Disney’s The Lion King is considered the greatest animated movie ever, winning two Academy Awards. It was also the highest-grossing 2D animated film. Relive the magic of Disney’s The Lion King with 100 of our favorite, unforgettable Lion King quotes.
The Lion King has been so successful that it has had sequels, TV shows, an award-winning Broadway Musical, and live-action remakes. People have a deep connection with The Lion King, the music, the animation, the storytelling, and the characters.
Unforgettable Quotes from The Lion King (1994)
From the wise words of Rafiki to the hilarious quips of Timon and Pumbaa, check out 100 of the most unforgettable quotes from Disney’s beloved classic, The Lion King. From heartwarming to hilarious, these unforgettable quotes will stay with you long after the movie ends.
Scar Quotes
Scar is the scheming, smooth-talking younger brother of Mufasa. He was next in line to take the throne until young Simba was born and replaced him. Determined to do whatever it takes to be king, he schemes up a plan to kill Simba and Mufasa.
Scar’s cunning and dark sense of humor define his character, making these lines so memorable in the movie. Each quote showcases his manipulative and sarcastic personality. It helps to showcase his role as one of Disney’s most iconic villains.
1. “Life’s not fair, is it? You see I, I shall never be king. And you shall never see the light of another day.”
2. “Now look, Zazu, you’ve made me lose my lunch.”
3. “Ooh, I quiver with fear!”
4. “Why, if it isn’t my big brother descending from on high to mingle with the commoners.”
5. “Well I was first in line, until the little hairball was born.”
6. “Oh, I shall practice my curtsy.”
7. “Oh no, Mufasa. Perhaps you shouldn’t turn your back on me.”
8. “Temper, temper. I wouldn’t dream of challenging you. Well, as far as brains go, I got the lion’s share. But when it comes to brute strength, I’m afraid I’m at the shallow end of the gene pool.”
9. “Well forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know.”
10. “A monkey’s uncle.”
11. “Simba, Simba. I’m only looking out for the wellbeing of my favorite nephew.”
12. “Oh dear, I’ve said too much. Well I supposed you’d have found out sooner or later. You being so clever and all. Just do me one favor. Promise me you’ll never visit that dreadful place.”
13. “Surely we lions are not all that bad?”
14. “I’m surrounded by idiots.”
15. “Just between us, you might want to work on that little roar of yours.”
16. “Long live the king.”
17. “Oh, Zazu, do lighten up. Sing something with a little bounce in it!”
18. “You know the law. Never, ever mention that name in my presence. I am the king!”
19. “An elephant graveyard is no place for a prince.”
20. “I’m ten times the king Mufasa was!”
21. “Simba, I’m a little surprised to see you … alive.”
22. “Out of the ashes of this tragedy, we shall rise to greet the dawning of a new era.”
23. “Truth? But truth is in the eye of the beholder.”
Mufasa Quotes
Mufasa is the wise and noble king of the Pride Lands and Simba’s father. He embodies strength, responsibility, and compassion and guides Simba with valuable life lessons about leadership, the circle of life, and courage. Even after his death, his words and teachings inspire and encourage Simba to embrace his destiny.
24. “Believe in yourself and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe with you.”
25. “Remember who you are.”
26. “I’m only brave when I have to be. Being brave doesn’t mean you go looking for trouble.”
27. “There’s more to being a king than getting your way all the time.”
28. “While others search for what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give.”
29. “Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance, and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.”
30. “When we die our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so, we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.”
31. “You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become.”
32. “A king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun.”
33. “Simba, you have forgotten me. You have forgotten who you are and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba, you are more than what you have become, you must take your place in the circle of life. Remember who you are, remember.”
34. “The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.”
35. “Everything the light touches is our kingdom. But a king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king. Mufasa : Simba, you must remember who you are: the one true king.
Simba Quotes
Simba is a young lion cub who looks up to his father Mufasa as he teaches him about the responsibility of becoming the future king.
After Mufasa’s death, he flees thinking he is responsible. He is eventually guided by his past to return and reclaim his rightful place as king. These quotes reflect his journey from a carefree cub to a responsible leader.
36. “Danger, ha! I look on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger.”
37. “Hey, Uncle Scar. When I’m king, what’ll that make you?”
38. “As you go through life you will see that there is so much that we don’t understand. And the only thing we know is that things don’t always go the way we plan.”
39. “Love will find a way, anywhere we go. We’re home if we are there together.”
40. “Sometimes what’s left behind can grow better than the generation before.”
41. “Look, sometimes bad things happen — and there’s nothing you can do about it. So why worry?”
42. “I’m not letting anyone tell me where to go, what to do, and even who to marry. There will never be a king like me.”
43. “Somebody once told me that the great kings of the past are up there, watching over us.”
44. “But, Zazu, you told me they are nothing but slobbery, mangy stupid poachers.”
45. “You don’t deserve to live.”
46. “Going back means I’ll have to face my past.”
Nala Quotes
Nala is Simba’s childhood friend and later his queen. She is brave, loyal, and determined, and she plays an important role in encouraging Simba to return to Pride Rock and reclaim his throne. Young Nala is fun and playful, and her quotes as an adult show her strength, wisdom, and loyalty.
47. “Right, so how are we gonna ditch the dodo?”
48. “Pinned you!”
49. “I thought you were very brave.”
50. “Why won’t he be the king I know he is? The king I see inside.”
51. “Well of course they do. Everyone thinks your dead.”
52. “It’s like you’re back from the dead. You don’t know how much this will mean to everyone. What it means to me.”
53. “It is beautiful. But I don’t understand something. You’ve been alive all this time. Why didn’t you come back to Pride Rock?”
54. “What else matters? You’re alive. And that means… you’re the king.”
55. “My Simba. You want so much to walk the path expected of you.”
56. “Scar destroyed the pride lands. There’s no food, no water.”
57. “Because it’s your responsibility!”
58. “Simba, you have to take your place as king. We need you. Come home.”
59. “Well, we don’t. Simba’s the rightful king.”
Timon and Pumbaa Quotes
Timon and Pumbaa are Simba’s carefree friends, and he meets them when he runs away. This dynamic duo is known for their humor and loyalty. They teach Simba their laid-back “Hakuna Matata” philosophy, meaning “no worries.”
Timon is a sarcastic meerkat, and Pumbaa is a kind-hearted warthog. Their quotes and scenes are hilarious, and they also show courage when they help Simba to reclaim Pride Rock..
60. “When the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world.” – Timon
61. “Bad things happen, and you can’t do anything about them.” – Timon
62. “Repeat after me: Hakuna Matata.” – Timon
63. “It’s our problem-free philosophy — Hakuna Matata!”
64. “It’s times like this my buddy Timon here says: you got to put your behind in your past.” – Pumbaa
65. “You got to put your behind in your past.” – Pumbaa
66. “Friends stick together to the end.”- Timon
67. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” – Timon
68. “What Do You Want Me to Do, Dress in Drag & Do the Hula?” – Timon
69. “Luau! If you’re hungry for a hunk of fat & juicy meat Eat my buddy, Pumbaa, here because he is a treat Come on down and dine on this tasty swine All you gotta do is get in line! Are you aching?” – Timon
70. “What’s a motto?” “Nothing, what’s the motto with you?” -Simba and Timon
71. “They call me Mr. Pig!” – Pumbaa
72. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” – Pumbaa
73. “Everyone is a somebody, even a nobody.” – Timon
Zazu Quotes
Zazu is a hornbill and the loyal and uptight royal advisor to Mufasa, and later Simba. He is responsible for reporting on the kingdom’s happenings and tries to keep Simba out of trouble.
He is serious, but also provides much needed comic relief throughout some serious and scary moments in the film.
74. “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody knows my sorrow.”
75. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?’
76. “He’s as mad as a hippo with a hernia.”
77. “There’s one in every family, sire. Two in mine, actually. And they always manage to ruin special occasions.”
78. “Simba, you can’t escape your destiny.”
79. “I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts!”
80. “It’s a small world after all!”
81. “Impeccable timing your Majesty.”
82. “He’d make a very handsome throw rug. And just think! Whenever he gets dirty you an take him out and beat him!”
83. “Checking in with the morning report.”
84. “Sire! Hyenas in the Pride Lands.”
85. “One day, you two are going to be married.”
Wise Rafiki Quotes
Rafiki is a mandrill and is often called a baboon throughout the movie. He is the wise spiritual guide of the story and is involved in several key moments, including the presentation of Simba on Pride Rock.
Many think he is an eccentric lunatic, though he has a deep connection to the spiritual world. His wise words help adult Simba see that he is truly meant to be the king.
86. “Can’t cut it out. It will grow right back.”
87. “Any story worth telling is worth telling twice.”
88. “Look beyond what you see.”
89. “Everybody Is Somebody. Even a Nobody.”
90. “The question is: who are YOU?”
91. “It’s the Circle of Life and it moves us all, through despair and hope, through faith and love, ’til we find our place on the path unwinding.”
92. “You see? He lives in you.”
93. “I’m not the one who’s confused; you don’t even know who you are.”
94. “Ahhh. Change is good.”
95. “Correction, I know your father.”
96. “Asante sana squash banana!”
97. “Don’t dawdle. Hurry up!”
98. “Look harder.”
99. ‘The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it.”
100. “It is time.”
Fun Facts About the Original 1994 Lion King
- Inspired by Shakespeare – Though The Lion King is an original story, it was inspired by William Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
- Record-Breaking Release – It became the highest-grossing animated film at the time of its release.
- Best Original Song—The Lion King’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
- Best Original Score – It won an award for Best Music, Original Score by Hans Zimmer
- The Title Changed—The movie was originally titled King of the Jungle, but the title was changed because lions don’t live in the jungle.
- Be Prepared was sung by two voice actors – Jeremy Irons lost his voice while recording Scar’s song “Be Prepared,” and Jim Cummings (voice of Ed the hyena) finished the song.
- Lion Roars – Real lions did not make the lion roars. The sound designers used a blend of different animal sounds to create them. Some of the roars were made by voice actors imitating lions and enhanced with sound effects like roaring into trash can lids to create a dramatic effect.
- Hidden Mickeys – A Mickey-shaped bug crawls across a log during the “Hakuna Matata” scene. In “Be Prepared,” another Hidden Mickey is subtly formed by rocks as Scar sings.
What is your favorite Lion King Quote?
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