Followed by
The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) (V)
The Lion King 1½ (2004) (V)
Edited into
The Lion King: A Musical Journey with Elton John (1994) (TV)
Spin off
The Lion King (1994) (VG)
Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable (1995)
"Timon and Pumbaa" (1995)
References
Triumph des Willens (1935)
"Janguru taitei" (1965)
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
- Pumbaa yells "They call me MISTER pig!" when he charges into the cave wearing the Hawiian outfit.
Taxi Driver (1976)
"Roots" (1977)
Scarface (1983)
- Scar's scar is identical to that of the Tony Montana character in Scarface
Clue (1985)
- Zazu: "Let me out! Let me out!" Timon: "Let me in!"
Coming to America (1988)
- James Earl Jones and Madge Sinclar play the King and Queen!
Reversal of Fortune (1990)
The Power of One (1992)
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
Referenced in
Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Circle of Life (1994) (V)
"The Critic: A Day at the Races and a Night at the Opera (#1.11)" (1994)
- Jay says he will review Disney's "The Maggot King"
"The Nanny: Fran-Lite (#2.1)" (1994)
- The film is mentioned by name.
"Troldspejlet: Troldspejlet special: Løvernes konge" (1994)
- reviewed in episode of Troldspejlet
"Saved by the Bell: The New Class: Drinking 101 (#2.20)" (1994)
- Screech gives clues to guess this movie in a charades game at Mr. Belding's party
"ER: Happy New Year (#1.12)" (1995)
- Open reference by a character.
"The Nanny: A Fine Friendship (#2.19)" (1995)
- The film is mentioned by name.
"ER: The Birthday Party (#1.17)" (1995)
- Open reference by a character.
Man of the House (1995)
"The Critic: Sherman, Woman and Child (#2.1)" (1995)
- Penny punches Jay in the nose because he didn't like the movie
The 67th Annual Academy Awards (1995) (TV)
Runaway Brain (1995)
- Zasu makes a cameo appearance
Toy Story (1995)
- Hakuna Matata is heard on the radio when Woody tries to grab Slinkydog's hand.
"ER: Dead of Winter (#2.11)" (1996)
- Open reference by a character.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Incredible Melting Man (#8.4)" (1996)
- "Look harder, Simba"
"Buiten de Zone: Nostalgie (#2.8)" (1996)
- Raf rents this video
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Hare Today... (#6.18)" (1996)
- Phil: "remember in the Lion King, when Mufasa..."
"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: I, Stank Horse (#6.20)" (1996)
- Will compares Philip to Mufasa, and to Simba.
"Wings: The Lyin' King (#7.24)" (1996)
- The title is a reference to the title of the movie.
Bogus (1996)
Il giorno della prima di Close Up (1996)
The Line King: The Al Hirschfeld Story (1996)
The Preacher's Wife (1996)
Marvin's Room (1996)
- A Timon doll can be seen at the Disney World gift shop.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Leech Woman (#9.2)" (1997)
- "Hakuna Matata"
"Just Shoot Me!: Back Issues (#1.1)" (1997)
- Jack's wife quoted this movie on her wedding vows.
"A Comédia da Vida Privada: Papai Foi à Lua" (1997)
- Mentioned by name.
The Fifth Element (1997)
"Mystery Science Theater 3000: Parts: The Clonus Horror (#9.11)" (1997)
- Referenced by name.
Hercules (1997)
- The lion that Hercules fights and skins resembles Scar.
Leave It to Beaver (1997)
Fainaru fantajî VII (1997) (VG)
"Saturday Night Live: Nathan Lane/Metallica (#23.8)" (1997)
- Referenced during the monologue
Mousehunt (1997)
"Home Improvement: Say Goodnight, Gracie (#7.15)" (1998)
- Tim and Gracie are playing with a 'lion cub' doll, Tim says "I've never been a lion cub", and Randy says "I have.. everyone expects you to be king"
Jeff Foxworthy: Totally Committed (1998) (TV)
- title mentioned
Mulan (1998)
"Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place: Two Guys, a Girl and a Landlord (#1.13)" (1998)
- While discussing their landlord, Berg uses the phrase "Hakuna Matata"
How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Tango (1998)
A Bug's Life (1998)
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
"The King of Queens: White Collar (#1.18)" (1999)
- Carrie references the film.
Michelle Kwan Skates to Disney's Greatest Hits (1999) (TV)
South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)
- The rocky formation that Satan stands on near the end resembles pride rock.
Harlem Aria (1999)
- "Hakuna matata and goodbye to you."
Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Fantasia/2000 (1999)
The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)
- Mufasa mentioned
"King of the Hill: Won't You Pimai Neighbor? (#4.18)" (2000)
- When a monk gives Hank some words of wisdom Hank replies "Your'e talking like a song out of the Lion King".
The Road to El Dorado (2000)
- Features practically identical image of characters crossing a fallen tree in front of a waterfall at sunset
Happy Birthday Shakespeare (2000) (TV)
Dinosaur (2000)
Bless the Child (2000)
- A nun at Cody's school "blames "The Lion King" for showing death to children.
French & Saunders Live (2000) (V)
Booba (2001)
- Mentioned in the movie.
"Will & Grace: Crazy in Love (#3.12)" (2001)
- Will: "... begging me to come back to his apartment to show me his Lion King memorabila."
"Dark Angel: Art Attack (#1.10)" (2001)
- A suicidal guy says he's listening to The Lion King soundtrack
"House of Mouse: Timon & Pumbaa (#1.6)" (2001)
- Simba, Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa and the Hyenas are guests at the House of Mouse
Pokémon 3: The Movie (2001)
"House of Mouse: Donald's Pumbaa Prank (#1.11)" (2001)
- Simba, Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa and the Hyenas are guests at the House of Mouse
"The Simpsons: Simpsons Safari (#12.17)" (2001)
- Bart says "Slimy yet satisfying" after eating some grubs, just like Simba did
"Saturday Night Live: Renée Zellweger/Eve (#26.17)" (2001)
- Referenced on Weekend Update
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001)
- A character references a new satellite to be lauched with the remains of the dead, as it is with 'the great kings of the past' in the Lion King
"South Park: It Hits the Fan (#5.1)" (2001)
- Kyle gets tickets to the stage adaptation of this movie.
Siu lam juk kau (2001)
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (2001) (V)
Mickey's House of Villains (2001) (V)
- Features Ed the Hyena.
"South Park: Here Comes the Neighborhood (#5.12)" (2001)
- Token brings a DVD of this film to his friend's house.
Suspended Animation (2001)
'The Sixth Sense': Reflections from the Set (2002) (V)
"Futurama: Leela's Homeworld (#4.5)" (2002)
- Leela speaks with Fry about her parents watching her from the stars as camera moves up focusing the open sky, while background music very similar to the one played in the movie
Death to Smoochy (2002)
- Spinoff Lion King musical poster can be seen in a scene
Ice Age (2002)
Kingdom Hearts (2002) (VG)
Get a Clue (2002) (TV)
- At one point, Lexy tells her dad, "Don't worry. Hakuna Matata."
Reign of Fire (2002)
Esta noche, no (2002)
- Two kids talk about this film
"House of Mouse: House of Scrooge (#3.5)" (2002)
- Simba, Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa and the Hyenas are guests at the House of Mouse
OT: Our Town (2002)
- In one scene where music is being chosen for the play, a student says "That sounds like something out of 'The Lion King.'"
Date or Disaster (2003)
- Referenced in animation sequences.
"Saturday Night Live: Jennifer Garner/Beck (#28.12)" (2003)
- Mentioned by Tracey Morgan
Retarded Animal Babies (2003) (V)
- "It's the circle of life"
This Girl's Life (2003)
- In greeting a lady shouts "Hakunta matata" to other people, the famous chant used in "The Lion King."
Marci X (2003)
Mickey's PhilharMagic (2003)
- The song, "I Just Wait to Be King" is featured.
"Will & Grace: Me and Mr. Jones (#6.4)" (2003)
- James: "I was Mufasa."
Brother Bear (2003)
- The scene sitting on top of the rock as the camera 360s around the characters
Behind the Tunes: Bugs - A Rabbit for All Seasonings (2003) (V)
- Referenced by title
Behind the Tunes: Merrie Melodies - Carl Stalling and Cartoon Music (2003) (V)
- Referenced by title
Thanksgiving Family Reunion (2003) (TV)
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time (2003) (TV)
- The line "Everything hakuna, right?"
The Lion King 1½ (2004) (V)
The Sisterhood (2004) (V)
- an image of Pumbaa is seen on a bag
Garfield (2004)
- Happy Chapman is seen, in shadow, being pounced on by dogs, as Scar was seen (with Hyenas) at the end of The Lion King
Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004) (V)
- Pete quotes the song "I Just Can't Wait To Be King."
Fronterz (2004)
- "That's a little Hakuna Matata."
"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit: Debt (#6.2)" (2004)
- References made to bootleg "Lion King" DVDs being sold.
Balto III: Wings of Change (2004) (V)
- The sequence on the beach that shows Kodi growing up references a similar scene in "The Lion King".
"Kim Possible: Bonding (#3.3)" (2004)
- Ron says, "It's the circle of life," which Kim says is an interesting choice of words, pointing out the lion behind him and alluding to the song from the movie
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (2004) (VG)
- Features Simba
Dream on Silly Dreamer (2005)
- Numerous animators talk about working on this film
The 100 Greatest Cartoons (2005) (TV)
- Movie makes the countdown, is talked about.
"MADtv: (#10.21)" (2005)
- The film is mentioned by name.
The Story Room: The Making of 'Lilo & Stitch' (2005) (V)
- Referenced by name
"Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law: Sebben and Sebben Employee Orientation (#3.11)" (2005)
- The third of the five "Steps for success" show Peter Potumus growling on a rock lucking similar to the pride rock.
Kingdom Hearts II (2005) (VG)
- Features Simba and Scar
The 100 Greatest Family Films (2005) (TV)
- Makes the countdown, is talked about in detail.
"Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion (#2.0)" (2005)
- The Doctor quotes the Lion King in this episode.
"House M.D.: Skin Deep (#2.13)" (2006)
- "whole 'circle of life' thing"
The Wild (2006)
- when the animals are in New York City they pass a billboard of the 1994 film
"Saturday Night Live: Lindsay Lohan/Pearl Jam (#31.16)" (2006)
- TV Funhouse segment about the Disney Vault introduces Scar as the Disney Lawyer
"Mayo: (#1.6)" (2006)
- Mentioned by Anorak in conversation with Kite.
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Saturday TV Funhouse (2006) (V)
- Referenced in Inside the Disney Vault
"The Simpsons: Girls Just Want to Have Sums (#17.19)" (2006)
- The Itchy and Scratchy Broadway style musical is a parody of the circle of life scene.
"The Colbert Report: Frank Rich (#2.61)" (2006)
- During the same sketch, Colbert references "the circle of life": "If a young lion prince can learn about it, why can't Al Gore?" A picture from The Lion King is shown.
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
- After Ricky crashes, Girard crosses the finish line and says, "Hakuna Matata, Bitches!"
Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland (2006)
- mentioned
"Robot Chicken: Veggies for Sloth (#2.14)" (2006)
- "Hakuna matata"
"The Office: Grief Counseling (#3.4)" (2006)
- The various losses the employees describe are deliberate references to various films. When Pam describes the death of her aunt, she's actually describing the plot of Million Dollar Baby. When Ryan is describing the death of a cousin during an African safari, he's actually describing the death of Mufasa from The Lion King. Kevin makes reference to the film Weekend at Bernie's when describing the death of an uncle, as Michael finally catches on.
"Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: (#11.6)" (2006)
- Mentioned in Russel Crowe interview.
Prey (2007)
- daughter says she doesn't eat characters from The Lion King, including Pumbaa
Joshua (2007)
- Ned invites Hazel for a big night out on the town including the magic of The Lion King
"Psych: Forget Me Not (#1.9)" (2007)
- Shawn refers to the mountain lion as "Simba."
Dead Mary (2007) (V)
- "It's one of those 'circle of life' kinda things."
The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning (2007) (TV)
- "circle of life"
"Peep Show: Sophie's Parents (#4.1)" (2007)
- Jeremy mentions watching a The Lion King DVD.
"It Takes Two: (#2.4)" (2007)
- When James Valentine delivers his verdict on Ernie Dingo and Rachael Beck's performance of The Lion Sleeps Tonight, he says that Ernie started as a lion cub and became the Lion King.
No Reservations (2007)
- title used as Zoe and Nick play a game of charades
Beef 4 (2007) (V)
- An advertisement is visible.
Enchanted (2007)
- Pumbaa makes a cameo appearance at the end as one of the animals waiting in line for Pip's autograph.
Be Kind Rewind (2008)
- Video Seen
The 80th Annual Academy Awards (2008) (TV)
- Elton John talked about winning the Oscar for "The Lion King"
"The Riches: The Lying King (#2.7)" (2008)
- title reference
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
- The last scene of the wise turtles death holds many visual references to Simba's encounter with Mufasa's spirit.
"Robson Arms: My Brother's Keeper (#3.12)" (2008)
- Yuri calls Val "Mufasa" after Val, who just watched a nature program on lions, acts lion-like
"Saturday Night Live: Michael Phelps/Lil' Wayne (#34.1)" (2008)
- Mentioned by Alaska Pete on Weekend Update
Body of Lies (2008)
- Mentioned by Ed.
"The Office: Baby Shower (#5.3)" (2008)
- Michael raises Astrid over his head and yells "Lion King!".
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)
- A lion defends his father's kingdom against the evil uncle
"Saturday Night Live: Ben Affleck/David Cook (#34.7)" (2008)
- Poster on wall during Zolesky Brothers pitch
"My Name Is Earl: Nature's Game Show (#4.11)" (2008)
- Earl Jr. says he learned that a group of lions is called a pride from Lion King.
"At the Movies: Summer Special 2008/09" (2008)
- Mentioned by David as a movie that Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is channelling.
Bedtime Stories (2008)
- in the medieval story, Guy Pearce says he's gonna get some villagers tickets for "The Lion King"
The Supermarket (2009)
- Rafiki toy in scene
"Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Hide and Seek (#6.19)" (2009)
- Ducky mentions the title in dialogue, telling the dead body that he is reminded of the Circle of Life
Safari (2009)
- Dacier welcomes the tourists by saying "Hakuna Matata".
"Higashi no Eden: Yuuutsu na getsuyoubi (#1.2)" (2009)
- Saki Morimi mentioned that she saw the broadway musicial of Lion King in New York.
"Wheel of Fortune: Room with a View 3 (#27.13)" (2009)
- Song title puzzle "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
"Saturday Night Live: Ryan Reynolds/Lady Gaga (#35.2)" (2009)
- 'Nathan Lane' starts to sing 'Can you feel the love tonight'
"The X Factor: (#6.19)" (2009)
- Cheryl Cole and Joe McElderry mention this film. Joe performs "Circle of Life" from this movie.
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#8.53)" (2009)
- Included in a $2,000 question
Featured in
The Making of 'The Lion King' (1994) (TV)
"Troldspejlet: Troldspejlet special: Løvernes konge" (1994)
- footage used in episode of Troldspejlet
MST3K Little Gold Statue Preview Special (1995) (TV)
The 52nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (1995) (TV)
- clips
Gargoyles: The Heroes Awaken (1995) (V)
- Seen in movie
The Making of Disney's 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' (1996) (TV)
- clips
The Story Behind 'Toy Story' (1997) (V)
The Making of 'Hercules' (2000) (V)
- clips
The Fantasia Legacy: Fantasia Continued (2000) (V)
- clips
Disney Through the Decades (2001) (V)
- clips
The Making of 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' (2002) (V)
- clips
Disney's Animation Magic: Beauty and the Beast (2002) (V)
- clips
The Story Behind the Story (2002) (V)
- Footage shown as the host gives a summary of the story
"Troldspejlet: (#30.7)" (2003)
- DVD release reviewed + footage used
The 100 Greatest Musicals (2003) (TV)
Behind the Legend: Timon (2004) (V)
- In the beginning, that's what is featured, a montage of Timon in The Lion King.
The Lion King 1½ (2004) (V)
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies (2004) (TV)
- The song "Hakuna Matata" is #99 on the list.
"Broadway: The American Musical" (2004)
- Featured in Episode Six
"Broadway: The American Musical: Putting It Together: 1980-Present (#1.6)" (2004)
- A clip from the movie is shown.
The Ultimate Film (2004) (TV)
- number 94
The 100 Greatest Cartoons (2005) (TV)
- Clips are shown
The 100 Greatest Family Films (2005) (TV)
- Clips shown.
AFI's 10 Top 10: America's 10 Greatest Films in 10 Classic Genres (2008) (TV)
- This film is #4 on the "Animated" list.
"The Daily Show: (2008-08-28)" (2008)
- clip shown
15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2009) (TV)
- Clips featured during James Earl Jones tribute.
Spoofed in
Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1995) (V)
The 67th Annual Academy Awards (1995) (TV)
"The Critic: From Chunk to Hunk (#2.5)" (1995)
- Jay reviews Howard Stern in Disney's "The Cockroach King"
"The Simpsons: 'Round Springfield (#6.22)" (1995)
- When Lisa sees Bleeding Gums in the sky, Mufasa from the Lion King also appears and says "You must avenge my death Kimba... I mean Simba" refering to the Lion King - Kimba white lion controversy
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
George of the Jungle (1997)
Quest for Camelot (1998)
"The PJs: Hangin' with Mr. Super (#1.1)" (1999)
- When Thurgood shows Calvin the city he says "Some day son this will all be yours" and Calvin says "What about that dark place?" and Thurgood replies "No not the dark place stay away from the dark place".
Wishmaster 2: Evil Never Dies (1999) (V)
"South Park: A Very Crappy Christmas (#4.17)" (2000)
- mr. hankey the christmas poo sings a song about the circle of poo to his son reminiscent of the lion king's circle of life
Shrek (2001)
- The scene where Shrek and Donkey talk about the orges from the past while looking at the stars is similar to where Mufasa tells Simba about the kings of the past.
Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)
- A lion in the clouds appears to give Chosen One advice and the background is also from this movie.
Ice Age (2002)
Reign of Fire (2002)
George of the Jungle 2 (2003) (V)
- There's a scene in which the Lion proclaims himself King of the jungle and the background is just like the Lion King's
Brother Bear (2003)
- the caribou stampede at beginning is played as a gag
The Lion King 1½ (2004) (V)
- Numerous plays on scenes and dialogue from the original film. Timon's mother tells him "Everything the light touches...belongs to someone else." Thus spoofing Mufasa's similar speech to Simba.
"South Park: Woodland Critter Christmas (#8.14)" (2004)
- The mountain lion's cubs mourn for her after shes died in exactly the same way as Simba did for his dad in this film.
Kim Possible: So the Drama (2005) (TV)
- end battle scene
Chicken Little (2005)
- A false beginning uses the opening notes of Circle of Life and a very similar sunrise.
Dieter - Der Film (2006)
- Short parody of the Birth-scene of Simba in it
"Jekyll: (#1.1)" (2007)
- Hyde jokes about
"American Dad!: The Most Adequate Christmas Ever (#3.8)" (2007)
- A spoof of Rafiki is shown helping Francine to give birth and then marking the baby's forehead
Macskafogó 2 - A sátán macskája (2007)
- in a small visual joke the Pride Rock can be seen in the jungle
Be Kind Rewind (2008)
- Boys "remake" The Lion King
"Drawn Together: Lost in Parking Space: Part Two (#3.8)" (2008)
- The song and the scene that Xandir and the hobos performed were similar to the Hakuna Matata song and scene.
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