The Lion King poster

The Lion King

199488 minutesG
4.5
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
8.5IMDb
🍅 92%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 88/100Metacritic
🎬 8.3TMDb
📊 14.0Popularity
🏆Won 2 Oscars. 43 wins & 35 nominations total
Directed by: Roger Allers
A young lion prince is cast out of his pride by his cruel uncle, who claims he killed his father. While the uncle rules with an iron paw, the prince grows up beyond the Savannah, living by a philosophy: No worries for the rest of your days. But when his past comes to haunt him, the young prince must decide his fate: Will he remain an outcast or face his demons and become what he needs to be?

Box Office

Budget:$45.0M
Revenue:$763.5M
Profit:$718.5M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision5.5/10
Emotional Arc Impact3/10
Thematic Consistency5/10
Overall Score4.5/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

The Lion King Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
5 min
3
Set-Up
10 min
4
Catalyst
20 min
5
Debate
25 min
6
Break Into Two
30 min
7
B Story
40 min
8
Fun and Games
50 min
9
Midpoint
65 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
70 min
11
All Is Lost
75 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
78 min
13
Break Into Three
80 min
14
Finale
85 min
15
Final Image
88 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Pride Lands panorama. Mufasa and Sarabi introduce kingdom. Peace, beauty, and majesty.

#2

Theme Stated

5 min

Theme: Circle of life, responsibility, leadership, and courage. Rafiki hints at destiny.

#3

Set-Up

10 min

Simba introduced as young cub. Playful, curious, and eager. Relationships with Mufasa, Scar, and friends established.

#4

Catalyst

20 min

Scar plots against Mufasa. Foreshadowing danger. Simba in peril.

#5

Debate

25 min

Simba doubts himself after Mufasa’s death. Should he flee or return? Emotional turmoil.

#6

Break Into Two

30 min

Simba escapes Pride Lands. Leaves home, crosses into exile. Threshold into new life.

#7

B Story

40 min

Friendships with Timon and Pumbaa. Comic relief, growth, and lessons about responsibility.

#8

Fun and Games

50 min

Hakuna Matata lifestyle. Simba grows up carefree, explores jungle, learns independence.

#9

Midpoint

65 min

Nala finds Simba. Confrontation with reality. Stakes shift: must face past, reclaim destiny.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

70 min

Scar rules Pride Lands. Drought, decay, and fear dominate. Simba must decide to act.

#11

All Is Lost

75 min

Simba doubts ability to challenge Scar. Emotional and moral low point.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

78 min

Reflects on father’s guidance, Rafiki’s wisdom, and responsibility. Emotional clarity emerges.

#13

Break Into Three

80 min

Simba returns to Pride Lands with renewed courage. Ready for final confrontation.

#14

Finale

85 min

Battle against Scar. Simba reclaims throne. Order restored. Villains defeated. Emotional resolution achieved.

#15

Final Image

88 min

Pride Lands restored. Circle of life continues. Simba standing proudly as king. Closure and balance.