'Mufasa: The Lion King' Reviews: Do Critics Hail 'Lion King' Prequel?

Mufasa (voiced by Aaron Pierre) and Taka (voiced by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) in "Mufasa: The Lion King."

Critics are split in their reactions to Mufasa: The Lion King, Disney’s prequel to the 2019 CG and live-action remake of The Lion King.

Mufasa: The Lion King plays in previews on Thursday before opening in theaters nationwide on Friday. The logline for Mufasa: The Lion King reads, “Mufasa, a cub lost and alone, meets a sympathetic lion named Taka, the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of a group of misfits searching for their destiny.”

The adult Mufasa is voiced by Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. voices Taka, who is destined to become Scar. The voice cast also includes Tiffany Boone, Anika Noni Rose, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and Donald Glover.

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Rated PG, Mufasa: The Lion King is directed by Oscar-winning Moonlight filmmaker Barry Jenkins and features music from acclaimed composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.

As of Wednesday, Rotten Tomatoes critics have given Mufasa: The Lion King a 60% “fresh” rating based on 84 reviews. The RT Critics Consensus reads, “Barry Jenkins' deft hand and Lin-Manuel Miranda's music go some way towards squaring the Circle of Life in Mufasa, but this fitfully soulful story is ill-served by its impersonal, photorealistic animation style.”

Mufasa: The Lion King is still awaiting a score from audiences on RT’s Popcornmeter.

William Bibbiani is among the top critics on Rotten Tomatoes giving Mufasa: The Lion King a “fresh” review. In his review for The Wrap, Bibbiani writes, “It’s in little danger of becoming a classic but it’s gratifying to know that Barry Jenkins made this film his own, telling a fine story with genuine emotion and visual aplomb.”

Peter Debruge of Variety also gives Mufasa: The Lion King a “fresh” review, writing, “[Barry] Jenkins has not sold out; rather, the studio bought into his vision, which respects the 1994 film and recognizes the significance that its role models and life lessons have served for young audiences.”

Billie Melissa also praises the film with a “fresh” review on RT. In her review for Newsweek, Melissa writes, “While it's not as unrestricted and original as a filmmaker like [Barry] Jenkins is capable of, Mufasa: The Lion King has enough woven in there that will serve families this holiday season, even if it may not resonate with all of Jenkins' usual audience.”

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Among the detractors of Mufasa: The Lion King on RT is Robbie Collin of the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph, who writes, “While Mufasa is never as actively depressing as 2019’s Dumbo or 2022’s Pinocchio, the exercise has perhaps never felt as craven or pointless as it does here.”

Meanwhile, Screen International’s Tim Grierson has some good things to say about Mufasa: The Lion King, but ultimately gives it a “rotten” review on RT, writing, “The CG images still impress, and there are gripping moments during the film’s second half as the insecure Mufasa embraces his destiny. But like too many origin stories, Mufasa often rehashes what was once stirring about this material.”

Donald Clark is a lot tougher on The Lion King prequel in his review for the Irish Times, writing, “There is little character, no visible emotion, just endless show-offy technical competence.”

Mufasa: The Lion King plays in Thursday previews before opening in theaters nationwide on Friday.

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