The Lion King (1994) has been the jewel in Disney's crown for decades, and it has no sign of slowing down. From a Broadway stage adaptation to a series of live-action remakes, Simba, Nala, and the rest of the Pridelands have been a part of Disney's trademarked magic for generations.
Now, Disney+ is preparing to make a massive expansion of its Lion King collection by adding not just a new movie but a live concert event celebrating the original film as well. It's definitely great to be the king.
The Lion King lives on Disney+
Getting the most obvious development out of the way, Disney has recently announced that Mufasa: The Lion King (2024) would be making its way onto home media. The prequel to the 2019 Lion King remake was met with a decent reception, so it makes sense that Disney would want to get it into fan hands ASAP.
However, as What's On Disney Plus's Roger Palmer states, Disney+ hasn't rolled out the red carpet for royalty just yet.
The report states,
"No Disney+ release date has been announced yet, but typically, the streaming release is more in line with the physical release to increase digital sales and physical media pre-orders. So I wouldn’t expect to see “Mufasa: The Lion King” to arrive on Disney+ until April, but sometimes Disney likes to surprise us."
That's not the only Lion King surprise Disney has in store for us either, as the iconic film follows in the footsteps of other animated classics like Encanto and The Little Mermaid. The Lion King: Live at the Hollywood Bowl is slated to premiere on streaming on February 7, 2025. What's On Disney Plus gives the following description of the concert event.
"In honor of “The Lion King’s” 30th Anniversary, the Hollywood Bowl transforms into the Pride Lands for an immersive concert event featuring a reunion of the original voice cast alongside performances by cast members of the iconic Broadway show. Starring Lebo M, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Jason Weaver, Ernie Sabella, Billy Eichner, and stage musical alumni Heather Headley and Bradley Gibson, with special guests North West and EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson, this music event celebrates 30 years of this Oscar and Tony Award-winning global phenomenon that has been brought to life through animation, the Broadway stage, live action, and beyond."
Long story short, it's a great time to be a Lion King fan. If you're anything like this writer, you'll be singing "Hakuna Matata" for the rest of your days after a royal binge-watch with our favorite African felines.
Fans can enjoy the whole Lion King collection on Disney+.