The Lion King

The Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical drama produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, it centers on Simba, a lion cub destined to succeed his father, Mufasa, as king of the Pride Lands. James Earl Jones voices Mufasa, while Matthew Broderick voices adult Simba; Jonathan Taylor Thomas provides Simba’s younger voice. Jeremy Irons plays Scar, Mufasa’s jealous brother, and Moira Kelly voices Nala. The supporting cast includes Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa, Nathan Lane as Timon, Rowan Atkinson as Zazu, Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi, Cheech Marin as Banzai, and Madge Sinclair as Sarabi. Scar engineers a wildebeest stampede in a gorge, placing Simba in danger and then killing Mufasa when he attempts a rescue. Scar convinces the traumatized cub that he caused Mufasa’s death, sending him into exile. Far from the Pride Lands, Simba is raised under the carefree “Hakuna Matata” philosophy by Timon and Pumbaa. After Nala finds him as an adult, the mandrill Rafiki helps Simba confront the memory of Mufasa and return home. Simba challenges Scar, whose rule has left the Pride Lands barren. Scar is exposed before the pride and is ultimately killed by the hyenas he had manipulated. The film’s songs were written by Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice, with a score composed by Hans Zimmer. “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Be Prepared,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” are integral to its storytelling. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and Zimmer won for Best Original Score. The film also received Golden Globe awards for Best Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song. Released on June 15, 1994, The Lion King became the highest-grossing traditionally animated film worldwide. Its visual development drew on research trips to Kenya, while the story was developed as an original Disney feature rather than an adaptation of a preexisting source. The film’s popularity led to the Broadway stage musical, which opened in 1997, as well as sequels and a 2019 photorealistic computer-animated remake directed by Jon Favreau. In 2016, the Library of Congress selected the original film for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, judging it “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” It opened first in two cities before its wide theatrical release nationwide.