The Lion King (1994)
Average Rating: 8.2/10
Reviews Counted: 110
Fresh: 99 | Rotten: 11
Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King stands tall within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.
Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 22
Fresh: 20 | Rotten: 2
Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King stands tall within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.
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Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 1,255,526
Movie Info
One of the most popular Disney animated musicals, The Lion King presents the story of a lion cub's journey to adulthood and acceptance of his royal destiny. Simba (voiced first by Jonathan Taylor Thomas, then by Matthew Broderick) begins life as an honored prince, the son of the powerful King Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones). The cub's happy childhood turns tragic when his evil uncle, Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons), murders Mufasa and drives Simba away from the kingdom. In exile, the young
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Cast
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Matthew Broderick
Simba -
Jeremy Irons
Scar -
James Earl Jones
Mufasa -
Moira Kelly
Nala -
Nathan Lane
Timon -
Ernie Sabella
Pumbaa -
Whoopi Goldberg
Shenzi -
Cheech Marin
Banzai -
Robert Guillaume
Rafiki -
Rowan Atkinson
Zazu -
Niketa Calame
Young Nala -
Jim Cummings
Ed -
Madge Sinclair
Sarabi -
Jonathan Taylor Thom...
Young Simba -
Zoe Leader
Sarafina -
Joseph Williams
Simba (Singing) -
Jason Weaver
Young Simba (Singing... -
David McCharen
Other Voices -
Philip Proctor
Other Voices -
Frank Welker
Other Voices -
Cathy Cavadini
Other Voices -
Judi M. Durand
Other Voices
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The Lion King Trailer & Photos
All Critics (110) | Top Critics (22) | Fresh (99) | Rotten (11) | DVD (56)
The Lion King, complete with jaunty songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, is undeniably and fully worthy of its glorious Disney heritage. It is a gorgeous triumph -- one lion in which the studio can take justified pride.
Between traumas, the movie serves up soothingly banal musical numbers (composed by Elton John and Tim Rice) and silly, rambunctious comedy.
It's perhaps the closest Disney has come to creating a consciously mythical entertainment in the style of Star Wars. Yet like that film it keeps its sense of humor and fun.
Even with its flaws, this latest Disney animated feature once again delivers what its audience wants. Too bad flesh and blood films can't be this consistent.
It bears repeating that The Lion King is quite entertaining as children's fare goes these days. But Disney has established a standard so high on animated features that anything less than a classic leaves you feeling that something's missing.
The rest of The Lion King alternates between grand-opera melodrama and low-comedy hi-jinks, superbly blending the two approaches.
the animation is stunning on the big screen and beautiful to watch
Even the inescapable hype cannot diminish the fact that this is one great film.
This crowd-pleasing cartoon musical from Walt Disney had enormous box-office appeal, and proved so popular that it was adapted as a spectacular stage show.
Simba is a superbly realized character, especially in the first half of the movie when he's still a little cub.
Wondrously imaginative, The Lion King is superior family entertainment, charming in every way.
Although it's state of the art, one might say that in terms of its values, it's the best animated film of the 19th century.
What gives this latest Disney cartoon a real excitement is its story, a swift, sometimes brutal tale of dynastic trouble in the animal kingdom.
It's the stuff of classics, and every shred of this movie matches the intent and soulful message of personal growth and evolution, which is why it remains the emotional triumph it is.
A near perfect and breathtaking animated epic...
The exclamation point on a great run of classic Disney animation...
This is my first experience with The Lion King it is a surprisingly dark, deep and more complex movie than I thought it would be. There's a reason why everyone loves it. One of the best animated films of all time and amazing 3D.
A classic story told through immersive visuals, great voice work and some of the most memorable songs in movie history. The Lion King defines animated classic.
Yes, it's a Disney film. But if you're a grown-up, don't let that stop you from sinking your teeth into 'The Lion King.' There's more depth, humor and dignity to this show than you'll see at almost any other movie so far this year.
It's not hard to understand why The Lion King's good-vs.-evil adventure and high-spirited comic passages haven't lost their appeal. [Blu-ray]
Audience Reviews for The Lion King
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Movies Like The Lion King
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- Zazu: Wrong! The only checking out you will do, is to check out of here.
- Young Simba: Aww, man!
- Zazu: We're way beyond the boundaries of the Pride Lands.
- Simba: Old banana beak is scared.
- Zazu: That's Mr. Banana Beak to you fuzzy. And I sense right now we are all in very real danger.
- Young Simba: Danger, ha! I look on the wild side. I laugh at the face of danger, hahahaha.
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- Banzai: Man, that lousy Mufasa! I won't be able to sit for a week!
- Ed: [laughs]
- Banzai: It's not funny, Ed.
- Ed: [laughs louder and hysterically]
- Banzai: Hey, shut up!
- Ed: [continues laughing]
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- Timon: What's going on here?
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- Mufasa: And so we are all connected in the great circle of life.
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- Scar: I'm surrounded by idiots...
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- Timon: Woah! Jeez, why do I always have to save your a-aaaaahhhhh!
Discussion Forum
| Topic | Last Post | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| Best film of the Disney Renaissance.No contest.Maybe evn the greatest animated movie ever. | 22 days ago | 11 |
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Foreign Titles
- Der König der Löwen (DE)
- The Lion King (UK)



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