<P> The Lion King was released on June 15, 1994, to a positive reaction from critics, who praised the film for its music, story, and animation . With a worldwide gross of $766 million, it finished its theatrical run as the highest - grossing release of 1994 and the second highest - grossing film of all time . It is also the highest - grossing traditionally animated film of all time . The Lion King garnered two Academy Awards for its achievement in music and the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture--Musical or Comedy . The film has led to many derived works, such as a Broadway adaptation; two direct - to - video follow - ups--the sequel, The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), and the prequel / parallel, The Lion King 11⁄2 (2004); two television series, Timon and Pumbaa and The Lion Guard; and a 3D re-release, in 2011 . </P> <P> In 2016, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". A CGI remake of the film directed by Jon Favreau is scheduled for a July 19, 2019 release in the United States . </P> <P> In the Pride Lands of East Africa, a pride of lions rule over the animal kingdom from Pride Rock . King Mufasa's newborn son, Simba, is presented to the assembled animals by Rafiki the baboon (with the colorful facial marking of a mandrill) who serves as shaman and advisor . Mufasa shows young Simba the Pride Lands and explains to him the responsibilities of kingship and the "circle of life" which connects all living things . Mufasa's younger brother, Scar, covets the throne and plots to eliminate Mufasa and Simba so he may become king . He tricks Simba and his best friend Nala--to whom Simba is betrothed--into exploring a forbidden elephants' graveyard, where they are attacked by three spotted hyenas who are in league with Scar . Mufasa is alerted to the danger by his majordomo, the hornbill Zazu, and rescues the cubs . Though angry with Simba, Mufasa forgives him and explains that the great kings of the past watch over them from the night sky, from which he will one day watch over Simba . </P> <P> Scar sets a trap for his brother and nephew, luring Simba into a gorge and having the hyenas drive a large herd of wildebeest into a stampede that will trample him . He informs Mufasa of Simba's peril, knowing the king will rush to save his son . Mufasa saves Simba but ends up hanging perilously from the gorge's edge . Scar refuses to help Mufasa, instead sending him falling to his death . He then convinces Simba that the tragedy was Simba's own fault and advises him to flee the kingdom . He orders the hyenas to kill the cub, but Simba escapes . Scar tells the pride that both Mufasa and Simba were killed in the stampede and steps forward as the new king, allowing his three hyena minions and the rest of their large pack to live in the Pride Lands . </P>

What part of africa does the lion king take place