ROARING THROUGH TIME: THE CLASSIC "LION KING" MAKES A MAJESTIC RETURN

As nostalgia becomes an integral part of pop culture, Disney is bringing the magical story of Simba and the Pride Lands back to theatres worldwide and to the hearts of audiences around the globe. This July, the beat of the African savanna will roar back to life with The Lion King, and we reveal all the key moments of the circle of life, the legacy of a classic, and what’s in store for ‘Mufhost: The Lion King’ in the future.

THE CLASSIC ROARS AGAIN

Something primordial about The Lion King seems to cut across the generations. On 12 July 2023, early on a sunrise Sunday, ticket holders, old and new, are invited to return to Pride Rock for a repeat encore of The Lion King animated original on its 30th anniversary. That the film’s tale and soundtrack created a legacy that continues to grow – even with a remake, a prequel, and a sequel in the pipeline – shows that in the theatre of life, some plays are never going to be harmonised out of existence.

WHY "THE LION KING" REMAINS UNMATCH HS2D

The original hardly needs to justify a re-release, though: its status as Disney’s archetypal phenomenon is part of the point. The Lion King can seem as much an event as a film, the ur-text of franchising, spawning sequels and spin-offs and a lavish Broadway adaptation that has acquired an almost independent popularity among musicals fans. The story of the expedition to return the rightful heir, Simba, to his position of king over his pride is a gripping one of love, tragedy and redemption; if you’ve never seen it, the re-release offers a chance to experience one of cinematic history’s most iconic offerings.

A SNEAK PEEK INTO THE PREQUEL: "MUFASA: THE LION KING"

That re‑release isn’t enough; Disney is laying the groundwork for a prelude of monumental proportions ahead of the 2019 live‑action adaptation by releasing Mufasa: The Lion King on 20 December 20. It is an ‘origin tale’ of the noble father of Simba that will peel back the layers of Pride Rock history and reveal the birth of a king. By re-crafting or re–imagining the story, Disney is primed to pour new life into the saga by creating a classic for a new generation while retaining its essence.

THE LEGACY LIVES ON: FROM SCREEN TO SERIES

After its blockbuster run, The Lion King jumped out of the theatre and onto other platforms. Its ongoing animated series Timon ế Pumbaa are very well received. Two sequels (which did quite well financially, thanks in part to its universally recognised cast), with their new major characters and considerably more complex narratives, helped to preserve the classic’s spirit. When Disney continues to discover previously unexplored parts of the classic universe, each remake gives fans the chance to experience the magic of the classic again in different ways.

EXCLUSIVE FANS' EXPERIENCES: BEYOND THE THEATER

The re-release of The Lion King is an opportunity to revisit a childhood memory, but it is in the viewing context that this classic film transforms from a nostalgic replay into an event for the present – whether it takes the form of a group viewing at a special night of screenings, or even an immersive fan experience. Whatever your age, Disney’s celebration of this milestone was an example of the ways that classic films can foster a sense of connectedness across generations in a moment of collective enjoyment.

"THE LION KING": A TIMELESS CLASSIC

There’s been a lot of talk of late about the return of The Lion King ahead of its 15 July rerelease date – and, going forward, its latest spiritual reincarnation, Mufasa: The Lion King. It’s been more than two decades since the finale of the Oscar-winning film, starring Matthew Broderick as the grown-up Simba, the lion cub whose destiny is mythically laid out by his wise father Mufasa (James Earl Jones). Their adventures against the evil hyena Scar, played by Jeremy Irons, are set against the majestic and richly coloured backdrop of the Pride Lands. The beloved classic from 1994 became a template for contemporary animation, and its enduring popularity means that it’s grown with its adult audience, evolving alongside it as its story is retold and reimagined.

EXPLORING THE ESSENCE OF A CLASSIC

People throw the word classic around all the time, but what makes something a classic? A blend of universal relevance, lasting appeal across the ages, and eliciting feelings and emotions on both ends of the spectrum – that’s what a classic is. A classic is the timeless tale of storytelling that stands the test of time. The Lion King has all these things: as a film with high themes, a powerful story, and with extraordinary character arcs, it leaves you with an impact that can stand the test of time. That’s why we call it a classic.

Preparing to return to the Pride Lands, it’s hard not to think of the cultural failure necessitated by the re-release of The Lion King (and the forthcoming Mufasa: The Lion King). Classic narratives seem to offer reassurance, simple pleasures, and refrains that resonate across a lifetime, the spirit of the Pride Lands enshrined right in front of us, around a campfire, for millennia to come.