Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- irreverent
- playful
- family movie night
- lazy afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the sequel unusually clever and entertaining for a direct-to-video Disney release, praising its humor, animation, songs, and returning voice cast.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Timon and Pumbaa interrupt a screening of The Lion King to tell their own story occurring before and alongside Simba's journey.
Timon and Pumbaa watch and criticize the original Lion King film while controlling the retelling of their backstory.
Lonely meerkat Timon and outcast Pumbaa form a partnership while searching for a place where they belong.
The film humorously repositions Timon and Pumbaa within events and scenes associated with the original Lion King.
Films like The Lion King 1½, and why
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
Like The Lion King 1½, it retells a familiar animated story through the perspective of supporting characters with comic timing and musical interludes.
The Emperor's New Groove
A playful animated companion story that expands the backstory of secondary characters from a beloved Disney adventure.
The Road to El Dorado
Shares a buddy-comedy structure, colorful animation, musical energy, and a focus on friendship and finding belonging.
Movie Details
- Director
- Bradley Raymond
- Release Date
- 2004-10-28
- Runtime
- 77 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (3215)
Cast
- Nathan Lane
- Ernie Sabella
- Julie Kavner
- Jerry Stiller
- Matthew Broderick
- Robert Guillaume
- Moira Kelly
- Whoopi Goldberg
- Cheech Marin
- Jim Cummings
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Lion King 1½ about?
- Timon and Pumbaa hijack their own prequel to reveal the comic misadventures and unlikely friendship behind their carefree philosophy.
- What is The Lion King 1½ like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Lion King 1½ as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Lion King 1½ violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Lion King 1½.
- What did critics think of The Lion King 1½?
- Critics broadly found the sequel unusually clever and entertaining for a direct-to-video Disney release, praising its humor, animation, songs, and returning voice cast.
- Which films are like The Lion King 1½?
- Films with a similar feel include Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, The Emperor's New Groove, and The Road to El Dorado.
- How long is The Lion King 1½?
- The Lion King 1½ runs 77 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Lion King 1½?
- In United States, The Lion King 1½ streams on Disney Plus.
