Mufasa: The Lion Kingcould make his way to the 2025 Academy Awards, adding toThe Lion King’s Oscars history. Disney continues riding the wave of live-action remakes of its most popular animated classics, and in some cases, these have made way for expansions. Such is the case ofThe Lion King, which got a “live-action”/CGI remake in 2019 and now a prequel, titledMufasa: The Lion King, made in the same photorealistic animation style. Directed by Barry Jenkins,Mufasa: The Lion Kingtakes the audience back to the Pride Lands to explore the origin story of the title character.
Mufasagoes back years before the events ofThe Lion Kingto follow a young Mufasa, an orphan who is found by Prince Taka, who gives him a home and a family. Mufasa and Taka form a strong bond and become brothers, but their story takes a turn when two white lions attack.Mufasahas gotten mixed reviews from critics but it’s already shortlisted for the 2025 Academy Awards, regardless of how good or bad it performs at the box office – and this already adds toThe Lion King’s history at the Oscars.
1994’s The Lion King Received 4 Oscar Nominations & Won 2
The Lion King Succeeded At The Academy Awards
Back in 1994, as part of the Disney Renaissance,The Lion Kingwas released. Despite its many inspirations and some controversies regarding its story being too similar to other movies,The Lion Kingis Disney’s first original animated movie. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff,The Lion Kingis set in the Pride Lands of Tanzania, ruled by King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, who welcome their newborn son and heir to the throne, Simba – however, Mufasa’s brother, Scar, also wants the throne.
After killing Mufasa and making Simba believe he was responsible for it, Simba flees and meets Timon and Pumbaa, who raise him together. However, Simba learns of Scar’s actions and returns to the Pride Lands to confront him.The Lion Kingwas a critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing movie of 1994 and ranking among the greatest animated movies ever made.The Lion Kingalso made way for a franchise with direct-to-video follow-ups, stage musicals, TV movies, and lots of merch.
How Elton John Saved Disney’s The Lion King From A Major Musical Disaster
The Lion King has many memorable musical numbers and Elton John saved one from being a massive disaster as it was originally sung by other characters.
The Lion Kinghad four nominations in two categories at the 1995 Academy Awards: Best Original Score and Best Original Song with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, “Circle of Life”, and “Hakuna Matata.”The Lion Kingwon the Oscar for Best Original Score and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” won Best Original Song, which also marked Elton John’s first Oscar win.
2019’s The Lion King Received 1 Oscar Nomination & Lost
The 2019 Lion King Remake Didn’t Succeed At The Oscars
In 2019,The Lion Kingjoined the trend of live-action remakes of Disney animated classics, though with a twist on the term “live-action.” The remake was done in a photorealistically animated style, which even though it was praised, also raised some controversy about how disturbing the talking animals look at times. Directed by Jon Favreau,The Lion Kingretold the story everyone knows so well thanks to the 1994 movie, and though it got mixed reviews from critics, it was a big commercial success, breaking several box-office records.
Every Box Office Record The Lion King Has Broken
The Lion King is one of 2019’s biggest box office hits, and we take a look at how many records Disney’s latest remake has broken in its run.
2019’sThe Lion Kingwas praised for its animation achievements but divided critics when it comes to how loyal it was to the animated movie in terms of story: some liked the fidelity, while others criticized the lack of originality.The Lion King’s remake joined the franchise’s Oscar history withone nomination in the category of Best Visual Effects – however, it lost against Sam Mendes’ war film1917.The Lion Kingdidn’t win any of the biggest awards, but it was awarded the Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing remake at the global box office.
Mufasa: The Lion King Might Have A Future At The Oscars
Image via Disney
The 2025 Academy Awards ceremony will be held on August 18, 2025, with the nominees being announced on June 23, 2025. At the time of writing, speculation and predictions on who and which movies will be nominated have begun, and this has been fueled bythe Academy releasing its shortlist of nominees in 10 award categories.Mufasa: The Lion Kingis currently on the shortlist for the 2025 Academy Awards in two categories: Best Original Song and Best Visual Effects. In the former,Mufasais nominated for the song “Tell Me It’s You”, performed by Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone.
The category of Best Animated Feature isn’t included in the shortlist, so it’s unknown if Mufasa is being considered, but that could also be controversial.
Mufasa’s consideration in the category of Best Visual Effects is expected, but if it gets officially nominated, it might spark controversy. Just like with the 2019 remake, the photorealistic style of the movie has been praised in terms of technical achievements, but it has been criticized for how unnatural it looks at times (especially the animals), the talking lions, and has even been called “impersonal.” The category of Best Animated Feature isn’t included in the shortlist, so it’s unknown ifMufasais being considered, but that could also be controversial.
AlthoughMufasawas done in photorealistic animation, it has become a divisive technique as the results are often disturbing – it’s very different to watch a group of 2D animated lions singing and dancing than photorealistic ones trying to show emotion while also wanting to look like real lions.The Lion King2019 wasn’t nominated in the category of Best Animated Feature, soMufasamight follow those steps and skip that specific category.
The Oscars Are Always Full Of Surprises
It would be surprising ifMufasa: The Lion Kingwasn’t nominated for an Oscar in at least one category, but the big question is which one(s). In the Best Original Song category,Mufasais competing against songs from movies likeBetter Man(Robbie Williams’ semi-biographical musical),Challengers,Emilia Pérez(which has two songs on the shortlist),Moana 2, andPiece by Piece(Pharrell Williams’ biographical movie told with Legos). In the category of Best Visual Effects,Mufasaalso has some strong competition, withAlien: Romulus,Deadpool & Wolverine,Dune: Part Two, andWickedalso on the list.
At the moment,Mufasahas bigger changes to get nominated in the Best Original Song category, and it’s unlikely it will make it to Best Animated Feature. Disney also releasedInside Out 2andMoana 2in 2024, which are stronger competitors in that category thanMufasa, and there could be controversy about whether it actually qualifies or not. It’s unlikelyMufasa: The Lion Kingwon’t joinThe Lion King’s Oscar history, but anything can happen.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Mufasa: The Lion King explores the origins of the beloved character Mufasa, focusing on his youth as a lost cub who encounters Taka, a royal heir. Their meeting initiates an epic journey of self-discovery and destiny, featuring a group of misfit companions navigating the challenges of their world.
