The Lion King

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The Lion King

PG

Released Jul 19, 2019

1h 58m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

51%

Tomatometer

435 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Verified Ratings

Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny on the plains of Africa. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother -- and former heir to the throne -- has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is soon ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. Now, with help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba must figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

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Critics Consensus

While it can take pride in its visual achievements,The Lion King is a by-the-numbers retelling that lacks the energy and heart that made the original so beloved--though for some fans that may just be enough.

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Audience Says

A Disney live-action remake that successfully updates the original, The Lion King adds gorgeous new visual effects to a story the audience knows by heart.

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Ted Piekarz

Chicago Reader

Watch this Lion King for the technical achievement and musical numbers, and then watch the original to feel satisfied.

Feb 21, 2020

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

Overseeing such a massive technical production as this one requires a filmmaker to be on top of every nuance and detail in play. Actor/director Favreau is the right person for the job.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 10, 2019

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Hannah Giorgis

The Atlantic

The Lion King captures just enough of the original's warmhearted excitement -- and introduces enough new delights -- to feel like more than a cynical Disney money grab.

Sep 10, 2019

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Denise Pieniazek

Puesta en Escena (AR)

Regarding this version, it does not contribute anything significant or new. Once again we find ourselves under the problem of current cinema, its lack of originality. In addition, the film has several technical and aesthetic problems.

Rated: 4/10

Jan 27, 2024

Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews

It doesn’t matter if the story is identical if we cry all the same. It doesn’t matter if we know what’s coming if we still feel nervous and worried about the characters. The Lion King is one of Disney’s best remakes so far, on par with The Jungle Book.

Rated: A

Jul 24, 2023

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Cory Woodroof

For the Win (USA Today)

The Lion King 2019 is Disney at its worst, a soulless carbon copy of a vastly superior film that exists only to pander to nostalgia and reap financial benefit.

May 27, 2023

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Ash c

The live action lion king is a great movie. simba and the rest of the lion king look great as live action.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/15/24

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Kyle H

To try and remake a classic original is ballsy but wasn't as bad as could have been. Glover and the crew do they best they could for what they are set up for.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Brandi

Watch the original Lion King.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

04/16/22

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Ivan T

Your review will help others decide whether to watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/06/21

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Michael

lack of emotions. left one of the most important song outside the film

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/03/21

Full Review

Tobby O

The live action version of the Lion King might be different from the 1994 animated one. I think it is not a good one.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

08/22/21

Full Review

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Jon Favreau

Director

Donald Glover

Simba

Seth Rogen

Pumbaa

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Scar

Alfre Woodard

Sarabi

Billy Eichner

Timon

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Synopsis

Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny on the plains of Africa. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother -- and former heir to the throne -- has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is soon ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. Now, with help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba must figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

Director: Jon Favreau
Producer: Jon Favreau, Jeffrey Silver, Karen Gilchrist
Screenwriter: Jeff Nathanson
Distributor: Walt Disney
Production Co: Fairview Entertainment
Rating: PG (Sequences of Violence|Peril|Some Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 19, 2019, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 27, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $543.6M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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