If you’ve spent any time on the internet lately, you’ve probably seen the discourse. Is it a prequel? Is it a sequel? Is it even "live-action" if it’s all pixels? Honestly, regardless of where you stand on the 2019 CGI remake of The Lion King, Barry Jenkins' follow-up, Mufasa: The Lion King, turned out to be a massive hit that people are still scrambling to find at home.
The short answer? You’re looking for Disney+.
But there’s a bit more to the story than just clicking a button. Since the film hit theaters in December 2024, the path to your living room screen has been a slow, calculated crawl across the savannah. Disney has finally stopped the "straight to streaming" panic of the early 2020s, which means the wait for this movie was longer than many expected.
Where is Mufasa streaming right now?
Basically, if you want to watch the origin story of the king of Pride Rock without paying a per-view rental fee, you need a Disney+ subscription. The movie officially landed on the platform on March 26, 2025.
It’s been there for nearly a year now, sitting comfortably alongside the 1994 original and the 2019 remake. If you happen to be in a region where Disney+ isn't available, or you're using a bundle like the Disney Bundle (with Hulu and ESPN+), it’s tucked into the main Disney brand tile.
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Mufasa: The Lion King follows a 96-day "theatrical window." That’s fancy industry talk for "we kept it in theaters as long as humanly possible before letting you watch it in your pajamas." Compared to the 2019 version, which grossed over a billion dollars, Mufasa held its own with roughly $709 million globally. That kind of box office success is exactly why Disney made us wait until late March to stream it.
Other ways to watch the pride
If you aren't a Disney+ subscriber and don't feel like signing up just for one movie, you’ve got the standard digital "buy or rent" options. Most people forget these exist because we're so used to monthly fees, but you can find it on:
- Apple TV (iTunes)
- Amazon Prime Video
- Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu)
- Google Play Movies
Usually, it costs about $19.99 to "own" it digitally, or $5.99 to rent it for 48 hours. If you're a physical media nerd—respect—the 4K Ultra HD Steelbook and Blu-ray versions actually hit shelves on April 1, 2025.
Why the streaming release took so long
It felt like forever, didn't it? Back in 2021, we were getting movies on streaming almost the same day they hit theaters. Not anymore. Disney’s strategy has shifted back to the "Traditional Window."
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They want that theater money. Mufasa was directed by Barry Jenkins—the same guy who did Moonlight—so there was a lot of critical weight behind this. It wasn't just a cash grab; it had a distinct visual style and a soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Disney knew that if they put it on streaming too early, they’d cannibalize their own ticket sales.
By the time it hit Disney+ in March, the hype from the December release had cooled just enough for a "second wave" of interest. This is the same playbook they used for Moana 2 and Inside Out 2. It works.
What you get on the streaming version
One thing that’s actually kinda cool about watching Mufasa: The Lion King on Disney+ (rather than a rental) is the "Extras" tab. If you haven't looked at that section in a while, it’s basically the modern version of DVD bonus features.
- The Sing-Along Version: If you have kids (or you're just a Lin-Manuel Miranda stan), this is the big draw.
- Deleted Scenes: There’s a scene titled "Taka's Dream" that gives a lot more context to why Scar ended up so... Scar-ish.
- Behind the Scenes: You get to see Aaron Pierre (Mufasa) and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Taka) in the recording booth. Honestly, seeing how they act out these high-stakes animal dramas while wearing sweatpants is always entertaining.
Common misconceptions about the stream
I’ve seen a few people asking if Mufasa is on Netflix or Max. No. It’s a Disney-owned property. Unless the world flips upside down, it’s going to stay exclusive to Disney+.
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Also, a lot of people think they need the "Premium" tier to see it in 4K. That part is true. If you’re on the basic ad-supported plan, you’re likely capped at 1080p. To see every single blade of photorealistic grass in 4K UHD with Dolby Atmos, you’ve got to be on the ad-free "Premium" plan.
Actionable steps for your movie night
If you're planning to watch this weekend, here is the most efficient way to get it done:
- Check your subscription status: Log into Disney+ and make sure your account is active. If you’re a former subscriber, look for the "Duo Basic" deal—Disney often runs promos (sometimes as low as $2.99/month for 4 months) to win people back during big release windows.
- Update your hardware: If you’re watching on a smart TV, ensure the Disney+ app is updated to the latest version. This movie uses high-bandwidth HDR, and old app versions can sometimes stutter.
- Search "Mufasa" directly: Don't just scroll. The algorithm might keep suggesting The Mandalorian to you. Use the search bar to go straight to the 2024 film.
- Check the "Extras": Before you start, watch the featurette on the music. It makes the actual viewing experience much richer when you realize how they blended traditional African sounds with Broadway-style storytelling.
The film is a solid 118 minutes long. It’s a bit of a commitment, but for the visuals alone, it’s worth the stream. Whether you're there for the nostalgia or to see if Scar was actually the victim in this story (spoiler: it’s complicated), you now know exactly where to find it.