The Lion King (1994)

Tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt ridden lion cub flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King.

Directors:

Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Writers:

Irene Mecchi (screenplay), Jonathan Roberts (screenplay),

Stars:

Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons

Top 250 #75 | Won 2 Oscars. Another 24 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jonathan Taylor Thomas	...	Young Simba (voice)
Matthew Broderick	...	Adult Simba (voice)
James Earl Jones	...	Mufasa (voice)
Jeremy Irons	...	Scar (voice)
Moira Kelly	...	Adult Nala (voice)
Niketa Calame	...	Young Nala (voice)
Ernie Sabella	...	Pumbaa (voice)
Nathan Lane	...	Timon (voice)
Robert Guillaume	...	Rafiki (voice)
Rowan Atkinson	...	Zazu (voice)
Madge Sinclair	...	Sarabi (voice)
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Shenzi (voice)
Cheech Marin	...	Banzai (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jim Cummings	...	Ed (voice)
Frank Welker	...	Additional Voices (voice)

Storyline

A lion prince, Simba, is born in Africa and the animals of the Pride Lands pay tribute. Later Simba is told by his father, King Mufasa, that when Mufasa dies, Simba will become King of the Pride Lands. Simba's Uncle Scar would have been king after Mufasa had Mufasa not had a child. Fuelled by rage, Scar plots to kill Mufasa and Simba so he is able to take over the throne. He uses the hyenas to cause a stampede through the canyon where Mufasa and Simba are, and personally ensures Mufasa falls to his death. Simba survives so Scar implies that the stampede was Simba's fault and that the pride will blame him. Simba flees the Pride Lands meaning never to return home. Simba is found, collapsed with exhaustion, by Timon the Meerkat, and Pumbaa the Warthog, and the trio become fast friends. Simba stays with them well into adulthood until his childhood friend, Nala, hunting beyond the Pride Lands that herds had deserted under Scar's mismanagement stumbles upon Simba's new home. Astonished to ...

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Plot Keywords:

scar | king | prince | lion | africa | 

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Taglines:

See it for the first time ever in 3D (2011 3D re-release)

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Swahili Xhosa Zulu

Release Date:

24 June 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Lion King 3D

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$47,585 (South Africa) (17 January 2003)

Gross:

$422,783,777 (USA) (13 January 2012)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Feature Animation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The music of the little song Timon performs for the hyenas ("LUAU!") is a fast-paced parody of the Aloha Chant, which can be heard in Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland.

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Goofs

Before assuming the throne, Simba walks down Pride Rock. Zazu bows to Simba and although his mouth is moving no words are spoken. This is because Zazu was supposed to say "Your Majesty".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Scar: [Scar catches a mouse] Life's not fair, is it? You see, I... well, I shall never be king. And you... shall never see the light of another day. Hmm-hmm-hmm, adieu.
Zazu: Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?

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Crazy Credits

Nico Golfar is also credited as "Score Wrangler".

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Connections

Referenced in The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Circle of Life"
(1994)
Written by Tim Rice (uncredited) and Elton John (uncredited)
Arranged and Produced by Hans Zimmer
Performed by Carmen Twillie
African Vocals Performed by Lebo M.
Background Singer by Rodney Saulsberry (uncredited)
Chorus: Maxi Anderson, Terry Bradford, Johnny Britt, Baby Cele,
Lucky Cele, Rick Charles, Gugwana Dlamini, Kevin Dorsey,
, Wendy Fraser, Linda Gcwensa, Clydene Jackson (as Clydene Jackson), Matoab'sane Jali,
, Kuyanda Jezile, Bob Joyce, Faith Kekana, Sphiwe Khanyile,
, Faca Khulu, Stella Khumalo, Skhumbuzo Kubheka, Thembi Kubheka, Ron Kunene,
, James Langa, Edie Lehmann, Rick Logan, Tsidi Manye, Khanyo Maphumulo,
, Abner A. Mariri, Myrna Matthews, Batho Mhlongo, Vusi Mhlongo,
, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Thembi Mtshali, Bheki Ndlovu, Nandi Ndlovu,
, Bongani Ngcobo, Nini Nkosi, Bobbi Page, Phindile, Rick Riso,
, Philile Seme, Alfie Silas, Happy Skhakhane, Kipizane Skweyiya,
, Sindisiwe Sokhela, Susie Stevens-Logan (as Susan D. Stevens), Khuluiwe Sthole (as Khuluiwe S'thole),
, Thandazile, Carmen Twillie, Sam Vamplew, Julia Waters, Luther Waters (as Luther N. Waters),
, Maxine Waters Willard (as Maxine Waters), Oren Waters, John West,
, Yvonne Williams, Terry Young, Zolile Zulu

User Reviews

By far, the greatest Disney movie ever made...

This movie is, quite seriously, the Citizen Kane of Disney animation. Every animated movie from Disney ever since has been a failed attempt to recreate the masterpiece that this film is. This movie is an anomaly in a market usually dominated by formulaic kiddie-fare. Unlike most films from animation studios, this movie will enthrall you, whether you're 5 years old, or 50. An epic plot, intriguing characters, great music and hillarious moments make this film a family classic that will endure through the ages. 10/10