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The Lion King

Play trailer 1:13 Poster for The Lion King G Released Jun 24, 1994 1h 28m Kids & Family Musical Adventure Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 176 Reviews 93% Popcornmeter 250,000+ Ratings
This Disney animated feature follows the adventures of the young lion Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), the heir of his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones). Simba's wicked uncle, Scar (Jeremy Irons), plots to usurp Mufasa's throne by luring father and son into a stampede of wildebeests. But Simba escapes, and only Mufasa is killed. Simba returns as an adult (Matthew Broderick) to take back his homeland from Scar with the help of his friends Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella).
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The Lion King

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Critics Consensus

Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King is a pride within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.

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Critics Reviews

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David Denby New York Magazine/Vulture The grandeur of the Serengeti Plain comes through the animation, and the young audience may actually feel something like amazement. Dec 20, 2024 Full Review Rob Salem Toronto Star The unique matching of voice to visual makes each of the characters sing, in the figurative as well as the literal sense. Rated: 4/4 Dec 19, 2024 Full Review Rob Lowing Sydney Morning Herald Visually exciting, verbally amusing entertainment with detailed quality animation which makes its peers look like flicker books. Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 19, 2024 Full Review Jeffrey Gantz Boston Phoenix Best of all is Scar: his sly treachery is worthy of Shakespeare's master overreacher, and Jeremy Irons responds as if born to play Richard III. Dec 20, 2024 Full Review Nanciann Cherry Toledo Blade A superb movie, with a timeless story, many levels of humor, and artwork that conveys images and themes that real-life movies could only hint at. Rated: 4/4 Dec 20, 2024 Full Review Michael D. Reid Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada) Apart from the brilliant, incredibly-detailed animation, the film's most overwhelming asset is the inspired vocal casting. Dec 20, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ben W Great! Classic! Amazing music and touching story. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/11/23 Full Review A it's a wonderful movie. I didn't get to watch it in Theaters because I was too young at the time. it's a great movie and all the kids and parents will love it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/02/23 Full Review Triston S I’m just going to be honest with myself I am a very a lion king fan I loved the characters and the songs in the movie. I it was so much fun to watch and a great movie. Thank goodness for the all music by Elton John. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/06/25 Full Review Eduardo A 🎶 Músicas marcantes: “Ciclo Sem Fim” é épica e inesquecível 🦁 Simba criança: carismático, engraçado e deixa saudade 😂 Zazu esmagado por Simba e Nala: humor sutil que funciona até hoje 👑 Vilão incrível: Scar é manipulador, marcante e assustador 💔 Morte traumatizante: a cena do Mufasa mexe com todo mundo inclusive eu 🎤 Vozes perfeitas: destaque para o Timão, que brilha no humor 🌙 Crescimento de Simba com o luar: simbólico e cientificamente inspirado 🧠 Pesquisa animal: a equipe estudou leões e isso aparece em detalhes 💕 Romance bem construído: Simba e Nala têm história, afeto e química 🐾 Luta final realista: movimentos, rugidos e impacto emocional fortes 🎨 Animação linda: rica em cor, movimento e profundidade 🔥 Final poderoso: fecha o arco com emoção, honra e legado 🦁 Expectativa cumprida para o segundo filme: eu queria mais! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/04/25 Full Review Audience Member I have never in my life seen such an amazing animated film. From the absolutely breathtaking animation, spectacular story and character, one of the most iconic soundtracks in Disney's catalog, and by far the best score for a Disney Animated film, and it still holds up 30 years later. This is in my opinion, not only the best Disney animated film, but the best Animated film of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/03/25 Full Review Anna F ES GODDD Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 04/30/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Roger Allers

Director

Rob Minkoff

Director

Matthew Broderick

Adult Simba the Lion

Jeremy Irons

Scar the Lion

James Earl Jones

King Mufasa the Lion

Madge Sinclair

Queen Sarabi the Lioness

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The Lion King

Film Critic Breaks Down the Disney Films of Your Childhood Film Critic Breaks Down the Disney Films of Your Childhood 26:42 The Lion King: Trailer 1 The Lion King: Trailer 1 1:13 View more videos
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The Lion King

A pungent warthog named Pumbaa (Bottom) and his fast talking meerkat friend, Timon (Top) become unlikely guardians to an angst ridden lion cub named Simba. Simba (left) falls in line with Timon (right) and Pumbaa's (center) "hakuna matata" philosophy as he grows from cub to adult lion. King Mufasa (left) shows his son Simba (right) the extent of the kingdom he will one day inherit. A young lion named Simba (left) gets some valuable life lessons on surviving in the jungle from his father, the mighty King Mufasa (right). (left to right) A trio of hysterical hyenas - Ed, Shenzi and Banzai - try and get the last laugh as they do Scar's dirty work. Simba (right) returns home after a long absence to contront his evil Uncle Scar (left) and reclaim his royal right to the throne. Simba (left), a lion on the lam, finds a happy home with the carefree duo of Pumbaa (right), an pungent warthog, and Timon (center), a fast talking meerkat. Simba (left) and Nala (right) welcome a newborn cub (center right) into their family as a wise baboon named Rafiki (center left) lends a hand. Timon (center right) and Pumbaa (left) have an uneasy feeling that Simba's (center left) reunion with childhood pal, Nala (right) is giong to put a crimp in their "hakuna matata" way of life. A pungent warthog named Pumbaa (left) and his fast talking meerkat friend, Timon (right) become unlikely guardians to an angst ridden lion cub named Simba. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis This Disney animated feature follows the adventures of the young lion Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), the heir of his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones). Simba's wicked uncle, Scar (Jeremy Irons), plots to usurp Mufasa's throne by luring father and son into a stampede of wildebeests. But Simba escapes, and only Mufasa is killed. Simba returns as an adult (Matthew Broderick) to take back his homeland from Scar with the help of his friends Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella).
Director
Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Producer
Don Hahn
Screenwriter
Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton
Distributor
Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co
Walt Disney Pictures
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Musical, Adventure, Animation
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 24, 1994, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jul 12, 2024
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 15, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$95.6M
Runtime
1h 28m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, SDDS, DTS-ES, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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