The Lion King

The Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd Disney animated feature film and the fifth animated film produced during a period known as the Disney Renaissance.

Plot

The story takes place in a kingdom of lions in Africa and was influenced by William Shakespeare's Hamlet. The film focuses on a young lion named Simba, who is to succeed his father, Mufasa, as king of the Pride Lands. However, after Simba's uncle Scar murders Mufasa, Simba is manipulated into thinking he was responsible and flees into exile. Upon maturing, Simba returns to challenge Scar to end his tyranny and take his place in the Circle of Life as the rightful king.

Characters

• Simba: The protagonist of the film, a young lion who grows up to reclaim his kingdom.
• Mufasa: Simba's father and the king of the Pride Lands.
• Scar: The antagonist of the film, Mufasa's brother, and Simba's uncle.
• Nala: Simba's best friend and later his queen.
• Timon and Pumbaa: A meerkat and warthog duo who befriend Simba during his exile.

Production

The Lion King was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, produced by Don Hahn, and has a screenplay credited to Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton. The film's songs were written by Elton John and Tim Rice, with a score by Hans Zimmer.

Release and Reception

The Lion King was released on June 15, 1994, to critical acclaim. It was praised for its music, story, and animation. The film grossed over $968 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing animated film of all time until it was surpassed by Frozen in 2013.

Legacy

The Lion King has led to many derived works and adaptations, including a Broadway musical, two direct-to-video sequels, a television series, and a 2019 live-action/CGI remake. The film's success has made it one of Disney's most beloved and enduring properties.

See Also

• Disney Renaissance
• List of Disney animated films
• The Lion King (franchise)
• The Lion King (musical)
• The Lion King (2019 film)