The Lion King

==Plot==

==Plot==

<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. Please check the word count before making any additions. -->

<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. Please check the word count before making any additions. -->

In the Pride Lands of [[Tanzania]], a pride of [[lions]] rules over the kingdom from Pride Rock. As the [[sun]] rises over the Pride Lands, [[King Mufasa]] and [[Queen Sarabi]]'s newborn son, [[Simba]], is presented to the gathered animals by [[Rafiki (The Lion King)|Rafiki]], the [[mandrill]] who serves as the kingdom's [[shaman]] and advisor ("[[Circle of Life]]"). However, Mufasa's envious and scheming younger brother and Simba's uncle, [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]], covets the throne and secretly plots to eliminate both Mufasa and Simba so that he may become [[king]].

In the Pride Lands of [[Tanzania]], a pride of [[lion]]s rules over a large swath of African [[savanna]] as their "kingdom" of [[anthropomorphic]] animals from Pride Rock. As the [[sun]] rises over the Pride Lands, [[King Mufasa]] and [[Queen Sarabi]]'s newborn son, [[Simba]], is presented to the gathered animals by [[Rafiki (The Lion King)|Rafiki]], the [[mandrill]] who serves as the kingdom's [[shaman]] and advisor ("[[Circle of Life]]"). However, Mufasa's envious and scheming younger brother and Simba's uncle, [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]], covets the throne he was originally first in line to take until he was abruptly replaced by the new [[prince]] whom he's jealous of as it means that Simba's destined to one day inherit the kingdom instead of him and secretly plots to eliminate Mufasa and Simba so that he may [[usurp]] it for himself and improve his own chances of becoming [[king]].

When Simba grows into a young cub, Mufasa shows him the Pride Lands and explains to Simba the responsibilities of kingship and the "circle of life," which connects all living things. But then Scar manipulates Simba into exploring an [[elephants' graveyard]] beyond the Pride Lands, which Mufasa forbade him to do so, stating that only the bravest lions go there. Wanting to prove his courage, Simba escapes Mufasa's [[majordomo]], the [[Southern red-billed hornbill|hornbill]] [[Zazu (The Lion King)|Zazu]], and sneaks into the elephants' graveyard along with his best friend, [[Nala (The Lion King)|Nala]], though Zazu catches up to them ("[[I Just Can't Wait to Be King]]"). Upon arriving, however, the trio is chased by three [[spotted hyenas]] named [[Shenzi, Banzai and Ed]]. Zazu manages to alert Mufasa, and he arrives to chase the hyenas away. Though disappointed in Simba for disobeying him and endangering himself and Nala, Mufasa forgives him while teaching him the importance of bravery. He then explains that the great kings of the past watch over them from the [[night sky]], from which he will one day watch over Simba. Meanwhile, Scar, who had orchestrated the hyenas' attack, convinces them to help him [[Assassination|murder]] Mufasa and Simba in exchange for [[hunting rights]] in the Pride Lands ("[[Be Prepared (song)|Be Prepared]]").

When Simba grows into a young cub, Mufasa shows him the Pride Lands and explains to Simba the responsibilities of kingship for protecting and maintaining the delicate balance of the [[ecosystem]] while mediating problems in between its creatures and the "circle of life," which connects all living things. He teaches Simba about what a king is supposed to be and advises him to prepare for the day when he'll succeed him. One day, Scar manipulates Simba into exploring an [[elephants' graveyard]] beyond the Pride Lands, which Mufasa forbade him to do so, stating that only the bravest lions go there. Wanting to prove his courage, Simba escapes Mufasa's [[majordomo]], the [[Southern red-billed hornbill|hornbill]] [[Zazu (The Lion King)|Zazu]], and sneaks into the elephants' graveyard along with his best friend, [[Nala (The Lion King)|Nala]], though Zazu catches up to them ("[[I Just Can't Wait to Be King]]"). Upon arriving, however, the trio is [[Ambush|ambushed]] and chased by three [[spotted hyena]]s named [[Shenzi, Banzai and Ed]]. Zazu manages to alert Mufasa, and he arrives to chase the hyenas away. Though disappointed in Simba for disobeying him and endangering himself and Nala, Mufasa forgives him while teaching him the importance of bravery. He then explains that the great kings of the past watch over them from the [[night sky]], from which he will one day watch over Simba. Meanwhile, Scar, who had orchestrated the hyenas' attack, convinces them to help him [[Assassination|murder]] Mufasa and Simba in exchange for [[Game laws|hunting rights]] in the Pride Lands ("[[Be Prepared (song)|Be Prepared]]").

The next day, Scar lures Simba into a [[gorge]] and signals the hyenas to drive a large herd of [[wildebeests]] into a [[stampede]] to trample him. Scar alerts Mufasa, who manages to save Simba and tries to escape the gorge; he begs Scar for help, but Scar betrays him by [[Regicide|throwing him into the stampede to his death]]. Scar then deceives Simba into believing that Mufasa's death was his fault and tells him to leave the Pride Lands into [[exile]] and never return. He then orders the hyenas to kill Simba, but Simba escapes, and they decide not to tell him of it. Unaware of Simba's survival, Scar tells the pride that both Mufasa and Simba are dead, and steps forward as the new king, allowing the hyenas into the Pride Lands, much to the shock of the pride and the sadness of Rafiki.

The next day, Scar lures Simba into a [[Canyon|gorge]] and signals the hyenas to drive a large herd of [[wildebeest]]s into a [[stampede]] to trample him. Scar alerts Mufasa, who manages to save Simba and tries to escape the gorge; he begs Scar for help, but Scar betrays him by [[Regicide|throwing him into the stampede to his death]]. Scar then deceives Simba into believing that Mufasa's death was his fault and tells him to leave the Pride Lands into [[exile]] and never return. He then orders the hyenas to kill Simba, but Simba escapes, and they decide not to tell him of it. Unaware of Simba's survival, Scar tells the pride that both Mufasa and Simba are dead, and steps forward as the new king, allowing the hyenas into the Pride Lands, much to the shock of the pride and the sadness of Rafiki.

Simba collapses in a [[desert]] from [[heat exhaustion]], but is rescued from the [[vulture]]s by two other outcasts; a [[meerkat]] and a [[warthog]] named [[Timon and Pumbaa]]. Simba grows up with his two new friends in their [[jungle]] [[oasis]], living a carefree life under their motto "[[hakuna matata]]" ("no worries" in [[Swahili language|Swahili]]) ("[[Hakuna Matata (song)|Hakuna Matata]]"). Years later, an [[young adult]] Simba rescues Timon and Pumbaa from a hungry lioness, who is revealed to be Nala. After reconciling, Simba and Nala end up falling in love with each other ("[[Can You Feel the Love Tonight]]"), and she urges him to return home, telling him that the Pride Lands have become a desolate wasteland under Scar's reign. Still feeling guilty over Mufasa's death, Simba refuses and leaves angrily. He then encounters Rafiki, who tells Simba that Mufasa’s [[Ghost|spirit]] lives on in him. Simba is then visited by the spirit of Mufasa in the night sky, who tells him that he must take his place as king. After Rafiki advises him to learn from the past instead of running from it, Simba decides to return to the Pride Lands.

Simba collapses in a [[desert]] from [[heat exhaustion]], but is rescued from the [[vulture]]s by two other outcasts; a [[meerkat]] and a [[warthog]] named [[Timon and Pumbaa]] who take the comatose cub to their [[jungle]] [[oasis]] and invite him to stay with them. Simba grows up into a [[young adult]] lion with his two new friends and [[Adoptive parents|adoptive "parents"]] in their jungle oasis, living a carefree life under their motto "[[hakuna matata]]" ("no worries" in [[Swahili language|Swahili]]) ("[[Hakuna Matata (song)|Hakuna Matata]]"). Simba rescues Timon and Pumbaa from a hungry lioness, who is revealed to be Nala. After reuniting, Simba and Nala end up falling in love with each other on their night out ("[[Can You Feel the Love Tonight]]"). Nala urges Simba to return home and face his responsibilities, telling him that the Pride Lands have become a desolate [[drought]]-and-[[famine]]-stricken wasteland under Scar's [[tyranny]] and revealing that she left her homeland to search for help. Still feeling guilty over Mufasa's death, Simba refuses and angrily leaves after an argument with Nala. He then encounters Rafiki, who travels to the oasis and tells Simba that Mufasa’s [[Ghost|spirit]] endures on within him. Simba is visited by the spirit of Mufasa in the night sky, who appears in the night sky to remind him of accepting his responsibilities and encourages him to fulfill his destiny in taking his place as his successor. After Rafiki advises him to learn from the past instead of running from it, Simba decides to return to the Pride Lands in order to reconcile with his [[childhood trauma]] and reclaim his [[birthright]].

Aided by his friends, Simba sneaks past the hyenas at Pride Rock and confronts Scar, who shames Simba over his supposed role in Mufasa’s death and corners him to the edge of Pride Rock. Just before he can throw him into a [[fire]] which was created by [[lightning|a lightning bolt]], Scar arrogantly reveals to Simba that he killed Mufasa. Enraged, Simba retaliates and forces Scar to confess the truth to the pride. A battle ensues in between the pride and the hyenas. Scar attempts to escape but is cornered by Simba at a ledge near the top of Pride Rock. Scar begs for mercy and attempts to deceive Simba by blaming his actions on the hyenas, who overhear him. Simba refuses to believe Scar, but spares his treacherous uncle's life while banishing him from the Pride Lands forever. Scar pretends to accept this, but then attacks Simba. Following a brief battle, Simba throws Scar off from the ledge. Scar survives the fall, but the hyenas, angry at him for betraying them, attack and maul him to his death.

Aided by his friends, Simba sneaks past the hyenas at Pride Rock and confronts Scar, who has struck Sarabi, shames Simba over his supposed role in Mufasa’s death and corners him to the edge of Pride Rock. Confident that the secret will die with Simba by preparing to throw him into a [[fire]] created by [[lightning|a lightning bolt]], Scar arrogantly reveals to Simba that he killed Mufasa. Enraged, Simba retaliates and forces Scar to confess the truth to the pride. A battle ensues in between the pride and the hyenas. Scar attempts to escape but is cornered by Simba at a ledge near the top of Pride Rock. Scar begs for mercy and attempts to deceive Simba by blaming his actions on the hyenas, who overhear him. Simba refuses to believe Scar, but spares his treacherous uncle's life while banishing him from the Pride Lands forever. Scar pretends to accept this, but then attacks Simba. Following a brief battle, Simba throws Scar off from the ledge. Scar survives the fall, but is met with the vengeful hyenas who all attack and maul him to his death for his attempted betrayal by eating him alive.

With Scar and the hyenas gone, Simba takes his rightful place as king, with Nala as his [[Queen consort|queen]]. With the Pride Lands restored, Rafiki presents [[Kiara (The Lion King)|Simba and Nala's newborn cub]] to the assembled animals, thus continuing the circle of life.{{efn|As depicted in ''[[The Lion King II: Simba's Pride]]'' (1998).}}

With Scar and the hyenas gone, Simba eventually takes his rightful place as king, with Nala ulitmately becoming his [[Queen consort|queen]]. With the Pride Lands restored to turning green with life and order again, Rafiki presents [[Kiara (The Lion King)|Simba and Nala's newborn cub]] to the assembled animals, thus continuing the circle of life.{{efn|As depicted in ''[[The Lion King II: Simba's Pride]]'' (1998).}}

==Voice cast==

==Voice cast==