TL;DR: If you’re introducing your kids to the Pride Lands, start with the 1994 animated classic. It hits the emotional beats perfectly without the "uncanny valley" creepiness of the modern remakes. For the new Mufasa: The Lion King, be aware that the photorealism makes the animal violence feel much more visceral. It’s a "wait until they’re 7 or 8" movie for most, while the The Lion Guard is the perfect "safe" speed for the preschool crowd.
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We all grew up with the 1994 The Lion King. It was the peak of the Disney Renaissance, the music was unskippable, and Mufasa’s death was our collective childhood trauma.
Fast forward to today, and Disney has turned the Pride Lands into a full-blown cinematic universe. We have the 2019 "live-action" (read: photorealistic CGI) remake, multiple spin-off shows, and now a prequel that dives into the backstory of Mufasa and Scar.
The core story usually revolves around the "Circle of Life"—the idea that we all have a place in the world and a responsibility to protect it. But as the tech has changed, the way kids experience these themes has shifted from "sad cartoon" to "nature documentary-style heartbreak."
It’s the ultimate "big kid" story that still feels accessible. Younger kids love the animals and the slapstick humor of Pumbaa and Timon. Older kids (and let’s be real, us) lean into the Shakespearean drama of it all.
There’s also a massive nostalgia factor. If you’re playing The Lion King soundtrack in the car, your kids are going to want to see the movies. It’s one of those rare franchises that doesn’t feel like "brain rot" because the themes of grief, bravery, and leadership are actually worth talking about.
Ages 5+ This is the gold standard. Because it’s hand-drawn animation, the characters emote in a way that feels safe. When Simba is sad, his eyes get huge and expressive. When the hyenas are "scary," they’re also kind of goofy. It’s the best way to introduce the concept of loss without giving a kindergartner actual nightmares about National Geographic-style predator-prey dynamics.
Ages 3-7 If you have a toddler who is obsessed with lions but isn't ready for the "long live the king" scene, this is your best friend. It follows Simba’s son, Kion, and his group of friends protecting the Pride Lands. It’s episodic, much lighter, and focuses heavily on teamwork. It’s the "low stakes" version of the franchise.
Ages 8+ I’m going to be honest: this movie is a bit of a mixed bag. Visually, it’s stunning. But because the lions look like real lions, they don't have facial expressions. It’s weirdly jarring to hear Beyoncé’s voice coming out of a lion that looks like it just stepped off the set of a Planet Earth documentary. The stampede scene and the final fight between Simba and Scar are significantly more intense here because of the realism.
Ages 8-9+ The latest prequel (directed by Barry Jenkins) tells the story of how Mufasa went from an orphaned cub to the King, and his relationship with his brother Taka (who becomes Scar). It’s a deeper, more emotional dive. It deals with themes of displacement and "belonging" that might fly over a 6-year-old’s head but will resonate with older kids. Again, the photorealism means the peril feels very real.
Check out our guide on how to handle movie-induced fears in younger kids
The biggest hurdle with the Lion King franchise isn't "bad content"—there’s no profanity or inappropriate "adult" jokes. The hurdle is emotional intensity and visual realism.
- The "Mufasa Scene": In the 1994 version, it’s a tragedy. In the 2019 and 2024 versions, it’s a visceral experience. If your child is sensitive to animals in distress, the photorealistic versions might be a "no" for now.
- Sibling Rivalry: The relationship between Mufasa and Scar is dark. It’s about betrayal and murder. For kids in the "Ohio" phase who use "sus" and "traitor" as jokes, this is a good moment to talk about what actual loyalty looks like.
- The "Circle of Life": It’s a polite way of saying "lions eat antelopes." Younger kids might have questions about the food chain that you aren't prepared to answer at 7:00 PM on a Tuesday.
Is Disney just draining our bank accounts with these remakes? Partially, yes. But there’s a conversation to be had here about how stories change over time.
You can actually use the different versions of The Lion King to talk to your kids about media literacy. Ask them:
- "Why did the 1994 movie make you feel sadder than the 2019 one?"
- "Do the 'real' lions feel more or less scary than the cartoon ones?"
It’s a great way to help them understand how filmmakers use technology to manipulate (in a good way!) our emotions.
Learn more about teaching media literacy to elementary students
The Lion King is basically a "How-To" guide for talking about heavy stuff.
- Grief: Simba spends half the movie running away from his problems. We call that "Hakuna Matata." It’s a vibe, but it’s not a lifestyle. Talking about how Simba eventually has to face his past is a great entry point for discussing resilience.
- Responsibility: Mufasa tells Simba, "Being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble." In a world where kids are seeing "daring" (and often stupid) challenges on TikTok or YouTube, this is a solid quote to keep in your back pocket.
The Lion King is a foundational piece of kids' culture for a reason. It’s not "brain rot," it’s high drama with catchy songs.
- For the 4-year-old: Stick to The Lion Guard or just the songs from the 1994 soundtrack.
- For the 6-year-old: The 1994 The Lion King is a rite of passage. Have the tissues ready.
- For the 9-year-old+: The Mufasa: The Lion King prequel is a visually stunning way to explore a more complex backstory, provided they can handle the photorealistic intensity.
If your kid finishes the movies and wants more "animal kingdom" content that isn't quite so heavy, check out:
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown - A fantastic book (and now movie) about nature and belonging.
- National Geographic Kids - For when they want to know the actual facts about lions.
- Wingspan - A beautiful board game if they want to dive deeper into nature themes without the trauma of a wildebeest stampede.