How long is Mufasa: The Lion King? Runtime explained

Mufasa: The Lion King is a musical drama film directed by Barry Jenkins and written by Jeff Nathanson. The action-adventure film is photorealistically animated and serves as both a prequel and sequel to 2019's The Lion King, which itself is a remake of the eponymous animated film released in 1994.

With a runtime of 118 minutes, Mufasa: The Lion King follows two lion cubs, Mufasa and Taka's journeys as they become the King of the Pride Lands and Scar respectively. The movie was released on December 20, 2024.

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Mufasa: The Lion King is around two hours long

Mufasa: The Lion King is currently running in theaters, with families stepping out to watch it during this holiday season. With a story built around the themes of love, loyalty, and courage, the movie can engage children as well as their parents who can be equally enthralled by the film's photorealistic animation.

Over the course of 118 minutes or 1 hour and 58 minutes, the movie depicts Mufasa's transformation from a young, orphaned cub into the leader and protector of the Pride Lands. Furthermore, the movie does not feature a post-credits scene, which is a popular trend among film franchises.

Co-incidentally, the 2019 film The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau, also had the same runtime.

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Plot summary

Mufasa: The Lion King begins with Rafiki narrating the story of Mufasa to Simba and Nala's daughter, Kiara. Going back to the old times, as a young cub, Mufasa gets swept away from his parents, Masego and Afia, during a flood. He is saved by the young royal cub, Taka.

Queen Eshe and King Obasi, Taka's parents, reluctantly accept Mufasa into their tribe and the two cubs grow together as brothers in the land of Milele.

A few years later, King Kiros, leader of a white lion pride, drives Mufasa and Taka away from their land after killing the latter's parents. The brothers meet Sarabi, Zazu, and Rafiki and form a tight-knit group on the outskirts of the land. Mufasa and Sarabi fall in love, prompting an envious Taka to scheme with Kiros to take out his brother.

Feeling blindsided by Taka's betrayal, Mufasa enlists the help of other animals in Milele to fight against Kiros and his pride, the Outsiders. But Taka has a change of heart after witnessing Kiros attack Mufasa and steps in to save his brother. In anger, Kiros swipes his claw across Taka's face, leaving him with the scar that will become the origin of his name later in life.

Mufasa and his group of animals succeed in defeating the white lion pride in the end. He is rewarded for his courage by being chosen to command the Pride Lands as its leader and king. In the final moments of the film, it circles back to Simba, his wife Nala, the cub princess Kiara, and the newborn cub prince, Kion.

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Cast and characters

An image of Rafiki from Mufasa: The Lion King (Image via Instagram/@disneystudios)

The film's voice cast is listed below:

• Aaron Pierre as Mufasa
• Braelyn and Brielle Rankins as Mufasa (cub)
• Donald Glover as Simba
• Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala
• Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara
• Seth Rogen as Pumbaa
• John Kani as Rafiki
• Kagiso Lediga as young Rafiki
• Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka (later becomes Scar)
• Theo Somolu as Taka (cub)
• Billy Eichner as Timon
• Tiffany Boone as Sarabi
• Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros
• Thandiwe Newton as Eshe
• Lennie James as Obasi
• Anika Noni Rose as Afia
• Keith David as Masego
• Joanna Jones as Akua
• Preston Nyman as Zazu
• Maestro Harrell as Inaki
• Dominique Jennings as Sarafina
• Folake Olowofoyeku as Amara
• Thuso Mbedu as Junia
• Sheila Atim as Ajarry
• Abdul Salis as Chigaru
• A.J. Beckles as Azibo
• David S. Lee as Mobo
• Derrick L. McMillon as Mosi

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Interested viewers can watch Mufasa: The Lion King in theaters now.