Our take
Mufasa: The Lion King is a photorealistic animated prequel about young Mufasa's journey to kingship. Rated PG for peril, violence, and thematic elements. Expect predator attacks, floods, sibling rivalry, and references to death and patricide in dialogue, but blood is minimal. Fine for elementary-age kids who handled the 2019 remake
Uplifting themes
Leadership, unity, and protecting the circle of life are recurring themes Mufasa models courage, humility, and loyalty on his path to becoming king
Story (may spoil tone)
Mufasa, a cub lost and alone, meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of a group of misfits searching for their destiny.
What we flagged
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Animal chases, stampedes, and fights; patricide and murder are discussed
Animal chases, stampedes, and fights; patricide and murder are discussed
Language Mild insults like b-word during heated animal conflicts
Mild insults like b-word during heated animal conflicts
Sex / nudity Playful naked-animal joke; no human-style nudity or romance
Playful naked-animal joke; no human-style nudity or romance
Drugs / alcohol Brief smoking reference in dialogue about sticks smoldering
Brief smoking reference in dialogue about sticks smoldering
Frightening No frightening found in this title
No frightening found in this title
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse Young Mufasa faces exile, predators, and the fight to survive
Young Mufasa faces exile, predators, and the fight to survive
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons No gore found in this title
No gore found in this title
Dangerous behaviour No dangerous behavior found in this title
No dangerous behavior found in this title
Eating disorders / body image No eating found in this title
No eating found in this title
Mental health No mental health found in this title
No mental health found in this title
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement No grief found in this title
No grief found in this title
Talk after watching
- How does this origin story change how you see Mufasa and Scar?
- What makes animal survival stories feel intense without showing gore?