go to Full Review

Kyle Amato

Boston Hassle

Jul 31

Jenkins can only hope that this film goes the way of the other Disney live-action remakes and disappears from the collective consciousness, never to be seen again.

Go to Full Review

Marissa Hill

Shade Studios

Jul 30

I was surprised to learn that the music was composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, as it felt unlike his usual style, leading me to wonder if this project was rushed for him.

Go to Full Review

Guillermo Troncoso

Screen Realm

Jul 29

3.5/5

The characterisation is stronger than its computerised predecessor; the CG animals are far more expressive than the stiff realism of that film. Importantly, the final act delivers – an emotional crescendo that ties past and present beautifully.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Andrew G

6d

Thought I didn’t like the songs at first, but they all grew on me, really great movie overall!

See more

Athena Fields

Nov 27

One of the best movies ever! The Lion King is my all time favorite!

See more

Morty

Nov 17

Mufasa that snake ass bitch . Justice for scar he’s the real hero . Scar the GOAT glad Mufasa gets his later on

See more

michelle

Nov 11

Only went for amc promo but went and they didn’t do the promo/giveaways and very disappointed spent a ton for 3D tickets for it and no giveaways for it but the movie it self was good just too much singing and not worth 3D never woudl do 3D unless actual giveaways

See more

Nakitta

Sep 15

Beautiful story. Great music.

See more

Asad M

Aug 22

great time spent watching this movie

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

View more videos

The Wild Robot

97%

98%

The Wild Robot

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Wild Robot

The Lion King

52%

88%

The Lion King

Watchlist

TRAILER

for The Lion King

Kensuke's Kingdom

97%

%

Kensuke's Kingdom

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Kensuke's Kingdom

Soul

95%

88%

Soul

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Soul

Flow

97%

98%

Flow

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Flow

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rotten Tomatoes Predicts the 2025 Oscar Nominations

Weekend Box Office: Mufasa Retakes the Throne

Weekend Box Office: Mufasa Reigns over Holiday Weekend

Seth and Billy on Improvising in Mufasa

1:03

Lin-Manuel Miranda on Writing Music for Mufasa

0:53

Barry Jenkins on Mufasa's Camerawork

1:06

Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Creating the World

0:59

Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Backstage Music

1:15

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

25:18

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

1:50

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

1:59

Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Booth to Screen

1:23

Mufasa: The Lion King: Fight with Me

0:30

View more videos

View more photos

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): $254.6M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

Most Popular at Home Now