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The Lion King Facts & Worksheets

“The Lion King” is an animated musical adventure film released in 1994, produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures.

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“The Lion King” is an animated musical adventure film released in 1994, produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, the movie features the journey of Simba, a lion cub destined to succeed his father, Mufasa, as the King of the Pride Lands. The film is considered a timeless classic and has undergone multiple adaptations for cinema, theater, and television. In addition to being a widely acclaimed visual film, it also has an award-winning soundtrack.

See the fact file below for more information about the Film Study, The Lion King, or you can download our 25-page The Lion King worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

FILM RELEASE

  • “The Lion King” is a Disney animated classic released on June 15, 1994.
  • It premiered on June 12, 1994, at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California.
  • Produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures, “The Lion King” was directed by American storyboard artist and animator Roger Allers and American animator Rob Minkoff, who made his directorial debut in this film.
  • The screenplay was written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton. 
  • Hans Zimmer composed the music for “The Lion King,” with songs by Elton John and Tim Rice.

PLOT SUMMARY

  • “The Lion King” follows the life of Simba, a lion cub born to Mufasa, the king of the Pride Lands.
  • Simba’s joyous childhood takes a tragic turn when his uncle Scar orchestrates Mufasa’s death.
  • Simba is forced into exile, as planned by Scar so he can take over his royal authority.
  • Scar ascends to power, ruling with heartlessness and causing the Pride Lands to wither. 
  • While in exile, Simba lives a carefree life with the meerkat Timon and warthog Pumbaa and grows up over the years. 
  • Nala, Simba’s childhood friend, discovers him and implores him to return.
  • Nala challenges Simba to embrace his destiny and restore balance in the Pride Lands.
  • Simba confronts his past, guided by Rafiki, the wise baboon. 
  • The epic climax sees Simba challenging Scar, unveiling the truth about Mufasa’s demise. 
  • The Pride Lands erupt in a tumultuous battle, culminating in Simba’s triumph over Scar.
  • As Simba ascends the throne, he restores prosperity and vitality to the Pride Lands, which solidifies the Circle of Life.

KEY CHARACTERS AND CAST

  • Simba is the central character who goes from being a carefree cub to a mature and fearless leader. 
  • Initially hesitant and guilt-ridden, he later embraces his destiny as King of the Pride Lands.
  • Simba’s journey centers on resilience, growth, and a sense of responsibility.
  • Matthew Broderick voiced Adult Simba and Jonathan Taylor voiced Thomas Young Simba.
  • Mufasa is Simba’s father, the wise and noble King of the Pride Lands.
  • He is a symbol of guidance and leadership, especially in Simba’s life.
  • Mufasa’s love for his family and dedication to the Circle of Life define him as a symbol of leadership and integrity.
  • Mufasa is voiced by James Earl Jones.
  • Scar is the main antagonist of the film.
  • Voiced by Jeremy Irons, Scar is the villainous and cunning uncle of Simba, introduced as a character thirsty for power.
  • Because he is driven by envy, Scar becomes responsible for the most deceitful and ruthless twist in the story.
  • Nala is Simba’s childhood friend and later becomes his queen. 
  • Nala’s relentlessness encourages Simba to reclaim his rightful place as the King of the Pride Lands.
  • Because of this, Nala is known as the catalyst for Simba’s growth.
  • Moira Kelly voiced Adult Nala, and Niketa Calame voiced Young Nala.
  • Timon, a meerkat, who, alongside his buddy Pumbaa, acts as comic relief.
  • A quick-witted and carefree character, Timon is voiced by Nathan Lane.
  • Always with Timon is Pumbaa, a warthog who is an endearing, loyal, and optimistic companion.
  • Pumbaa is voiced by Ernie Sabella.
  • Rafiki is the wise baboon shaman who serves as the spiritual guide in the story, mainly to Simba.
  • Voiced by Robert Guillaume, Rafiki symbolizes wisdom.
  • Zazu is the hornbill advisor whose loyalty hinges on the well-being of the Pride Lands.
  • Rowan Atkinson voiced the funny and charming Zazu.

THEMES

  • One of the primary themes in “The Lion King” is the Circle of Life, which represents the interconnectedness of all living things. 
  • The film explores the cyclical nature of birth, death, and renewal.
  • These all contribute to the balance that sustains the ecosystem.
  • Another central theme is the importance of leadership and responsibility.
  • This theme is exemplified in Simba’s evolution from a happy-go-lucky cub to a responsible king.
  • Simba’s life also focuses on the theme of identity and self-discovery.
  • Upon losing his father, Simba faces the burden of guilt while in exile. He later learns to be secure in his identity and embrace his destiny.
  • Friendship is also an overarching theme in the film, especially exemplified by Timon and Pumbaa, who supported Simba when he was struggling.
  • Last but not least, the dichotomy between good and evil is evident in characters like Simba and Scar. 
  • Scar’s greed and betrayal emphasize the concept of “good vs. evil.”

THE MAKING OF THE FILM

  • A talented team of animators led by Mark Henn and Andreas Deja used hand-drawn animation techniques in bringing “The Lion King” to life.
  • One of their goals was to depict animal movements and behaviors accurately.
  • They were able to do this through extensive research.
  • They visited wildlife reserves and studied the behavior of actual lions before going to the drawing board and animating them.
  • The use of traditional animation and computer-generated imagery (CGI) were combined when making the film.
  • CGI was used in some scenes, like the wildebeest stampede incident.
  • African influences were also incorporated into the musical score.

CULTURAL IMPACT AND RECEPTION

  • “The Lion King” received widespread acclaim from audiences and critics upon its release in 1994. 
  • It became a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $968 million globally.
  • The film won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer) and Best Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
  • It also earned Golden Globes and Grammy Awards, among many other accolades.
  • Movie critics have praised the film’s animation, storytelling, and emotional depth.
  • “The Lion King” not only dominated the box office but also left an enduring impact on popular culture, spin-offs, merchandise, and a Broadway adaptation that premiered in 1997. 

The Lion King Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Film Study, The Lion King across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about The Lion King. The film is considered a timeless classic and has undergone multiple adaptations for cinema, theater, and television. In addition to being a widely acclaimed visual film, it also has an award-winning soundtrack.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. The Lion King Facts
  2. Screen Vocabulary
  3. Plot Diagram
  4. Pride Lands Characters
  5. Major Scenes
  6. My Honest Review
  7. Three Key Settings
  8. Seen in the Scene
  9. Moral Dilemma
  10. Character Development
  11. Choose Your Prompt

Frequently Asked Questions

When was “The Lion King” released?

“The Lion King” was originally released on June 15, 1994.

Who are the main characters in “The Lion King”?

The main characters include Simba, Mufasa, Scar, Nala, Timon, and Pumbaa. Simba is the protagonist, Mufasa is his father, Scar is the main antagonist, Nala is Simba’s friend and later his queen, while Timon and Pumbaa are a meerkat and warthog duo who befriend Simba.

What is the central theme of “The Lion King”?

The central theme of “The Lion King” revolves around the circle of life, responsibility, and the journey of self-discovery. It explores the challenges Simba faces as he matures and learns to embrace his destiny.

Who provided the voice for Simba in the original 1994 film?

In the original 1994 film, the young Simba was voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas, while the adult Simba was voiced by Matthew Broderick.

What iconic song from “The Lion King” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song?

“Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” performed by Elton John and written by Elton John and Tim Rice, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1995. It is one of the most iconic songs from the film.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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