The story begins with the birth of Simba, a young lion cub and the heir to the Pride Lands, ruled by his father Mufasa.
Mufasa teaches Simba about the Circle of Life, the balance of nature in their kingdom.
Simba's uncle Scar is jealous of Simba's position as heir and plots to take the throne for himself.
Scar engineers a stampede that kills Mufasa, making Simba believe he is responsible for his father's death.
Scar convinces Simba to flee, leading him into exile and leaving Scar as the new king.
Simba befriends Timon and Pumbaa, a meerkat and warthog duo, who teach him about living a carefree life in the jungle.
Meanwhile, Scar's rule brings drought and hardship to the Pride Lands.
Simba encounters Nala, his childhood friend and future queen, who urges him to return and reclaim his rightful place as king.
Rafiki, a wise mandrill, helps Simba realize his true identity and encourages him to confront his past.
Simba returns to challenge Scar, rallying the lionesses and other animals to his cause.
In a fierce battle, Simba defeats Scar and takes his place as the rightful king, restoring balance to the Pride Lands.