As someone who grew up with The Lion King and still considers it one of Disney’s finest achievements, I was both excited and skeptical walking into Mufasa: The Lion King. Disney’s live-action remakes and spin-offs have been hit or miss, often leaning too heavily on nostalgia without adding enough substance. But I’m happy to say this film surprised me in the best way.
Mufasa: The Lion King dives deep into the history of Pride Rock, giving us the origin story we never knew we needed. The film doesn’t just retread old ground it builds it. It explores Mufasa’s journey from a scrappy cub with no royal lineage to the wise and respected king we remember. We also get a much deeper look at Scar, his complicated relationship with his brother, and what shaped him into the bitter villain we know. For me, this was one of the movie’s strongest points. Understanding their backstories made the events of the original Lion King even more powerful and emotional in hindsight.
What I appreciated most was how well the film fleshed out its characters. It’s not just a story about destiny or fate it’s about choices, friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness. The supporting characters, some familiar and some new, all have meaningful roles to play. Rafiki’s narration helps tie everything together, giving it that mythic, almost Shakespearean weight that the original always hinted at.
Visually, the movie sticks with the hyper-realistic animation style, and while that’s still a point of debate for some fans, I felt it worked here. The settings are gorgeous, and the score (which brings in some fresh material while honoring the classics) enhances the drama beautifully.
Is it perfect? No. Some pacing issues in the middle slow things down a bit, and I do wish certain emotional beats had been given more time to breathe. But overall, Mufasa: The Lion King delivers something rare a prequel that genuinely enriches the original.
If you’re a fan of The Lion King, this film is worth your time. It doesn’t just tell you who Mufasa was it makes you feel it. And by the time the credits roll, Pride Rock feels more legendary than ever.