A young lion prince is born in Africa, thus making his uncle Scar the second in line to the throne. Scar plots with the hyenas to kill King Mufasa and Prince Simba, thus making himself King. The King is killed and Simba is led to believe by Scar that it was his fault, and so flees the kingdom in shame. After years of exile he is persuaded to return home to overthrow the usurper and claim the kingdom as his own thus completing the "Circle of Life".

The original opening to the film was supposed to have been a quiet dialogue-heavy sequence. When composer Hans Zimmer prepared his interpretation of Circle of Life, he made an extended version so he would have some flexibility as to what to cut for the film. The animators were so impressed with the work that they decided to change the beginning into the currently seen sequence so they could use the entire work that Zimmer prepared.

Timon:
What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?

Errors in geography: Leaf-cutter ants, a gopher and some giant anteaters, all native to the Americas, are shown living happily in Africa.

Written by Tim Rice and Elton John
Arranged and Produced by Hans Zimmer
Performed by Carmen Twillie
African Vocals Performed by Lebo M.
Chorus: Maxi Anderson, Terry Bradford, Johnny Britt, Baby Cele,
Lucky Cele, Rick Charles, Gugwana Dlamini, Kevin Dorsey, Wendy Fraser,
, Linda Gcwensa, Clydene Jackson-Edwards (as Clydene Jackson), Matoab'sane Jali,
, Kuyanda Jezile, Bob Joyce, Faith Kekana, Sphiwe Khanyile,
, Faca Khulu, Stella Khumalo, Skhumbuzo Kubheka, Ron Kunene, James Langa,
, Edie Lehmann, Rick Logan, Tsidi Manye, Khanyo Maphumulo, Abner A. Mariri,
, Myrna Matthews, Batho Mhlongo, Vusi Mhlongo, Nonhlanhla Mkhize,
, Thembi Mtshali, Bheki Ndlovu, Nandi Ndlovu, Bongani Ngcobo, Nini Nkosi,
, Bobbi Page, Phindile, Rick Riso, Philile Seme, Alfie Silas,
, Happy Skhakhane, Kipizane Skweyiya, Sindisiwe Sokhela, Susan Danielle Stevens (as Susan D. Stevens),
, Khuluiwe Sthole (as Khuluiwe S'thole), Thandazile, Carmen Twillie, Sam Vamplew,
, Julia Waters, Luther Waters (as Luther N. Waters), Maxine Waters Willard (as Maxine Waters),
, Oren Waters, John West, Yvonne Williams, Terry Young,
, Zolile Zulu