1994’sThe Lion Kinghas managed to spawn a massive franchise full of animated and live-action movies, and here is everyThe Lion Kingfilm that has been released in order. While Disney’s original animated classic is still themost well-knownThe Lion Kingmovie, many fans of the original may not know just how manyThe Lion Kingfilms they are, with there being multiple direct sequels to the first movie. So, here is a complete breakdown of every entry inThe Lion Kingfranchise, which movies exist in which continuity, and how to watch them in order.
Mufasa: The Lion Kingis 2024’s new addition toThe Lion Kingfranchise, with the live-action prequel movie giving a look at Mufasa and Scar’s early lives in a way that hasn’t yet been seen. The epic prequel to the 2019 live-actionThe Lion Kingremake has made many fans want to see what else the franchise offers outside of the originalThe Lion Kingstory, and there is plenty to choose from. Whether it bethe live-action films, the direct-to-DVD sequels, or theThe Lion Kingtelevision specials, all kinds ofThe Lion Kingmovies have been made since 1994.
The Lion King Movies In Release Order
From 1994 To 2024
1994’sThe Lion Kingended with the reveal that Simba and Nala have had a child of their own, with the addition of this new character creating an entire timeline ofThe Lion Kingsequels and spinoffs.The Lion King II: Simba’s Pridecapitalized on this setup, with it following the story of Simba and Nala’s sonKiara as she falls for an outsider lion named Kovu.The Lion King 1½, meanwhile, is a midquel that followsTimon and Pumbaa’s adventures during the events ofThe Lion King. These all lead up toThe Lion GuardTV series, which has three movies of its own.
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1994
1998
2004
2015
2017
2019
2024
The Lion King
Cast
The Lion King is an animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Released in 1994, it tells the story of Simba, a young lion cub who faces the responsibilities of adulthood and reclaiming his birthright as king of the Pride Lands. Featuring an iconic voice cast that includes Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, and Jeremy Irons, the film explores themes of family, duty, and the circle of life.
Whether you’re watchingThe Lion Kingfranchise in chronological order or in release order, the place to start is with 1994’sThe Lion King. The film starts with Simba as a lion cub, with the first half of the movie covering Simba’s childhood up until Scar kills Mufasa,causing Simba to run away from the Pride Lands. Once Simba is with Timon and Pumbaa, the song “Hakuna Matata” contains a time jump, ending with Simba as an adult. By the end ofThe Lion King, the adult Simba returns home, kills Scar, becomes king, and gives birth to Kiara.
The Lion King 1 1/2
Timon and Pumba reveal the main story of their lives, how they met in the past and also how they later came to know Simba and become friends with him.
The timeline ofThe Lion King 1½is a bit jumpy,with it taking place at various points throughout the timeline ofThe Lion King. Rather than serving as a proper prequel or sequel,The Lion King 1½acts more like a midquel, showing what Timon and Pumbaa were up to when they were offscreen during the original 1994 film. Parts of the film show Timon’s life before meeting Pumbaa, but the bulk of the film shows Timon and Pumbaa’s life with Simba through the eyes of the comedic duo, meaning that it is best placed as the second film chronologically.
The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride
The Lion King 2, also known as The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride, is a direct-to-video release unveiled in 1998 that acted as a direct sequel to the original Disney feature film. This title sees Simba and Nala’s daughter Kiara rebelling against her father’s overprotective nature and branching out where she meets another cub from a far away place.
The first proper sequel toThe Lion KingisThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, with it being the third film in the chronologicalThe Lion Kingtimeline. Much like the original film,The Lion King II: Simba’s Pridecontains a major time jump, with the first half of the film focusing on Kiara and Kovu’s time as lion cubs, andthe second half of the film taking place years laterand following adult versions of Kiara and Kovu. So, parts ofThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pridetake place betweenThe Lion KingandThe Lion Guardseries, while some parts take place afterThe Lion Guard.
The Lion Guard
The Lion Guard follows Kion, son of Simba, as he leads a team tasked with protecting the Pride Lands. Combining courage and collaboration, Kion and his diverse group of animal friends ensure harmony by defending their territory from threats and maintaining the Circle of Life.
2015’sThe Lion Guard: Return of the Roaracts as aThe Lion Kingtelevision movie as well as a pilot for the TV seriesThe Lion Guard.The Lion Guard: Return of the Roarandthe rest ofThe Lion GuardTV series take place in the middle ofThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pride, with it taking place after Kiara and Kovu meet inThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pridebut before both lions become adults. The only exception to this is the last twoThe Lion Guardepisodes, which take place after the events ofThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pridehave concluded.
The Lion Guard: The Rise Of Scar (2017)
The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scartakes place during season 2 ofThe Lion Guard, placing it afterThe Lion Guard: Return of the Roar. This also means thatThe Lion Guard: The Rise of Scartakes place after the first half ofThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pridebut before the second half of the film.The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scaralso features a flashback scene explaining the origins of Scar, which take place before the 1994 original.
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The Lion Guard: Battle For The Pride Lands (2019)
The Lion Guard: Battle for the Pride Landskicks off season 3 ofThe Lion Guard, meaning thatit takes place afterThe Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar. Like its TV predecessors, it also takes place in the middle ofThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pride.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
Of thetwo live-actionThe Lion Kingmovies,Mufasa: The Lion Kingtakes place first chronologically. The film acts as a prequel to the 2019 film, with it exploring the lives of Mufasa and Scar before the birth of Simba. Some scenes in the prequel feature both characters as cubs, while other scenes feature both as adults.
Jon Favreau directs this 2019 live-action adaptation of Walt Disney’s popular film, The Lion King. Starring Donald Glover, Alfre Woodard, Seth Rogen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, this release follows young Simba as he grows up to become a mighty lion and take vengeance on his dastardly uncle, Scar.
A remake of the 1994 film, 2019’sThe Lion Kingfeatures Mufasa and Scar already as adults, with it taking place afterMufasa: The Lion King. Much like the original film, half of the 2019 remake takes place with Simba as a cub, while the second half takes place with Simba as an adult.
Which Order To Watch The Lion King Movies In
Release Or Chronological Order?
When deciding which order to watchThe Lion Kingmovies,release order works best. While viewing the films in chronological order can be fun, the time jumps in each film make it too confusing, with the only proper way to do it being to pauseThe Lion King II: Simba’s Pridehalfway through and watchThe Lion Guardmovies. On top of that, the release orders and chronological orders line up pretty well, making release order the idealThe Lion Kingviewing experience.
