You’re sitting on the couch. Maybe you’ve got a craving for some nostalgia, or your kid just discovered lions are cool, and now you’re wondering: can you rent Mufasa right now? It sounds like a simple question. It’s actually kinda complicated because "Mufasa" refers to three very different things in the Disney ecosystem. You might be looking for the 1994 animated classic, the 2019 photorealistic remake, or the brand-new 2024 prequel directed by Barry Jenkins.
The short answer? Yes, but where you go depends entirely on which version of the Pride Lands you're trying to visit.
Honestly, the streaming wars have made this annoying. You used to just go to a video store. Now, you have to check three different apps to see who has the rights this month. Since Disney owns the whole pride, they keep a tight leash on where these movies live. If you’re looking for the newest chapter—Mufasa: The Lion King—the rules are even stricter because of the theatrical window.
The Current Status of Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)
If you are specifically asking can you rent Mufasa to see the backstory of Taka and Mufasa, you’re likely looking for the 2024 prequel. This movie hit theaters in late December 2024.
Disney follows a very specific "theatrical-to-digital" pipeline. Usually, a massive blockbuster like this stays exclusively in movie theaters for about 45 to 90 days. We saw this with Inside Out 2 and Avatar: The Way of Water. They want you to buy a bucket of popcorn and a $15 ticket before they let you watch it in your pajamas.
As of early 2026, the film has completed its initial theatrical run. You can now find it on major digital retailers. This includes:
- Apple TV (iTunes): Usually the best bit-rate quality if you have the bandwidth.
- Amazon Prime Video: Easy if you already have your credit card linked.
- Google TV / Vudu: Good for those in the Android ecosystem.
Buying the movie usually costs around $19.99, while a 48-hour rental typically settles at $5.99 once the "Premium Video on Demand" (PVOD) window passes. If it’s still very early in the home release, they might charge a "Premium" rental fee of $19.99. It’s steep. I know. But that’s the price of skipping the theater.
Can You Rent Mufasa on Disney Plus?
This is a common point of confusion. You don't actually "rent" movies on Disney+ anymore.
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Remember "Premier Access"? That was the thing during the pandemic where you paid $30 to see Black Widow or Raya and the Last Dragon. Disney mostly scrapped that. Now, they prefer to use big movies like Mufasa to drive new subscriptions.
Basically, you wait a few months after the theater release, and then it just "drops" on the service for all subscribers. If you have an active subscription, you don't pay an extra rental fee. If you don't have a subscription, you can't access it there at all. It’s an all-or-nothing deal.
The 1994 Lion King and the 2019 remake are permanent fixtures on Disney+. They aren't going anywhere. Because Disney owns the IP entirely, they don't have to deal with the licensing headaches that send movies from Netflix to Max and back again.
Why the 1994 and 2019 Versions Matter for Rentals
Sometimes when people ask can you rent Mufasa, they are actually looking for the original 1994 masterpiece. This is arguably the most important film in the franchise.
You can rent the 1994 version on almost any platform for about $3.99. It’s cheap. It’s easy. It’s also available in 4K on most of these services now, which looks incredible if you have a decent HDR TV.
Then there’s the 2019 "live-action" (it's actually all CGI) version.
Some people hate it. Some people love the realism. If you want to rent this version, it's widely available on Amazon and Apple. But honestly? If you’re going to pay $4 to rent it, you might as well just pay for one month of Disney+ for a few dollars more and get access to the whole library.
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Breaking Down the Digital Math
If you're trying to decide between renting or subscribing, look at the numbers.
Individual Rental: $3.99 - $5.99 per movie.
Digital Purchase: $14.99 - $19.99 (yours to keep in the "cloud").
Disney+ Subscription: Around $9.99 - $15.99 depending on if you want ads.
If you plan on watching Mufasa and then immediately watching the original Lion King and maybe Lion King 1 1/2 (the Timon and Pumbaa one), renting is a bad move. You’ll spend $15 on rentals when a one-month sub covers everything.
However, some people prefer "owning" the digital copy on Vudu or Apple. Why? Because streaming services change their terms. Movies occasionally get pulled for weird tax write-offs (though Disney is less likely to do this with their crown jewels). If you rent, you have 30 days to start the movie and 48 hours to finish it once you hit play.
Physical Media: The Dying Art of the Disc
Can you still rent a physical copy of Mufasa? It's getting harder.
Netflix shut down its DVD-by-mail service. Family Video is mostly gone. Your best bet for a physical rental is a Redbox kiosk, though even those are struggling. If you have a local library, check there! Libraries are the secret weapon for free movie rentals. Most libraries carry Disney Blu-rays, and they are usually free to borrow with a card.
The quality on a 4K Blu-ray is significantly better than a "rental" stream. Streaming compresses the audio. If you have a high-end sound system, the roar of the lions will sound much "thinner" over a standard rental than it will on a disc. Just something to keep in mind if you're a cinephile.
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Technical Requirements for Streaming Mufasa
If you decide to go the digital rental route, make sure your hardware is up to snuff.
- Bandwidth: You need at least 25 Mbps for a stable 4K stream. If your internet is spotty, the "rental" will buffer right when Mufasa is giving his "everything the light touches" speech. That ruins the vibe.
- HDR Compatibility: The 2024 Mufasa movie uses a lot of dark shadows and golden hour lighting. If you rent it on a platform that doesn't support Dolby Vision or HDR10+, you’re going to lose a lot of that visual detail.
- The "Watch Party" Factor: If you're renting to watch with friends remotely, Apple TV has "SharePlay" which works pretty well. Most other rental platforms don't have a native "watch together" feature anymore.
Common Misconceptions About Renting Disney Movies
People often think that if a movie is on Disney+, it’s blocked from being rented elsewhere. That’s not true.
Disney is happy to take your money twice. They will let you rent The Lion King on Amazon for $4 even if it’s sitting "free" on their own subscription service. They know some people just don't want another monthly bill.
Another weird quirk: sometimes the "Bonus Features" are only available if you buy the movie, not if you rent it. If you want the "making of" documentaries about how they used "virtual production" to film the African Savannah in a warehouse in Los Angeles, you’ll usually need to hit the "Buy" button.
The Global Perspective: It Depends Where You Live
The question of can you rent Mufasa also changes based on your geography. In the UK or Canada, the licensing deals sometimes differ.
In some regions, Sky or Crave might have temporary exclusive rights. Generally, though, the digital storefronts (Apple/Google) remain the most consistent way to get a 48-hour rental.
Final Steps for Your Movie Night
If you're ready to pull the trigger, here is exactly how to do it without getting ripped off.
- Check Disney+ first. If you already pay for it, the movie might already be there for no extra cost.
- Search "JustWatch" or "Reelgood." These are free websites/apps that scan every streaming service. Type in "Mufasa" and it will tell you the exact rental price on every platform in real-time.
- Compare the "4K" vs "HD" price. Sometimes platforms charge $1 extra for 4K. It’s almost always worth the extra dollar for a movie this visual.
- Watch the expiration timer. Don't click "play" until you are actually ready to watch. Most rentals expire 48 hours after you start the video.
If you're looking for the 2024 prequel and it’s not on digital stores yet, it means it’s still in the "Theatrical Exclusive" window. In that case, your only option is the local cinema. But given the timing of the release, it should be hitting digital shelves very soon, if it hasn't already.
Actionable Takeaways
- Verify the version: Ensure you're renting the 2024 prequel and not accidentally the 2019 remake or the 1994 original.
- Avoid "Premium" prices: If the rental is $19.99, wait two weeks. It usually drops to $5.99 shortly after.
- Check library apps: Use the Libby or Hoopla apps connected to your local library. They sometimes have digital "rental" credits for movies, though Disney titles are rarer there.
- Audit your subscriptions: If you have a Verizon or Amex plan, you might actually have a free Disney+ subscription you haven't activated yet. Use that instead of paying for a rental.