In the vibrant African savannah, the birth of Simba, a young lion prince, brings joy to his parents, King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, along with the animal kingdom. As heir to the throne, Simba is eager to explore his future kingdom and learn from his wise and noble father. Mufasa teaches him about the delicate balance of the Circle of Life and the responsibilities that come with being king. Meanwhile, Scar, Mufasa's resentful and scheming brother, desires the throne for himself and devises a sinister plan to remove both Mufasa and Simba from the path to kingship.

Scar's machinations lead Simba into a dangerous situation, which Mufasa resolves at great personal cost. Following this traumatic event, Simba, now alone and wracked with guilt, is convinced by Scar that he is responsible for the tragedy. Fleeing the savannah, Simba abandons his destiny and takes refuge in a lush jungle, far from home. There, he befriends the carefree duo Timon, a meerkat, and Pumbaa, a warthog, who embrace a no-worries philosophy called "Hakuna Matata." As Simba grows into adulthood away from his kingdom, he is shielded from the devastation and despair that have befallen his homeland under Scar's rule.