Disney's expanded the Lion King franchise with a prequel/sequel to the 2019 remake, giving audiences options for where to watch Taka - better known as Scar - as they become like brothers. But, it is framed as Rafiki, Timon, & Pumbaa tell the story to Simba and Nala's daughter.

Mufasa: The Lion King is the fifth movie in the franchise to be made overall. The original animated film and the 2019 remake received exclusive theatrical releases, while two other animated installments were made by Disney as direct-to-DVD content. Still, audiences are accustomed to seeing the best Lion King movies on the big screen overall and have proven that there is great interest in each installment coming to theaters. Although Disney gives Mufasa a theatrical release to start, this is not the only opportunity to see the movie overall.

Mufasa: The Lion King Releases In Theaters On December 20, 2024

The Lion King Prequel Is Exclusively In Theaters

Disney gave Mufasa: The Lion King an exclusive theatrical release that begins on December 20, 2024, putting it in direct competition with Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Audiences who want to see the latest Lion King movie as early as possible will need to go to local theaters to do so. There are options to see the film in IMAX and 3D, as well as other formats, depending on a theater's capabilities. Checking out Mufasa: The Lion King showtimes locally will allow each person to determine what formats and times are available.

Find Showtimes For Mufasa: The Lion King

Theatrical showtimes from Friday, December 20, onward can be found via the links below:

• Fandango
• Regal
• AMC Theaters
• Alamo Drafthouse
• Cinemark
• Cineplex

When Will Mufasa: The Lion King Release On Streaming?

Mufasa Will Stream On Disney+

Disney has yet to announce when Mufasa: The Lion King will be released on streaming, although it is known that Disney+ will be its eventual home. Subscribers will have to wait a while before this happens, though. Disney's history suggests that Mufasa: The Lion King's streaming release could be in March 2025. The studio usually waits nearly 100 days to move its biggest films, like the live-action remakes, to streaming. The Little Mermaid waited 103 days to go from theaters to streaming, so there's even a chance Mufasa doesn't go to Disney+ until April 2025.

When Will Mufasa: The Lion King Release On Digital?

A VOD Release Date Is Not Confirmed

The option to watch Mufasa: The Lion King at home will come sooner than its Disney+ debut thanks to its release on PVOD. Disney usually makes its new movies available to buy or rent on digital after around 60 days. That would mean that Mufasa: The Lion King's digital release could come in February 2025. It's rare for Disney to go far beyond or well short of the 60 day range, so even if Mufasa: The Lion King's box office over or underperforms, the digital release should not be impacted that much.