The Lion King films in order

1994 The Lion King managed to generate a huge franchise full of animated and live-action films, and here they are all The Lion King film that was released in order. Although Disney's original animated classic is still the most well-known The Lion King film, many fans of the original may not know how many The Lion King films that are, with several direct sequels to the first film. So here is a complete breakdown of each entry in The Lion King franchise, which films exist in which continuity, and how to watch them in order.

Mufasa: The Lion King is the new 2024 addition to the The Lion King franchise, with the live-action prequel film taking a look at Mufasa and Scar's early lives in a way that hasn't yet been seen. The 2019 live-action epic prequel The Lion King remake made many fans want to see what else the franchise offers outside of the original The Lion King history, and there is a lot to choose from. Whether it is live-action films, direct-to-DVD sequels, or The Lion King television specialsall kinds of The Lion King Films have been made since 1994.

Lion King films in release order

From 1994 to 2024

1994 The Lion King ended with the revelation that Simba and Nala had a child, with the addition of this new character creating an entire timeline of The Lion King sequels and spinoffs. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride capitalized on this setup, following the story of Simba and Nala's son, Kiara, as she falls in love with a strange lion named Kovu. The Lion King 1½however, it is a midquel that follows The adventures of Timon and Pumbaa during the events of The Lion King. All this leads to The Lion Guard TV series, which has three films of its own.

Film	Release year
The Lion King	1994
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride	1998
The Lion King 1½	2004
The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar	2015
The Lion Guard: Rise of the Scar	2017
The Lion King	2019
The Lion Guard: Battle for the Pride Lands	2019
Mufasa: The Lion King	2024

The Lion King animated films in chronological order

The Lion King (1994)

The Lion King

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 claims 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.

Release date: June 24, 1994
Execution time: 88 minutes
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Robert Guillaume
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Writers: Linda Woolverton, Jonathan Roberts, Irene Mecchi
Budget: 45000000.0
Studio(s): Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Feature Animation

Whether you're watching The Lion King franchise in chronological or release order, the place to start is in 1994 The Lion King. The film begins with Simba as a lion cub with the first half of the film covering Simba's childhood until Scar kills Mufasa. causing Simba to flee the Pride Lands. Once Simba is with Timon and Pumbaa, the song “Hakuna Matata” contains a time jump, ending with Simba as an adult. At the end of The Lion Kingthe adult Simba returns home, kills Scar, becomes king, and gives birth to Kiara.

The Lion King 1½ (2004)

The Lion King 1 1/2

Timon and Pumbaa reveal the main story of their lives, how they met in the past and also how they later met Simba and became friends with him.

Release date: February 6, 2004
Execution time: 77 minutes
Director: Bradley Raymond
Writers: Tom Rogers, Roger Allers, Irene Mecchi, Raymond Singer, Evan Spiliotopoulos

The timeline of The Lion King 1½ is a little nervous, with this occurring at various points along the timeline of The Lion King. Rather than serving as a proper prequel or sequel The Lion King 1½ acts more as a midquel, showing what Timon and Pumbaa were up to when they were off-screen during the original 1994 film. Parts of the film show Timon's life before he met Pumbaa, but the majority of the film shows the lives of Timon and Pumbaa meets Simba through the eyes of the comic duo, which means it's best placed as the second film chronologically.

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

The Lion King 2, also known as The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride, is a direct-to-video release released in 1998 that acted as a direct sequel to Disney's original 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.

Release date: October 27, 1998
Execution time: 81 minutes
Franchise(s): The Lion King
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Jason Marsden
Writers: Matthew Broderick

The first proper sequence of The Lion King and The Lion King II: Simba's Pridethis being the third film in the chronology The Lion King timeline. Much like the original film, The Lion King II: Simba's Pride contains a large time jump, with the first half of the film focusing on Kiara and Kovu's time as lion cubs, and the second half of the film takes place years later and following adult versions of Kiara and Kovu. So, parts of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride happen between The Lion King and The Lion Guard series, while some parts take place later The Lion Guard.

The Lion Guard: The Roar Returns (2015)

The Lion Guard

The Lion Guard follows Simba's son Kion 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, defending their territory against threats and maintaining the Circle of Life.

Release date: January 15, 2016
Cast: Dusan Brown, Joshua Rush, Max Charles, Atticus Shaffer, Diamond White, Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Maia Mitchell, Sarah Hyland, Tunisia Hardison, Jason Marsden, Jacob Bertrand, David Oyelowo, Mekai Curtis, Clyde Kusatsu, Ai-chan Carrier
Character(s): Beshte, Bunga, Kion, Ono, Fuli, Rani, Jasiri, Tiifu, Swala, Kovu, Chama, Scar, Fuhara, Domog, Kimyo
Creator(s): Ford Riley
Seasons: 3

2015 The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar acts as a The Lion King television film as well as a pilot for the TV series The Lion Guard. The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar and the rest The Lion Guard TV series take place in the middle of The Lion King II: Simba's Pridehappening after Kiara and Kovu meet in The Lion King II: Simba's Pride but before the two lions become adults. The only exception to this are the last two The Lion Guard episodes, which take place after the events of The Lion King II: Simba's Pride concluded.

The Lion Guard: Rise of the Scar (2017)

The Lion Guard: Rise of the Scar takes place during the 2nd season of The Lion Guardputting it after The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar. This also means that The Lion Guard: Rise of the Scar happens after the first semester The Lion King II: Simba's Pride but before the second half of the film. The Lion Guard: Rise of the Scar also features a flashback scene explaining Scar's origins, which take place before the 1994 original.

The Lion Guard: Battle for the Pride Lands (2019)

The Lion Guard: Battle for the Pride Lands the 3rd season of The Lion Guardmeaning that happens later The Lion Guard: Rise of the Scar. Like its television predecessors, it also takes place in the middle of the The Lion King II: Simba's Pride.

The Lion King “Live Action” Movies in Chronological Order

Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

Mufasa: The Lion King is a prequel to the live-action remake of Disney's original animated film The Lion King. The film will follow Mufasa in his early days; Further plot details are currently under wraps. The film will likely explore Mufasa and Scar's relationship and how it became so strained. In the film, Timon and Pumbaa will return, with Billy Eicher and Seth Rogen reprising their roles.

Release date: December 20, 2024
Main Genre: Adventure
Director: Barry Jenkins
Writers: Jeff Nathanson

Of the two live-action The Lion King films, Mufasa: The Lion King occurs first chronologically. The film functions as a prequel to the 2019 film, exploring Mufasa and Scar's lives before Simba's birth. Some scenes in the prequel feature both characters as puppies, while other scenes feature both characters as adults.

The Lion King (2019)

The Lion King

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 powerful lion and get revenge on his cowardly uncle, Scar.

Release date: July 19, 2019
Execution time: 118 minutes
Franchise(s): The Lion King
Cast: James Earl Jones, John Kani, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Eric Andre, Donald Glover, JD McCrary, Alfre Woodard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Beyoncé, Florence Kasumba, John Oliver, Seth Rogen, Keegan-Michael Key, Billy Eichner
Writers: Jeff Nathanson
Budget: 260 million

A remake of the 1994 film, 2019 The Lion King features Mufasa and Scar as adultsoccurring after Mufasa: 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.

In what order to watch the Lion King movies

Release or chronological order?

When deciding which order to watch The Lion King films, release order works best. While watching the films in chronological order can be fun, the time jumps in each film make it very confusing, with the only proper way to do so being by pausing. The Lion King II: Simba's Pride halfway and watch The Lion Guard films. Additionally, release orders and chronological orders align very well, making the release order ideal The Lion King viewing experience.