
An 11-year-old girl named Mia forges a remarkable connection with Charlie, a rare white lion, on her family’s rural farm in South Africa. As they grow together, their bond strengthens, but Mia discovers her father intends to sell Charlie to trophy hunters. Driven by love and determination, she undertakes a courageous journey to protect her cherished friend and prevent him from falling into the wrong hands, ultimately fighting for his freedom and their extraordinary friendship.
Does Mia and the White Lion have end credit scenes?
No!
Mia and the White Lion does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.
Explore the complete cast of Mia and the White Lion, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.

Langley Kirkwood
John Owen

Mélanie Laurent
Alice Owen

Brandon Auret
Dirk

Tessa Jubber
Enclosure Hunter

Ashleigh Harvey
School Teacher

Benjamin Garrad
Daniel

Daniah De Villiers
Mia Owen

Elvis
Trevor

Lillian Dube
Jodie

Lionel Newton
Kevin

Paul Davies
Helicopter Sniper

Ryan Mac Lennan
Mick Owen

Thor
Charlie
Discover where to watch Mia and the White Lion online, including streaming platforms, rental options, and official sources. Compare reviews, ratings, and in-depth movie information across sites like IMDb, TMDb, Wikipedia or Rotten Tomatoes.
See how Mia and the White Lion is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Mia and the White Lion stands among top-rated movies in its genre.
Overall, Mia and the White Lion offers a visually engaging family drama with genuine emotional warmth, though it is undercut by script weaknesses and uneven performances. While many viewers praise the bond between Mia and the lion and commend its heartfelt environmental message, critics point to contrived dialogue and inconsistent pacing. The film’s artful cinematography and poignant moments are offset by predictable plot developments and occasional ethical concerns about its handling of real animals. In sum, it yields a moderately engaging but flawed experience.
The Movie Echo Score Breakdown for Mia and the White Lion
Art & Craft
In terms of art and craft, the film delivers consistently striking visuals but is hampered by uneven direction. Critics and audiences note the polished cinematography and evocative production design, especially in the outdoor sequences, while also pointing to moments of clumsy staging. Overall, the visual appeal remains a notable strength despite directional inconsistencies.
Character & Emotion
When it comes to character and emotion, the film offers a heartfelt bond between Mia and her lion but suffers from indifferent acting and limited depth. Viewers often praise the genuine warmth and chemistry in key scenes, yet critics point to the lack of substantial emotional peaks and uneven performances. The net effect is a modestly resonant but flawed character dynamic.
Story & Flow
In terms of story and flow, the narrative is heartfelt and accessible but marked by predictable developments and implausible turns. Reviewers highlight the engaging premise of a girl’s bond with a lion and commend its thematic intentions, while also critiquing choppy pacing and contrived dialogue. The overall plot yields a moderately engaging but often uneven experience.
Sensory Experience
When it comes to sensory experience, the film presents an immersive visual style and a subtle soundtrack, though sound design remains unobtrusive. Audiences appreciate the naturalistic environments and the tactile portrayal of the wildlife, while some note uncertainty over digital versus practical effects. Ultimately, the sensory aspects convey a pleasing atmosphere without fully compensating for narrative shortcomings.
Rewatch Factor
Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s emotional moments and striking visuals offer occasional appeal, yet its predictable plot and ethical controversies limit repeat viewings. Some viewers note that the central lion-girl relationship retains charm on subsequent watches, but others find the uneven pacing and scripted simplicity to diminish lasting engagement. Overall, rewatch value remains moderate.
52
Metascore
5.7
User Score
6.5 /10
IMDb Rating
73
%
User Score
2.9
From 33 fan ratings
4.00/5
From 2 fan ratings
Challenge your knowledge of Mia and the White Lion with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.
What city does Mia's family move from to manage the lion farm?
London
New York
Sydney
Cape Town
Show hint
Discover all the awards and nominations received by Mia and the White Lion, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Mia and the White Lion and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.
70th British Academy Film Awards 2017
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Original Music
Read the complete plot summary of Mia and the White Lion, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.
Ten-year-old Mia Owen’s world is completely transformed when her family decides to leave their home in London to take over a lion farm in Africa. Here, a special bond blossoms between Mia and a magnificent white lion cub named Charlie, who brings joy back into her life after their move.
As Charlie grows, he becomes too large for the household, prompting Mia’s father, John Owen, to make the difficult decision to keep him in an enclosure, away from human interaction. Unfortunately, when Mia’s brother, Mick Owen, is injured during one of their encounters, Mia’s parents impose strict rules, forbidding her from seeing Charlie again. They threaten to sell him for money if she disobeys. Yet, driven by her love for Charlie, Mia defies her father’s orders, leading to heartbreaking revelations; she learns that the farm is involved in selling lions to trophy hunters for profit.
Determined to save Charlie from this horrifying fate, Mia embarks on a daring journey across South Africa, hoping to release him into the Timbavati Game Reserve, a sanctuary for white lions. However, danger looms as a relentless trophy hunter named Dirk, who is in cahoots with John, has set his sights on capturing Charlie for himself. As Mia’s family pursues them, their actions also draw the attention of the authorities, who wish to prevent Mia from facing consequences for harboring a “dangerous predator.”
Upon reaching the Timbavati Game Reserve, Mia’s escape takes a dire turn as Dirk and his companion ambush her and Charlie. In a brave moment, Charlie attacks Dirk, allowing Mia to flee with him. Just as law enforcement arrives to apprehend Charlie, they find that he is now safe within the protective bounds of the reserve. Time passes, and during a subsequent visit to the Timbavati Game Reserve, Mia and her family are overjoyed to see Charlie thriving—he has mated with a lioness and has welcomed a new family of cubs into the world.
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