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The Lion King

  • 1994
  • G
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
1.2M
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
332
93
Matthew Broderick in 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.
Play trailer1:20
9 Videos
99+ Photos
Animal AdventureComing-of-AgeHand-Drawn AnimationAdventureAnimationDramaFamilyFantasyMusical

Lion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.Lion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.Lion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.

  • Directors
    • Roger Allers
    • Rob Minkoff
  • Writers
    • Irene Mecchi
    • Jonathan Roberts
    • Linda Woolverton
  • Stars
    • Matthew Broderick
    • Jeremy Irons
    • James Earl Jones
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    1.2M
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    332
    93
    • Directors
      • Roger Allers
      • Rob Minkoff
    • Writers
      • Irene Mecchi
      • Jonathan Roberts
      • Linda Woolverton
    • Stars
      • Matthew Broderick
      • Jeremy Irons
      • James Earl Jones
    • 1.2KUser reviews
    • 229Critic reviews
    • 88Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #36
    • Won 2 Oscars
      • 43 wins & 35 nominations total

    Videos9

    3D Re-release Version
    Trailer 1:20
    Watch 3D Re-release Version
    Jaws, Shreks, & Lion Kings: A Summer Blockbuster History
    Clip 7:23
    Watch Jaws, Shreks, & Lion Kings: A Summer Blockbuster History
    Hollywood's Shared History with Broadway
    Clip 6:12
    Watch Hollywood's Shared History with Broadway
    IMDbrief: Will 2019 Be Disney's Biggest Box Office Yet?
    Clip 2:46
    Watch IMDbrief: Will 2019 Be Disney's Biggest Box Office Yet?
    What We Know About 'The Lion King' ... So Far
    Clip 3:16
    Watch What We Know About 'The Lion King' ... So Far
    Shot for Shot: 'The Lion King' (2019) vs. 'The Lion King' (1994)
    Clip 1:26
    Watch Shot for Shot: 'The Lion King' (2019) vs. 'The Lion King' (1994)
    The Lion King: Diamond Edition
    Featurette 0:42
    Watch The Lion King: Diamond Edition
    'Creed II' Cast on Knockout Soundtracks and Inspiring Scenes
    Video 2:26
    Watch 'Creed II' Cast on Knockout Soundtracks and Inspiring Scenes
    Tika Sumpter of 'Nobody's Fool' Answers Life's Big Questions About TV and Film
    Video 2:50
    Watch Tika Sumpter of 'Nobody's Fool' Answers Life's Big Questions About TV and Film

    Photos1666

    James Earl Jones in The Lion King (1994)
    Robert Guillaume in The Lion King (1994)
    Nathan Lane in The Lion King (1994)
    Nathan Lane in The Lion King (1994)
    Matthew Broderick, Sally Dworsky, Robert Guillaume, Moira Kelly, and Joseph Williams in The Lion King (1994)
    Robert Guillaume in The Lion King (1994)
    Nathan Lane in The Lion King (1994)
    James Earl Jones, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Jason Weaver in The Lion King (1994)
    James Earl Jones, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Jason Weaver in The Lion King (1994)
    Robert Guillaume in The Lion King (1994)
    Jeremy Irons in The Lion King (1994)
    James Earl Jones and Robert Guillaume in The Lion King (1994)

    Top cast27

    Edit
    Matthew Broderick
    Matthew Broderick
    • Simba
    • (voice)
    Jeremy Irons
    Jeremy Irons
    • Scar
    • (voice)
    James Earl Jones
    James Earl Jones
    • Mufasa
    • (voice)
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Shenzi
    • (voice)
    Rowan Atkinson
    Rowan Atkinson
    • Zazu
    • (voice)
    Niketa Calame-Harris
    Niketa Calame-Harris
    • Young Nala
    • (voice)
    • (as Niketa Calame)
    Jim Cummings
    Jim Cummings
    • Ed
    • (voice)
    • …
    Robert Guillaume
    Robert Guillaume
    • Rafiki
    • (voice)
    Moira Kelly
    Moira Kelly
    • Nala
    • (voice)
    Nathan Lane
    Nathan Lane
    • Timon
    • (voice)
    Zoe Leader
    • Sarafina
    • (voice)
    Cheech Marin
    Cheech Marin
    • Banzai
    • (voice)
    Ernie Sabella
    Ernie Sabella
    • Pumbaa
    • (voice)
    Madge Sinclair
    Madge Sinclair
    • Sarabi
    • (voice)
    Jonathan Taylor Thomas
    Jonathan Taylor Thomas
    • Young Simba
    • (voice)
    Frank Welker
    Frank Welker
    • Lion Roars
    • (voice)
    • …
    Cathy Cavadini
    Cathy Cavadini
    • Additional Voices
    • (voice)
    Judi M. Durand
    • Additional Voices
    • (voice)
    • (as Judi Durand)
    • Directors
      • Roger Allers
      • Rob Minkoff
    • Writers
      • Irene Mecchi
      • Jonathan Roberts
      • Linda Woolverton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    The Lion King

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Frank Welker provided all the lion roars. Not a single recording of an actual lion roaring was used because the producers wanted specific sounding roars for each lion.
    • Goofs
      The elephant skeletons would have to come from freakishly large elephants. Hyenas could not pass through the trunk socket of an elephant's skull.
    • Quotes

      Adult Simba: I know what I have to do, but going back means I'll have to face my past. I've been running from it for so long.

      [Rafiki hits Simba on the head with his stick]

      Adult Simba: Ow! Jeez! What was that for?

      Rafiki: It doesn't matter. It's in the past.

      [laughs]

      Adult Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.

      Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But from the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.

      [swings his stick again at Simba, who ducks out of the way]

      Rafiki: Ha. You see? So what are you going to do?

      Adult Simba: First, I'm gonna take your stick.

      [Simba snatches Rafiki's stick and throws it and Rafiki runs to grab it]

      Rafiki: No, no, no, no! Not the stick! Hey! Where are you going?

      Adult Simba: I'm going back!

      Rafiki: Good! Go on! Get out of here!

      [Rafiki begins laughing and screeching loudly]

    • Crazy credits
      There are no opening credits.
    • Alternate versions
      This film was re-released in IMAX and other large format theaters on December 25, 2002. The following changes were made to the film for this release: -This movie opens with "The Lion King: Special Edition" title card, following the Walt Disney Pictures logo(mistakenly orange and black instead of blue). -The pouncing lesson scene was replaced with an all-new song, "Morning Report", originally from the stage show. -The animation of crocodiles in the "I Just Can't Wait to be King" sequence was completely re-done. -The animation in some of the scenes went back through the clean-up animation department a second time, to correct problems such as wavering lines and missing details, which, while not very noticeable during a traditional 35mm showing of the film, would have been discomforting on a much large IMAX screen. Small details, such as the characters who had faces that were too small to be seen in the original had faces, were also added. -The waterfalls in the "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" sequence were enhanced. -The 2002 IMAX and 2003 Platinum Edition releases contains the static TV airing end credits.
    • Connections
      Edited into The Lion King: A Musical Journey with Elton John (1994)
    • Soundtracks
      Circle of Life
      (1994)

      Music by Elton John (uncredited)

      Lyrics by Tim Rice (uncredited)

      Arranged and Produced by Hans Zimmer

      Performed by Carmen Twillie

      African Vocals Performed by Lebo M.

      Background Singer: 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, Luyanda Jezile, Bob Joyce, Faith Kekana, Sphiwe Khanyile, Faca Khulu, Stella Khumalo, Skhumbuzo Kubheka, Thembi Kubheka, Ron Kunene, James Langa, Edie Lehmann Boddicker, 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 Sithole (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 J West, Yvonne Williams, Terry Young, Zolile Zulu

    User reviews1.2K

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    great film
    this was, and still is,a great movie I love it, and hope that everyone gets to experience it for themselves, I've watched it many times and it is always good no matter how many times you have seen it,the songs are great and so are all the characters and the story is incredible, great for all ages and I really recommend it to anyone who hasn't already watched it.
    helpful•30
    6
    • miadarlingtxn
    • Aug 22, 2017

    Top picks

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    FAQ27

    • How long is The Lion King?Powered by Alexa
    • Why was Nala away from Pride Rock when she tried to hunt down first Pumbaa, then Timon?
    • Are Timon and Pumbaa inspired by Ren and Stimpy in any way? The duo seem like toned down versions, with Timon having some of Ren's arrogance and Pumbaa being as nice but flatulent as Stimpy.
    • Is 'The Lion King' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 24, 1994 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Swahili
      • Xhosa
      • Zulu
    • Also known as
      • Le Roi Lion
    • Filming locations
      • Walt Disney Animation Studios - 2100 Riverside Drive, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Walt Disney Pictures
      • Walt Disney Animation Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $45,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $424,979,720
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,586,753
      • Jun 19, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $979,046,652
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo(Dolby Stereo Spectral Recording, original release)

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