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.
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)
you guys do know Mufasa started most of the scar being evil, scar became evil because of a snake! then Mufasa called him scar than laughed at him. Scars' real name isn't even scar! Although scar did eat Mufasa after Mufasa fell off the cliff.
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.
He was so protective of Simba, And won't let anyone lay a jaw on him. (Even if he deserved it) And his death was very heart-breaking, And it was very weird about the story plot which is two lion brothers fighting to death just because of some bad moments when they were kids. But still, He is a good father to Simba and is doing everything right with is son. - Joshtition 24

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.
Scar is easily my favorite character due to the fact that, in stark contrast to the literal herds of run of the mill "good guys," scar is obviously corrupt, flawed and downright cruel and remains that way until his death.
Much like Walter White from "Breaking Bad," scar is NOT a character to be respected. Neither is Walt, but nevertheless we are drawn to and facinated by him due to the fact that flawed characters are inherently more relatable and intriguing to us as humans. Despite the years of built of hatred and unbridled need for revenge, scar is also one of, if not the most collected and intelligent characters in the movie. The simplicity and ease to which he puts his plan to seize control through is remarkable, and his manipulative (almost charismatic) nature was enthralling. Unlike other Disney movie villianous Kings (king John from Robin Hood, etc..), Scar is not made the least bit silly or laughable. Instead of a character to be disliked and laughed at, he is a character to ...more
Deciding between him and mufasa was VERY difficult, but I had to choose scar. He has nothing to make him bad. Also, when he was trapped by simba, despite being a somewhat weak lion, he still put up a good fight. When scar jumped through the wall of fire I thought "no! He killed mufasa now simba! NO! " Plus, his death is the best. Would you like your lion medium rare?

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!
Simba is the best! As a cub he is curious, playful, talkative, silly, and loving. It was actually brave of him to go into the elephant graveyard and almost died for Nala. But Mufasa scolded him and teached him a lesson about being together forever. It was so sad when Mufasa died. Simba was there yelling,"NO! " I was proud of young adult Simba when he threw that murderer Scar off of Pride Rock.
Oh my gosh I love Simba! He's the best! Actually I love every character and I couldn't pick which to vote #1 so I decided I'd pick this awesome lump of fur! I also love Rafiki, Kiara, Kovu, Vitani, Sarabi, Pumbaa, etc. Let's just say I love em' all but overall Simba is the best. When he was a cub he was so curious and cute, just dying to prove himself. And I was so proud when he went home to confront his uncle Scar(Thanks to Rafiki )! I vote him first overal! :D

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.
Timon, quite simply, is a legend. He's that interesting and funny that despite being assigned to a comic relief role in Lion King, it feels he could hold a movie of his own, which he ended up doing anyway
Timon is adorable and has such a fun personality. He makes me laugh and he is a great loyal friend to simba and pumba

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.
Nala is the best she is the queen and a mighty warrior who is fearless and courageous. She is the one who tells Simba he MUST go back. So without her Simba would have never gone back and there would be no amazing queen of pride rock.
Nala is so brave and courageous! She is the bravest character in the whole movie! When Simba kind of loses himself Nala tells him to go back and to me she is the heroine of the whole movie.

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
Rafiki is the most unique character. Dude lives his life seeking to educate and inspire. This is beautifully represented in most of the movies posters as he is the one holding Simba up to the light for all to see. Witty, wise, & wacky. Easily the most respectable character.

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!
Is it really remotely possible to separate Timon and Pumbaa?

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.
Kovu is my favorite lion king character. My second is Scar, because Scar was blamed for Uru's death and got clawed across the eye by his father, which is half the reason why Scar turned evil. My third favorite is Nuka. Nuka was a character that wanted nothing more than to be loved by his mother.
Had some character development in the second movie, which I appreciated. A lot of people also say that he's hot, but I don't see it

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?
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!
Kiara is my favourite character she's very brave you know by the end of lion King 2?
I hope they do a Lion King 3 show more of Kiara and kovu.
I love Kiera so much! I love Nala as well but this lovable lion has good looks she looks like a copy of simba girl version but even prettier she's so beautiful and I just love it! She's clumsy, Silly, playfull, she gets into trouble, she loves Kovu! The son of the main villain in the past she kinda reminds me of Squirrelflight in warrriors anyone heard of? Ya I love lion king 2 simba a pride because of Kiera such a pretty name go Kiera!
-Hopestar

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?
In the original, she's funny, comedic and smart.
In the remake, she's serious, wise, respectful, assertive, and intelligent.
Love her in both versions, but she's more fleshed out in the remake. Seems more like a troubled good guy (or girl) than a villain.

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.
The hyenas were the best part of the movie.

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.
Rowan Atkinson is hilarious, even if he's just voice-acting an animated bird!

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.
The hyenas were the best part!

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
She is one of the best I had trouble picking my favorite so I picked her!

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 choose vitani as number 3 because even though she changed over to pridelanders she would have made a very evil mastermind.
Vitani is my favorite character ever! I love her she should be mentioned way more! Love Vitani
She sounds neat when she's young, and looks pretty when she's older.

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.
Another amazing Outland lion, I think she's great and EVIL! I love how manipulative she is

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.

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!

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!
I love this character


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.
I always felt so bad for him. If he had a better mother, he'd have easily been the favorite.

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!
How is he all the way down here.
He is always protectfull of the pride lands and I also like his powerful roar.

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.


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