 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Lion King
- Review Date: August 1, 2005
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1994
Common Sense Media says
Musical king-of-the-beasts blockbuster is powerful, scary.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that The Lion King is considered one of Disney's greatest animated musicals, but it does have some scary moments. The most disturbing violence is the death of Simba's father, Mufasa, by a stampede of wildebeests. The bloodthirsty hyenas, who scavenge for food and threaten Simba and his friends, are also frightening. But despite a few sad sequences and a few evil characters, the overall message is one of hope, love, and family responsibility. Note: The movie's 2011 theatrical rerelease is in 3D, which adds to the intensity of the more frightening scenes.
What's the story?
THE LION KING is the story of Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas as a child and Matthew Broderick as an adult), the cub of Mufasa (James Earl Jones), the king of the jungle. Simba "just can't wait to be king." But his evil Uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons), bitterly jealous of Mufasa, wants to be king, so he arranges for Mufasa to be killed in a stampede and makes Simba think he's responsible. Simba runs away and finds friends in Pumbaa the warthog (Ernie Sabella) and Timon the meerkat (Nathan Lane), who advise him that the best philosophy is "hakuna matata" (no worries). Simba grows up thinking that he has escaped his past, but his childhood friend Nala finds him and tells him that, under Scar's leadership, the tribe has suffered badly.
Is it any good?
One of Disney's biggest hits, The Lion King has echoes of Shakespeare, bringing to mind the plots of both Richard III and Hamlet. The Lion King was not just a movie but a marketing phenomenon: This blockbuster was the highest grossing film of 1994. Of course kids won't know -- or care -- about that; they'll just be enthralled by the memorable songs and great characters.
The scene in which cub Simba's father, Mufasa, is trampled to death, is both sad and genuinely scary. And some of the fights between animals later in the movie can be frightening as well. But the lesson Simba learns -- that you have to stand up to your problems instead of running away from them -- is a solid one.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about facing your problems instead of running from them. Why doesn't the idea of "hakuna matata" or "no worries" always work? Can anyone get through life without a little worry and conflict?
Talk about the violence and scariness in this movie. What was the most disturbing part? How would the movie be different without the intense moments? How did music and other factors contribute to the intense scenes?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Your kids may need therapy
How can they give this movie a G rating in good conscience? The movie depicts premeditated murder -- a family member killing his brother -- and attempted murder scenes. The movie also depicts bully behavior and contains a reference to Nazis. No, it doesn't matter that it is animated and involves animals. The animals are basicly surrogates for human characters. My 4-year-old son was scared to death. My 6-year-old daughter was in tears. I had to hold a a therapy session after the movie was over. (I would have turned it off, but they had already been exposed to the worst, and I was hoping they would depict repercussions for the guilty. They did but it didn't make it much better.) Don't they get it? G means the movie is ok for ALL audiences. Let the kids grow up before you pollute their minds! The rest of the Disney movies are going in the trash.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
An awful awful movie
I cannot understand why this movie has ever gotten positive reviews. It is horrifying and obscenely violent. The uncle's meanness, deceit, and manipulation are better suited to adult psycho-dramas than a kids movie. I deeply regret ever showing this movie to my 5 yr old. Awful.
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Teen, 16 years old
June 6, 2010
AGE
Great
One of the best disney movies. There are mixed messages- revenge, mainly. Scar wants to rule to make things his way (since his brother was first in line), and Simba wants to kill Scar for killing his dad (but also to save the land). It will make little kids cry, and the role models aren't that great. Still, it's a must-see for disney.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 14 years old
March 25, 2010
AGE
One of the best!
I think that it is a wonderful film, certainly one of the best. The characters are endearing and enduring, the songs are absolutely magnificent, and the tough choices the main character has to go through are something that a real person would be biting their nails over! I love it, and I think everyone should see it at least once.
Suitable for all ages. There is some iffy stuff, but it is downplayed. Asides from the natural violence of lions in consideration of their pride, the villain, (uncle Scar), sings a potentially frightening song to his hyena minions. But that's not what I'm worried about, kids can take almost anything, whether it be frightening, romantic, or sad so long as the movie is good and the ending is happy. Before I get on with 'the point' I just want to give you the basis for my thesis. I have have a serious depression and I watched the Fox and the Hound and I was so happily-sad that it nearly changed my life. I watched Oliver and Company just under a year ago, I felt like turning it off! It wasn't as sad as 'FatH' or Land Before Time, but it was also not as good as either of them. Now that I have shared that piece with you let me get on: 'Be Prepared' is potentially frightening, but you shouldn't be intimidated by that, but (especially if you're Jewish), you should be cautious of a certain part of the song. The scenario goes that; Scar is standing on a rock podium dictating to his minions who are doing the straight legged march! Since I'm not Jewish I can't really say, but if I was then I would be pretty scared of a Disney film that could turn a bunch of hyenas into the third Reich! Hope you found it
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Teen, 13 years old
January 2, 2011
AGE
And this is why 90's Disney reigns supreme.
The Lion King is a great movie- I first watched it at age 6, but some parents might consider the film too graphic for their kids. Simba is a great role model, the songs are catchy and nice to listen to, and the animation is great. An all around enjoyable film, your child must watch this at some point in their life.
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Kid, 11 years old
August 23, 2010
AGE
Bit scary but great!
I think it's good, but a little too scary for younger kids, especially when Mufasa dies and the lions fight each other. Other than that, it is a great family film.
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Parent of 3 and 5 year old
August 10, 2010
AGE
Fitting for Life
Parents should be able to explain and watch this movie with children. Death of parent brings out fears; can be good to address. Overall realistic, and positive. Sing, dance or celebrate with your children!
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Parent of 5 year old
October 8, 2009
AGE
Good for adults and 9 year olds
In general, Disney movies disguise adult contents and themes, dressing them up in children like characters. Read all the Adult reviews in this section and proof is there. As an adult and from a theatre production standpoint, Lion King is absolutely fantastic and has a great sound track. I have seen the movie and the show. Would I recommend it to 5 year olds? No. The themes are not appropriate from a development point of view to what 5 year olds needs or could be experiencing. The presence of violence, sex innuendos, reinforcement of social stereotypes and gender roles are constant throughout Disney's movies. Again, great for adults, poor choice for young kids.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 4, 2010
AGE
The king of all films!
I don't see how anyone could NOT like it! It's amazing! I love it! It's histerical, fun, and kid friendly! The only thing that may be scary to little kids is when the lions fight, and when the king dies. I've watched it sinse I was like, 2 and I don't think I was scared. Either way, I think everyone needs to see this movie, its great! There's really nothing bad I can say about it! In fact, I want to be in the Broad Way musical when I grow up! :)
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Teen, 13 years old
January 1, 2011
AGE
More complex than other Disney, but okay for kids.
Its a very good disney movie, and most kids won't mind the violence. (Although is more intense than most films aimed at children of that age)
Violence-A parent dies, lions fight bloodlessly but still violently, the antagonist is eaten offscreen, a lion cub is chased by hyenas and is caught in a stampede..
The movie is also more complex, plotwise and emotionally than other disney films.
But I highly doubt that many kids will be frightened by any of this.
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| Topics: | friendship, music and sing-along, wild animals |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Directors: | Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers |
| Cast: | Ernie Sabella, Jeremy Irons, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 89 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 15, 1994 |
| DVD release date: | October 4, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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