Top 25 best movies with lions of all time: Must-watch lion movies

A lion fascinates many people for being the king of the jungle. It is a fierce protector of its pride, and numerous people consider the lion one of the most magnificent animals in the world. The strength and bravery of a lion make many people fear and admire it. Different film creators have produced movies with lions to showcase this animal's good and bad sides.

A shallow focus of three male lions in the wild. Photo: pexels.com, @Iurii Ivashchenko, @Alexas Fotos (modified by author) Source: UGC

Some people watch movies to pass the time, while others learn a thing or two from them. Many TV series, documentaries, animations, and movies with lions have been inspired by these majestic creatures. This list of movies with lions considers IMDB ratings, movie popularity, and the role of the lion in the movie. Note that the list may be subjective because of differences in personal opinions.

Overview of movies with lions

Movies with lions: top 25 list

Are there good movies with lions? Yes, there are. From dramas tp documentaries, and horror movies, they are thousands of movies to enjoy. Here is a list of the best movies with lions.

1. The Lion King (1994)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 8.5/10
• Runtime: 1h 28m
• Directors: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
• Writers: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton

The Lion King is one of the best animated lion movies ever released. This Disney Production tells the story of a cub named Simba. Simba's father, Mufasa, is killed by Scar. Scar wants to take over the throne. As a result, Simba is forced to run away and save his life by leaving Pride Lands. Years later, Simba returns to Pride Lands to avenge his father's death. The Lion King is a must-watch.

2. The Last Lions (2011)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 8.2/10
• Runtime: 1h 28m
• Director: Dereck Joubert
• Writer: Dereck Joubert

If you are looking for movies with lions in the title, consider watching The Last Lions. The film showcases a mother lion named Ma Di Tau, who is struggling to protect her three cubs and herself after a rival pride attacks. She knows that winning against the rival group will lead to the death of her cubs. Therefore, she chooses to lead them to Duba Island. She showcases the lion's bravery.

3. African Cats (2011)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 7.5/10
• Runtime: 1h 29m
• Directors: Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill
• Writers: Keith Scholey, John Truby, and Owen Newman

African Cats is one of the best movies with lions, and it was filmed over a decade ago at Maasai Mara National Park in Kenya. The film introduces an endearing lion cub named Mara, a cheetah named Sita, and Fang, the leader of the pride. In African Cats, the trio must do everything possible to protect the clan from a brutal rival lion.

4. Secondhand Lions (2003)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 7.5/10
• Runtime: 1h 49m
• Director: Tim McCanlies
• Writer: Tim McCanlies

Secondhand Lions is a family, comedy, and drama-filled film. The film features Walter Caldwell, a 14-year-old and a lioness named Jasmine. Walter's mother, Mae, sends him to his uncles, Hub and Garth. In Secondhand Lions, Walter and Jasmine develop an enviable chemistry.

5. Born Free (1966)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 7.2/10
• Runtime: 1h 35m
• Directors: James Hill and Tom McGowan
• Writers: Joy Adamson and Lester Cole

Born Free is based on a non-fiction book with the same title by Joy Adamson. It was one of the most successful films at the Britain box office after its release. It narrates the story of a strong lion, Elsa, who George tamed. Elsa creates a commotion, forcing George's bosses to send her back to the wild. A year later, George is delighted that Elsa still remembers him. Born Free will leave you wowed.

6. Madagascar (2005)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.9/10
• Runtime: 1h 26m
• Directors: Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath
• Writers: Mark Burton, Billy Frolick, and Eric Darnell

Madagascar is among the best movies with lions on Netflix. In Madagascar, fugitive penguins unintentionally aid the escape of four spoiled animals locked up in a zoo in New York Central. After daring to escape the zoo, they find themselves stranded in Madagascar. They must learn what it means to be a wild animal. Madagascar is a must-watch movie in 2024.

7. Zootopia (2016)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 8.0/10
• Runtime: 1h 48m
• Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Jared Bush
• Writers: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, and Jared Bush

Even though Zootopia is not a lion-themed movie, it is on the list of cartoon movies with lions. The story revolves around Judy, a rookie officer at the Zootopia Police Department (ZPD) and her mission to unearth an ominous plot. It features Mayor Lionheart, a lion who is the noble but pompous Mayor of Zootopia.

8. Savage Harvest (1981)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 5.7/10
• Runtime: 1h 27m
• Director: Robert L. Collins
• Writers: Ralph Helfer, Ken Noyle, and Robert Blees

In Savage Harvest, a family in Africa is besieged by a pride of ravenous lions. These animals are driven to desperation by the drought. They have to survive multiple attacks but some colleagues are eaten by the lions.

9. The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 8.1/10
• Runtime: 1h 42m
• Directors: Victor Fleming and King Vidor
• Writers: Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf

In most cases, lions are depicted as tough and fierce, but The Wizard of Oz brings out a cowardly one. A young girl, Dorothy Gale and Toto, her dog, are swept to the magical land of Oz after a tornado hits their home in Kansas. Together with three new companions, they embark on a journey to see the wizard, the only person who can help them return home.

10. Beast (2022)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 5.6/10
• Runtime: 1h 33m
• Director: Baltasar Kormákur
• Writers: Jaime Primak Sullivan and Ryan Engle

Beast is among the movies about lions attacking people. The film introduces viewers to a recently widowed father and his two teenage daughters. They decide to visit a game reserve in South Africa to bond and face a ferocious lion. Beast aims to convey the anti-poaching message in an action, adventure, and drama-filled occurrence.

11. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.8/10
• Runtime: 1h 33m
• Directors: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, and Conrad Vernon
• Writers: Eric Darnell, Noah Baumbach, and Mark Burton

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is on the list of lion movies in Hollywood. It is the third instalment of the highly-acclaimed Madagascar movie series. It shows viewers how Marty, Melman, Alex, and Gloria embark on one of the toughest journeys aiming to return to Central Park Zoo. After gate crashing a party, they attract the attention of Animal Control officials. Ensure you watch Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted soon.

12. The Wild (2006)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 5.2/10
• Runtime: 1h 22m
• Director: Steve 'Spaz' Williams
• Writers: Ed Decter, John J. Strauss, and Mark Gibson

The Wild follows the story of Ryan, an adolescent lion who is accidentally shipped to Africa from the New York Zoo. While his family worries, Ryan is excited to go into the wild where his father, Samson, once lived. Samson and his friends have to put their differences aside nd travel to Africa to rescue Ryan. In The Wild, the group of animals encounter extreme danger.

13. The Lion Guard: Return Of The Roar (2015)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 5.6/10
• Runtime: 44m
• Director: Howy Parkins
• Writer: Ford Riley

The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar is an excellent lions movie to binge-watch. Set in African Savanna, the animation, adventure, and comedy-packed film follows Kion and his role in assembling all the members of the Lion Guard on a mission to protect and watch over the Pride Lands. Throughout The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, the diverse team of young animals are forced to learn how to use their diverse capabilities.

14. Mia And The White Lion (2018)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.5/10
• Runtime: 1h 38m
• Director: Gilles de Maistre
• Writers: Prune de Maistre, William Davies, and Gilles de Maistre

If you are looking for an adventure, drama, and family-packed movie with lions, Mia and the White Lion should be your number one go-to option. It follows an 11 years old girl, Mia, who relocates to South Africa with her parents to manage a farm. Mia develops a special bond with Charlie, a young white lion born in her parent's home.

15. The Last Lioness (2009)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 8.6/10
• Runtime: 50m
• Director: Bronwyn Watkins
• Writer: Bronwyn Watkins

The Last Lioness is a television movie aimed at familiarising viewers with the plight of the lion species. It follows lioness Lady Liuwa, a sole warrior living on Liuwa Plain in Zambia. Lady Liuwa is left with no pride to help her survive the plain and hunters. Therefore, she is forced to do everything she can to ensure her survival. Will The Last Lioness survive?

16. Roar (1981)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.1/10
• Runtime: 1h 35m
• Director: Noel Marshall
• Writers: Noel Marshall and Ted Cassidy

One of the best killer lion movies is Roar. The film is considered the most dangerous movie ever made because a large group of tigers and lions were involved during the filming process. As a result, multiple animal attacks were experienced on set. The family in the film is exposed to the dangerous creatures.

17. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.6/10
• Runtime: 1h 29m
• Directors: Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath
• Writers: Etan Cohen, Eric Darnell, and Tom McGrath

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is the sequel to the 2005’s Madagascar. New York zoo animals, Marty the Zebra, Alex the lion, Gloria the hippopotamus, and Melman, the giraffe, are still stranded in Madagascar. They build a plane to fly back to New York. Unfortunately, the animals in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa crash-land in a wilderness in Africa.

18. White Lion (2010)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.5/10
• Runtime: 1h 28m
• Director: Michael Swan
• Writers: Ivan Milborrow, Michael Swan, and Janet van Eeden

In White Lion, a young African boy known as Gisani prevents a trophy hunter from killing a sacred and magnificent white lion. Letsatsi, the lion, has been cast from his pride and thus forced to survive independently. Despite being rejected because of his skin colour, Gisani does everything he can to save his life from the illegal trophy hunters.

19. To Walk With Lions (1999)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.7/10
• Runtime: 1h 48m
• Director: Carl Schultz
• Writers: Keith Ross Leckie, George Adamson, and Tony Fitzjohn

To Walk with Lions highlights the plight of the king of the jungle. It is based on the life of George Adamson, a naturalist. Apart from the film, George’s story inspired the book titled Born Free. The film follows George and his assistant running a lion conservatory. In To Walk with Lions, the duo assist lions in returning to the wild peacefully from different zoos.

20. Jungle Emperor Leo (1997)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.6/10
• Runtime: 1h 39m
• Director: Yoshio Takeuchi
• Writers: Osamu Tezuka and Yoshio Takeuchi

In Jungle Emperor Leo, the journey of greedy miners searching for precious stones for their gain is explored. In their relentless pursuit, they unknowingly enter the territory of a white lion known as Leo. Leo, his family, and friends sense danger upon the arrival of humans.

21. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.8/10
• Runtime: 1h 50m
• Director: Stephen Hopkins
• Writer: William Goldman

In The Ghost and the Darkness, a bridge engineer and an experienced old hunter begin a hunt for two lions after they start attacking local construction workers. Did you know that only one scene used a mechanical lion during filming? All the other shots used five adult live male African lions.

22. The Lion Cub from Harrods (2009)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 8.1/10
• Runtime: 45m
• Directors: Suemay Oram and Jackie Osei-Tutu
• Stars: Barbara Flynn, George Adamson, and Anthony Bourke

In The Lion Cub from Harrods, a lion cub named Christian is purchased from a London department store in the late 60's. Christian is successfully released into the African wild three years later. The film features original archive footage and photographs of Christian's life in London and Kenya.

23. Relentless Enemies (2006)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 7.5/10
• Runtime: 1h 30m
• Directors: Beverly Joubert and Dereck Joubert
• Writer: Dereck Joubert

In Relentless Enemies, a pride of lions and their buffalo prey is trapped on an island in the Okavango Delta. Narrated by Jeremy Irons, this is a dramatic documentary about a pride of lions as they stalk and attempt to hunt notoriously powerful buffalo in difficult terrain within the delta.

24. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1988)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 7.2/10
• Runtime: 29m

In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, four kids travel to the magical land of Narnia, where they must battle an evil queen with the direction of the lion, Aslan.

25. The Wolf and the Lion (2021)

Subscribe to watch new videos

• IMDb rating: 6.2/10
• Runtime: 1h 39m
• Director: Gilles de Maistre
• Writers: Prune de Maistre, Gilles de Maistre, and Richard Sadler

In The Wolf and the Lion, a wolf pup and a lost lion cub are rescued by a girl in the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Their friendship changes their lives forever.

What films have a lion in them?

Check out the best films with lions above.

What movie has a real lion in it?

Roar, a 1981 film, used real lions and resulted in multiple animal attacks. It is one of the most dangerous movies ever made.

What is the movie with a lot of lions?

Roar is a movie that features many lions. The film was released in 1981.

What Disney movie has a lion in it?

The Lion King and its sequels are Disney productions featuring lions.

As entertaining as movies with lions are, they also come with relevant messages. Some films advise humans to protect nature, while others pass on anti-poaching messages. As a result, they are a great choice for both kids and adults.

Tuko.co.ke recently published a list of the scariest horror movies of all time for horror movie fans. Are you looking for the scariest horror movies of all time? Netflix, Showmax, Hulu, Box Office, YouTube, and other leading movie sites have more than enough options.

Horror movie makers and fans have made these sites a beehive of activities. For the better part of this year, film companies have released more horror movies than drama, comedy, action, or any other genre.