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Mufasa: The Lion King

Play trailer

2:23

Mufasa: The Lion King

PG

Now Playing

1h 58m

Kids & Family

Adventure

Drama

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

57%

Tomatometer

202 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Verified Ratings

"Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka--the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny--their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

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Critics Consensus

Barry Jenkins' deft hand and Lin-Manuel Miranda's music go some way towards squaring the Circle of Life in Mufasa, but this fitfully soulful story is ill-served by its impersonal, photorealistic animation style.

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Udita Jhunjhunwala

Livemint

The script is safe and unoriginal, the voice talent is passable and while the scenes of the creatures racing through fields and prancing through canyons are fine, the drama peaks in the water bodies and on snow-capped mountains.

Jan 15, 2025

Full Review

Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

Barry Jenkins took this behemoth and it didn't entirely defeat him.

Jan 14, 2025

Full Review

Dwight Brown

DwightBrownInk.com

Young audiences will have fun following the likable characters and their perilous adventures.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 6, 2025

Full Review

Saibal Chatterjee

NDTV

The Hindi dub of Mufasa: The Lion King, at first flush, represents an improbable marriage. But it is one that is made in heaven.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 15, 2025

Full Review

tt stern-enzi

WXIX-TV (Cincinnati, OH)

I'm not a fan of these live action updates, but I really did like this one.

Rated: B

Jan 15, 2025

Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

This addition to the Lion King franchise maintains a more than satisfactory standard in all its aspects, but at the same time it feels quite artificial and calculated. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3/5

Jan 14, 2025

Full Review

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Narquita K.

I loved this movie. The plot, the characters, the graphics—all of it. It was wonderful and glad we finally get to learn the backstory on Mufasa and Scar.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Peggy

Loved the movie, provided history as to where it all started. Well done!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

SweaterWeather

This movie was well-done. Its a good family movie with great animation, and the storyline ties into the original Lion King very well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Anthony W

It was a great movie, I enjoyed the backstory origin of Mufasa. And how things came to be. highly recommended

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Jennie

So sweet. So moving. Nostalgic but not stale. Cute and funny but scary and forbpding in parts. Beautiful music, although not as great as Elton John and John Williams. Must see.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Nicole

Great back story to the Lion King! My girls and I loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

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Barry Jenkins

Director

Aaron Pierre

Mufasa

Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Taka

Tiffany Boone

Sarabi

Kagiso Lediga

Young Rafiki

Preston Nyman

Zazu

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Mufasa: The Lion King: Music Clip - We Go Together

1:03

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Only You Can Help Us

0:34

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Hakuna Mufasa

0:52

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Rafiki's Dreams

1:02

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Timon and Pumbaa

0:33

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Why Are You Following Us?

0:47

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - We’re Trapped

0:59

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - Who Are the Outsiders?

0:53

Mufasa: The Lion King: Movie Clip - I Always Wanted a Brother Song Pt. 1

0:59

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Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Creating the World

0:59

Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Backstage Music

1:15

The 'Mufasa: The Lion King' Cast on New Music and Hilarious Improv

25:18

Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - The Music of Lebo M

1:50

Mufasa: The Lion King: Booth to Screen Featurette - Beyoncé & Blue Ivy

1:59

Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Booth to Screen

1:23

Mufasa: The Lion King: Fight with Me

0:30

Mufasa: The Lion King: Featurette - Music of Mufasa

2:09

Mufasa: The Lion King: Teaser - Scar

0:45

Mufasa: The Lion King: Tickets on Sale

0:45

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Synopsis

"Mufasa: The Lion King" enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka--the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny--their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.

Director: Barry Jenkins
Producer: Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak
Screenwriter: Jeff Nathanson
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Production Co: Walt Disney Pictures
Rating: PG (Peril|Action/Violence|Some Thematic Elements)
Genre: Kids & Family, Adventure, Drama, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 2024, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $168.2M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)