You probably remember the first time you saw the cover for the lion king 1 1 2 full movie at a Blockbuster or in the bargain bin at Walmart. It looked like just another cheap Disney sequel. Most of those "direct-to-video" follow-ups from the early 2000s were, honestly, pretty terrible. They usually had shaky animation and songs that felt like rejected B-sides. But this one? This one was different.
Instead of trying to out-epic the original 1994 masterpiece, Disneytoon Studios did something genuinely weird and brilliant. They made a "midquel." It’s basically Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead but for kids—and with more fart jokes.
The Pumbaa and Timon Perspective Shift
Most people think they know the story of Simba. We've seen the Pride Lands from the royal perspective a dozen times. But the lion king 1 1 2 full movie flips the script by letting Timon and Pumbaa literally sit in a theater and heckle their own lives. It’s meta before meta was a buzzword.
Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella came back, which was huge. You can tell they’re having the time of their lives recording this. The movie basically retcons every major moment of the first film to show that Timon and Pumbaa were actually behind the scenes causing chaos. Remember the iconic "Circle of Life" opening where all the animals bow to baby Simba? In this version, the animals only bowed because Pumbaa had a bit of a gas problem in the crowd. It’s silly. It’s crude. But it works because it doesn't take itself seriously.
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The plot actually goes deep into Timon’s backstory. We see his meerkat colony, which is basically a bunch of paranoid tunnel-diggers living in fear of hyenas. He’s the outcast. He’s the one who wants "social standing" but just can't fit in. It’s surprisingly relatable for a movie about a talking meerkat.
Why the Animation Still Holds Up
Even though this wasn't a theatrical release, the animation quality is surprisingly high. It’s vibrant. It’s expressive. Unlike the 2019 "photorealistic" remake where Simba’s face looks like a static taxidermy project, the 2D animation here lets the characters actually emote.
- Julie Kavner (the voice of Marge Simpson) plays Timon's Ma.
- Jerry Stiller voices Uncle Max.
- You get that classic 90s Disney aesthetic mixed with 2004-era snark.
The movie isn't just a parody, though. It actually fills in the gaps of what happened while Simba was growing up in the jungle. We see the "teenage years" that the original movie skipped over with a montage. It turns out raising a lion cub is a lot more work than "Hakuna Matata" makes it look.
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Watching the Lion King 1 1 2 full movie Today
If you’re looking to watch the lion king 1 1 2 full movie now, it’s easier than it used to be. You don't have to hunt down a dusty VHS. It’s sitting right there on Disney+, or you can grab it on digital platforms like Apple TV and Amazon.
One thing that sticks out in 2026 is how much better this feels than some of the more recent reboots. There’s a soul to it. It knows it’s a side story. It’s not trying to replace the original; it’s just hanging out in the corner making fun of it.
The climax of the film even syncs up with the final battle at Pride Rock. While Simba is fighting Scar, Timon and Pumbaa are busy setting traps for the hyenas with Timon's family. It’s a clever way to make the side characters feel essential without ruining the weight of Simba’s victory.
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Final Verdict on the "Third" Film
Is it a masterpiece? No. But it might be the most "fun" movie in the franchise. It’s the only one that feels like it’s having a conversation with the audience.
If you haven't revisited the lion king 1 1 2 full movie since you were a kid, it’s worth a rewatch just for the jokes that definitely went over your head back then. The pacing is fast—it’s only about 77 minutes long—so it doesn't overstay its welcome.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Credits: Watch the very end where a massive crowd of Disney characters joins Timon and Pumbaa in the theater. It’s one of the best cameos in Disney history.
- Listen for the Music: Pay attention to "That's All I Need," which was actually based on a deleted song from the original movie called "Warthog Rhapsody."
- Compare Perspectives: If you really want to be a nerd about it, try watching the original movie and this one back-to-back to see how perfectly the scenes align.