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The Lion King

Play trailer 1:13 Poster for The Lion King G 1994 1h 28m Kids & Family Musical Adventure Animation Play Trailer Watchlist
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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).
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The Lion King

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 Viking P 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. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/08/25 Full Review Jake D. Grew up on this one. Five stars. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/03/25 Full Review Bernardo C Adoro esse filme, ele é o meu favorito! Amo esse filme até dá nostalgia, e amo o timão e pumba, e que esse filme seja lembrado na memória de todos. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/25 Full Review Monica Y. I loved this movie! Love the songs as well. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/16/25 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
DTS, DTS-ES, Dolby A, Dolby SR, SDDS, Dolby Digital, Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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