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"Circle of Life" is the opening song of Disney's 1994 animated feature film The Lion King, composed by Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. It was performed by Carmen Twillie (female vocals) and Lebo M (opening Zulu vocals) as the film's opening song. Elton John also sang a pop version of it with the London Community Gospel Choir, which was included in the film's soundtrack and made into a music video.

As Mufasa himself explains later in the movie, the "Circle of Life" that the song refers to is the delicate cycle, the interconnectedness, the natural world (wildlife, ecosystem, environment, biodiversity etc.) and balance of nature (predators eat prey, predators become grass when they die, prey eat the grass). Scar's reign disrupts the Circle of Life, though it is restored when Simba defeats him. Likewise, a plot point in The Lion Guard is for Kion to learn how to properly protect the Circle of Life.

Plot

The song takes place at the very beginning of the film, the dawn of Simba's presentation. As the song progresses, various African animals travel together through the Pride Lands to gather at Pride Rock. There, Rafiki meets up with the current King of the Pride Lands, Mufasa and his mate Sarabi. After blessing their newborn cub, Simba, Rafiki lifts him up high for all the animals to see, the animals rejoiced and bowed before their future king.

When Scar kills Mufasa and lets the hyenas run rampant on Pride Lands, the Circle of Life is broken, and the Pride Lands become decimated with droughts, famine, and overhunting from the hyenas, with animal skeletons lying all around with Scar as the king. These combined factors cause the remaining animals to leave the kingdom, therefore leaving the lions and hyenas with no food and water.

The song reprises at the end of the film after Simba has taken the throne, after the death of Scar, and avenging Mufasa, restoring the Circle of Life to its natural order. Rafiki presents Simba and Nala's newborn cub, Kiara, recalling the opening. In The Lion King 1½, the song is used again.

In The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, the Circle of Life song does not play throughout the entire movie, but the concept is still pivotal to the story. The Circle of Life is in an incomplete state because Simba's pride and the Outsiders were separated due to Simba's prejudice against Scar's followers and Zira's hatred for Simba even though they're supposed to be one and the same. To unite the two prides, Mufasa has Rafiki unite Kiara and Kovu together. However, Simba breaks the Circle of Life when he exiles Kovu believing he was involved in the ambush set by Zira, forbidding Kiara from getting near him while he believes he was following in Mufasa's paw prints. After Kiara and Kovu manage to unite the prides, the Circle of Life is restored to its former glory and peace was brought back to Pride Rock once again.

In Disneytoon's 2004 direct-to-video film The Lion King 1½, Timon and Pumbaa are watching this musical number in a dark theater when Timon suddenly uses a remote control to fast-forward to where they appear in the film. Pumbaa argues that it shouldn't go out of order and attempts to rewind it back to the beginning. They start fighting over control of it until they agree that it should tell their side of the story. Throughout the rest of it, it is occasionally interrupted to have them comment on whatever is happening.

Lyrics

Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama eyi yewu
Ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Hayibaba (Ingonyama)
Siyonqoba (Ingonyama)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (repeats throughout verse)
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the Circle of Life (Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!)
And it moves us all (Ingonyama nengwe wema!)
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)

It's the Circle of Life (Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!)
And it moves us all (Ingonyama nengwe wema!)
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!

Ndabe zitha
Nkosi yethu
Mholi wezwe lethu (Wezwe lethu)
Lefatshe la bonata rona
Lea halalela

Busa le lizwe bo
Busa le lizwe bo
Busa le lizwe bo
Lethu busa ngoxolo

Is'khathi sifikile (Sifikile)
Is'khathi busa iyo (Ndabezitha bo)
Is'khathi sifikile (Maye babo)
Busa lomhlaba

Is'khathi sifikile (Ihei)
Is'khathi sifikile (Sifikile)
Busa Simba
Busa Simba

Ubuse ngo xolo (Ngo xolo bo)
Ubuse ngo thando (Ngo thando)
Ubuse ngo xolo (Siyacela baba)
Ubuse ngo thando
Ubuse ngo xolo...

(Circle of Life verse)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
(Enamabala wa)

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!

Circle of... Life!

Mufasa: Simba, a king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun.
Although the sun has set on my time, just remember that I will always be there to guide you.
And now, Simba, it is time for you to take your rightful place in the Circle - the Circle of Life.

Chorus:
Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama eyi yewu
Ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Hayibaba (Ingonyama)
Siyonqoba (Ingonyama)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Se to kwa)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Asana)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (repeats throughout verse)

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the Circle of Life (Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!)
And it moves us all (Ingonyama nengwe wema!)
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Enamabala-wa-ba)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Enamabala-bala-oh)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Siyonqoba)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Enamabala-bala-oh)

It's the Circle of Life (Circle of Life)
And it moves us all (moves us all)
Through despair and hope (despair and hope)
Through faith and love (faith and love)

Till we find our place (find our place)
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Circle of Life
Through despair and hope
Circle of Life
Moves us all, moves us all

Circle of Life
Till we find our place
In the Circle of Life
Through despair and hope
Circle of Life
Through faith and love

Circle of Life
Till we find our place
Circle of Life
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

It's the Circle of Life (Circle of Life)
And it moves us all (moves us all)
Through despair and hope (despair and hope)
Through faith and love (faith and love)

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
In the Circle

In the Circle
The Circle of Life

Circle of Life!

(Simba roars)

Rafiki:
Nants ingonyama, bagathithi baba!

Choir:
Stiti umm, ingonyama
Ingonyama negwengabo!

Antelope:
Maye babo
Haa, ingonnyama baba!

Rafiki:
Nants ingonyama, bagathithi baba, hyaa!

Choir:
Stiti umm, ingonyama
Ingonyama negwengabo!

Antelope:
Hao, kusani bo
Pheki agalela (chou!)

Rafiki:
Nants ingonyama, bagathithi baba, hyaa!

Choir:
Siti umm, ingonyama

Rafiki:
Helele

Choir:
Ingonyama

Rafiki:
Oh, sizonqoba baba helele

Choir:
Ingonyama

Rafiki:
Hayyo! Sizonqo baba

Choir:
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Antelope:
Ingonyama! Enamabala

(Whoa, ingonyama baba, enamabala)

Choir:
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

(Ta-na-na-na-na, ta-na-na-na-na)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
(Ta-na-na-na-na, ta-na-na-na-na)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
(Ta-na-na-na-na, ta-na-na-na-na)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

(Ingonyama nengw' enamabala continues)

Rafiki:
From the day we arrive on this planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

Hmm, there's far too much, to take in here
More to find, than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small, on the endless round

It's the Circle of Life
(Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!)
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

Choir:
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Halala, halala, halala)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Baba tu)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Halala, halala, halala)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Ba, baba tu)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Antelopes: (improvising in background)
Bayede
Ndabezitha
Nkhosi yama khosi
Siya bongababa
Bayede

Mkokeli we sizwe
Ndabezitha
Wena we zulu
Siya bongababa
Awu siya bongababa

Kwath' uma' ufika kwakhal'umhlaba
Kwath' uma' ufika kwakhal'umhlaba
Siya bongababa bayede

It's the Circle of Life
(Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!)
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!

(loud drumbeat)

Ndabe zitha (Shwele baba)
Nkosi yethu
Mholi wezwe lethu (Lefatshe lea)
Lefatshe labonata rona (Lea halalela)
Lea halalela (Shwele baba)
(Ah, nkosi yethu)

Busa le lizwe bo (Shwele baba)
Busa le lizwe bo (Busa le lizwe)
Busa le lizwe bo (Oh)
Lethu busa ngoxolo (Xolobaba)

Is'khathi sifikile (Sifikile)
Is'khathi busa iyo (Ndabezitha bo)
Is'khathi sifikile (Maye babo)
Busa lomhlaba (Woza baba)

Is'khathi sifikile (Sifikile)
Is'khathi sifikile (Maye babo)
Busa Simba
Busa Simba (Ihei)

Hemna iyo (Hemna iyo)
Hemna iyo (Maye babo)
Hemna nkosi bo (Xolo/Shwele baba)
Busa Simba iyo
(Oh busa Simba iyo)

Oh busa Simba iyo (Shwele baba)
Oh busa nkosi bo (Maye babo)
Oh busa Simba iyo (Xolo/Shwele baba)
Busa Simba iyo (Aha, aha)

Ubuse ngo thando (Ngo thando)
Ubuse ngo thando (Ngoxolo baba)
Ubuse ngo xolo (Bayede baba)
Busa Simba, Busa Simba

Ubuse ngo xolo (Nkosi yethu bo)
Ubuse ngo thando (Aha, aha)
Ubuse ngo xolo (Siyacela baba)
Ubuse ngo thando
Ubuse ngo xolo... (Shwele baba)

(Circle of Life verse)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (He ye nibo)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
(Enamabala wa)

It's the Circle of Life
(Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!)
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love...

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!

Circle of... Life!

(loud drumbeat)


Ndabe zitha
Nkosi yethu (Nkosi yethu)
Mholi wezwe lethu (Lefatshe lea)
Lefatshe labonata rona (Lea halalela)
Lea halalela (Woza baba)
(Shwele baba)

Busa le lizwe bo (Maye babo)
Busa le lizwe bo (Shwele baba)
Busa le lizwe bo
Lethu busa ngoxolo (Xolo bo)

Is'khathi sifikile (Sifikile)
Is'khathi busa iyo (Ndabezitha bo)
Is'khathi sifikile (Maye babo)
Busa lomhlaba (Woza baba)

Is'khathi sifikile (Sifikile)
Is'khathi sifikile (Maye babo)
Busa Simba
Busa Simba (Ihei)

Hemna iyo (Hemna iyo)
Hemna iyo (Maye babo)
Hemna nkosi bo
Busa Simba iyo
(Oh busa Simba iyo)

Oh busa Simba iyo (Woza baba)
Oh busa nkosi bo (Shwele baba)
Oh busa Simba iyo
Busa Simba iyo (Woza baba)

Ubuse ngo thando (Ngo thando)
Ubuse ngo thando (Busa Simba)
Ubuse ngo xolo (Maye babo)
Busa Simba, Busa Simba

Ubuse ngo xolo (Ngo thando)
Ubuse ngo thando (Ngoxolo baba)
Ubuse ngo xolo (Maye babo)
Ubuse ngo thando (Thando)
Ubuse ngo xolo... (Ihei)

(Circle of Life verse)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Ihei)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
(Enamabala wa)

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!

Circle of... Life!

(loud drumbeat)

Umm hmm
Oh ho
Oh ho
Oh ho
Oh ho

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking step into the sun
There's more to be seen than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
Some say, eat or be eaten
Some say, live and let live
But, all are agreed as they join the stampede
You should never take more than you give

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap by faith
It's the band of hope
Till, we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the circle
The circle of life

Some of us fall by the wayside
And some of us soar to the stars
And some of us sail through our troubles
And some have to live with the scars
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rollin' high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps the great and small on the endless round

In the circle of life
It's the wheel of fortune
It's the leap by faith
It's the band of hope
Till, we find our place
On the path unwinding, yea
In the circle
The circle of life
(chorus repeats)

On the path unwinding, yea
In the circle
The circle of life

Announcer: Everyone, listen
(overlapped animal sounds)
It is time!

Chorus:Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhm ingonyama eyi yewu
Ingonyama
Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Hayibaba (Ingonyama)
Siyonqoba (Ingonyama)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

(heard during Simba's introduction in the attraction)

Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Announcer: (spoken)
And now, I present to you
His Majesty, the Lion King

Simba: (spoken)
Welcome, everyone!
It's me, Simba!
You've all picked a very special day to visit.
You see, today, we've come to town for a big celebration!
And you, my friends, are invited to join in the fun!

Chorus:
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

Simba: (spoken) The world in perfect harmony with all its living things
That, my friends, is a time for joyous celebration
For when all things exist in balance
It is then we're all connected in the great Circle, the Circle of Life

Chorus: Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
(repeats throughout verse)

Singer: From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!

Rafiki:
Nants ingonyama, bagathithi baba!

Choir:
Stiti umm, ingonyama
Ingonyama negwengabo!

Rafiki:
Nants ingonyama, bagathithi baba, hyaa!

Choir:
Stiti umm, ingonyama
Ingonyama negwengabo!

Hao, kusani bo
Pheki agalela (chou!)

Rafiki:
Nants ingonyama, bagathithi baba, hyaa!

Choir:
Siti umm, ingonyama

Rafiki:
Helele

Choir:
Ingonyama

Rafiki:
Oh, sizonqoba baba helele

Choir:
Ingonyama

Rafiki:
Hayyo! Sizonqo baba

Choir:
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Ingonyama!)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala (Enamabala)
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala

(Ingonyama nengw' enamabala continues)

Rafiki:
From the day we arrive on this planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

It's the Circle of Life
(Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!)
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

(Ingonyama nengw' enamabala verse repeated in background when Rafiki talks to Mickey)

It's the Circle of Life
(Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!)
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!

(loud drumbeat)

(end of "Lion King" sequence)

Choir:
Busa le lizwe bo
Busa le lizwe bo
Busa le lizwe bo
Busa lomhlaba

Busa, busa le lizwe
Busa, busa le lizwe
Busa, busa le lizwe
Busa lomhlaba!

(Busa verse)

Busa le lizwe bo
Busa le lizwe bo
Busa lomhlaba wethu
Busa ngo xolo

Busa ngo thando
Busa ngo thando
Busa ngo thando
Busa ngo xolo

Ubuse ngo thando
Ubuse ngo thando
Ubuse ngo thando
Busa Simba, Busa Simba

Vusa amakhosi bo
Vusa amdlozi bo
Vusa amakhosi bo
Busa Simba iyo (Busa Simba iyo)

Vusa amakhosi bo
Vusa amdlozi bo
Vusa amakhosi bo
Busa Simba
Busa Simba
Busa Simba iyo

(Circle of Life verse)

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle, the Circle of Life
We are one

Ndabe zitha
Nkosi yethu
Mholi wezwe lethu
Lefatshe la bonata rona
Lea halalela

(chorus)

Busa le lizwe bo
Busa le lizwe bo
Busa le lizwe bo
Busa lomhlaba

Is'khathi sifikile
Is'khathi busa iyo
Is'khathi sifikile
Busa lomhlaba

Is'khathi sifikile
Is'khathi sifikile
Busa Simba
Busa Simba

Ubuse ngo xolo
Ubuse ngo thando
Ubuse ngo xolo
Ubuse ngo thando
Ubuse ngo xolo...

Busa le lizwe bo
Busa lomhlaba

Busa le lizwe bo
Busa lomhlaba

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life!

Circle of... Life!

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
In the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life

The Circle of... Life!

Videos

See also

Trivia

  • "Circle of Life" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song in 1994 along with two other songs from the film, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Hakuna Matata", though the former won the award.
  • The first part of the song is in Zulu.
    • Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba, translates roughly to: Here are the lion cubs, Father.
    • Sithi uhm ingonyama, translates roughly to: We hail the lion.
    • Ingonyama, translates roughly to: The lion.
    • Hayi baba (Ingonyama), translates roughly to: Hey father (The lion).
    • Siyo nqoba (Ingonyama), translates roughly to: We Will Win (The lion).
    • Ingonyama nengw' enamabala, translates roughly to: Lions and tigers.
    • Balek' ingonyam'i ya gale'!, translates roughly to: Run, the lion will attack!.
    • Ingonyama nengwe wema, translates roughly to: "The Lion and the Leopard, oh what a sight!".
    • Se to kwa, translates roughly to: Don't go to.
    • Asana, translates roughly to: No.
  • The song has become the theme of Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World. At Epcot, it was featured in the former attraction Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable starring characters from the film.
  • In one of Disney's many self-references, it also appeared as a false beginning of Chicken Little when Buck was trying to open the movie.
  • The Season 3 Phineas and Ferb song "On the Savannah" in the first part of the two-part episode "Where's Perry?" has a similar setting and is also done with African singers.
  • The choral element in between the "it's the circle of life" and "and it moves us all" is an approximate "kalaliko bheki akale".
  • There is a rare work-in-progress version with an alternate arrangement that appeared in both the teaser trailer included in The Fox and the Hound VHS and the original theatrical trailer that people would not find anywhere else.
  • At the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner, President Barack Obama jokingly claimed he was going to show his long-form birth video, spoofing an earlier controversy about refusing to show his long-form birth certificate to prove he was, in fact, born in the United States. The opening chant was played from the film, and Simba was seen being lifted to the skies. The song was used to poke fun at Obama's Kenyan heritage.
  • The song was re-recorded in 2003 by the Disney Channel Circle of Stars, a group of actors and actresses who have appeared in Disney Channel television series and original movies.
    • The music video was also a bonus feature for the VHS and DVD release of The Lion King Platinum Edition.
    • The line-up was significantly different when their next re-recording, "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes", was released two years later.
  • The instrumental version of the song, with the Zulu vocals still included, is heard when the player uses The King's Domain sky in the Disney Infinity games.
  • The scene of Rafiki lifting Simba can be briefly seen in an episode of Gargoyles when Hudson is flicking through channels.
  • When baby Simba is introduced, he is heard purring; lions don't purr in real life.
  • In the 2019 remake of the film, the opening shot of the iconic sunrise scene is unique as it is the only non-animated shot in the entire film. Everything else seen in the entire film is entirely animated in CGI.
  • Two new arrangements were composed for the Festival of the Lion King in 2002, and for the Legend of the Lion King show in 2004.
  • In chapter 163 of Survive on a deserted island with beautiful girls Qin Tian takes role of Rafiki as he hold baby named Simba into the air mimicking the crowning of the new king from the Lion King.
  • In the Elton John music video, when Elton sings "Some have to live with the scars" both Scar and Jeremy Irons are shown.
  • In The Lion King, the animals are seen kneeling towards their future king, in the Lion King 1/2 it is revealed this was because Pumbaa farted knocking several rows of animals out and the rest felt they were kneeling, so they kneeled too.

External links

The Lion King Wiki-wordmark This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from the The Lion King Wiki. The list of authors can be seen in the page revision history (view authors). As with Disney Wiki, the text of The Lion King Wiki is available under the CC-by-SA Free Documentation License.


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The Lion King - Logo
Media
Films: The Lion King (video) • The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (video) • The Lion King 1½ (video) • The Lion Guard: Return of the RoarThe Lion King (2019) (video) • Mufasa: The Lion King

Television: Find Out WhyTimon & Pumbaa (videography) • Timon and Pumbaa's Wild About SafetyThe Lion Guard (videography) • It's UnBungalievable!
Soundtracks: The Lion KingRhythm of the Pride LandsThe Legacy CollectionThe Lion King CollectionReturn to Pride Rock: Songs Inspired by Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's PrideBest of the Lion KingThe Lion King 1½: Songs from Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious AdventureOriginal Broadway Cast RecordingFestival of the Lion KingThe Legend of the Lion KingThe Lion GuardThe Lion King (2019 film)The Lion King & Jungle Festival: Rhythms of the Pride Lands
Video games: The Lion KingTimon and Pumbaa's Jungle GamesThe Lion King: Simba's Mighty AdventureKingdom Hearts IIAnimated Storybook: The Lion KingDisney UniverseDisney Infinity: 2.0 EditionAdventures in Typing with Timon and PumbaaActivity CenterThe Lion King 2: Simba's Pride: Active PlayThe Lion King 2: Simba's Pride GameBreakThe Lion King 1½Disney Crossy RoadDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Heroes: Battle ModeKingdom Hearts IIIDisney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion KingDisney Classic Games CollectionThe Lion King: Operation Pridelands
Books: Marvel ComicsThe Art and Making of The Lion KingThe Lion Guard: Can't Wait to be QueenThe Lion King: The NovelizationThe Lion King: The Full Film Script
Cancelled projects: King of the JungleThe Lion Guard: Hear Me Roar!The Lion King Family Tree

Disney Parks
Rafiki's Planet WatchDisney's Art of Animation ResortDisney's Explorers LodgeThe AnnexCircle of Life: An Environmental FableDisney Animation BuildingEsperanza Character CarouselIt's a Small WorldMickey's PhilharMagicRhythm of the JungleSorcerers of the Magic KingdomThe Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management)The Lion Guard AdventureThe Lion King: Pride Land (The Lion King attraction)

Entertainment: AnimagiqueDisney's BelieveDisney's WishesDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicDisney KiteTailsFantasmic!Feel the MagicFestival of Family & FriendsFestival of the Lion KingHakuna Matata Time Dance PartyIt's Party Time... with Mickey and FriendsMickey and the MagicianMickey and the Wondrous BookMickey's Gift of DreamsMickey's Magical Music WorldOnce Upon a MouseRivers of Light: We Are OneThe Adventure of RhythmThe Golden MickeysThe Legend of the Lion KingVillains Tonight!
Restaurants: Restaurant Hakuna Matata
Parades: A Million Splashes of ColourDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney's Party ExpressDisney Adventure Friends CavalcadeDisney Cinema ParadeDisney Magic on ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeJubilation!Mickey & Friends Street CelebrationMickey's Soundsational ParadeMickey's Storybook ExpressThe Lion King CelebrationThe Wonderful World of Disney ParadeWalt Disney's Parade of Dreams
Fireworks: Celebrate the MagicCelebrate! Tokyo DisneylandDisney Dreams!Disneyland ForeverHappily Ever AfterHarmoniousIgnite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and LightIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationThe Magic, the Memories and YouMomentousOnce Upon a TimeTree of Life AwakensWonderful World of AnimationWorld of ColorWondrous Journeys
Summer: Stitch and Friends Summer Surprise
Halloween: Happy HallowishesVillains Grove

Characters
The Lion King: SimbaNalaMufasaScarRafikiTimonPumbaaZazuShenzi, Banzai, and EdSarabiSarafinaThe PridelandersPride Land AnimalsHyena ClanWildebeestsGopherVulturesGrubs

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: KiaraKovuZiraVitaniNukaOutsidersCrocodiles
The Lion King 1½: MaUncle MaxMeerkat Colony
Timon & Pumbaa: The Native ChiefThe Three NativesMother GorillaFronk FegnugenMontiBaampuNobiFredQuintThe WoodpeckerBruceStinkyRalph and EddieTedsSavage LionBartholomewThe TarsierToucan DanVulture PoliceNedNefuRabbitUncle BoarisUncle ErnieBoss BeaverBoy BeaverLester the WhaleThe TigressJackalThe CobraSpeedy the SnailSmolder the BearLittle JimmyIrwinEl ToroCount DownMr. PigWolverineJumbo Jumbo the ElephantCheetato and CheetataMartin PartinRita BookChef ClaudeCaptain BloodbeardCisco PigCisco Pig's GangDr. CagliostroTorgoThe Meerkat AngelWonderful Rhino of LawsPumbaa Jr.Dr. HappyLeslie LambeauMr. ButtonsSharlaWarthog SounderHermanLaraMelClaudiusBahukaTutan PharaohGenieMadame CredenzaDuke MeerkatTatianaMother EagleBaby EarlKing LeopoldPrincess ClaudiaSigmund and LloydHeimlich and SchnitzelMad Dog McGraw, Billy the Goat, and Three-fingered JackelopeDr. ExeterSal ManderJungle InspectorBigfootPimon and Tumbaa
The Lion Guard: KionBungaFuliBeshteOnoTiifuZuriJanjaCheeziChunguJanja's ClanMzingoMzingo's ParliamentMwogaMakuuMakuu's FloatPuaBasiBasi's PodUshariJasiriMadoaTunu and WemaJasiri's ClanThurstonMbeyaPorcupine BrothersMa TemboZitoAminifuReireiGoigoiDogoDogo's BrothersKijanaReirei's PackTwigaJuhudiShingoMuhanga and MuhangusTamaaNala's FatherSwalaMuhimuHamuAjabuMakuchaMakucha's LeapMakucha's ArmyFahariJionaMjombaOgpoaHayaLainiBadiliMbuniMapiganoMtotoGumbaKambuniKwatoShaukuNneTanoVuruga VurugaYoung RhinoLionessMajinuni and HafifuKing SokweHadithiBig BaboonBupuBobokaChuraKifaruMwenziUrohoMwiziKulindaOnaMpishiMakiniShupavuWazaNjanoKiburiTamkaNduliKiburi's FloatChamaKengeDhahabuHodariStareheRahaNyuniSumuKongweKinyongaKuchimbaShujaaAngaStrange LionStrange CobraThe FastestThe StrongestThe BravestThe Keenest of SightYukiHitashiKimyo and NabasuDomogDughiBoginoChuluunPãgala Krud'dhaLumba-LumbaOld CivetOraKomodo DragonFikiriKitendoTuppAzaadFlamingo GirlsFlamingo Girls' FlamboyanceTenukTompokSeisouBambunMouse DeerMama BinturongSmunYun MibuNirmalaRaniBaliyoSurakJannaUlluSãhasíÃnandaBingaTangaagimPinguinoCek and RamaTsah and SasemAstutoVarya Feliks, Pasha, and PolinaHeng Heng Kely Kely's TroopAskariShabahaKasiImaraTazama
Printed Media: UruAhadiKopaBomaZuzuJokaLulu
Deleted: DikuBaashoIggyHerr RhinoKwashiBhatiMheetuBanagiDaabiDwalaNaanda
Remake: Dembe
Mufasa: The Lion King: KirosEsheObasiMasegoAfia
Miscellaneous: ZawadiKiumeKibibiNakawa

Episodes
Timon & PumbaaThe Lion Guard
Locations
The Lion King Trilogy: AfricaMount KilimanjaroPride RockThe Pride LandsThe Water HoleThe Elephant GraveyardThe GorgeJungleRafiki's Ancient TreeThe Outlands

Timon & Pumbaa: Zazu's TreeMadame Credenza's PlaceSavage RockBoss Beaver's Log LandThe Tree of TruthDismal Swamp
The Lion Guard: Lair of the Lion GuardJanja's DenTree of Life

Songs
The Lion King: Circle of LifeThe Morning ReportI Just Can't Wait to Be KingBe PreparedHakuna MatataCan You Feel the Love TonightHawaiian War Chant

Instrumental Scores: This LandHyenas...To Die ForUnder the StarsKing of Pride RockDidn't Your Mother Tell You Not to Play with Your FoodWe are All ConnectedHyenas in the Pride LandsElephant GraveyardI Was Just Trying to Be BraveStampedeMufasa DiesIf You Ever Come Back We'll Kill YouBowling for BuzzardsWe Gotta Bone to Pick With YouKings of the PastNala, Is It Really You?Remember Who You AreThis Is My HomeThe Rightful King
Rhythm of the Pride Lands: The Lion Sleeps TonightKubeLea HalalelaIt's TimeLalaBusaNoyana
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: He Lives in YouWe Are OneMy LullabyUpendiOne of UsLove Will Find a Way
The Lion King 1½: Digga TunnahThat's All I NeedSunrise, SunsetGrazing in the Grass
Musical: Lioness HuntRafiki MournsOne by OneGrasslands ChantChow DownThe Madness of King ScarShadowlandEndless NightSimba Confronts Scar
Timon & Pumbaa: The Lion Sleeps TonightAlone TogetherStand by MeYummy Yummy Yummy
The Lion Guard: Call of the GuardA Beautiful Day (Ni Siku Nzuri)Zuka ZamaTonight We StrikeKion's LamentIt is TimeHere Comes the Lion GuardWe're the Same (Sisi Ni Sawa)Don't Make a StinkBunga the WiseDuties of the KingOutta the WayJackal StyleOur Kupatana CommunityMy Own WayUtamuAll Hail The VulturesHero InsideBird of a Thousand VoicesPanic and RunTrail to HopeLife in the Pride LandsWe'll Make You a MealFind Your RoarChungu's LamentBaboonsBeware of the ZimwiLions Over AllStand Up, Stand OutKuishi Ni KuchekaRunning with the KingHadithi the HeroMakin' Hippo LanesTickbirds and RhinosTeke Ruka TelezaEveryone is WelcomeThe Traveling Baboon ShowA Real MealFujoThe Path of HonorBring Back a LegendToday is my DayI Have A PlanGotta Look on the Bright SideThe Worst Hyena We KnowMay There Be PeaceBig Bad KengeChristmas in the Pride LandsThe Twelve Ways of ChristmasI Do Have a Great Deal to SayFabulous DhahabuGive a Little Guy a ChanceWe're the SmartestGood King SimbaThe Faster I GoI'm Gonna Run This DumpNow You See Me, Now You Don'tWisdom on the WallsHe's The Zebra MastermindKwetu Ni KwetuNothin' to Fear Down HereShujaa PondaPride Landers Unite!Prance With MeTujiinueHeight and SightWe Will DefendA New Way to GoOn the Last NightWhen I Led the GuardThe Tree of LifeHome of a Snow Monkey's DreamsGhost of the MountainAnythingThat's the Dolphin WayAs You Move ForwardFlamingo Dance PartyYou Best Not Mess With MamaFriends to the EndKion's ReckoningWelcome to the Tree of LifeWho is Better Than WhoPoa the DestroyerLong Live the QueenRemember What Makes You YouThe Power of the RoarOf the Same PrideAs You Move On
Remake: Life's Not FairRafiki's FirefliesScar Takes the ThroneSimba is Alive!Reflections of MufasaSpiritBattle for Pride RockRememberNever Too LateMbube
Mufasa: The Lion King NgomsoI Always Wanted a BrotherMilele
Deleted: To Be KingWarthog RhapsodyThe Lion of the MoonOld Fearless BuzzThe Madness of King ScarWhere Do I Belong
Miscellaneous: Safety Smart

See Also
Rafiki's Bakora StaffGreat Lions of the PastMusicalLion GuardRoar of the EldersNight PrideMark of the GuardMark of the Night PrideMoja Kwa Moja StoneTulizaThe Disney AfternoonFind Out WhyHouse of MouseOne by OneTimon & Pumbaa's Vacation SafariAs Told by Emoji


v - e - d
Kingdom Hearts utilized logo
Games
Kingdom Hearts (HD I.5 ReMIX/Soundtrack/Soundtrack Complete/HD I.5 ReMIX Soundtrack) • Chain of MemoriesKingdom Hearts II (HD II.5 ReMIX/HD II.8 Final Chapter Prologue/Soundtrack/HD II.5 ReMIX Soundtrack ) • 358/2 DaysBirth by Sleep (Soundtrack) • codedDream Drop Distance (Soundtrack) • χ [chi]Unchained χ/Union χ [cross]Kingdom Hearts IIIDark RoadMelody of MemoryMissing-LinkKingdom Hearts IV
Other media
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween PartyAgrabah (Kingdom Hearts pilot)
Incorporated Films and Shorts
Aladdin/The Return of JafarAlice in WonderlandBeauty and the BeastBig Hero 6CinderellaFantasiaFrozenHerculesThe Hunchback of Notre DameLilo & StitchThe Lion KingThe Little MermaidMickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three MusketeersMonsters, Inc.MulanThe Nightmare Before ChristmasPeter PanPinocchioPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl/Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's EndSleeping BeautySnow White and the Seven DwarfsSteamboat WillieTangledTarzanToy StoryTron/Tron: LegacyWinnie the PoohWreck-It Ralph
Characters
Main Characters: SoraRikuKairiKing MickeyDonald DuckGoofyRoxasAxel/LeaNaminéXionAquaTerraVentus

Villains: XehanortAnsemXemnasMaleficentPeteVanitasXigbar/BraigXaldinVexenLexaeusZexionSaïx/IsaDemyxLuxordMarluxiaLarxeneTerra-XehanortYoung XehanortXehanort's Guardian
Other Characters: Jiminy CricketAnsem the Wise/DiZYen SidMaster EraqusDilanEvenAeleusIenzoLingering WillHaynerPenceOletteKairi's GrandmaRiku ReplicaJiminy's JournalForetellersMaster of MastersLuxuEphemerSkuldChirithyStrelitziaLauriamYozoraVorHermod
Original Monsters: HeartlessNobodiesUnversedDream Eater
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts: Queen MinnieDaisy DuckPlutoChip and DaleHuey, Dewey, and LouieMagic BroomsAliceWhite RabbitDoorknobCheshire CatQueen of HeartsCard SoldiersTarzanJane PorterClaytonTerkKerchakKalaSaborHerculesPhiloctetesHadesCerberusRock TitanIce TitanAladdinAbuJasmineGenieCarpetJafarIagoPeddlerCave of WondersPinocchioGeppettoMonstroCleoArielFlounderSebastianUrsulaKing TritonFlotsam and JetsamGlutJack SkellingtonZeroSallyOogie BoogieLock, Shock, and BarrelDr. FinkelsteinMayor of Halloween TownPeter PanTinker BellCaptain HookMr. SmeeWendyCrocodileMerlinWinnie the PoohTiggerPigletEeyoreRabbitOwlRooBeesBeastBelleSnow WhiteCinderellaFairy GodmotherAuroraPongoPerditaDalmatian PuppiesSimbaMushuDumboBambiChernabog
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts II: Flora, Fauna, and MerryweatherMaleficent's RavenScrooge McDuckMulanLi ShangShan YuHayabusaYao, Ling, and Chien PoThe EmperorLumiereCogsworthMrs PottsChipWardrobePegasusMegaraPain and PanicHydraHorace HorsecollarClarabelle CowClara CluckJack SparrowElizabeth SwannWill TurnerCaptain BarbossaBo'sunJacobyTwiggCursed CrewPrince EricAttinaAndrinaSanta ClausSkeletal ReindeerTimonPumbaaNalaRafikiScarShenzi, Banzai, and EdMufasaKiaraPridelandersHyenasTronMaster Control ProgramCommander SarkKangaGopherStitchChicken Little
Disney Characters introduced in Birth by Sleep: Prince PhillipMaleficent's GoonsDocGrumpyHappySleepyBashfulSneezyDopeyThe PrinceEvil QueenMagic MirrorPrince CharmingJaqLady TremaineAnastasiaDrizellaLuciferGrand DukeGrand CouncilwomanCaptain GantuJumbaExperiment 221Lost Boys
Disney Characters introduced in Dream Drop Distance: QuasimodoEsmeraldaPhoebusJudge Claude FrolloVictor, Hugo, and LaverneKevin FlynnSam FlynnQuorraCLUBlack GuardsBlue FairyBeagle BoysChernabog's MinionsJulius
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts χ: Mad HatterMarch HareRazoulRoyal GuardsMauriceGaston
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts Union χ: SultanSamsonVanellope von SchweetzFix-It Felix Jr.Sergeant CalhounKing CandySour BillCy-BugsHero's Duty Troops
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts III: ZeusApolloAthenaHermesLava TitanTornado TitanLittle ChefWoodyBuzz LightyearRexHammSargeGreen Army MenLittle Green MenRapunzelFlynn RiderPascalMaximusMother GothelSulleyMike WazowskiBooRandall BoggsChild Detection AgencyTrailer FolkElsaAnnaKristoffOlafSvenMarshmallowHansMr. GibbsTia DalmaDavy JonesKrakenCutler BeckettDavy Jones' Locker CrabsBaymaxHiro HamadaGo Go TomagoHoney LemonFredWasabiLumpyWreck-It Ralph
Disney Characters introduced in Kingdom Hearts Dark Road: Tweedledee and Tweedledum
Disney Characters introduced in the manga: CaterpillarChi-Fu
Square Enix Characters: LeonCloudMoogleOthers

Elements
Plot Elements: Kingdom HeartsHeartKeyblade WarDark Seeker SagaMore

Game Elements: Gameplay in Kingdom HeartsMagic

Objects
Sea-salt ice creamWayfinderDoor to DarknessKeybladeX-bladeMorePixar BallA113Pizza Planet Truck
Locations
Original Worlds: Destiny IslandsTraverse TownRadiant Garden/Hollow BastionDisney Castle/Disney Town/Timeless RiverDive to the HeartEnd of the WorldRealm of DarknessTwilight Town/Mysterious TowerThe World That Never WasCastle That Never WasLand of Departure/Castle OblivionKeyblade GraveyardDaybreak Town/Scala ad Caelum

Disney Worlds: WonderlandDeep JungleOlympus Coliseum/Underworld/OlympusAgrabahAtlanticaHalloween Town/Christmas TownNeverlandHundred Acre WoodThe Land of DragonsBeast's CastlePort Royal/The CaribbeanPride LandsSpace ParanoidsDwarf WoodlandsCastle of DreamsDeep SpaceLa Cité des ClochesThe GridPrankster's ParadiseCountry of the MusketeersToy BoxKingdom of CoronaMonstropolisArendelleSan FransokyoGame Central Station/Niceland/Cy-Bug Sector/Candy Kingdom

Organizations/Groups
Organization XIIIPrincesses of HeartDisney Villains Council
Songs
"Dearly Beloved" • "Simple and Clean" • "Sanctuary" • Face My FearsDon't Think TwiceMickey Mouse Club MarchSwim This WayPart of Your WorldUnder the SeaUrsula's RevengeA New Day is DawningDestatiThis is HalloweenHe's a PirateBeauty and the BeastBibbidi-Bobbidi-BooIt's a Small WorldNight on Bald MountainWinnie the PoohThe Sorcerer's ApprenticeThe Pastoral SymphonyNutcracker SuiteYou've Got a Friend in MeHealing IncantationPut That Thing Back Where It Came From or So Help MeLet It GoDo You Want to Build a SnowmanYo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)A Whole New WorldCircle of Life
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