The Lion King (1994)

Movie Details:

Voice Cast & Characters:

• Rowan Atkinson as Zazu (voice)
• Matthew Broderick as Simba (voice)
• Niketa Calame-Harris as Young Nala (voice)
• Jim Cummings as Ed / Scar (voice)
• Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi (voice)
• Robert Guillaume as Rafiki (voice)
• Jeremy Irons as Scar (voice)
• James Earl Jones as Mufasa (voice)
• Moira Kelly as Nala (voice)
• Nathan Lane as Timon (voice)
• Zoe Leader as Sarafina (voice)
• Cheech Marin as Banzai (voice)
• Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa (voice)
• Madge Sinclair as Sarabi (voice)
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Young Simba (voice)
• Frank Welker as Lion Roars / Hyenas / Wildebeests (voice)
• Cathy Cavadini as Additional Voices (voice)
• Judi M. Durand as Additional Voices (voice)
• Daamen J. Krall as Additional Voices (voice)
• David McCharen as Additional Voices (voice)
• Mary Linda Phillips as Additional Voices (voice)
• Phil Proctor as Additional Voices (voice)
• David Randolph as Additional Voices (voice)

Storyline:

A young lion prince is cast out of his pride by his cruel uncle, who claims he killed his father. While the uncle rules with an iron paw, the prince grows up beyond the Savannah, living by a philosophy: No worries for the rest of your days. But when his past comes to haunt him, the young prince must decide his fate: Will he remain an outcast or face his demons and become what he needs to be?

About Movie:

The Lion King is an American animated musical coming-of-age drama produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Buena Vista Pictures under the Walt Disney Pictures banner. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff in their feature directorial debuts, the film was produced by Don Hahn and features a screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton.

Its voice cast includes Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Nathan Lane, and Whoopi Goldberg. The film’s songs were composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice, and its score was created by Hans Zimmer. Inspired by African wildlife, the story is primarily based on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet with influences from Biblical stories, following a young lion prince who must reclaim his kingdom from his uncle after being forced into exile.

Originally conceived as a non-musical, the film evolved into a musical production after George Scribner, the original director, left the project due to creative differences. Roger Allers brought in key collaborators, including Brenda Chapman and Chris Sanders, to develop the story and design, while Minkoff joined as co-director. To ensure the film’s authenticity, the production team, including animators, traveled to Kenya to study its landscapes and wildlife for inspiration.

Released on June 15, 1994, The Lion King received widespread critical acclaim for its animation, music, and themes. It grossed $763 million globally during its original theatrical run, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1994 and holding the record as the top-grossing animated film until Finding Nemo (2003).

It remains the highest-grossing traditionally animated film of all time and the best-selling home video release, with over 55 million copies sold worldwide.

The film won two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and is widely regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made.

The film has spawned numerous adaptations and sequels, including a Broadway musical in 1997, two direct-to-video sequels, The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998) and The Lion King 1½ (2004), and two television series: The Lion King’s Timon & Pumbaa (1995-1999) and The Lion Guard (2016-2019).

A 2019 photorealistic remake became the highest-grossing animated film at the time. In 2016, The Lion King was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, recognized for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. It is also the first Disney film to be dubbed in Zulu.

Budget & Box Office Collection: