# Lion (2026)

> A four-episode National Geographic documentary follows lion cub Kio on his journey to become king of the savanna.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/1105060

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 4
- Episode runtime: 40 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: documentary
- Network: National Geographic
- Cast: O.J. Lynch
- TMDB rating: 8.1/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt43661815/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Tone: awe-inspiring, warm, reverent, intimate, uplifting

## Synopsis

Lion (2026) is a United States national geographic documentary miniseries presented by National Geographic. Narrated by O.J. Lynch, the four-episode, forty-minute run follows lion cub Kio on his journey from vulnerable youngster to a would-be king of the African savanna. The engine of the series is survival in a harsh landscape: a young cub must learn to hunt, navigate rivals, and contend with the dangers of an unforgiving wild where hunger, drought, and competing predators shape every season of his life. Each episode unfolds as an intimate portrait of animal behavior, using patient observation and immersive camera work to build suspense around ordinary moments of growth. The tone is warm, awe-filled, and reverent, with a sense of wonder at the natural order and the bond between a young animal and the land he must claim. Its shape is that of a compact, single-arc limited series rather than a case-of-the-week format. Viewers who loved the cinematic grandeur of Planet Earth II, the family-friendly storytelling of Our Planet, and the patient wildlife portraiture of The Story of the Lion will find much to admire here, a gentle yet gripping chronicle of one lion's path toward leadership.

## Shows like Lion

- [Seven Worlds, One Planet (2019)](https://ember.film/tv/76945)
- [Wild Babies (2022)](https://ember.film/tv/124435)
- [Savage Kingdom (2016)](https://ember.film/tv/65073)
- [Chimp Empire (2023)](https://ember.film/tv/141954)
- [Planet Earth (2006)](https://ember.film/tv/981)
- [Dynasties (2018)](https://ember.film/tv/70813)
- [Life on Our Planet (2023)](https://ember.film/tv/134573)
- [Parenthood (2025)](https://ember.film/tv/162609)
- [Africa (2013)](https://ember.film/tv/42279)
- [Planet Earth II (2016)](https://ember.film/tv/60188)

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