To no surprise, one of Disney’s all-time greatest hits is coming back to theaters just in time for its 30th anniversary! Here’s when you can experience The Lion King in theaters again!
Looking back at 1994 is to see one of the best movie years ever, packed with scores of hits and films now seen as classics. When it came to the final box office tally for the year, one movie ruled the roost: The Lion King. Back in 1994, a movie making almost $300 million was a stunning achievement, especially for a family film.
The movie’s history has been well documented in books and documentaries, including the controversy over its similarities to the Japanese film Kimba the White Lion and some arguments on just who came up with the storyline. The fantastic documentary Waking Sleeping Beauty had Jeffrey Katzenberg claiming he’d pushed the entire film from origin to development while others claim he had barely any involvement.
Ironically, Disney itself seemed to think The Lion King was a “lesser” project and was putting more of the focus on Pocahontas. Of course, it all changed when Lion King premiered on June 15, 1994 and won over audiences and critics alike.
The movie still works beautifully. The glorious animation, the Elton John/Hans Zimmer songs, the comedy of Timon and Pumba, Jeremy Iron’s fantastic Scar and the storyline of a young cub raising up to become a leader, it’s a perfect package. Releasing it around Father’s Day was a great idea given the Simba-Mufasa relationship and still a winner.
The movie also became a monster merchandise mover for Disney with toys, games and more. Its presence at the theme parks include a special film at The Land's Epcot pavilion and a fun puppet/music show at the Magic Kingdom. That's without the Tony-award winning musical still running on Broadway. It's one of those movies parents love to introduce their kids to when they want to see the best of Disney.
The Lion King has enjoyed a few theatrical re-releases with IMAX in 2002 and 3-D releases in 2011 and 2012. That’s without mentioning the numerous home video releases, although its 25th anniversary in 2019 was marked by the live-action adaptation, which has a mixed reaction.
To make up for that, Disney is doing a big 30th anniversary re-release on July 12. The timing is good as not just for the anniversary of the original film, but it’s expected to have a new peek at the upcoming live-action prequel Mufasa due this November.
So if you have kids who have never seen The Lion King on the big screen or you want to experience it once again that way, get ready for a return to Pride Rock and admire a film that, three decades later, may be the pinnacle of Disney animation at its finest.
The Lion King re-released in theaters July 12.