This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
Published on July 20, 2019, The Lion King has been a beloved Disney classic for 25 years. The film, produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures, was the 32nd Disney animated feature film and the fifth animated film produced during the Disney Renaissance.
One of the most fascinating aspects of The Lion King is its connection to Kenya. In November 1991, some of the film's animators traveled to Hell's Gate National Park in Kenya for research and inspiration. It was during this trip that the famous 'Hakuna Matata' phrase was added to the script.
The film's production was not without its challenges. A huge part of the film was finished in the artists' homes when Disney Studios were forced to close temporarily after an earthquake in 1994. Jim Fowler, a wildlife expert, also brought real animals to the studio to help the film's animators study their movements.
The Lion King has been a massive commercial success, grossing over $986 million at the box office and becoming the highest-grossing hand-drawn animated feature of all time. It has also been recognized as one of the highest-grossing animated features, the 42nd highest-grossing film of all time, and the best-selling videotape of all time.
Interestingly, the film went through several title changes before finally being named The Lion King. The original final fight scene had Simba lose to Scar, and Scar eventually dying in a fire. A hyena researcher even sued Disney for 'defamation of character' for the portrayal of the hyenas in the film.
