Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

The Lion King

Play trailer 1:13 Poster for The Lion King G 1994 1h 28m Kids & Family Musical Adventure Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 172 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).
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

The Lion King

The Lion King

What to Know

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
David Denby New York Magazine/Vulture Dec 20
The grandeur of the Serengeti Plain comes through the animation, and the young audience may actually feel something like amazement. Go to Full Review Rob Salem Toronto Star Dec 19
4/4
The unique matching of voice to visual makes each of the characters sing, in the figurative as well as the literal sense. Go to Full Review Rob Lowing Sydney Morning Herald Dec 19
3.5/5
Visually exciting, verbally amusing entertainment with detailed quality animation which makes its peers look like flicker books. Go to Full Review Jeffrey Gantz Boston Phoenix Dec 20
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. Go to Full Review Nanciann Cherry Toledo Blade Dec 20
4/4
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. Go to Full Review Michael D. Reid Victoria Times Colonist (B.C., Canada) Dec 20
Apart from the brilliant, incredibly-detailed animation, the film's most overwhelming asset is the inspired vocal casting. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Ben W 10/11/2023 Great! Classic! Amazing music and touching story. See more A 10/02/2023 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. See more Sarah S. @Braxton188 1d The first half’s great! And the second isn’t! It’s OKAY! See more Dean B. @MovieGeek08 1d Wow. Just. Wow. Awesome soundtrack, characters, romance. Amazing classic that still holds up! See more Muhammad A 6d Excelente película, un clásico del cine y de lo mejor que existe (de las mejores películas), su trama es seria, relajada, con tensión, momentos que te erizan la piel (al extremo, mucho), momentos que quedan en el corazón y resultan legendarios (innolvidables, solo de recordarlo se me eriza la piel y me entra la emoción con la que la viví de niño, enserio que nunca o casi nunca se me había erizado tanto la piel solo de recordar, o sea, esto es 12/10 no 10, por la sensación que me dejó), al inicio el padre tiene un toque de madurez y una voz muy muy perfectas (creo que es la única que pensándolo bien queda como un hombre, el líder y feje de la manada, como sonaría perfectamente el padre de quien será el heredero), podría seguir escribiendo más pero una reseña sería un insulto, es demasiado perfecta en mucho pero mucho, espectacular, GUAU See more Viking P Nov 8 This movie is one of Disney's best movie ever made a classic. The cast and voice acting was perfect and had a lot of funny moments. First of all: rest in peace James Earl Jones who voiced Mufasa. The animation and visuals of this movie is gorgeous and amazing. The soundtrack was perfect. Scar is such an amazing villain the scene where he kills Mufasa is still one of the most emotional and heartbroken one. The characters Timon and Pumbaa are great additions and you can really love them. They are really funny and saved Simba as a cub. I also like the messages this movie delivered now that im 19 years old I understand the messages of "circle of life" or "the great kings of the past". It's not just for kids it's for adults too. The final battle where adult Simba fights Scar is beautifully animated and cool. The ending is such a heartwarming one with the cub of Simba and Nala and the return of the circle of life song. I highly recommended it. See more Read all reviews
The Lion King

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

View All

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

More Like This

View All
Tarzan 90% 75% Tarzan Watchlist TRAILER for Tarzan Pocahontas 58% 64% Pocahontas Watchlist TRAILER for Pocahontas Brother Bear 38% 66% Brother Bear Watchlist TRAILER for Brother Bear Aladdin 96% 92% Aladdin Watchlist TRAILER for Aladdin Hercules 83% 76% Hercules Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All
All Upcoming Walt Disney Pictures Movies: Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, And Searchlight Pictures RT Fans Crown The Shawshank Redemption the Best Movie of 1994 Film Critic Breaks Down the Iconic Disney Films of Your Childhood
View All

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
View All

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
DTS, DTS-ES, Dolby A, Dolby SR, SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Most Popular at Home Now