Yes—Mufasa: The Lion King is currently available on Disney+ in the United States with a paid subscription. You do not need Disney+ to watch it, however. U.S. viewers can also rent or buy the film digitally through Amazon Video, the Apple TV Store or Fandango at Home. A current availability check was conducted on August 9, 2026, and prices and catalogs can change.
The least expensive option for one movie night is generally a digital rental, which currently starts at about $3.99. Disney+ starts at $11.99 per month with ads, while a digital purchase starts at approximately $9.99. There is currently no free trial or free legal stream listed for the movie in the U.S.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Mufasa: The Lion King - Blu-ray + DVD + Digital | $18.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![The Lion King/Mufasa: The Lion King 2-Movie Collection [Blu-Ray, Region Free, 2-Disc Set]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gwZjxv-VL._SL160_.jpg)
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The Lion King/Mufasa: The Lion King 2-Movie Collection [Blu-Ray, Region Free, 2-Disc Set] | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jiT3YINiL._SL160_.jpg)
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Disney's Mufasa: The Lion King [Blu-ray] | $20.43 | Buy on Amazon |
Updated August 9, 2026: Mufasa: The Lion King is streaming on Disney+ in the U.S., alongside digital rental and purchase options. The movie first arrived on Disney+ on March 26, 2025, so “now streaming” describes its current availability rather than a new streaming debut. Disney’s original streaming announcement called Disney+ the film’s exclusive streaming home at launch, but that did not eliminate the option to rent or buy it elsewhere.
Where to watch Mufasa: The Lion King in the U.S.
The current U.S. listings are straightforward: use Disney+ if you already subscribe or plan to watch several Disney titles; rent the movie if you want a single viewing; or buy it if your household expects to replay it.
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- Follow the epic tale of the unlikely rise of the Pride Lands? beloved king. An orphaned Mufasa is lost and alone until he meets Taka, heir to a royal bloodline. This launches an epic journey that tests the pair?s bonds as they evade a deadly foe.
| Option | Current U.S. status | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Disney+ with Ads | $11.99 per month | Streaming this movie and other Disney content at the lowest monthly subscription price |
| Disney+ Premium | $18.99 per month or $189.99 per year | Ad-free viewing, downloads and Dolby Atmos-capable audio |
| Digital rental | Prices currently start at approximately $3.99 | One movie night without a monthly subscription |
| Digital purchase | Prices currently start at approximately $9.99 | Repeated viewing or keeping the title in a retailer library |
| Free legal streaming | No current free option identified | Do not rely on unofficial “free movie” websites |
These rental and purchase listings come from the current JustWatch U.S. availability page, which lists Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango at Home. Prices may differ by retailer, SD/HD/4K format, promotion, taxes and account, so check the final checkout screen before paying.
How to watch it on Disney+
Open the direct Disney+ page for Mufasa: The Lion King or search for the full title inside the app. The basic process is:
- Sign up for a Disney+ plan or sign in to an existing account.
- Install and open Disney+ on a smart TV, streaming stick, game console or other supported connected device.
- Select Log In.
- If the TV displays an eight-digit activation code, open
DisneyPlus.com/beginon a phone or computer, enter the code and follow the prompts. Disney’s TV login instructions describe this activation route. - Search for Mufasa: The Lion King.
- Select the movie and choose Play. Use the player’s audio and subtitle menu for captions, audio description or another available language.
The title page currently displays the film’s PG rating and accessibility indicators for audio description and subtitles or closed captions. Availability of particular languages and tracks can vary by device and country.
How much does Disney+ cost?
Disney’s current U.S. pricing lists three relevant standalone choices:
- Disney+ with Ads: $11.99 per month.
- Disney+ Premium: $18.99 per month, with no ads.
- Disney+ Premium annual: $189.99 per year.
The ad-supported plan is sufficient to stream Mufasa: The Lion King; Premium is not required just to press play. Premium becomes more useful if you want downloads, ad-free viewing or Dolby Atmos-capable audio. Disney also sells bundles involving Hulu and ESPN, but someone subscribing only to watch this film does not need a bundle. See Disney’s current pricing and free-trial information before subscribing.
Disney+ currently says it does not offer a free trial. Older articles may quote the March 2025 prices of $9.99 with ads and $15.99 without ads; those launch-era figures are no longer the current standalone U.S. prices. A promotional $2.99-per-month four-month offer promoted around the streaming launch should also not be treated as a current deal.
Renting or buying it without Disney+
Rent the movie for a one-time viewing
A digital rental is usually the most economical choice for a family that wants one movie night and does not already subscribe to Disney+. Current U.S. snapshots begin at approximately $3.99, although the exact amount depends on the retailer and format.
Rental rules are controlled by the service where you rent the film. Disney’s home-video information describes rentals as commonly offering a limited viewing period—often 48 hours after playback begins—but check the specific retailer’s terms. Renting does not necessarily include the bonus material offered with a purchase.
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Buy it for repeat viewing
A digital purchase currently starts at approximately $9.99 in the U.S. and may make more sense when children are likely to watch the movie repeatedly. You can play a purchase through the retailer’s supported app or library, but “buying” a digital film does not mean owning an unrestricted file: access remains subject to the retailer’s account, application and licensing terms.
Bonus features also vary by service. Disney’s digital home-entertainment release included a full-length sing-along version, making-of featurettes, music-focused material about Barry Jenkins and Lin-Manuel Miranda, deleted scenes, outtakes, a feature about lion conservation and the music video for I Always Wanted a Brother. Those extras were associated with the digital release, but they are not guaranteed with every rental or purchase edition. Check the retailer’s listing before buying specifically for bonus content.
Use a physical or existing library copy
If you already own a DVD, Blu-ray or 4K UHD copy, you can watch it without a streaming subscription using compatible playback equipment. This is also the most catalog-independent option: a disc does not disappear from a subscription service, although it does require a working player and the appropriate television or audio setup. If you previously bought the movie digitally, open the library of the retailer where you made the purchase rather than paying again.
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Watching on a phone or tablet
Disney+ supports viewing through its mobile app on eligible phones and tablets. The important distinction is whether you want to stream while connected to the internet or download the movie for offline use:
- Disney+ with Ads: supports ordinary streaming but does not support downloads.
- Disney+ Premium: supports downloads on eligible mobile devices.
- TV-connected devices and computers: are not download destinations under Disney’s download rules.
Downloads may require the device to reconnect to the internet periodically, and logging out can remove downloaded content. For a flight or road trip, the ad-supported plan is therefore not enough even though it can stream the movie at home. Review Disney’s download requirements and download troubleshooting guidance for the device and account involved.
4K, HDR and Dolby Atmos: what you can actually expect
The Disney+ listing is identified as a 4K offer by the current U.S. availability tracker, but the practical promise is up to 4K UHD and HDR, not a guarantee that every viewer will receive that quality. Disney says quality depends on the title, subscription plan, device, internet connection and home-theater equipment.
- You need a compatible 4K television and streaming device, plus an HDMI chain that supports the desired format.
- Disney+ automatically selects the highest quality supported by the setup.
- Disney’s help information says computer browsers cannot currently deliver Disney+ in 4K.
- Both standalone U.S. plans support video up to 4K UHD and HDR where available.
- Premium supports audio up to Dolby Atmos, while the ad-supported plan supports audio up to 5.1.
- Dolby Atmos still depends on the title, device, app, connection and compatible sound system.
For more detail, see Disney’s video-quality guidance and audio-quality guidance. If you watch from a computer, Disney currently supports the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera on Windows 10 or newer, and Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari on macOS 11 or newer. Browser requirements are listed in Disney’s computer requirements.
What Mufasa: The Lion King is about
Mufasa: The Lion King is a 2024 origin story directed by Barry Jenkins. In Disney’s spoiler-free setup, Rafiki tells Kiara—the daughter of Simba and Nala—the story of Mufasa’s early life. The plot follows Mufasa as an orphaned cub who meets Taka, the lion who will later become Scar, and traces the relationship and journey that shape the history of the Pride Lands. The framing story also includes Timon and Pumbaa.
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The principal cast includes Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Mads Mikkelsen, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, John Kani and Blue Ivy Carter. The songs are by Lin-Manuel Miranda, with an original score by Dave Metzger.
Do you need to watch The Lion King first?
No. The movie is designed to work as an origin story on its own, so a first-time viewer does not need to watch another film first.
For the most context, watch the 2019 The Lion King before Mufasa; it makes the Mufasa–Taka relationship and its later consequences more meaningful. Watching Mufasa first also works if you prefer to encounter the character’s origin before the better-known story. The 1994 animated film provides broader franchise context, but it is not a prerequisite either. Because Mufasa uses a present-day framing story and flashbacks, its chronology is not simply a straight beginning-to-end account.
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The movie is rated PG for “action/violence, peril and some thematic elements.” It is broadly family-oriented, but it is not an entirely light children’s musical. Younger or sensitive viewers may react to threatening animals, peril, separation, death-related themes and conflict between the central characters.
Parents who want accessibility support can open the player’s audio and subtitle controls. The current Disney+ title page indicates audio description and subtitles or closed captions, while the U.S. Apple TV listing identifies English audio description and English closed captions among its accessibility options. Exact tracks can differ by service, platform and territory.
Rank #3
- Family, animation, adventure
What to do if Disney+ does not work
The movie does not appear in search
- Confirm that the account and catalog are set to the United States.
- Search the complete title, including The Lion King.
- Open the direct Disney+ title page.
- Make sure you are using Disney+, not Hulu alone.
- Update the app, restart the device and search again.
The TV activation code fails
- Go to
DisneyPlus.com/beginon a phone or computer. - Enter the current eight-digit code exactly as displayed.
- If the code has expired, return to the TV app and generate a new one.
- Check that both the TV and the phone or computer have internet access.
- If activation continues to fail, log out, restart the Disney+ app and try again.
There is no download button
The most likely explanations are an ad-supported plan, an unsupported device, or use of a computer or TV-connected device. Confirm that the account has Premium, that the app is up to date and that the movie is eligible for download on that device. Downloads are intended for supported mobile devices, not computers or televisions.
The picture is not 4K
Check the TV, streaming device, HDMI chain and internet connection. If you are watching through a computer browser, 4K is not currently supported according to Disney’s help information. The service selects the best available quality automatically, so a 4K television by itself does not guarantee a 4K stream.
Captions or audio description are missing
Open the player’s audio and subtitle menu and check the available tracks. Accessibility options can differ by language, territory, device and service. If the options do not appear, update the app and try the direct title page on another supported device.
Quick recommendation by viewing situation
| If you… | Choose… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Already have Disney+ | Stream it there | There is no separate movie charge beyond the active subscription. |
| Want only one family movie night | Rent digitally | The starting price is usually lower than a full subscription month. |
| Expect repeated viewings | Compare a digital purchase with Disney+ | A purchase avoids repeated rental charges; Disney+ is better if you will watch several other titles. |
| Want bonus features | Check a digital purchase edition | Disney’s digital release included extras, but availability varies by retailer. |
| Need offline viewing for travel | Use Disney+ Premium on a supported mobile device, or check an eligible digital purchase | The ad-supported Disney+ plan does not support downloads. |
| Want to avoid monthly subscriptions | Rent, buy or use an existing disc | You pay once rather than committing to Disney+. |
| Want the best home-theater presentation | Check the plan, title, device and sound system together | 4K, HDR and Dolby Atmos are conditional rather than universal. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mufasa: The Lion King free on Disney+?
No. Disney+ requires a paid subscription, and Disney currently says it does not offer a free trial. The current U.S. availability listing also identifies no free legal streaming option for the film.
Can I rent Mufasa: The Lion King without Disney+?
Yes. In the U.S., current listings include digital rental through Amazon Video, the Apple TV Store and Fandango at Home. Rental prices start at approximately $3.99 but vary by retailer and format.
Which Disney+ plan lets me download the movie?
Disney+ Premium supports downloads on eligible mobile devices. The $11.99-per-month Disney+ with Ads plan does not support downloads, and downloads cannot be saved to a computer or TV-connected device.
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Disney’s digital release included a full-length sing-along version. Disney+ also has a separate Mufasa: The Lion King Sing-Along listing in at least some territories, but you should check the U.S. catalog rather than assume that listing appears everywhere.
How long is Mufasa: The Lion King?
It runs for about two hours. Disney’s official movie page and Apple TV list 1 hour 58 minutes, while the current Disney+ page displays 2 hours 5 minutes, so the exact metadata varies by listing.
Is Mufasa: The Lion King available in 4K?
The current U.S. Disney+ offer is identified as 4K, and Disney supports video up to 4K UHD and HDR on compatible setups. Actual quality depends on the title, plan, device, connection and HDMI equipment; computer browsers currently do not deliver Disney+ in 4K.
Is the movie appropriate for young children?
It is rated PG for action/violence, peril and thematic elements. Families should consider whether younger or sensitive children are comfortable with threatening animals, separation, death-related themes and conflict.
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Do I need to watch the 1994 or 2019 The Lion King first?
No. Mufasa is designed as an origin story that can stand alone. Watching the 2019 film first provides useful context for the characters and their relationships, while watching Mufasa first emphasizes its origin-story perspective.
The Bottom Line
If you already subscribe to Disney+, watch Mufasa: The Lion King there. If you only want one viewing, a roughly $3.99 digital rental is likely the better value. If your family will replay the film or wants its bonus material, compare the approximately $9.99 digital purchase options and verify exactly what each retailer includes. All prices and availability above are for the United States and were checked August 9, 2026.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
