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The Lion King is a 2019 American musical drama film directed and produced by Jon Favreau, produced by Walt Disney Pictures, and written by Jeff Nathanson. The film is a photorealistic computer-generated imagery remake of Disney's traditionally-animated feature 1994 film of the same name. The voice cast includes Donald Glover, Beyoncé, James Earl Jones (who reprises his role from the original movie), Chiwetel Ejiofor, Billy Eichner, Seth Rogen, John Oliver, John Kani, Alfre Woodard, Eric Andre, Florence Kasumba, Keegan-Michael Key, JD McCrary, and Shahadi Wright Joseph. The plot follows Simba, the young lion who must embrace his role as the rightful king of his homeland following the murder of his father, Mufasa, at the hands of his uncle, Scar.

Plans for a remake of The Lion King were confirmed in September 2016 following the success of Jon Favreau's Jungle Book remake. Favreau was inspired by certain roles of characters in the Broadway musical and developed upon elements of the original movie's story. Much of the main cast signed on in early-2017 and principal photography began that summer on a blue screen stage in Los Angeles. The virtual reality tools utilized in The Jungle Book's cinematography were used to the greater degree during the filming of The Lion King. Composers Hans Zimmer, Elton John, and lyricist Tim Rice returned to compose the score alongside Knowles-Carter, who assisted John in the reworking of the soundtrack and wrote a new song, "Spirit," which she also performed.

The Lion King premiered in Hollywood, Los Angeles on July 9, 2019, and was theatrically released in the United States on July 19, 2019, in the Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, and IMAX formats. It received mixed reviews from critics, with many criticizing its lack of originality and for being nearly identical to the original. However, it grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide during its theatrical run, and broke several box-office records, including becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time from August 2019 to September 2024, the seventh-highest-grossing film of all time, and the second-highest-grossing film of 2019. The film received nominations for Best Animated Feature Film and Original Song categories at the 77th Golden Globe Awards and 25th Critics' Choice Awards. It was also nominated at 73rd British Academy Film Awards and 92nd Academy Awards, both for visual effects. Mufasa: The Lion King, which serves as both the prequel and the sequel, was directed by Barry Jenkins and is set for release on December 20, 2024.

Plot[]

In the Pride Lands of Tanzania, a pride of lions rule over the kingdom from Pride Rock. King Mufasa's and Queen Sarabi's newborn son, Simba, is presented to the other animals gathering by Rafiki the mandrill, the kingdom's shaman and advisor. Mufasa shows Simba the Pride Lands and explains to him the responsibilities of kingship and the "circle of life", which connects all living things. Mufasa's younger brother, Scar, covets the throne and plots to eliminate Mufasa and Simba, so he may become king. He tricks Simba and his best friend Nala (to whom Simba is betrothed) into exploring the elephant graveyard, where they are attacked by spotted hyenas led by Shenzi, Kamari, and Azizi. Mufasa is alerted about the incident by his majordomo, the hornbill Zazu, and rescues the cubs. Though upset with Simba, Mufasa forgives him and explains that the great kings of the past watch over them from the night sky, from which he will one day watch over Simba. Meanwhile, Scar visits the hyenas and manages to convince them to help him overthrow Mufusa in exchange for hunting rights in the Pride Lands.

Scar sets a trap for his brother and nephew, luring Simba into the gorge and having the hyenas drive the large herd of wildebeest into the stampede that will trample him. He informs Mufasa of Simba's peril, knowing that the king will rush to save his son. Mufasa saves Simba but ends up hanging perilously from the gorge's edge. Scar refuses to help Mufasa, instead sending him falling to his death. He then convinces Simba that the tragedy was Simba's own fault and advises him to leave the kingdom and never return. He orders the hyenas to kill the cub, but Simba escapes. Scar tells the pride that both Mufasa and Simba were killed in the stampede and steps forward as the new king, allowing his three hyena minions and the rest of their large pack to live in the Pride Lands.

Simba collapses in the desert and is rescued by Timon and Pumbaa, the meerkat and warthog, who are fellow outcasts. Simba grows up in the jungle with his two new friends and the other animals, living the carefree life under the motto "hakuna matata" ("no worries" in Swahili). Now the young adult, Simba rescues Timon and Pumbaa from the hungry lioness, who turns out to be Nala. She and Simba reunite and fall in love, and she urges him to return home, telling him that the Pride Lands have become the drought-stricken wasteland under Scar's reign. Feeling guilty over his father's death, Simba refuses and storms off. He then encounters Rafiki, who tells him that Mufasa's spirit lives on in Simba. Simba is visited by the ghost of Mufasa in the night sky, who tells him that he must take his rightful place as king. Realizing that he can no longer run from his past, Simba decides to return to the Pride Lands.

Aided by his friends, Simba sneaks past the hyenas at Pride Rock and confronts Scar, who was about to fight Sarabi. Scar taunts Simba over his role in Mufasa's death and backs him to the edge of the rock, where he reveals to him that he murdered Mufasa. Enraged, Simba reveals the truth to the rest of the pride. Scar attempts to defend himself, but his knowledge of Mufasa's last moment (despite having previously claimed that he arrived too late at the gorge) exposes his role in Mufasa's death. Timon, Pumbaa, Rafiki, Zazu, and the lionesses fend off the hyenas while Scar, attempting to escape, is cornered by Simba at the top of Pride Rock. Scar begs for mercy and attempts to blame the hyenas for his actions. Simba spares his life, but orders him to leave the Pride Lands forever. Scar refuses and attacks his nephew, but Simba manages to toss him from the top of the rock. Scar survives the fall, but is attacked and killed by the hyenas, who overheard his attempt to betray them. Afterwards, Simba takes over the kingship and makes Nala his queen.

Later, with Pride Rock restored to its usual state, Rafiki presents Simba and Nala's newborn daughter to the other animals gathering, continuing to the circle of life.

Voice cast[]

Release[]

The Lion King was released on July 19, 2019, 25 years after the original.

Critical Reception[]

The Lion King received mixed reviews from both critics and audiences with this 53% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 402 reviews with an average score of 6.01/10.

Videos[]

Trailers[]

The_Lion_King_Official_Teaser_Trailer

The Lion King Official Teaser Trailer

Official Teaser Trailer

The_Lion_King_Official_Trailer

The Lion King Official Trailer

Official Trailer

External links[]

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