The Lion King (1994)
1994 • TMDB 8.3 • 1h 29m • Animation, Family, Drama
Overview
Born to rule the Pride Lands, young lion cub Simba grows up idolizing his father, King Mufasa, and learning what it means to be part of the Circle of Life. But his jealous uncle Scar has other plans: after engineering a stampede that kills Mufasa, Scar convinces the guilt-stricken Simba that he is to blame, and the cub flees into exile. Far from home, Simba falls in with the carefree meerkat Timon and warthog Pumbaa and embraces their worry-free philosophy of Hakuna Matata, leaving his past behind. Years later, a chance reunion with his childhood friend Nala and a visit from the wise mandrill Rafiki force him to confront who he really is. With Elton John and Tim Rice songs that became instant classics and hand-drawn animation at the peak of Disney’s renaissance, The Lion King turns a coming-of-age story into a sweeping saga of loss, responsibility, and return, as Simba finally journeys home to reclaim his rightful place as king.
Director & Cast
- Directors: Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
- Matthew Broderick (Simba) (voice)
- Moira Kelly (Nala) (voice)
- Jeremy Irons (Scar) (voice)
- Nathan Lane (Timon) (voice)
- Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa) (voice)
- James Earl Jones (Mufasa) (voice)
- Robert Guillaume (Rafiki) (voice)
- Rowan Atkinson (Zazu) (voice)
- Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi) (voice)
Why Watch The Lion King?
Because few animated films have ever matched it: the opening Circle of Life sequence alone is one of the most iconic moments in movie history, and the film that follows earns every bit of that grandeur. It is funny, heartbreaking, and thrilling in turn, with a villain for the ages in Jeremy Irons’ Scar, scene-stealing comedy from Timon and Pumbaa, and songs you will be humming for days. Whether you are revisiting a childhood favorite or sharing it for the first time, The Lion King remains the gold standard of family animation.
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer on YouTube: The Lion King | Original Trailer | Disney+ (Disney Plus)
Where to Watch
In the US, The Lion King streams on Disney+ in 4K (plus bundle listings). It is also available to rent from $3.99 (Amazon Video HD, Apple TV Store 4K, Fandango At Home 4K) or to buy from $9.99 in 4K (Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home). Check current availability on JustWatch US.
More Like This
Poster: TMDB. Rating and runtime verified on TMDB. Streaming status checked on JustWatch US, October 29, 2026.
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