- Director: Roger Allers
- Year: 1994
Overview
Simba is a young lion prince who is set to inherit the Pride Lands from his father, Mufasa. His uncle, Scar, plots to take the throne, orchestrating Mufasa's death and tricking Simba into thinking it was his fault. Simba flees into exile, where he grows up in a carefree oasis with the meerkat Timon and warthog Pumbaa. Meanwhile, Scar's misrule and alliance with the hyenas ruin the Pride Lands' ecosystem. Simba is found by his childhood friend Nala, who convinces him to return. Simba defeats Scar and restores ecological balance to the kingdom.
Takeaways
The Pride Lands need a responsible leader who respects the balance between predators and prey. Mufasa teaches Simba about the Circle of Life, which is all about taking care of the land instead of just taking from it. Scar's greedy alliance with the hyenas completely ruins the kingdom because they overhunt and destroy the environment. Simba's time with Timon and Pumbaa is a fun escape, but hiding from his past doesn't prepare him to face his responsibilities. By returning to fight Scar, Simba takes his rightful place as king and brings life back to his home.