Top 10 Best The Lion King Characters

The Lion King is a 1994 Disney film that is widely acclaimed as one of Disney's greatest, and broke box office records. The story centers on Simba, a young lion whose father Mufasa is murdered by Simba's uncle Scar. Under Scar's manipulation Simba flees into exile, before returning to challenge Scar and take his place as the rightful King.
The Top Ten
1 Mufasa Mufasa is a major character in Disney's 1994 animated feature film, The Lion King. He is Simba's father, Sarabi's mate, Scar's older brother, and was King of the Pride Lands until his death. He is voiced by James Earl Jones.

"Everything you see, exists together, in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance, and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope"

What Mufasa said makes sense: Everything on this earth has a purpose. We may not understand what that is, but, we must show respect to every living thing, even if it's something we don't like, such as mosquitoes or rats. Even Mufasa respected the hyenas, he didn't allow them to live in the pride lands, but he never abused them for fun. Clearly, Mufasa practiced what he taught. Such a wise and good king.

I feel like all three Lion King movies are centered around Mufasa, his ways of life, his teachings and his ideals. There would be no lion king without Mufasa. He is wise and majestic and is the symbol of wisdom and bravery, as well as the main icon of the film.

I love Mufasa so much! I wish we can see more of him, he is such a great father, a great husband, and a great brother (too bad Scar hate him so much because of his jealousy)

2 Scar Scar is the main antagonist of Disney's 1994 animated feature film, The Lion King. He was the second son of Ahadi and Uru — who were, at one time, King and Queen of the Pride Lands — the younger brother of Mufasa, and the uncle of Simba.

I am a HUGE Lion King fan since 2002, when I first saw it. But few days ago I saw the movie for the fist time in 10 years. God, it felt different. From this point of view I can really understand Scar: all he ever wanted was to be loved and appreciated, because he was neglected as a kid. He was treated by both his father, Ahadi, and his older brother, Mufasa, like crap... Just watch the scene with the mouse, you'll understand it. Scar is smart, calm, collected while Mufasa is strict, bad tempered want's everybody to obey him... The first movie sends this message: if you didn't have luck once, you never will; in real life it's NOT like that. That's why I prefer the second movie were lovely Kiara chooses FORGIVENESS instead of revenge. If you re reading this, Scar: we love you!

I love him. He is smart, cruel, cunning and absolutely a great liar. And, come one!, Be Prepared is amazing (my favorite Disney song of all time). Simba is adorable, indeed, and Mufasa is a great example but Scar is... simply better. In every way possible. He manipulates the hyenas, takes control of the Pride Lands and, even when Simba comes back and every other lioness is willing to give the throne to him, Scar manages to persuade them that he is a murderer. I always wanted him to win, instead of his nephew, and I think he would, if it wasn't for his lack of brutal strength.

3 Simba Simba is a fictional character who appears in Disney's The Lion King franchise. Introduced in Walt Disney Animation's 32nd animated feature film The Lion King (1994), the character subsequently appears in its sequels The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) and The Lion King 1½ (2004).

Simba is a good character. With his past dealings (especially the death of his father Mufasa) and realizing that his uncle is a craze lunatic because he wanted to become king so he killed his father Mufasa (who was the original king at the start). He still has some positivity after the death of his father because of Timon and Pumbaa. So if it wasn't for these guys, Simba would've given up and maybe have never gone back to his land to claim the place as king for his father. If it wasn't for Rafiki as well and his father Mufasa as a spirit in the skies, he also wouldn't have gone back either. But who helped him grow up and become the person he is today? Timon and Pumbaa. Because of this and their humor, positivity, and support for Simba, that's why I love them so much. And of course, this is why I love Simba and the Lion King movie itself

Seriously guys, Scar above Simba? I let thetoptens do some bad lists, but this is just unacceptable. He had a brilliant character arc, and showed us a brilliant moral, and has unbelievable character traits hard to find in a youngling. Scar is the literal villain who just was mean, and cruel, no character arc at all. It's unacceptable to have the villain on top of Simba, it's like Scar won!

4 Timon

Not only are they the comic relief, but they are big parts of the movie. They helped Simba grow up into the king he became at the end of the movie. Without them, Simba would've died most likely without people to take care of him. Not only that, but also of the fact that Rakiki and Mufasa (in spirit form) got to reach Simba and tell him to go back to be king since he was of the proper age (being an adult at the right time). They also distracted the hyenas willingly (even though Timon didn't want to do it at first), by doing the hula. Now that takes guts! This is why I love them so much, besides their silliness, care for Simba, and positivity.

Although I was Rafiki in the musical, Timon is the character that I will forever love and be obsessed with. Not to mention that in the musical at my school, Timon was my best friend Jodi (:
But anyway, I think Timon doesn't deserve Number 1 because he can be too smart at times and he can take Pumbaa's ideas for his.
However, Timon is a great character because they are the comic relief, and they're really good at it! Also, Timon and Pumbaa wouldn't be Timon and Pumbaa without Timon! I think Timon is the funniest out of the two. In the end, I think Timon deserves better than Number 4.

5 Nala Nala is a fictional character who appears in Disney's The Lion King franchise and is introduced in the animated film The Lion King in 1994.

I love Nala! She is my favourite character and best female character. She fights for what she wants and was the best choice for a wife and queen.

Nala needs to be number one! She helps Simba, and is loyal to him. She wants to convince him (Simba) to do the right thing! She is just so pretty and kind, and fights for what she wants! Also, how is Scar first! He is the villain that killed Mufasa, and almost Sinba, just so he could be king, which is so sad and dumb!

Nala is the best character in the Lion King. She deserves to be number 1 because she is cool, smart, brave and AWESOME! She is Simbas best friend and girlfriend later on and becomes queen. Also, in the Broadway production she had an amazing song called Shadowland as well as can you feel the love tonight.

6 Rafiki

I am playing Rafiki in a production and Rafiki is fascinating. Rafiki spends most of His/Her (Female in the musical) painting and doing really creative activities. It is fascinating. The Best animal in the whole show!

Rafiki is so underrated as a character. He/she (Rafiki is female in the musical) is funny, wise, and a great character! Rafiki is my favorite character in Lion King, even though I LOVE Timon and Pumbaa. Rafiki was made a she for the musical because Julie Taymor, the director, wanted a strong female lead. A.K.A. Nala really shouldn't be above Rafiki. Rafiki is the best part in the show. 'enough said

A very wise character indeed. He gets important messages from Mufasa and helps Simba go back to be the rightful ruler of Pride Rock. He can be humorous and stupid (in a funny way though), but he also teaches a lesson during it, keeping the mood light-hearted but serious at the same time. Which is kind of hard to do, that's why I appreciate him

7 Pumbaa

He's totally the best character and totally adorable! He is funny and kind-hearted plus a great father for little Simba (plus, a great singer). I don't think he should be number one because that one belongs to Simba, but at least number two! Vote if you agree! Also, it kinda upsets me to see him and Timon so far away from each other in this top ten. They are inseparable.

Pumbaa is seriously one of the best characters. My cousin got Pumbaa for a play and I got Rafiki, so on my watch, those are the two best characters.

I have him as a stuffy animal! He is so kind and his funny jokes makes me laugh! He his the best character in the world!

8 Kovu

In his movie, he starts out as an antagonist. However, he eventually turns good by the end of the movie. I love that he is able to learn from his mistakes and improve.

I wouldn't say he had the best character arc, that goes to Simba. But he's one of the most relatable TLK characters, especially if you've ever felt like an outcast or a disappointment, not really belonging anywhere. And Kovu manages to stay kind and calm in those times, even though he's not very strong (neither phisically or emotionally). He's flawed, and he's fragile. If you ever felt the same, Kovu will definitely give you hope and make you feel less alone with, of course, the standard "be yourself" message, just done in a more serious manner.

Has an interesting character development. As a child still open-minded and not spoiled by any kind of prejudices, then getting his head filled with hatred over years. Only after getting to know the other side, he learns that things are not as black and white.

This character is one of the reasons why TLK2 is a really good sequel and should have had a theatrical release.

9 Shenzi Shenzi a spotted hyena who first appeared as one of the secondary antagonists of Disney's 1994 animated film, The Lion King. He is one of the loyal followers and minions of Scar.

I am shenzi in the lion king play, and not only is she the lead but I think she is also the smarter out of the hyenas. She has a pack of over 200 hyenas and can still deal with them after coming back to the outlands after being beat up and then having to listen to ed laugh forever. Overall, I think she just deserves the most likes after being the only girl in the outlands! She's got my vote for sure.

The hyena trio BETTER not die in the live-action remake! If any of them do, that'll probably be the MOST disliked moment in the movie. I want the hyenas to be let back in again by Simba after Scar is defeated. I don't want them to die (the trio, that is); that would be awful. Otherwise, I think the remake will be good. Or maybe great. Who knows? We have to see the movie to find out! God Bless you all!

I always loved the Hyenas. Shenzi's not my favorite, but second favorite. (My favorite's Banzai! ) I felt like the Hyenas' motivations were good. They were starved, and they needed food! When endless food's right across the border, why not go for it?

10 Kiara

Kiara as a character gets WAY too much crap from the fans, I swear. She's generally a very happy type of person, friendly, caring of her pride, energetic, usually very kind (But knows when to be serious), and she risked her life to save Simba's life while still being a child-at heart. What's not to love about that?

I love Kiera so much! I also love Nala, but this lovable lion has good looks. She looks like a female version of Simba, but even prettier. She's so beautiful, and I just love it! She's clumsy, silly, playful, and gets into trouble. She loves Kovu, the son of the main villain from the past. She kinda reminds me of Squirrelflight from Warriors, anyone heard of that? Yeah, I love The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride because of Kiera. Such a pretty name! Go Kiera!

-Hopestar

Kiara should be number one! I mean, she is intelligent, brave, kind, maybe proud or arrogant, but she has a good heart and selfless motives!

The Contenders
11 Ed

I love Ed. He's really funny and sweet. And not only that, he loves animals. And I love hyenas! Love ya, Ed!

Ed's a very cute hyena even though he's a bit dim, he still deserves some love!

Ed is the best! He's the most funniest thing ever and so sweet.

12 Zazu

The reason is because he can sometimes be kind of bossy but he is very funny. He is also a important character you have to give him credit!

Zazu is well played and realistic as an advisor while also putting up with so much torment and abuse that you have to feel bad for him.

Zazu is such a savage. He's so sassy and makes the whole movie more entertaining. He also has a British accent which is a plus.

13 Banzai

I'm his first biggest fan ever he should be higher and in fact I was actually banzai in a lion king play so he should be on the top ten!

People think he's the meanest but he was just the most starving so he needed food the most. I really love banzai he's awesome and adorable

I was in a Lion King play and I was Banzai. I loved him ever since. He's hilarious.

14 Sarabi

I like Sarabi. She's friendly, cool, calm, outspoken, and is not afraid to stand up to herself. She was the only lioness that stood up to Scar. Her voice is low and sounds a little bit like Adele. She is very brave. I think she's a wonderful character.

Ps: don't listen to that rude person that say Timon and Pumbaa are dumb. They are actually unlikely heroes.

Sarabi is amazing. I can't see why she isn't number one! She is so determined and her feminism turns me on!

I love her sooo much. She is kind, loving, devoted, fierce and such a good mother. The school play at my school this year is the lion king... and of course I'm sarabi

15 Vitani

She's cool, sassy, funny and sarcastic (at times) but she can be spunky and tomboyish too. What's not to like about this adorable tomboy lioness?

I love her character! She was sassy and adorable at the same time. I wish we got to see more of her during the movies...

I choose vitani as number 3 because even though she changed over to pridelanders she would have made a very evil mastermind.

16 Zira

The only reason she isn't higher is because she's from the sequel, not the main movie. Which is a shame because she's a better villain than Scar.

I choose her 2nd because she is so cool because she wants revenge she practically send war against the pridelanders but got knocked of by kiara so that's why I choose zira as 2nd.

She wants to reunite with scar how kind she remembers him even though scar is dead how kind I will rate her number 4.

17 Kopa

Everyone thinks Kopa dies, he doesn't... Those are just fake stories. Disney hasn't revealed a real story about Kopa

It's a shame he isn't canon, I would have loved to know more about this cub.

He has a very interesting story. It will be great if they make something like a movie based on kopas story.

18 Tiifu Tiifu is a young lioness cub from Disney Junior's 2016 series "The Lion Guard". She is best friends with Kiara, Zuri, and Thurston and is voiced by Sarah Hyland in "Return of the Roar", season 1, and "The Rise of Scar" and was replaced with Bailey Gambertoglio for the rest of season 2. She has been described as "caring", "cheerful", and "carefree".

I love her. She's my third fave after Kiara and Nala. Okay, hear me out. She's arrogant, snarky, immature, reckless, laid-back, carefree, and irritating, but she's kind and caring, cheerful, intelligent, brave, curious, and enthusiastic as well. She's not as snobby as Zuri can be sometimes, and and is more loyal to Kiara because of their friendship than just her being the future queen(just watch the queen's visit.) She has her moments of bravery, such as running back into the dark tunnel when she was scared just to save Kion, Bunga, Thurston, Muhangas, Zuri, and Kiara. She

I know! She can be number 1, yeah what are we thinking putting her all the way down here, just above Zuri, by a few which I agree totally with, we should reverse it, she should be even higher than Kion and Scar even and etc She should be number one, for the WORSE TLK CHARACTER IN HISTORY!

19 Jasiri Jasiri is a spotted hyena cub who appears in the Disney Junior show "The Lion Guard". She is an ally to the Lion Guard and is the closest to Kion. She helped him fight Janja and his clan and the guard against the Outsiders. She is voiced by Maia Mitchell. She has been described as "friendly", "spunky", and "idealistic".

A friendly hyena with a gorgeous design and voice and an amazing song, what more could you want?

She has the best humor in the world.
She's adorable with Kion and I love her!

What a cutie come on now she needs more love!

20 Uru
21 Nuka

Personally, I think his death is much sadder than mufasa. He just wanted his mother to love him, and he didn't even get that until his last few seconds of life. He is jealous of kovu for very relatable reasons. I also feel bad for him, because he doesn't have a cannon mate. Everyone in his family does. Mufasa died knowing he was respected by his family. Nuka died knowing he would never be as superior as kovu, in the eyes of his mother. And, he was actually really close to killing simba! But no, he had to bite the dust. He was such an interesting character. But I don't like comments on this like "eww he's infected" because no, he is only in that physical state because he has so much more on his mind, that he doesn't even pay attention to his body.

Nuka is so underestimated. If she would have given him a chance, he could do amazing things! She only recognized him at his last breaths...

"Well. I finally got your attention, didn't I? "
I swear to God this comment he makes is probably the best last words I have ever heard.

22 Kion Kion is the main protagonist of the 2016 Disney Junior The Lion King spin-off series "The Lion Guard". He is a lion cub who is the youngest child of Simba and Nala and is the younger brother of Kiara. He is the leader and fiercest member of the Lion Guard as well as prince of the Pride Lands. He is voiced by Max Charles. He has been described as "level-headed", "open-minded", and "heroic".

Kion is the best, he is the leader of the lion guard(protesters of the pride lands), king of the tree of life, son of simba and much more.

He's not cool and not so very loving or friendly!

He is always protectfull of the pride lands and I also like his powerful roar.

23 Sarafina

Sarafina is a lioness hunter and mother who looks after her child Nala. The is graceful and proud.

She needs more love and respect. After all, without her, Nala would have never been born!

I love sarafina she is my favourite lioness from the pridelands.
She is not in the movie much but I steel love sarafina she is a good mother to nala.

24 Zuri Zuri is a young lioness cub from Disney Junior's "The Lion Guard". She is best friends with Tiifu and Kiara and is always by their side. She is voiced by Madison Pettis. She has been described as "prim", "sassy", and "melodramatic".
25 Chumvi

Chumvi is Nala's best friend in the book Nala's Dare.
Chumvi looks like Kovu and Simba.

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