Top 100 Movies Disney’s Lion King. It isn’t 100% clear to me, but, The Lion King is considered one of the top 100 films of all time due to its impressive animation, iconic soundtrack, compelling story, and memorable characters. The film is praised for its themes of family, responsibility, and the circle of life, which resonate with audiences of all ages. Additionally, its impressive box office performance and enduring popularity have cemented its place as a beloved classic in the world of animation and filmmaking. But personally? I’ve never liked the Lion King. While I herald it for Disney’s well trod Princess and happy ending departure… outside of that I’ve never really seen the appeal. Now, the Broadway musical play? That was unbelievably innovative. But that’s a story for another day.
Disney’s Lion King Movie Top 100 Walkthrough
Disney’s 1994 animated film “The Lion King” tells the story of Simba, a young lion prince who must confront his destiny and overcome the treachery of his uncle to become the rightful king of the Pride Lands.
The movie opens with the presentation of the newborn cub Simba to all the animals of the Pride Lands by his father, Mufasa, who is the king of the lions. The animals gather together to honor the arrival of the future king, and the wise old baboon Rafiki blesses the cub and introduces him to the world.
As Simba grows up, he becomes restless and curious about the world beyond the Pride Lands. His father teaches him the responsibilities of being a king and the importance of maintaining the balance of nature in their kingdom. However, Simba’s uncle Scar, who is jealous of Mufasa and his position as the king, sees an opportunity to seize power for himself.
Scar hatches a plan to kill Mufasa and Simba so he can claim the throne. He convinces Simba to explore the forbidden Elephant Graveyard, where the hyenas, who are Scar’s allies, attack them. Mufasa comes to their rescue, but Scar causes a stampede that separates Simba from his father. Mufasa saves Simba from being trampled, but Scar throws him off a cliff to his death.
Scar then convinces Simba that he is responsible for his father’s death and tells him to leave the Pride Lands and never return. Scar assumes the throne and allows the hyenas to overrun the kingdom, causing the once-lush landscape to become a barren wasteland.
Simba, who is now living with two new friends, a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa, grows up without any knowledge of his true identity or his rightful place as king. However, as he reaches adulthood, he realizes that he must return to the Pride Lands and reclaim his throne. Rafiki, who has been watching over him, convinces him to go back and face his past.
Simba returns to the Pride Lands and reunites with his childhood friend, a lioness named Nala, who tells him about Scar’s tyranny and the desperate situation of the Pride Lands. Together with his friends Timon and Pumbaa, and the other animal allies, Simba fights Scar and his hyena army in a fierce battle.
Simba defeats Scar in a one-on-one battle and becomes the new king of the Pride Lands, bringing peace and harmony back to the kingdom. The movie ends with the presentation of Simba and Nala’s newborn cub, completing the circle of life.
Thoughts on the Film Lion King
Got it. The circle of life. Nature is an uncaring and maleficent master, but hopefully, you’ll win as much as you lose in the long run. No? Isn’t that what the film is saying? I’m probably just salty that Beauty and the Beast is way back at 86 on this list. And yet, I know that the Lion King is a pretty universally loved film. I mean, it’s on this list isn’t it? And I will say, there were a number of pretty amazing shots in this film… specifically for the time. So, from a technological standpoint, props to Disney. But I am even more ensconced in my opinion now more than ever before.
I didn’t care about the characters – specifically Simba… thought he was a Fratboy that deserved pretty much everything he got and more. Heck, if Lion King was made as an 80’s brat pack movie, Simba definitely wouldn’t have gotten the girl – and worse, he’d be up on charges for date rape! hahaha. Sorry, that was totally inappropriate. But it is what it is! hahah. Still laughing. The fact that Disney milked the heck out of the duo sidekick characters, just irks me. And the just overly trafficked bildungsroman story of the uncaring child awakening to the realities of life? I don’t know. Anyway… I’m going to stop kicking this movie while it’s down. I’m sure I’ll get hate mail about this one. But that’s just the circle of life, kid… the circle of life.
Edited by: CY