All Lion King Movies in Order

The Lion King franchise has garnered worldwide acclaim for its iconic narrative and enduring impact. This article delves into the chronological order of the Lion King movies, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of the franchise. Starting with the original 1994 animated film, the franchise has expanded to include sequels, spin-offs, and a recent live-action CGI remake. Each installment presents a fresh perspective on the beloved characters and their journeys.

From The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride to The Lion King 1½, viewers are treated to new adventures and deeper insights into the enchanting world of the Pride Lands. Moreover, this article explores the interconnectedness between the movies and series, shedding light on the ongoing storylines and character development. With its themes of love, courage, and the circle of life, the Lion King franchise continues to inspire and resonate with audiences, fostering a sense of freedom and liberation.

Following the original film’s success, several sequels and spin-offs were created, expanding the Lion King universe. The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride continues the story with Simba’s daughter, Kiara, and The Lion King 1½ provides a comedic perspective on the first film’s events from Timon and Pumbaa’s point of view. The animated series The Lion Guard also followed Simba and Nala’s second-born cub, Kion, as he led a group of animals to protect the Pride Lands.

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In 2019, the original Lion King film was remade, introducing a new generation to the beloved story and characters. The franchise also includes the visual companion Black Is King, curated by Beyoncé for the 2019 film.

All Lion King Movies in Order

1. The Lion King

   Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

   Writers: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton

   Stars: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones

   Genres: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musical

   

   The Lion King is a classic animated movie released in 1994 and produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation. The film has become one of Disney’s most beloved & iconic movies. The story is set in the Pride Lands of Africa and follows the journey of a young lion named Simba. This movie begins with the birth of Simba to Mufasa, the king of the Pride Lands, & Queen Sarabi. Simba’s birth is celebrated, and it is clear that he is destined to inherit the throne.

   However, Mufasa’s brother Scar is jealous of Simba’s position as the heir to the throne. Scar hatches a plan to take over the Pride Lands by orchestrating a stampede of wildebeests during a wildebeest migration. In the chaos, Mufasa dies while trying to save Simba.

   Scar assures Simba that he is responsible for Mufasa’s death and encourages him to flee the Pride Lands. Scar then takes over as the new king and allows the hyenas to roam freely, causing the Pride Lands to suffer.

   Alone and far from home, Simba befriends a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa, who teach him their carefree and carefree Hakuna Matata lifestyle. Years pass, and Simba grows into an adult lion. However, he is confronted by his past when he encounters Nala, his childhood friend and now an adult lioness, who urges him to return and reclaim his rightful place as king.

   Simba eventually faces his inner demons and returns to the Pride Lands. With the help of his friends, he confronts Scar and the hyenas, reclaiming his role as king and restoring balance to the Pride Lands.

2. The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride

   Directors: Darrell Rooney, Rob LaDuca

   Writers: Flip Kobler, Cindy Marcus, Jenny Wingfield

   Stars: Matthew Broderick, Neve Campbell, Andy Dick

   Genres: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musical, Romance

   

   The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride is set in the Pride Lands and continues the story of Simba and his family. The film centers around Simba’s daughter, Kiara, and her journey to bring about unity between the Pride Lands and a group of Outsiders who were followers of Scar.

   The movie begins with the birth of Kiara, the daughter of Simba and Nala and the heir to the Pride Lands. Simba is protective of Kiara and assigns Timon and Pumbaa to watch over her. As Kiara grows older, she becomes curious about the world beyond the Pride Lands.

   During one of her adventures, Kiara encounters Kovu, a young lion who belongs to a group of Scar’s followers called the Outsiders. The Outsiders were banished to the Outlands by Simba after Scar’s defeat. Despite their differences and the animosity between their prides, Kiara and Kovu form a connection.

   Unbeknownst to Kiara, Zira, Kovu’s mother and the leader of the Outsiders, has a plan to use Kovu to infiltrate the Pride Lands and ultimately take revenge on Simba for Scar’s death. Zira holds a deep grudge against Simba and believes that Kovu is the key to restoring Scar’s legacy.

   As Kiara and Kovu’s friendship develops into a romantic relationship, the tension between the two prides escalates. Simba distrusts Kovu due to his association with Scar, while Zira encourages Kovu to use his position to get close to Simba. The plot unfolds as Kiara and Kovu try to navigate the complexities of their divided prides and challenge the prejudices that have fueled the conflict for years.

3. The Lion King 1½

   Director: Bradley Raymond

   Writers: Tom Rogers, Roger Allers, Irene Mecchi

   Stars: Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Julie Kavner

   Genres: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Musical

   

   The Lion King 1½ (The Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata) is a direct-to-video film released in 2004. It is a parallel story to the original The Lion King and provides a comedic perspective on the events of the first film. The plot follows Timon and Pumbaa, providing a behind-the-scenes look at their own unique experiences during the events of Simba’s journey.

   The story begins with Timon, a meerkat, and his wisecracking friend Pumbaa, a warthog, watching the original Lion King movie in a theater. Timon is discontented with their background roles and decides to provide his version of events, claiming that their story is the real Lion King story.

   The film then flashes back to Timon’s early days as a meerkat in a colony. Feeling unfulfilled and not fitting in with the meerkat way of life, Timon decides to leave and find his place in the world. He encounters Pumbaa, and the two form an unlikely but enduring friendship.

   As they journey through the Pride Lands, Timon and Pumbaa inadvertently find themselves involved in key moments of the original movie. They rescue Simba when he’s a young cub, introduce him to their carefree philosophy of “Hakuna Matata,” and even play a role in the battle against Scar and the hyenas.

   Throughout their adventures, Timon and Pumbaa provide comedic commentary and interact with various characters from the original film. The film humorously explores the idea that Timon and Pumbaa were behind the scenes of the events of The Lion King, offering a fresh and comedic perspective on the classic story.

   Ultimately, Timon and Pumbaa play a crucial role in the Pride Lands’ restoration to prosperity and Simba’s triumph over Scar. The Lion King 1½ is a lighthearted and humorous take on the beloved classic, offering a new angle on the story through the eyes of two of its most entertaining characters.

4. The Lion King

   Director: Jon Favreau

   Writers: Jeff Nathanson, Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts

   Stars: Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen

   Genres: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musical

   

   It is a live-action/CGI adaptation of Disney’s animated classic from 1994. While often called live-action, the film primarily uses photorealistic computer-generated animation. The 2019 version, directed by Jon Favreau, follows the general plot of the original movie, with some variations and additional scenes. Here is a summary of the plot:

   The story is set in the Pride Lands of Africa and follows the journey of a young lion named Simba, the son of Mufasa, the king of the Pride Lands, and Queen Sarabi. Simba is born as the heir to the throne, which makes his uncle Scar jealous.

   Scar conspires to take over the Pride Lands by orchestrating Mufasa’s death during a wildebeest stampede. Simba, feeling responsible for his father’s death, goes into self-imposed exile. Scar takes over the Pride Lands and allows the hyenas to run rampant, leading to a period of decline and hardship.

   During his exile, Simba befriends a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa. They live a carefree lifestyle, far removed from the troubles of the Pride Lands. Meanwhile, Scar’s mismanagement and tyranny continue, and the Pride Lands suffer.

   Simba’s childhood friend, Nala, eventually finds him and urges him to return home and reclaim his rightful place as king. After much internal struggle and guidance from Rafiki, the wise mandrill, Simba decides to confront his past and fulfill his destiny.

   Simba returns to the Pride Lands with Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa. A climactic battle ensues between Simba and Scar, and Simba ultimately triumphs, reclaiming the throne. The film concludes with the Pride Lands restored to their former glory and Simba and Nala becoming the new king and queen.

Conclusion

The Lion King franchise has captivated audiences with its timeless tale and enduring impact. Each installment offers a unique perspective on the beloved characters and their journeys, from the original animated film to the recent live-action CGI remake. With its themes of love, bravery, and the circle of life, the Lion King continues to inspire & resonate with audiences of all ages. The truth of its enduring popularity lies in its ability to provide new adventures and deeper insights into the Pride Lands.

All Lion King Movies According To IMDb Ratings

• The Lion King – 8.5 with 1.1M Votes
• The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride – 6.4 wtih 74K Votes
• The Lion King 1½ – 6.5 with 45K Votes
• The Lion King – 6.8 with 262K Votes

All Lion King Movies Box Office Collection

• The Lion King – $968.4 million
• The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride – $464.5 million
• The Lion King 1½ – $1,465
• The Lion King – $1.663 billion

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