Top 10 Best Moments from The Lion King (1994)

Now it's time to look back at some of the top moments from the 1994 Disney animated movie The Lion King. In a side note, originally Disney didn't have a lot of faith in the movie and were banking on Pocahontas to bring in the big bucks. And we all saw what became of that.
The Top Ten
1 The Circle of Life

Why not have the greatest movie song in history written by one of the greatest songwriters, Elton John?

One of the best Disney animated movie opening scenes of all time.

Yeah. Everyone knows this intro.

2 Simba vs Scar

It wasn't the fight itself that made it iconic. It was everything leading up to this moment that did.

The death of Mufasa made us all cry as kids. Scar demands Simba to get out of Pride Rock, and the poor cub does so, which made us all mad because Simba was supposed to take over. Then he comes back, and sweet revenge follows.

The final showdown that pits nephew against uncle as Simba and Scar clash in an epic battle to determine the rightful king of Pride Rock.

3 Hakuna Matata

Shortly after being saved by Timon and Pumbaa, they introduce Simba to their philosophy of "Hakuna Matata," which means no worries or responsibilities. The duo sings "Hakuna Matata," and Simba joins in.

We literally see him growing up until he reaches adulthood.

This is a good scene and very important in the film because it shows Simba as he grows up with Timon and Pumbaa.

I remember the part when Simba tried to eat one of the bugs with Timon and Pumbaa.

4 Be Prepared

Realizing that as long as Mufasa is around, Simba is untouchable, Scar plots to not only kill Mufasa but Simba as well, so he'll take over as the new king of Pride Rock.

5 Scar Kills Mufasa

After saving Simba from the wildebeest stampede, Mufasa manages to claw his way to safety while pleading with Scar to help him. Scar grabs onto his paws and whispers to him, "Long live the king," as he drops him back into the stampeding wildebeests.

Mufasa screams, and Simba cries out, "No!"

This is such a sad and emotional scene that was done perfectly!

6 Simba Talks with Mufasa's Ghost

Following an argument with Nala, Simba runs into Rafiki, who tells him that he can take him to Mufasa despite being dead. Simba follows him to a pool of water, where Rafiki shows him that Mufasa lives in him.

Simba is visited by his father, Mufasa, who appears in the form of a giant cloud. Mufasa tells Simba that because he has forgotten who he is, he has also forgotten about him. Mufasa instructs Simba to remember who he is.

7 I Just Can't Wait to Be King

Simba breaks out into a huge musical number where he brags about how he can't wait to be king, unaware of how different his view of being king will change later in the movie.

8 Rafiki Presents Simba to the Kingdom

Another iconic scene occurs when Rafiki the baboon raises Simba in the air while the other animals cheer in excitement. They later bow before their future king.

However, in Lion King 1½, we discover the true reason behind everyone's bowing. It turns out that Pumbaa lets out a massive fart, causing all the animals at the back to pass out. The rest mistakenly believe that they're bowing and imitate the gesture.

9 Scar's Demise

After being sent over the cliff, Scar finds himself now at the mercy of his hyena henchmen, who are not happy about him throwing them under the bus. They all gang up on him and kill him.

Scar: Ah, my friends.
Shenzi: Friends? I thought you said we were the enemy.
Banzai: Yeah, that's what I heard.

It was at this moment Scar realized he was screwed.

10 Timon and Pumbaa Hula Dance

What do you want me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?

The Contenders
11 Long Live the King

The most powerfully evil execution of a traditional line like this there ever will be. No matter what the Walt Disney Animation Studios bashers say, The Lion King will always be a powerful, beautifully animated near-masterpiece with outstanding musical numbers. Its sequel Simba's Pride even blew it out of the water, despite not being as risky or charming as its predecessor, but it's still a decent watch. Hence, it has the genre known as an epic.

12 Simba and Nala Run from the Hyenas

Mufasa tells Simba never to go to the Elephant Graveyard, and of course, being the idiot that he is, he and Nala go there anyway. They find themselves being pursued by the hyena trio Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed as they chase after the cubs.

13 Simba Becomes King
14 "I Killed Mufasa!"

The dumbest thing Scar could have done next to throwing the hyenas under the bus. He literally could have killed Simba but for no reason tells Simba as he dangles from Pride Rock, which gives Simba the strength to get back and force Scar to tell everyone he killed Mufasa.

15 The Lion Sleeps Tonight
16 Can You Feel the Love Tonight
17 Mufasa Scolds Simba for Disobeying Him By Going to the Elephant Graveyard

After saving Simba and Nala from the hyenas, Mufasa orders Zazu to take Nala home so he can have a one-on-one talk with Simba about disobeying him. Mufasa tells him that what he did was stupid, reckless, and could have gotten him killed. Furthermore, he points out that Simba also put Nala in danger.

Simba explains that he was trying to be brave like Mufasa, to which Mufasa responds that bravery only matters when it is necessary and that being brave does not mean seeking out trouble.

18 Rafiki Beats Up the Hyenas

Rafiki joins in the battle for Pride Rock and goes all Karate Kid on the hyenas.

19 Wildebeest Stampede
20 "Remember"
21 Simba, Nala and Zazu Meet the Hyenas
22 Mufasa vs the Hyenas
23 "They Call Me Mr. Pig"
24 Zazu Sings "It's a Small World"
25 Simba vs Hyenas
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