Mufasa: The Lion King

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2:23

Mufasa: The Lion King

PG

Released Dec 20, 2024

1h 58m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Drama

Animation

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Popcornmeter

56%

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222 Reviews

89%

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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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Audience Says

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

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Esther Zuckerman

Bloomberg News

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.

Jun 24, 2025

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

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

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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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Kyle Amato

Boston Hassle

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.

Jul 31, 2025

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Marissa Hill

Shade Studios

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.

Jul 30, 2025

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Guillermo Troncoso

Screen Realm

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.

Rated: 3.5/5

Jul 29, 2025

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Asad M

great time spent watching this movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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Laurie Kubiak

The animation was great!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/20/25

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Shelby C

Great movie and great soundtrack

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

Full Review

matt

First date with my now wife this movie changed my life

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/01/25

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David

Very well done and doesn’t disappoint

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/25

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Torey-Lucy

It the Lion King, need I say more. It is always good and this was no disappointment. Very good movie and what we come to expect from Disney.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/22/25

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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Seth and Billy on Improvising in Mufasa

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Lin-Manuel Miranda on Writing Music for Mufasa

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Barry Jenkins on Mufasa's Camerawork

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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

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

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