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Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King stands tall within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.
All Critics (124) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (115) | Rotten (9) | DVD (33)
At this point in animation history, we can expect no less than perfection from Disney, and they deliver. Feb 9, 2018 | Full Review…
At this point in animation history, we can expect no less than perfection from Disney, and they deliver.
Jami Bernard
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. Jul 31, 2013 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
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.
Desmond Ryan
Between traumas, the movie serves up soothingly banal musical numbers (composed by Elton John and Tim Rice) and silly, rambunctious comedy. Jul 31, 2013 | Full Review…
Between traumas, the movie serves up soothingly banal musical numbers (composed by Elton John and Tim Rice) and silly, rambunctious comedy.
Terrence Rafferty
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. Jul 31, 2013 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
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.
John Hartl
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. Jul 31, 2013 | Full Review…
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.
Kenneth Turan
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. Jul 31, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
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.
Gene Siskel
Scar is I think the best Disney villain that we've ever had. Feb 20, 2019 | Rating: 9/10 | Full Review…
Scar is I think the best Disney villain that we've ever had.
Rachel Wagner
Simply the pinnacle of Disney animation. Dec 14, 2018 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
Simply the pinnacle of Disney animation.
Sheraz Farooqi
The massive wildebeest stampede and Scar's Third Reich-inspired musical number were already phenomenal 17 years ago without the additional dimension, so what's really the point? Jan 26, 2018 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
The massive wildebeest stampede and Scar's Third Reich-inspired musical number were already phenomenal 17 years ago without the additional dimension, so what's really the point?
Kiko Martinez
With its remarkable narrative, memorable characters, stunning animation, and brilliant music, The Lion King remains the very pinnacle of Disney's animated achievements. Sep 4, 2017 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…
With its remarkable narrative, memorable characters, stunning animation, and brilliant music, The Lion King remains the very pinnacle of Disney's animated achievements.
Jeff Beck
A majestic achievement. Aug 2, 2015 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
A majestic achievement.
Dan Webster
Disney can take pride in this lion of a movie. Aug 2, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Disney can take pride in this lion of a movie.
Dennis King
(3D review) When hearing they were remaking one of my favorite Disney animated films in 3-D for its 20th anniversary, you can bet I got hyped, and boy did this film not disappoint. I saw this on opening day, now prior to hearing about this I hadn't seen the film in about 3 years so I didn't want it to be ruined if I watched it the week/night/month before seeing the film, and that was a wise decision on my part, because the refreshing of my memory with this film worked and it was almost like a new experience to me. Also the 3-D in this film is incredible, I'm rarely blown away by 3-D but here, my god, the 3-D matched the animation so perfectly, that this film and 3-D were made for each other.
Super Reviewer
A great 2-d animated film as a young lion cub comes back to the pride to rule as King of the Jungle.
"The Lion King" has been such an important part of so many childhoods since it came out, but what is so remarkable is that, whereas some childhood entertainment loses a lot of luster once the nostalgia-goggles come off, I find my appreciation for this film to grow the older I get. I personally don't believe Disney has yet created a more beautiful film, since it isn't just a detailed rendition of African wildlife, but its such a deliriously colorful and expressively animated film to boot. The story is honest in its portrayal of the corruption that exists in the world, but more importantly, in the hope that good moral judgement can overcome such corruption. The voice cast is pitch-perfect, the soundtrack remains the absolute greatest in animated film history, and the script (while perhaps not wholly original) deftly balances searing emotional truths with charmingly silly antics.
A well made film with beautiful animation and a great soundtrack. Many of the themes are for a mature audience which isn't necessarily surprising for a Disney feature. It offers a powerful story that can be enjoyed by kids and adults. "The Lion King" is a film that defined my childhood and is one I still enjoy.
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