The music is an absolute banger, first of all. Elton John and Tim Rice created songs that are legitimately catchy, and kids will be singing "Hakuna Matata" for weeks. Fair warning.

But beyond the soundtrack, The Lion King tells a story that resonates with kids on multiple levels. Younger viewers (ages 4-7) are drawn to the colorful animation, the funny sidekicks (Timon and Pumbaa are comedy gold), and the adventure of it all. They see a kid who gets to run around the Pride Lands with his best friend and eventually becomes king—what's not to love?

Older kids (ages 8-12) start picking up on the deeper themes: betrayal, exile, finding yourself, standing up to bullies. Simba's journey from carefree cub to reluctant teen to responsible adult mirrors their own growing awareness of consequences and responsibility. Plus, Scar is one of Disney's most compelling villains—sophisticated, manipulative, and genuinely threatening.

Here's the thing: The Lion King deals with some heavy stuff. Mufasa's death scene is traumatic. There's no way around it. It's sudden, it's heartbreaking, and Scar manipulates young Simba into believing it's his fault. Kids as young as 4 or 5 can be deeply affected by this scene.

That said, this is also what makes the film so valuable. It's one of the first times many kids encounter death in a story, and it's handled with surprising emotional honesty. Simba grieves, he runs away, he struggles with guilt and shame. The movie doesn't shy away from the reality of loss.

Ages 4-6: The death scene will likely be upsetting. Some kids this age will handle it fine, others will need comfort and reassurance. Be prepared to pause and talk through what's happening. You might want to watch it yourself first to gauge whether your particular kid is ready. Learn more about how young children process death in media.

Ages 7-9: Most kids this age can handle the emotional content, though they'll still have questions. This is a great age for discussing themes of responsibility, facing your fears, and how we deal with loss. The hyenas and some of the darker scenes might still be scary for sensitive viewers.

Ages 10+: Preteens can appreciate the more complex themes—the cycle of life and death, environmental balance, political power struggles, and what it means to step into your purpose even when you're afraid. They might even catch the Hamlet parallels if you point them out.

The Lion King is genuinely one of the best conversation-starters in the Disney catalog. Here are some angles worth exploring:

Loss and Grief: "How do you think Simba felt when Mufasa died? Have you ever lost someone or something important to you?" This opens the door for kids to process their own experiences with loss, whether it's a grandparent, a pet, or even moving away from friends.

Responsibility and Running Away: Simba literally runs away from his problems and spends years avoiding his responsibilities. "Do you think running away helped Simba? What would have happened if he'd gone back sooner?" This can lead to great discussions about facing hard things instead of avoiding them.

Manipulation and Lies: Scar is a master manipulator who uses lies to control others. "How did Scar trick Simba? Have you ever had someone try to make you feel bad about something that wasn't really your fault?" This is especially relevant for older kids navigating social dynamics.

Finding Your Purpose: "What does 'remember who you are' mean? How does Simba figure out what he's supposed to do?" This can spark conversations about identity, values, and what it means to grow up.

The Circle of Life: The opening number and Mufasa's explanation of the circle of life introduce kids to concepts of ecosystem balance, mortality, and interconnectedness. Explore how to talk to kids about environmental themes.

The Lion King is a genuine classic for a reason. Yes, it's emotionally intense. Yes, your kid might cry (and you definitely will). But it's also beautiful, meaningful, and offers opportunities for the kind of deep conversations that build emotional intelligence and resilience.

The key is watching it with your kids, especially the first time. Be present for the hard scenes. Pause when they have questions. Let them know it's okay to feel sad or scared—that's what makes stories powerful.

If you're looking for similar films that tackle big themes with heart, check out Coco (another beautiful meditation on death and memory), Inside Out (for emotional processing), or How to Train Your Dragon (for themes of identity and finding your place).

Before watching: Talk about the fact that the movie deals with some sad things, and reassure your kid that it's okay to feel whatever they feel.

During watching: Keep the lights on if your kid is sensitive to darker scenes. Have tissues ready. Be prepared to pause and process.

After watching: Ask what they thought, what they felt, what surprised them. Let them lead the conversation.

And if they want to watch it seventeen more times? Well, hakuna matata. At least the songs are good.