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The Lion King

The Lion King (1994)

tomatometer

89

Average Rating: 8.2/10
Reviews Counted: 94
Fresh: 84 | Rotten: 10

Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King stands tall within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.

93

Average Rating: 7.7/10
Critic Reviews: 15
Fresh: 14 | Rotten: 1

Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King stands tall within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.

audience

89

liked it
Average Rating: 4/5
User Ratings: 1,177,009

My Rating

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

Oct 7, 2003

$94.2M

Buena Vista

All Critics (95) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (99) | Rotten (10) | DVD (56)

Everyone, young and old, will find something to appreciate in this Shakespearean tale of a young lion discovering his rightful place in the world.

September 17, 2011 Full Review Source: New York Daily News | Comment
New York Daily News
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The story line is a Joseph Campbell hero-quest so stripped down to its basics as to become dull.

September 15, 2011 Full Review Source: Boston Globe | Comments (99)
Boston Globe
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A computer-animated scene featuring a stampede of wildebeest is positively breathtaking.

March 4, 2008 Full Review Source: Washington Post | Comment (1)
Washington Post
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The Lion King, more than any of the recent wave of Disney animated features, has the resonance to stand not just as a terrific cartoon but as an emotionally pungent movie.

March 4, 2008 Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | Comments (2)
Entertainment Weekly
Top Critic IconTop Critic

The result is a step toward multiculturalism and ecological correctness, though not without a certain amount of confusion.

March 4, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A crown jewel of modern Disney animation.

October 14, 2003 Comment
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic IconTop Critic

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.

April 22, 2012 Full Review Source: Eclipse Magazine | Comment
Eclipse Magazine

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.

January 29, 2012 Full Review Source: IGN DVD | Comment
IGN DVD

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.

December 22, 2011 Full Review Source: KWQC-TV (Iowa) | Comment
KWQC-TV (Iowa)

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]

October 24, 2011 Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | Comment

It's an attractive film but altogether less interesting and more conventional than the Pixar productions that now dominate Disney's animated output.

October 9, 2011 Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | Comment
Observer [UK]

"Hakuna Matata" would mean never having to be subjected to The Lion King ever again, much less having Simba's growing pains coming at your face in 3D.

October 8, 2011 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comment
Slant Magazine

It does exactly what it says on the tin.

October 7, 2011 Full Review Source: This is London | Comment
This is London

Feel the love tonight. And see the colours, too.

October 7, 2011 Full Review Source: Birmingham Mail | Comment

Huge fun for the kids; some acceptable laughs for the adults.

October 7, 2011 Full Review Source: Independent | Comment
Independent

The 3D technology adds some eye-popping moments but the best thing about this reissue is the chance for a new generation to see a modern classic on a cinema screen.

October 6, 2011 Full Review Source: Daily Express | Comment
Daily Express

Classic cartoon musical.

October 6, 2011 Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | Comment
Daily Mail [UK]

There are no gimmicks and the big emotional moments are almost entirely untouched.

October 6, 2011 Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | Comment
Daily Telegraph

However crass Disney's motivation may have been in rereleasing the film... it's cheering to see that... people still want to see great movies on a big screen with big sound...

October 5, 2011 Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | Comment
Flick Filosopher

Well worth another look, though it's a pity they're saving the newly made bloopers for the upcoming Blu-ray.

October 4, 2011 Full Review Source: Total Film | Comment
Total Film

It didn't really need the 3D, but it's still a stunning, glorious family film, with the third dimension or otherwise.

October 2, 2011 Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | Comment
Empire Magazine

While the core ideology behind The Lion King is extremely problematic and stands out even more today than it did in 1994, there is still much to admire about the film.

September 28, 2011 Full Review Source: Cinema Autopsy | Comment
Cinema Autopsy

It's a wonderful treat to revisit and the 3-D is beautifully utilised, but it's perhaps not the classic that Disney purports it to be.

September 21, 2011 Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | Comment
FILMINK (Australia)

Art History stands out as one of Joe Swanberg's most visually and conceptually accomplished experiments.

September 19, 2011 Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | Comments (2)
Slant Magazine
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Lion King

There are good Disney films, then there are films that everyone talks about and loves. The Lion King is one of those films.It features one of the best voice cast in film; from James Earl Jones, to Matthew Broderick, to Jeremy Irons and Nathan Lane. With a touching soundtrack by Hans Zimmer and iconic songs by Elton

October 12, 2011
Samuel Riley
Samuel Riley

Super Reviewer

The Lion King: Really enjoyable, pleasant film with astoundingly beautiful animation. A few of the key musical numbers feel ruthlessly tacked on (looking at you, "I Wish I Could Be King," or whatever) and Matthew Broderick sounds dead inside, but it's solid, breezy entertainment with a huge heart.

September 25, 2011
Kevin Cookman

Super Reviewer

    1. Mufasa: You deliberately disobeyed me. And what's worse, you put Nala in danger.
    – Submitted by Hriya M (18 days ago)
    1. Timon: What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?
    – Submitted by Jared B (21 days ago)
    1. Timon: Gee. He looks blue.
    2. Pumbaa: I'd say brownish-gold.
    3. Timon: No, no, no, no. I mean he's depressed.
    4. Pumbaa: Oh.
    – Submitted by Manuela D (34 days ago)
    1. Timon: Hey, where are you going?
    2. Simba: Nowhere.
    – Submitted by Manuela D (34 days ago)
    1. Timon: You okay kid?
    2. Simba: I guess so...
    3. Pumbaa: You nearly died.
    4. Timon: I saved you!
    5. Pumbaa: [snorts]
    6. Timon: Well, uh, Pumbaa helped. A little.
    – Submitted by Manuela D (34 days ago)

Latest News for The Lion King

September 26, 2011:
Box Office: It's Good To Be The Lion King
Multiplexes across North America were busier than normal for this time of year as the hit re-release...

September 15, 2011:
Critics Consensus: Drive is Certified Fresh
This week at the movies, we've got a lonely stuntman (Drive, starring Ryan Gosling and Carey...

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Foreign Titles

  • Der König der Löwen (DE)
  • The Lion King (UK)
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