Disney’s The Lion King

Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by ellen

Who else got super excited to hear about Disney’s The Lion King on Digital and Blu-ray? My kids grew up watching The Lion King, and I am so thrilled that we can now add a digital and Blu-ray copy of the movie to our collection.

The Lion King on Digital Aug. 15

One of the biggest animated films in history, The Lion King, the coming-of-age masterpiece, filled with humor and heart, breathtaking animation and soul-stirring Academy Award winning music (1994: Best Original Score and Best Original Song, Can You Feel the Love Tonight), joins the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection. The Lion King roars to its rightful place in the Walt Disney Signature Collection on Digital Aug. 15th and on Blu-ray Aug. 29th.

Audiences will fall in love all over again with the treasured classic, and a new generation of fans will laugh with Timon and Pumbaa, cry with Simba and Mufasa, burst into song, and find their place in the Circle of Life.

The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes over three hours of classic bonus material and exclusive, brand new features inviting viewers to sing along with the film’s award-winning music, observe recording sessions, step inside the story room, witness the evolution of a villain, and join Nathan Lane (voice of Timon) and Matthew Broderick (voice of Adult Simba) for an extended conversation regarding the legacy of The Lion King.

Bonus Features:

BLU-RAY, DIGITAL*:

1. Brand New Sing-Along Version
2. Audio Commentary – View the film with commentary by producer Don Hahn and co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
3. Visualizing a Villain – Against a backdrop of live dancers and the animated “Be Prepared†sequence, artist David Garibaldi paints a masterpiece of evil.
4. The Recording Sessions – Watch rare footage of the actors recording their roles, matched with the final animation. Intro by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
5. Nathan and Matthew: The Extended Lion King Conversation – Nathan Lane (Timon) and Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba) offer candid and hilarious insights into their Lion King experiences.
6. Inside the Story Room – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff present archival footage of five original story pitches.
   1. Circle of Life – See how color creates emotion and meaning in the film’s iconic opening.
   2. Simba & Nala – See how elements proposed in story meetings evolve into what appears onscreen.
   3. Simba Takes Nala Out to Play – …And, sometimes what seems funny in story meetings never makes it into the film!
   4. Hakuna Matata – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff sing, act and dance their hearts out as they pitch the “Hakuna Matata” sequence.
   5. Rafiki and Reflecting Pool – Co-directors Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff pitch a sequence that became the emotional heart of The Lion King to Producer Don Hahn.
7. Music & More – Sing along to your favorite songs from the movie!
   1. Circle of Lifeâ€
   2. “I Just Can’t Wait to Be Kingâ€
   3. “Be Preparedâ€
   4. “Hakuna Matataâ€
   5. “Can You Feel the Love Tonightâ€
8. Galleries
   1. Visual Development – Explore a gallery of striking artwork that inspired the movie’s look and feel.
   2. Character Design – Trace the development of the film’s unforgettable characters through early concept art drawings.
   3. Storyboards – Examine storyboards created in the development of “The Lion King.â€
   4. Layouts – Feast your eyes on layouts created in the development of “The Lion King.â€
   5. Backgrounds & Layouts – Journey through a gallery of landscape paintings that shaped the world of “The Lion King.â€
9. Classic Bonus Features (Digital Only) – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as bloopers, audio commentary, deleted and alternate scenes, and in-depth journeys into the music, film, story, animals and stage show.

*Bonus features may vary by retailer

My thoughts:

I’m sure that just about everyone has seen The Lion King. The real benefit of getting The Lion King on digital or Blu-ray is all of the amazing bonus features you can see above. I really loved being able to see the background of how the movie was created. It definitely makes this movie a must have for every Disney fan. Even if you have The Lion King DVD, you will want to pick this one up to add to your collection. Make sure that you pick up the other Lion King movies for everyone to enjoy!

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