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In the sun-kissed savanna, a young prince's world is forever changed with the birth of his future self. As Simba basks in his father Mufasa's regal aura, Scar's sinister plans simmer beneath the surface. A tale of treachery, heartbreak, and triumph unfolds as Simba's royal legacy hangs in the balance, forcing him to find his place and reclaim his rightful throne.

In the sun-kissed savanna, a young prince's world is forever changed with the birth of his future self. As Simba basks in his father Mufasa's regal aura, Scar's sinister plans simmer beneath the surface. A tale of treachery, heartbreak, and triumph unfolds as Simba's royal legacy hangs in the balance, forcing him to find his place and reclaim his rightful throne.

Does The Lion King have end credit scenes?

No!

The Lion King does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Lion King

Explore the complete cast of The Lion King, 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.


Ratings and Reviews for The Lion King

See how The Lion King is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Lion King stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

55

Metascore

6.3

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

56%

TOMATOMETER

review

89%

User Score

IMDb

6.8 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

71

%

User Score

Letterboxd

2.8

From 967 fan ratings

Movie Insider

3.96/5

From 23 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate The Lion King Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Lion King 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.


The Lion King (2019) Quiz: Test your knowledge on the 2019 adaptation of The Lion King with this exciting quiz.

Who is the voice of King Mufasa in the 2019 adaptation?

Awards & Nominations for The Lion King

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by The Lion King, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how The Lion King and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


46th Saturn Awards 2021

Nomination

Best Fantasy Film Release

JD McCrary
Nomination

Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Film

JD McCrary
Nomination

Best Film Special / Visual Effects

73rd British Academy Film Awards 2020

Nomination

Best Special Visual Effects

25th Critics' Choice Awards 2020

Nomination

Best Song

Nomination

Best Visual Effects

35th Artios Awards 2020

Win

Animation

77th Golden Globe Awards 2020

Nomination

Best Original Song

Nomination

Best Animated Feature Film

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Lion King

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Read the complete plot summary of The Lion King, 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.


The African savannah comes to life as dawn breaks over the Pride Lands, a vibrant kingdom bustling with creatures of all kinds. Towering above the landscape, Pride Rock majestically rises, sheltering the age-old traditions celebrated by its inhabitants. Amidst this breathtaking scenery, King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) and Queen Sarabi (Alfre Woodard) joyfully introduce their newborn cub, Simba (JD McCrary), to the animal kingdom. The wise mandrill Rafiki (John Kani) honors this momentous occasion by presenting the tiny prince to the gathered crowd, as they bow in respect to the future king.

Yet, not all is well in this haven. In the shadows lurks Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Mufasa’s envious brother, who nurtures dark ambitions while plotting against his kin. His schemes are momentarily interrupted by Zazu (John Oliver), the diligent hornbill who warns Scar of Mufasa’s approach—a confrontation that ignites Scar’s resentment over being overlooked as the rightful heir.

As the seasons pass, Rafiki retreats to his haven in the trees, where he intricately crafts an image of Simba using insects, capturing the essence of the young prince. Meanwhile, the spirited cub yearns to delve into the vastness of the Pride Lands, much to Mufasa’s concern. The wise king shares essential lessons about responsibility and the intricate balance of life within their realm, emphasizing the importance of understanding their place within this cycle.

Under the sun’s golden rays, Zazu informs Mufasa of lurking hyenas on the outskirts, prompting the king to send Simba to remain with Sarabi and stay alert to any dangers. As Simba seeks out his adventurous friend, Nala (Shahadi Wright Joseph), she entices him with playful antics. However, Scar warns them about the perils of the elephant graveyard beyond their realm. With Zazu reluctantly acting as their guard, Simba and Nala’s adventurous spirit leads them towards trouble.

As they wander the savannah, Simba confides his aspirations and excitement to Nala, unaware that Zazu keeps a watchful eye over them. When Zazu notices their closeness, Simba protests, insisting that their friendship is purely platonic. Zazu reminds him of the traditions that govern their world, igniting Simba’s determination to change the rules when he becomes king—a sentiment encapsulated in the spirited refrain: > “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King.”

The cubs manage to evade Zazu at a watering hole, heading off to explore the forbidden graves of elephants, where danger lurks in the form of three cunning hyenas: Shenzi (Florence Kasumba), Kamari (Keegan-Michael Key), and Azizi (Eric Andre). Recognizing Simba’s lineage, Shenzi contemplates the unthinkable. However, Zazu intervenes, hastily warning her that such violence would provoke Mufasa’s wrath. A tense confrontation ensues, but Zazu’s quick thinking allows Simba and Nala to escape. Although fear grips Simba as he tries to roar with courage, he only produces weak growls, evoking laughter from their adversaries.

Just then, Mufasa arrives, driving away the hyenas with ease. Once the danger has passed, he expresses his disappointment in Simba’s reckless endeavors and shares his fears about being a king and losing his son. Their heartfelt exchange under a starry sky becomes a cherished moment, laced with Mufasa’s comforting words that the great kings of the past watch over them.

Meanwhile, the hyenas gather under Scar’s guidance in their hideout, complaining about their hunger. Scar manipulates their discontent and reveals his fraught plan to eliminate Mufasa, aspiring to secure the throne for himself while providing food for the hyenas. His sinister plotting becomes chillingly clear as he sets the stage for a catastrophic betrayal.

In a climactic turn of events, Scar’s malevolence unfolds. He lures Simba into a trap by leaving him alone near a gorge, signaling his hyena allies to enact the plan. What ensues is chaos: a stampede of wildebeests surges toward the young cub, forcing him to seek shelter in a tree. As Mufasa rushes to save his son, he is overwhelmed by the herd. In a moment laden with treachery, Scar viciously betrays Mufasa, leading him to his doom. With a malicious whisper, he taunts, > “Long live the king,” as Mufasa falls to his fate.

Devastated, Simba discovers his father’s lifeless body and desperately calls for him to awaken. Scar’s subtle manipulation turns the blame onto Simba for Mufasa’s death, casting the young lion into exile. As he escapes, he narrowly avoids the hyenas’ grasp, facilitated by an unyielding instinct for survival in their pursuit.

What follows is Simba’s heart-wrenching journey of loss and survival. Alone and fragile, he collapses under the harsh sun, drawing the gaze of circling vultures. Just as despair looms, an unlikely duo, Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), hove into view, scaring off the predators. The duo takes Simba under their wing, advocating a carefree philosophy encapsulated in the mantra “Hakuna Matata”. As he embraces this new way of life, Simba gradually sheds the burdens of his past and transforms from a young cub into an adult lion (Donald Glover).

As the years unfold, the Pride Lands suffer under Scar’s oppressive reign, whose selfish rule devastates the ecosystem while he attempts to woo Sarabi. Meanwhile, Nala, ever the loyal friend, finds herself deeply troubled by the decline of their once-vibrant homeland. In a brave move, she attempts to escape Scar’s tyranny, only to be thwarted by Zazu.

Later, as Simba enjoys serene moments with his newfound friends, old memories begin to resurface, prompting him to reflect on his father’s wisdom. Timon and Pumbaa’s jovial disposition belies the heaviness of his heart, driving him to seek solace alone. Destiny intervenes when Rafiki finds Simba, guiding him towards a pivotal moment of realization that Mufasa lives on within him. This transformative journey culminates by the water’s edge, where Simba sees the embodiment of his father in the mirrored surface. With newfound determination and clarity, he resolves to return and reclaim his rightful place.

Amidst the devastating decay of the Pride Lands, Nala’s insistence leads Simba back home. Upon arrival, they are met with the grim reality of the desolate kingdom overtaken by Scar’s rule. As Simba watches Scar’s cruelty unfold towards Sarabi, righteous anger builds within him. He confronts Scar, whose malevolence is further revealed during their clash, but the lingering shadow of guilt over Mufasa’s death becomes a weapon in Scar’s hands.

However, the time for reckoning has come. As the lions clash with the invading hyenas in disarray, Simba stands resolute to reclaim his legacy. Ascending to Pride Rock, in an explosive confrontation with Scar, the truth of Mufasa’s death spills forth. In a struggle marked by deceit and danger, lightning splits the sky as the final battle rages.

The fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance as Simba overwhelms his uncle in a climactic showdown that sees Scar toppled over the cliffs. As the rain cleanses the land, Simba emerges victorious. In the wake of tragedy, he fills Mufasa’s role, reclaiming Pride Rock amid the cheers of the lionesses.

With the sun illuminating the rejuvenated Pride Lands, harmony is restored as Simba and Nala (now represented by Beyoncé Knowles) stand together, gazing proudly at their cub, Kiara. As Rafiki welcomes her to the world, the circle of life perpetuates, celebrating the enduring legacy of love, courage, and kinship.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Lion King

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Lion King. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Lion King (2019) Official Trailer | Experience It In IMAX®

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


remake of remakeremakelionwarthogmeerkathornbillhyenatalking animalmurder of fatherlionessroarsunrisecubremake of oscar winnerlive action and animationanthropomorphismcgi animal in live action titledeathmurderbased on cartooninsectmusical numbermotion capturelion cubjunglesavannahloss of fathernaturevirtual setafricakingcoming of agemufasa characterbaboonlive action remakeeating an insectpolitical successiongriefsidekickprincemandrillbattleelephant graveyardbrother brother relationshipdesertuncle nephew reunioncombatmonkeyfriendshipbetrayal

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