Thirty years ago in 1994, the original Lion King came to theaters. Telling the story of a lion cub who ran from his home after his father, the king of the Pride Lands of Africa, is killed by his uncle, who years later returns home and faces his uncle for the crown. After many years and audience requests, Disney has finally released a backstory to the brothers feud. Opening in theaters on December 20th 2025 and grossing 13.3 million on the first day , the film definitely lived up to peoples high expectations, with critics writing rave reviews and having a 56 percent on rotten tomatoes.

Before the movie begins, archived voice recordings of the 1994 Mufasa, James Earl Jones are played as tribute to the voice actor who died only three months before the films release. Setting a tone of nostalgia throughout the theater the movie begins by revealing that Nala and Simba have a lion cub named Kiara and are soon due to have another. As Simba and Nala head to an oasis for the birth of  their cub, Timon and Pumbaa are asked to watch Kiara until their arrival. Soon after Rafiki arrives and begins to narrate the story of the two brothers, with some comedic help of Timon and Pumbaa of course.

Although it had its ups  and downs the movie overall was a fun and lighthearted watch. Unlike many of Disney’s remakes, Mufasa: The Lion King is a creative and interesting sequel to an all time classic movie we all know and love. Although the Lion King series may end here, both movies have definitely earned their spot in the Disney hall of Fame.