Disney+ has just dropped one of its most anticipated releases of the year—“Mufasa: The Lion King”—and it’s already making waves. The live-action prequel to 2019’s photorealistic remake of The Lion King is now available to stream as of Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. PT.
You can stream the hit movie on Disney+ at no extra cost if you’re a member. It’s expected to stay on the platform for a while, so be sure to check it out. This film offers Disney fans a fresh look at one of the company’s most famous characters, sharing an untold story and expanding the beloved franchise.
A Royal Origin Story Told Through Rafiki’s Eyes
Directed by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), Mufasa: The Lion King tells the origin story of Simba’s father, long before his reign over the Pride Lands. Framed by Rafiki recounting Mufasa’s journey to young Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter, the film offers a generational tale enriched by myth, legacy, and struggle. The tone is more epic and mythological than the previous films, with touches of humor from Timon and Pumbaa, who provide narration alongside Rafiki.
The story follows Mufasa, an orphaned lion cub with no claim to royalty, who rises through trials and tragedy to become the revered king we meet in The Lion King. Along the way, we meet new characters and explore the complex relationship between Mufasa and Taka—the lion who would become Scar. Taka is voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr., while Mufasa is brought to life by Aaron Pierre, both delivering standout vocal performances that redefine these roles.
A Visual and Musical Powerhouse
Continuing the photorealistic animation style pioneered in the 2019 remake, Mufasa raises the bar in digital filmmaking. The visuals are breathtaking, with sweeping African vistas, thunderous stampedes, and intimate close-ups rendered with astonishing detail. It’s not traditional animation, but a hybrid that blends realism and storytelling in a new form that continues to divide critics but impress with sheer visual fidelity.
The soundtrack, composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda with a score by Dave Metzger, brings fresh energy while still honoring the legacy of Elton John and Hans Zimmer’s original work. Miranda’s musical fingerprints are all over this film—expect new songs with lyrical depth and cultural fusion that tie beautifully into the film’s themes of identity and destiny.
Blu-ray, DVD, and Streaming Release Details
For fans who love collecting physical media, Disney is releasing Mufasa: The Lion King on Blu-ray and DVD on April 1, 2025. Expect behind-the-scenes features, deleted scenes, and in-depth commentary from Barry Jenkins, who has expressed his deep emotional connection to the story of Mufasa.
The film’s streaming debut comes just three months after its theatrical release on December 20, 2024—a relatively fast turnaround in Disney’s release strategy. This quick move to Disney+ reflects the studio’s evolving approach in a streaming-first world, where shortening theatrical windows is becoming the norm for mid-tier blockbusters and legacy franchise expansions.
What Critics and Fans Are Saying
Critics are praising the film for its emotional storytelling and deeper exploration of legacy, grief, and power. While some feel it doesn’t quite reach the emotional highs of the original 1994 classic, others view it as a meaningful and necessary addition to the Lion King saga. Fans are especially applauding the voice cast, with Beyoncé reprising her role as Nala, and Donald Glover returning as Simba, adding continuity and star power.
Final Thoughts
Mufasa: The Lion King is more than just a prequel—it’s a heartfelt saga that enriches the world of The Lion King with deeper lore and modern cinematic artistry. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering the Pride Lands for the first time, this film is a must-watch. Catch it now on Disney+, or add it to your collection on April 1 when it hits Blu-ray and DVD.
Key Takeaways
- Mufasa: The Lion King will be available on Disney+ starting March 26, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. PT.
- The prequel explores Mufasa’s origins as an orphaned cub who rises to become king, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Barry Jenkins.
- Physical copies of the film will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 1, 2025, for collectors and home media enthusiasts.
Production and Development
The production of “Mufasa: The Lion King” brought together a talented team of creators and performers to craft the prequel to the beloved Lion King story. The film, released on December 20, 2024, required extensive planning and artistic expertise to bring Mufasa’s origin story to life.
Creative Team
Barry Jenkins took the directorial helm of “Mufasa: The Lion King,” marking a significant shift from Jon Favreau who directed the 2019 remake. Jenkins, known for his work on “Moonlight,” brought his unique visual storytelling approach to the Disney franchise. The film was produced by Walt Disney Pictures, maintaining the company’s commitment to expanding their classic storylines.
The creative vision focused on exploring Mufasa’s backstory before he became king. Jenkins worked closely with a team of writers to develop a narrative that would complement the existing Lion King universe while standing as its own compelling story.
The production team implemented advanced animation technology, building upon techniques used in the 2019 film to create even more realistic animal characters and African landscapes.
Casting Details
Aaron Pierre led the cast as the voice of Mufasa, bringing depth and emotion to the young lion’s character. Kelvin Harrison Jr. took on the pivotal role of Scar, portraying the complex relationship between the two brothers before their infamous rivalry.
Donald Glover returned to voice Simba in the film’s framing sequences. The casting also included several notable additions, with Mads Mikkelsen joining in a supporting role. Though not explicitly confirmed in the search results, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter likely reprised her role as Nala from the 2019 film.
Tiffany Boone joined the voice cast in a new role, adding to the ensemble of talented performers bringing the animal characters to life. The casting choices reflected a balance between continuity with previous films and fresh voices.
Filming and Animation
The production team traveled to Botswana for location research, capturing the authentic landscapes that would inform the film’s visual design. These real-world references provided essential details for the animation team to recreate the African savanna with stunning accuracy.
The film blended photorealistic animation techniques with traditional storytelling approaches. Unlike traditional animated films, this production style required voice actors to provide more nuanced performances to match the realistic visual style.
The animation process took approximately two years to complete, with hundreds of digital artists working to perfect each frame. The team paid special attention to animal movements, weather effects, and environmental details to create an immersive world that audiences could believe in.
Release and Reception
“Mufasa: The Lion King” saw its theatrical debut on December 20, 2024, following different release dates across various countries. The film’s journey from theaters to home viewing formats offers fans multiple ways to experience this Disney prequel.
Box Office and Streaming
“Mufasa: The Lion King” first released internationally on December 18, 2024, in countries including Belgium, Colombia, Finland, France, and Indonesia. The North American release followed on December 20, 2024. Rated PG with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes, the film was marketed as both “Mufasa: The Lion King” and simply “Lion King 2” in some regions.
For those who missed the theatrical run, the movie became available for digital purchase on February 18, 2025. Fans can buy it on platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. The physical Blu-ray and DVD release is scheduled for April 1, 2025.
Disney+ subscribers won’t have to wait much longer, as the film will join the streaming service later in March 2025.
Critical Response
The film’s blend of action, adventure, drama, family themes, and musical elements garnered attention from both critics and audiences. As a prequel exploring Mufasa’s origin story, the movie faced the challenge of living up to the beloved original “Lion King” legacy.
Professional reviewers praised the film’s visual effects and animation quality, which built upon the photorealistic style introduced in the 2019 remake. The musical numbers, including both new compositions and callbacks to classic songs, received particular attention.
Audience reactions showed appreciation for the expansion of the Lion King universe while maintaining connections to the characters they already knew and loved.
Additional Content
The home release versions of “Mufasa: The Lion King” come packed with bonus features. Digital purchases include behind-the-scenes documentaries showing how the advanced animation was created. Viewers can explore interviews with the voice cast and filmmakers discussing their approaches to the beloved characters.
The Blu-ray edition offers exclusive content not available on other platforms, including deleted scenes that didn’t make the theatrical cut. Fans of the musical aspects will enjoy the sing-along version that displays lyrics on screen.
A special feature explores the development of new characters introduced in the film and how they connect to the broader Lion King story. Commentary tracks provide insights into key creative decisions that shaped the final product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Viewers have many questions about the release of “Mufasa: The Lion King.” Here are answers to the most common inquiries regarding this highly anticipated Disney prequel.
When is the official release date for ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’?
“Mufasa: The Lion King” was released in theaters on December 20, 2024. The film served as a prequel to the live-action “Lion King” movie.
The theatrical release came after much anticipation from fans of the franchise.
Is ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ available for streaming, and if so, on which platform?
Yes, “Mufasa: The Lion King” will be available for streaming exclusively on Disney+. The streaming release date is set for Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
Viewers in the United States can start watching as early as 12:01 a.m. PT on the release date.
What is the release schedule of ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ across different countries?
The theatrical release of “Mufasa: The Lion King” occurred globally on December 20, 2024. Most major markets received the film on this date.
The streaming release on Disney+ will follow a similar worldwide schedule, with the March 26 date applying to most regions. Some international markets may experience slight variations in availability.
Will there be a dubbed version of ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ in Hindi?
Yes, “Mufasa: The Lion King” is available in Hindi. Disney typically provides dubbed versions in multiple languages for their major releases.
The Hindi version was released alongside other language options in regions where Hindi is widely spoken.
How can I download ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ legally?
Once “Mufasa: The Lion King” is available on Disney+, subscribers can download it through the official Disney+ app for offline viewing.
This download feature is included with the standard Disney+ subscription. The film can be stored on mobile devices for limited periods while maintaining an active subscription.
Has Disney announced any spin-off movies focusing on Mufasa?
Currently, Disney has not announced any additional spin-off movies focusing specifically on Mufasa beyond this prequel.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” itself serves as the origin story for the character. The film has performed well at the box office, grossing $709 million worldwide, which could potentially influence future decisions regarding the franchise.
