Honestly, trying to figure out the lion king movies order is a bit of a headache if you’re looking at it through a strictly linear lens. Most people just think there’s the 1994 masterpiece and maybe that live-action remake from a few years ago. They’re missing out. There’s a whole messy, beautiful timeline of direct-to-video sequels, spin-offs, and prequels that change how you view Simba’s journey.
It's not just about lions singing on a rock.
If you want to watch these in a way that actually makes sense, you have to decide if you're a purist or a completionist. Most fans stick to the release dates. But, if you’re feeling bold, the chronological order is where the real weirdness (and depth) happens.
The Standard Lion King Movies Order by Release Date
Most of us grew up with the VHS tapes.
The Lion King (1994): This is the untouchable original. It’s Shakespeare’s Hamlet with fur. Roger Ebert famously gave it four stars, noting that the "seriousness" of the film was what set it apart from typical kids' fare.
The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (1998): This went straight to video, which usually means "low quality," but this one actually slaps. It’s Romeo and Juliet. We follow Simba’s daughter, Kiara, and Kovu, the heir of the exiled Scar.
The Lion King 1½ (2004): This is where things get meta. In some regions, it’s called The Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata. It’s basically Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, told through Timon and Pumbaa’s perspective. It happens simultaneously with the first movie.
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The Lion King (2019): The Jon Favreau "live-action" (it's all CGI, let’s be real) remake. It’s a shot-for-shot retelling for the most part, though it adds some context for Sarabi and Shenzi.
Mufasa: The Lion King (2024): Directed by Barry Jenkins. This is a prequel/sequel hybrid using that same photorealistic style. It’s the origin story of how Mufasa and Taka (Scar) went from brothers to bitter enemies.
Why the Chronological Order Changes Everything
If you’re a superfan, watching the lion king movies order chronologically is the only way to see the "Rise and Fall of the Pride Lands."
You start with Mufasa: The Lion King. You see a young, orphaned Mufasa and a prince named Taka. It reframes the 1994 movie entirely. Knowing that Scar wasn't just born "evil" but was shaped by circumstances makes that 1994 betrayal sting way more.
Then you hit the 1994 original.
But wait. If you’re being a total nerd about it, you should actually watch The Lion King 1½ at the same time as the first movie. Or right after. It shows you that while Simba was having his existential crisis, Timon and Pumbaa were literally causing the "bowing" scene at the beginning because Pumbaa had gas. It’s hilarious. It undercuts the majesty, which is exactly what a good parody should do.
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Finally, you land on Simba’s Pride. It’s the true "ending" of the story. It resolves the conflict between the loyalists and the exiles. It finishes the cycle of "The Circle of Life" by bringing the two prides back together.
The "Lion Guard" Factor: Is It Canon?
This is a big debate in the fandom. The Lion Guard is a Disney Junior show, but it has a feature-length pilot called Return of the Roar.
Technically, it fits right in the middle of the lion king movies order. Specifically, it takes place during the "time skip" in Simba’s Pride. You know how Kiara grows up in a montage? That’s where Kion, Simba’s son, is leading a team of animals to protect the Pride Lands.
Some fans hate it. They think the "Roar of the Elders" (where Kion literally roars clouds into the shape of lions) is too magical for a world that was previously just about nature. But it adds a ton of lore about Scar’s past. It explains how he got his scar—involving a cobra and a rogue lion. If you want the full picture, you can’t ignore it.
The Remake vs. The Original: A Direct Comparison
You can’t talk about the lion king movies order without addressing the 2019 elephant in the room. Or lion.
Visually? The 2019 version is a technical marvel. The fur, the lighting, the water—it’s stunning. But critics like Lindsey Bahr from the AP pointed out a major flaw: the "uncanny valley" effect. Because the lions look real, they can’t emote. When Simba loses his father, his face stays relatively stoic.
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The 1994 version uses "squash and stretch" animation. When Simba is scared, his eyes get huge. When Scar is being sassy, his eyebrows do things a real lion’s eyebrows simply can’t.
If you’re introducing a kid to the franchise for the first time, start with 1994. The colors and expressions stick in the brain better. Use the 2019 version as a visual companion later.
What Most People Get Wrong About Scar and Mufasa
For decades, we thought they were biological brothers.
Then, around 2017, the director of the original film, Rob Minkoff, and producer Don Hahn did an interview where they suggested that in the wild, two male lions who aren't related often end up in a pride together. One is the alpha, one is the backup.
However, the 2024 Mufasa movie clarifies this even further. It explores the "found family" dynamic. This changes the lion king movies order experience because it moves the story away from "bad DNA" and toward "bad choices."
Actionable Next Steps for Your Marathon
If you're planning to dive back into the Pride Lands, don't just mindlessly click "play" on Disney+.
- Audit your viewing platform: All these films are on Disney+, but they are categorized weirdly. Search for "Lion King Collection" to find the sequels.
- The "Core" Experience: Watch 1994, then Simba's Pride. Skip the rest if you just want the emotional arc of Simba's family.
- The "Lore" Experience: Start with the 2024 Mufasa film, then the 1994 original, then The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, and finish with Simba’s Pride.
- The "Comedy" Experience: Just watch the 1994 movie and The Lion King 1½ back-to-back. It’s the best way to see the contrast between the epic and the absurd.
Ultimately, the lion king movies order is about how you want to experience the legacy. Whether you want the Shakespearean tragedy of the 90s or the photorealistic epic of the 2020s, the story of a king finding his place in the circle of life remains the same.
Go watch the 1994 version first. It’s still the king for a reason. Once you've got the foundation, move into the sequels—you'll be surprised at how well Simba's Pride holds up even 25+ years later.