Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

Simba and Nala have given birth to a daughter named Kiara and they are about to have a second cub. They leave to find an oasis for Nala to give birth in. Simba leaves Timon and Pumbaa in charge of Kiara and they are soon visited by Rafiki, who tells Kiara the story of a young Mufasa and Scar.

Mufasa was born to parents Masego and Afia who are in search of a mythical land called Milele. Unfortunately, their peace is interrupted when a giant flood comes and Mufasa is rushed downstream and separated from his parents. Mufasa is washed up in a far away land and is about to be attacked by a crocodile when he is saved by a lion named Taka.

Taka takes Mufasa to his parents, King Obasi and Queen Eshe. Taka is grounded for welcoming in an outsider, but Mufasa vows to help the pride and runs out with Taka to prove his worth, but quickly tires out and Taka loses so Mufasa can join the pride. As Mufasa and Taka grow older, their brotherly bond becomes ever stronger. As Eshe teaches Mufasa how to hunt, they become surrounded by a group of white lions, which Mufasa fights off, ultimately killing one. Taka sees the attack, but runs away in fear, instead of fighting.

The lions retreat back to their king Kiros. The white lions attack Pride Rock for revenge, but the brothers manage to escape. Kiros continues to hunt for the duo. Mufasa and Taka come across a lioness named Sarabi, alongside Zazu and a young Rafiki who tells them that he is on a quest for Milele to call it his new home and they all agree to go with him. Taka grows smitten with Sarabi and attempts to tell her how he feels, when they are chased by the white lions, who are in hot pursuit. Sarabi gets a herd of elephants to cause a distraction for the Kiros and his pride. Unfortunately, Sarabi is injured in the process and Mufasa rushes to her rescue.

Once they are safe, Mufasa remembers Takas feelings for her and he tells her that Taka had saved her instead. When the group arrive at the snowy mountains, Sarabi tells Mufasa that she knew it was him who had saved her and the two fall in love, much to Takas envy. Out of his resentment, Taka heads off, finds Kiros and offers to help him get revenge on Mufasa. The following day, the gang arrive at Milele, but Kiros and his pride invades the oasis, because Taka had left marks for Kiros to follow. Mufasa tries to fight off Kiros and Kiros tells Mufasa that Taka had betrayed him.

Mufasa gets the others to fight off the white lions, whilst Kiros forces Mufasa into a cave, where he tires out. Taka becomes full of guilt and tries to intervene, but Kiros scratches Takas eye, leaving a scar. Rafiki causes the cave to cave-in, helping the brothers to escape. Rafiki also causes a flood and Kiros tries to kill Mufasa by making him go underwater, but Mufasa is saved by a falling boulder landing on top of Kiros, ultimately killing him. Mufasa swims to safety. After the flood dies down, the animals celebrate their triumph.

Rafiki dubs Mufasa as their new king and Mufasa reconciles with Afia, who tells him that Masego has passed away. Mufasa then talks to Taka about his betrayal, but decides to forgive him and vows to call him scar from now on. Mufasa walks to the top of Pride Rock and begins to roar.

Back in the present day, Kiara roars in the same spot and begins to feel the presence of her grandfather's spirit over her. Soon after, Kiara, Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa reunite with Simba and Nala and Kiara meets her new baby brother named Kion.