James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas

A heroic coming-of-age story which follows the epic adventures of a young lion cub named Simba as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role as king of the jungle. ...( read more  read more... )As a carefree cub, he is both excited and anxious to become king, one day, and spends his days frolicking with his pal, Nala. His father, King Mufasa, the revered ruler of Pride Rock and the lands that surround it, teaches him about the "Circle of Life"--the delicate balance of nature which bonds all animals together; Simba's father cautions him to prepare for the day when he will be called upon to lead. Mufasa's evil brother, Scar, hopes that day will never arrive and schemes to do away with the king and Simba so that he can assume the throne for his own tyrannical purposes. Scar and his hyena henchmen--Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed--lure Simba into the path of a wildebeest stampede in which Mufasa is killed trying to save his son. Scar convinces Simba that he is responsible for his father's death and urges him to leave the Pride Lands and never return. A frightened and guilt-ridden Simba flees into exile where he is befriended by a wacky but warmhearted warthog named Pumbaa and his free-wheeling meerkat companion, Timon. Under the dubious guidance of this nature's odd couple, Simba adopts their "Hakuna Matata" (no worries) attitude towards life--taking things one day at a time. The cub matures into a young adult and is able to forget his past until a beautiful young lioness--who turns out to be his childhood friend Nala--arrives on the scene. She tells him of the hard times and suffering that have come to the Pride Lands under Scar's reign, and beseeches him to take his place as king. With the help of Rafiki, a wise shaman baboon, Simba realizes that his father's spirit lives on in him and that he must accept the responsibility of his destined role.

Flixster Users

89% liked it

1,098,186 ratings

Critics

92% liked it

60 critics

G, 1 hr. 27 min.

Directed by: Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers

Release Date: June 15, 1994

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DVD Release Date: October 7, 2003

Stats: 78,101 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (78,101)


  • October 10, 2006
    A rollicking and fast-paced animated adventure, with enough laughs, music, & thrills, to entertain & delight viewers of all ages.
  • September 23, 2009
    I?m not a Disney fan, in fact I hate Disney so 1 1/2 stars is pretty good from me!
  • August 11, 2009
    One of my Favorite Disney movie.
    The Stage musical is Wonderful! if you get a chance to see it, TAKE IT!
  • April 7, 2009
    Apart from a couple of factual errors, this is a beautiful film. Sly and witty - and Jeremy Irons's voice just gives the script that extra kick! Highly recommended!
  • January 12, 2009
    And I quote...

    With the death of Mufasa, the father of the lion cub who will someday be king. The Disney animators know that cute little cartoon characters are not sufficient to manufacture dreams. There have to be dark corners, frightening moments, and ancient archetypes li...( read more)ke the crime of regicide. "The Lion King," which is a superbly drawn animated film, is surprisingly solemn in its subject matter, although it was considered to be too intense for very young children...and when one thinks long enough on it...it is rightly so...

    Despite the comic relief from the hyenas, the meerkat (Timon) and the warthog (Pumbaa), "The Lion King" is a little more subdued than "Mermaid," "Beauty" and "Aladdin." The central theme is a grim one: A little cub is dispossessed, and feels responsible for the death of its father...

    Basically what we have here is a drama, with comedy occasionally lifting the mood. The result is a surprising seriousness; this isn't the mindless romp with cute animals that the ads might lead you to expect. Although the movie may be frightening and depressing to the very young, I think it's positive that "The Lion King" deals with real issues. By processing life's realities in stories, children can prepare themselves for more difficult lessons later on. The saga of Simba, which in its deeply buried origins owes something to Greek tragedy and certainly to "Hamlet," is a learning experience as well as an entertainment...
  • November 19, 2009
    I like this movie.
    Musical is very nice:)
  • November 18, 2009
    It's a classic. Come on
  • November 17, 2009
    film wakt kecil hehehe
  • November 16, 2009
    My lil brothers LMfao
  • November 13, 2009
    i loved this movie sooooo much when i was little

Critic Reviews


May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

A royal treat. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

A superbly drawn animated feature. full review

View more The Lion King reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • nechtjar
    April 6, 2009
    It's my 2nd favourite movie of all time.
    for storyline and animation. "Circle of Life" is an Academy Award?nominated song from Disney's 1994 animated film The Lion King, composed by Elton John is Circle of Life and Can You Feel the Love Tonight.
  • klish5
    March 27, 2009
    iwas 10year old i see it...right now 22 year old i see this movie...ilovet ...ilove hakunaa matata......
  • ankhaa870922
    January 31, 2009
    I cant tell any thing. needn't. This cartoon i love it so much. Adventure, Love, Comedy. Lol. this best of all cartoons in the world.
  • hajarshahrain
    November 23, 2008
    Hye there..
    i would like to ask..
    is anybody knows where can i download this movie??
    i first watched it when i was 4..n played the video games.
    ive lost the movie n the games..
    really miss it..
    thank you
  • kathy2k8
    July 12, 2008
    I AV BEIN WATCHIN DIS FILM SINCE IM 1 =]
    LOVE IT SO MUCH IM 16 NW ND STIL GO MAD 4 IT !!! =]

    I SAW PART 1,2,3 DER BRILLIANT !! =]]

    XXX
  • mysoulmate22
    July 11, 2008
    I love this movie much.Nice...Nice...Totally nice.
  • karthu1993
    June 26, 2008
    Oh i loved this i have been watching it since childhood and i still like it.
  • x20xweemegx06x
    May 25, 2008
    hiya i saw the lion king when i was 3 and iam 14 now and i still watch it and i begian singing then because of it and i now every word of the lion king 1 and 2 I LOVE THE LION KING LOL :)
  • MelissaAnnLegard
    May 9, 2008
    the lion king is def in the top 5 classic disney films of all time.
    how can anybody not love this movie?
    i don't think anybody should be ashamed of loving disney movies.
    i'm turning 19 in june and i still watch them.
    my mom is 45 years old and the lion king is her fav disney movie.
    my mom and i watch this one quite often together.
    i love it!
    <3
  • bbeamyloveinpink
    May 9, 2008
    i always cry

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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The Lion King Trivia


  • "What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?"  Answer »
  • Which 1994 Disney movie has made more money than any other G rated feature?  Answer »
  • what was the name of simba's young play mate in The Lion King?  Answer »
  • From which movie is the song "Can you feel the love tonight"?  Answer »

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