Mufasa: The Lion King
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: December 20, 2024 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
56
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 51 Critic Reviews
Positive:
19
Mixed:
30
Negative:
2
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On

Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
The TimesKevin MaherDec 17, 2024
Here the Oscar-winning director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) dives truly deep for a tale of orphanhood, family conflict and the reluctant fight for a throne. It’s often thrilling to watch a film featuring only anthropomorphic animals where the central characters are more rounded than most of their human counterparts at the mainstream multiplex (yes, that means you, Gladiator II). Read full review
88
The Seattle TimesSoren AndersenDec 18, 2024
After having been made and remade for the screen and converted into a long-running hit Broadway show, it might have seemed like “The Lion King” was a played-out property. “Mufasa,” under Jenkins’ poised and creative direction, proves there is still plenty of life left in the long-reining “King.” Read full review
88
RogerEbert.comMatt Zoller SeitzDec 17, 2024
Mufasa never quite bursts free of the constraints placed upon it, but those constraints never stop it from moving, or from being moving. It has a signature, rendered with a steady hand. Read full review
80
IGNRobert DanielsDec 17, 2024
Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa is a strong, uncomplicated effort that should charm kids. The Moonlight directors involvement in a CGI-heavey Disney prequel caused serious film lovers to wring their hands, but the results speak for themselves: This is simply a lovely movie. Read full review
76
TheWrapWilliam BibbianiDec 17, 2024
It’s in little danger of becoming a classic but it’s gratifying to know that Barry Jenkins made this film his own, telling a fine story with genuine emotion and visual aplomb. Read full review
75
Boston GlobeOdie HendersonDec 17, 2024
The voiceover work is good and, as far as franchise entries go, it’s quite watchable. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRichard RoeperDec 17, 2024
With “Mufasa,” the visuals are screen-popping and glorious and stunning to behold — but yes, you either go with the idea of these realistically rendered lions dialoguing in English and occasionally bursting into Broadway-esque tunes, or you don’t. If it’s not your bag, nothing that happens here is going to change your viewpoint. Read full review
75
USA TodayBrian TruittDec 17, 2024
That Circle of Life everybody was singing about three decades ago? Thanks to Jenkins’ inimitable grace and Miranda’s tuneful swagger, it continues to feel vibrant. Read full review
70
Rolling StoneDavid FearDec 17, 2024
What the true legacy of Jenkins’ addition to the catalog may end up being, however, is a template for honoring the past while still managing to move things a few steps ahead. The circle of life, indeed. Read full review
70
The Film VerdictAlonso DuraldeDec 17, 2024
To bring up an issue that arose when Joaquin Phoenix flaked on Todd Haynes’ latest project — is this any way to spend two years of an artist’s prime period? Read full review
70
VarietyPeter DebrugeDec 17, 2024
At nearly every step, Mufasa’s challenges mirror those that Simba must later overcome, but the movie doesn’t celebrate Mufasa’s might so much as his modesty. Read full review
70
Screen RantRachel LaBonteDec 17, 2024
Assisted by franchise veteran Lebo M., Miranda brings his addictive melodies and spry lyricism to the movie and creates a soundtrack that can hold its own against the original. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMatthew MonagleDec 19, 2024
Mufasa is a small triumph for Jenkins and a small tragedy for Miranda, which means it’s a fine movie in an ocean of fine movies. Read full review
67
The PlaylistRodrigo PerezDec 17, 2024
Mufasa: The Lion King could have been a very great and worthy ‘Lion King’ successor, but thanks to the perceived requirements of what this franchise demands, it’s only just a good one, which is a shame, given its regal and majestic potential. Read full review
65
PolygonPetrana RadulovicDec 17, 2024
Handcuffed by the photorealistic animation, which emphasizes high-res fidelity over expressionism, and the ties to The Lion King, which constantly remind viewers of the original masterpiece, Mufasa can never quite escape the Shadowlands. Read full review
63
ReelViewsJames BerardinelliJan 2, 2025
For all its sparkling visuals, Mufasa is redundant. And that makes watching it (at least as an adult) deflating. Read full review
63
Washington PostTy BurrDec 19, 2024
Mufasa at least has the grace to offer audiences a fresh story, but children and parents may find it surprisingly difficult to tell one exquisitely rendered lion from the next. Read full review
63
Slant MagazineJustin ClarkDec 17, 2024
The film, unbound by having to recreate large swaths of the original Lion King whole cloth, was clearly allowed to be a product of its director. Read full review
63
The Associated PressLindsey BahrDec 17, 2024
Mufasa: The Lion King has one very important thing going for it: an original story. Read full review
More From This Movie

56 Critic Reviews

tbd User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 68 Crime 101
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL