A guide to watching ‘The Lion King' movies in chronological order, including 'Mufasa' (2025)

The popularity of Disney’s animated movies reached new heights with The Lion King in 1994. The film laid the foundation of The Lion King franchise, which has appealed to audiences of all age groups across generations. As the latest instalment, Mufasa: The Lion King, hit theatres on 20 December 2024, check out the correct chronological order to watch The Lion King movies.

The first film, with an IMDb rating of 8.5, set incredible box-office records by grossing nearly USD 771 million. Its current worldwide collection is over USD 981 million after multiple re-releases over the years, according to ScreenRant. The second highest-achieving The Lion King film in the franchise is the 2019 Jon Favreau remake of the original movie. Despite starting off with mixed reviews, it captivated audiences and became one of the biggest box office hits of the year, earning over USD 1.6 billion.

Such incredible numbers imply that the Disney film franchise is quite a lucrative name, making over USD 2.6 billion in the global box office. Now, with the King of the Jungle returning for another iteration, will reaching the USD 3 billion goal be a “Hakuna Matata” situation? We’ll wait and watch.

While we look at The Lion King movies in chronological order, the television series spin-offs also deserve a special mention. The first series Timon & Pumbaa (1995-1999) is based on the misadventures and hilarious antics of warthog Pumbaa and his meerkat buddy Timon from The Lion King (1994). Another series, The Lion Guard (2015-2019) focuses on Simba’s son Kion and most of the episodes take place during a time skip in The Lion King II.

In this regard, Around the World with Timon & Pumbaa (1996) is a direct-to-video sequel inspired by Timon & Pumbaa. It is a compilation of six episodes and a music video from the television series as well as the first of three-volume compilations about Timon and Pumbaa.

So before you step into the theatres to catch Mufasa: The Lion King, we have arranged all The Lion King movies in chronological and release order so you can watch them according to the story timeline.

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The Lion King movies in chronological order: Arranged according to the story’s timeline

Here’s a list of all The Lion King movies in order if you want to watch the films chronologically, for a linear flow of events:

Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

A guide to watching ‘The Lion King' movies in chronological order, including 'Mufasa' (3)

IMDb rating: 6.8*

Directed by: Barry Jenkins

Cast: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Beyoncé

Runtime: 2 hours

Synopsis: The film focuses on Mufasa’s (voiced by Pierre) childhood and the origins of the Pride Lands. As a young and lost cub, Mufasa meets the sympathetic lion Taka (voiced by Harrison). Together, they embark on an adventure with several other misfits as they try to find their true identity.

*The IMDb rating is as of 26th December 2024.

The Lion King 1 ½ : Hakuna Matata (2004)

A guide to watching ‘The Lion King' movies in chronological order, including 'Mufasa' (4)

IMDb rating: 6.5

Directed by: Bradley Raymond

Cast: Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Julie Kavner

Runtime: 1 hour 16 minutes

Synopsis: Timon (voiced by Lane), the meerkat and Pumbaa (voiced by Sabella) the warthog are inseparable in the Lion King universe. They recount the story of the first animated film. Timon leaves his colony feeling like a misfit and a chance encounter makes him best friends with the lonely Pumbaa. Together, they embark on various adventures in search of a new home before they meet Simba.

About the film: The film may not advance the story but is a rich account of the strong bond between the two animals, their antics and morals. This is the film which popularised the phrase ‘Hakuna Matata’, meaning no worries.

The Lion King (1994)

IMDb rating: 8.5

Directed by: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Cast: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson

Runtime: 1 hour 23 minutes

Synopsis: As a naive cub, Simba (voiced by Broderick) is cast out of his pride by his cruel uncle Scar (voiced by Irons). Scar makes Simba believe that he is responsible for the death of his father Mufasa (voiced by Jones). Simba is forced to leave the Pride Lands while his uncle rules ruthlessly. But when his past haunts 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 the film: This original Disney animated film marks the beginning of the Lion King’s journey and establishes it as a successful franchise.

Awards won: Nominated for four Oscars in 1995 and won two — Best Music, Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John and Best Music, Original Score by Hans Zimmer.

The Lion King (2019)

IMDb rating: 6.8

Directed by: Jon Favreau

Cast: Donald Glover, Beyoncé, Seth Rogen, James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes

Synopsis: In Savannah, lion cub Simba (voiced by Glover) is the pride and joy of his parents King Mufasa (voiced by Jones) and Queen Sarabi (voiced by Woodard). While Mufasa prepares his son to take up the reins of the jungle, the naive kid is unaware that his envious uncle Scar (voiced by Ejiofor) wants to kill the father. He lures Simba and his friend Nala (voiced by Beyoncé) to a forbidden place only for hyenas to attack them. Mufasa arrives in the nick of time to save them. Later, Scar hatches another plot and although Simba escapes alive, Mufasa is killed. Simba leaves the Pride Lands believing he is responsible for the death. Later, Nala tells him that the kingdom has become a wasteland under Scar’s rule. What will Simba do?

About the film: This is the highest-grossing film in the Lion King universe with a collection of over USD 1.6 billion. It is a remake of the original Disney film with nuanced detailings and more complex themes.

Awards won: Nominated for Best Achievement in Visual Effects at the 2020 Academy Awards.

The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998)

A guide to watching ‘The Lion King' movies in chronological order, including 'Mufasa' (5)

IMDb rating: 6.4

Directed by: Darrell Rooney

Cast: Matthew Broderick, Neve Campbell, Andy Dick, James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jason Marsden, Suzanne Pleshette

Runtime: 1 hour 20 minutes

Synopsis: Simba’s (voiced by Broderick) relationship with his daughter Kiara (Campbell) is on the line when she flees from Timon’s (voiced by Lane) and Pumba’s (voiced by Sabella) guidance. The young lion cub ventures far into the forbidden lands and meets Kovu (voiced by Marsden). Kovu is the son of lioness Zira (voiced by Pleshette), a follower of Scar. She plots with her son to kill Kiara and avenge Scar.

About the film: The Lion King II is a direct sequel to the original film and focuses on Simba’s daughter Kiara.

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The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015)

A guide to watching ‘The Lion King' movies in chronological order, including 'Mufasa' (8)

IMDb rating: 5.6

Directed by: Howy Parkins

Cast: James Earl Jones, Rob Lowe, Gabrielle Union, Max Charles, Eden Riegel

Runtime: 44 minutes

Synopsis: Simba’s son Kion (voiced by Charles) is a fun-loving young lion cub happy to know that his sister Kiara (voiced by Riegel) is destined to rule the Pride Lands. But when he learns that, as the Lion King’s second-born, he must lead The Lion Guard, Kion assembles the members of the ‘Lion Guard’. As the leader, Kion has the Roar of the Elders, the power that makes him the fiercest in all the Pride Lands. He gathers a body of the bravest, strongest, fastest, and keenest of sight in the Pride Lands to protect his subjects.

About the film: This is a short television movie that further delves into the family dynamics of the Lion King world.

How to watch The Lion King movies in release order

Sometimes movie instalments follow a linear progression, while other times, the release order may not follow the story timeline with prequels, reboots and spin-offs. Let’s take a look at the movies in release order:

The Lion King (1994): This is where the actual main story takes place.
The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998): It takes place after the events of the first movie.
The Lion King 1½ (2004): Hakuna Matata: It is set both before and during the 1994 original movie.
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar (2015): A take on the family dynamics of Simba’s kids.
The Lion King (2019): It is a remake of the original movie with more nuanced details.
Mufasa: The Lion King (2024): Traces Mufasa’s childhood before he became king of the Pride Lands.

(Hero and featured image credit: Lion King/ © 2019 Disney Enterprises/ IMDb)

The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

A guide to watching ‘The Lion King' movies in chronological order, including 'Mufasa' (2025)

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