The Lion King Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Lion King.
The Lion King Ending Explained: Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. Directed by Jon Favreau, this 2019 adventure film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar (voice)), alongside John Oliver as Zazu (voice), Donald Glover as Simba (voice), James Earl Jones as Mufasa (voice). Rated 7.1/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Lion King?
Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
Jon Favreau's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar (voice))'s journey. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival.
As part of the The Lion King (Reboot) Collection, the ending carries additional weight for fans following the franchise.
How Does Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar (voice))'s Story End?
- Chiwetel Ejiofor: Chiwetel Ejiofor's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Jon Favreau delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 58m runtime.
- John Oliver (Zazu (voice)): John Oliver's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Donald Glover (Simba (voice)): Donald Glover's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Lion King Mean?
The ending of The Lion King ties together the narrative threads involving Chiwetel Ejiofor. Jon Favreau chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes. Based on 10,729 audience ratings, the consensus is that the ending is adequate but divisive.