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==Release== ===Theatrical=== ''The Lion King'' had a limited release in the United States on June 15, 1994, playing in only two theaters, [[El Capitan Theatre]] in [[Los Angeles]] and [[Radio City Music Hall]] in [[New York City]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Eller|first=Claudia|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-04-07-ca-43276-story.html|title=Summer Movie Hype Coming In Like a 'Lion'|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 7, 1994|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305003210/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-04-07/entertainment/ca-43276_1_lion-king|url-status=live}}</ref> and featuring live shows with ticket prices up to $30.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Mane Event|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=June 20, 1994|page=1}}</ref> The wide release in the United States and Canada followed on June 24, 1994, in 2,550 screens. The digital [[surround sound]] of the film led many of those theaters to implement [[Dolby Laboratories]]' newest sound systems.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fantel|first=Hans|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/12/business/technology-cinema-sound-gets-a-digital-lift.html|title=Technology; Cinema Sound Gets a Digital Life|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 12, 1994|access-date=April 5, 2014|archive-date=March 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309122752/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/12/business/technology-cinema-sound-gets-a-digital-lift.html|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}</ref> The film also started its international release on June 24, opening in Latin America, South Africa and Israel.<ref name=expands>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Daily Variety]]|date=June 29, 1994|page=14|last=Klady|first=Leonard|title='The Lion King' expands its lair}}</ref> ===Localization=== When first released in 1994, ''The Lion King'' numbered 28 versions overall in as many languages and dialects worldwide, including a special [[Zulu language|Zulu]] version made specifically for the film in South Africa, where a Disney USA team went to find the Zulu voice-actors. This was the first Zulu dubbing made by Disney, and also the only one made in any African language other than [[Arabic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://disneyinternationalvoices.weebly.com/nala.html|title=Nala|website=CHARGUIGOU|language=fr|access-date=2019-12-02|archive-date=July 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725174217/https://disneyinternationalvoices.weebly.com/nala.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Inkosi Ubhubesi / The Lion King Zulu Voice Cast|url=https://www.non-disneyinternationaldubbingcredits.com/inkosi-ubhubesi--the-lion-king-zulu-voice-cast.html|website=WILLDUBGURU|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014080532/https://www.non-disneyinternationaldubbingcredits.com/inkosi-ubhubesi--the-lion-king-zulu-voice-cast.html|archive-date=October 14, 2019|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref> The Zulu language version was released in South Africa on June 24, 1994.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inkosi Ubhubesi / The Lion King Zulu Voice Cast |website=WILLDUBGURU |url=https://www.non-disneyinternationaldubbingcredits.com/inkosi-ubhubesi--the-lion-king-zulu-voice-cast.html |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Lion King / Zulu cast |website=CHARGUIGOU |url=https://disneyinternationaldubbings.weebly.com/the-lion-king--zulu-cast.html |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref><ref name=expands/> Following the success of the 2017 Māori dub of ''[[Moana (2016 film)|Moana]]'', a Māori version of ''The Lion King'' was announced in 2021, and released theatrically on June 23, 2022, to align with the Māori holiday of [[Matariki]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/126809383/tainui-royalty-and-ngti-kahungunu-jokesters-wanted-for-mori-lion-king |title=Tainui royalty and Ngāti Kahungunu jokesters wanted for Māori Lion King |date=28 October 2021 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |first=Glenn |last=McConnell}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/469595/lion-king-reo-maori-premiere-a-dream-come-true |title=Lion King Reo Māori premiere: 'A dream come true' |access-date=June 22, 2022 |work=[[Radio New Zealand]] |date=June 22, 2022}}</ref> Much of the [[Matewa Media]] production team, including producer [[Chelsea Winstanley]], director [[Tweedie Waititi]], and co-musical director [[Rob Ruha]] had previously worked on the Māori language version of ''Moana''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.teaomaori.news/hunt-disneys-lion-king-reo-maori-cast-begins |title=The hunt for Disney's The Lion King reo Māori cast begins |first=Piripi |last=Taylor |website=Teaomaori.news |date=October 28, 2021 |access-date=July 9, 2022}}</ref> ''The Lion King Reo Māori'' is the first time a language adaptation has translated Elton John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" for the ending credits.<ref name="Spinoff">{{cite news|url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/atea/23-06-2022/how-the-lion-king-reo-maori-did-what-no-other-version-has-done-before |title=How The Lion King Reo Māori did what no other version has done before |first=Reweti |last=Kohere |website=[[The Spinoff]] |date=June 23, 2022 |access-date=July 9, 2022}}</ref> ===Re-releases=== ====IMAX and large-format==== The film was re-issued on December 25, 2002, for [[IMAX]] and [[large-format]] theaters. Don Hahn explained that eight years after ''The Lion King'' had its original release, "there was a whole new generation of kids who haven't really seen it, particularly on the big screen." Given the film had already been digitally archived during production, the restoration process was easier, while also providing many scenes with enhancements that covered up original deficiencies.<ref name=70mm>{{cite web|url=http://in70mm.com/news/2002/lion_king/index.htm|date=December 2002|title=The Lion King: The IMAX Experience.|author=Kallay, William|publisher=In 70mm|access-date=March 12, 2009|archive-date=April 12, 2014|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140412163645/http://in70mm.com/news/2002/lion_king/index.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdfile.com/news/special_report/in_the_round/lionking/1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071231043027/http://www.dvdfile.com/news/special_report/in_the_round/lionking/1.html |archive-date=December 31, 2007 |title=In the Round » Making 'Return of the King'|access-date=March 12, 2009}}</ref> An enhanced sound mix was also provided to, as Hahn explained, "make the audience feel like they're in the middle of the movie."<ref name=70mm/> On its first weekend, ''The Lion King'' made $2.7 million from 66 locations, a $27,664 per theater average. This run ended with $15.7 million on May 30, 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=releases&id=lionking.htm|title=Releases for The Lion King (1994)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 5, 2014|archive-date=April 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406224103/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=releases&id=lionking.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> ====3D conversion==== In 2011, ''The Lion King'' was converted to [[3D film|3D]] for a two-week limited theatrical re-issue and subsequent 3D [[Blu-ray Disc|Blu-ray]] release.<ref name="PR News Wire" /><ref name="The Hollywood Reporter">{{cite news|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|title=Disney's 'The Lion King' to Return to Theaters in Digital 3D|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-lion-king-return-theaters-192621|access-date=May 26, 2011|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 26, 2011|archive-date=May 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528151258/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-lion-king-return-theaters-192621|url-status=live}}</ref> The film opened at the number one spot on Friday, September 16, 2011, with $8.9 million<ref>{{cite web |last=Subers|first=Ray|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3273&p=.htm|title=Friday Report: 'Lion King' Pounces on Weak Field|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031126/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3273&p=.htm|archive-date=December 16, 2018|website=Box Office Mojo|date=September 16, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> and finished the weekend with $30.2 million, ranking number one at the box office. This made ''The Lion King'' the first re-issue release to earn the number-one slot at the American weekend box office since the re-issue of ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' (1983) in March 1997.<ref name="crown" /> The film also achieved the fourth-highest September opening weekend of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=09&p=.htm|title=TOP OPENING WEEKENDS BY MONTH SEPTEMBER|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 5, 2014|archive-date=April 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404141237/http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=09&p=.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> It held off very well on its second weekend, again earning first place at the box office with a 27 percent decline to $21.9 million.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3278&p=.htm |title=Weekend Report: 'Lion' Remains 'King,' 'Moneyball,' 'Dolphin Tale' Go Extra Innings |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-date=November 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107015039/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3278&p=.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Most box-office observers had expected the film to fall about 50 percent in its second weekend and were also expecting ''[[Moneyball (film)|Moneyball]]'' (2011) to be at first place.<ref>{{cite news|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-brad-pitts-239296|title=Box Office Preview: Brad Pitt's 'Moneyball' Looks to Out-Run Taylor Lautner's 'Abduction'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827192638/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-brad-pitts-239296|archive-date=August 27, 2020|date=September 22, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> After its initial box-office success, many theaters decided to continue to show the film for more than two weeks, even though its 3D Blu-ray release was scheduled for two and a half weeks after its theatrical release.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> In North America, the 3D re-release ended its run in theaters on January 12, 2012, with a gross of $94.2 million. Outside North America, it earned $83.4 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lionking3d.htm|title=The Lion King (in 3D)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 6, 2014|archive-date=April 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404183541/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lionking3d.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The successful 3D re-release of ''The Lion King'' made Disney and [[Pixar]] plan 3D theatrical re-releases of ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', ''[[Finding Nemo]]'' (2003), ''[[Monsters, Inc.]]'' (2001), and ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'' (1989) during 2012 and 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|title='Beauty and the Beast', 'The Little Mermaid', 'Finding Nemo', 'Monsters, Inc.' get 3-D re-releases|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2011/10/04/disney-3d-beauty-beast-mermaid|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=October 27, 2011|date=October 4, 2011|first=Grady|last=Smith|archive-date=March 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150326184249/http://www.ew.com/article/2011/10/04/disney-3d-beauty-beast-mermaid|url-status=live}}</ref> However, none of the re-releases of the first three films achieved the enormous success of ''The Lion King 3D'' and the theatrical re-release of ''The Little Mermaid'' was ultimately cancelled.<ref>Multiple sources: * {{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3601&p=.htm | title=2012 Recap (cont.): Losers |website=Box Office Mojo | access-date=January 14, 2013 | archive-date=January 19, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119004739/http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3601&p=.htm | url-status=live }} * {{cite web | url=https://collider.com/pirates-of-the-caribbean-5-release-date-the-muppets-2-release-date/ | title=Release Dates for PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 5, THE MUPPETS 2, and 1952; MALEFICENT Pushed Back to July 2014 | website=Collider | date=January 14, 2013 | access-date=January 14, 2013 | archive-date=January 19, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119085759/http://collider.com/pirates-of-the-caribbean-5-release-date-the-muppets-2-release-date/ | url-status=live }} * {{cite magazine | url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/disney-dates-pirates-muppets-sequels-1118064645/ | title=Disney dates 'Pirates,' 'Muppets' sequels | magazine=Variety | access-date=January 14, 2013 | archive-date=October 2, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002144617/http://variety.com/2013/film/news/disney-dates-pirates-muppets-sequels-1118064645/ | url-status=live }} * {{cite news|last=Fritz|first=Ben|title=Disney cancels 'Little Mermaid 3-D,' dates 'Pirates 5' for 2015|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-xpm-2013-jan-14-la-et-ct-disney-cancels-little-mermaid-3d-pirates-5-2015-20130114-story.html|access-date=January 14, 2013|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 14, 2013|archive-date=February 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223182945/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/14/entertainment/la-et-ct-disney-cancels-little-mermaid-3d-pirates-5-2015-20130114|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, Ray Subers of Box Office Mojo wrote that the reason why the 3D version of ''The Lion King'' succeeded was because, "the notion of a 3D re-release was still fresh and exciting, and ''The Lion King (3D)'' felt timely given the movie's imminent Blu-ray release. Audiences have been hit with three 3D re-releases in the year since, meaning the novelty value has definitely worn off."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3526&p=.htm|title=Weekend Report: 'Resident Evil 5,' 'Nemo 3D' Lead Another Slow Weekend|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106222728/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3526&p=.htm |archive-date=November 6, 2018|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=December 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> ====Disney 100==== As part of Disney's 100th anniversary, ''The Lion King'' was re-released between September 29 to October 12, 2023, in selected [[Cinemark Theatres|Cinemark]] theaters across the United States as well as [[Helios (cinemas)|Helios]] theaters across Poland on October 8.<ref>{{cite news |last=Woodroof |first=Cory |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/06/disney-movies-releases-theaters-100th-anniversary |title=8 Disney classics (Toy Story!) re-releasing in movie theaters for its 100th anniversary |work=For the Win |publisher=USA Today |date=June 29, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629200522/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2023/06/disney-movies-releases-theaters-100th-anniversary |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NoMonday |title=Uwielbiane klasyki wracają na ekrany kin Helios z okazji 100-lecia Disneya! |url=https://www.agora.pl/uwielbiane-klasyki-wracaja-na-ekrany-kin-helios-z-okazji-100-lecia-disneya |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=www.agora.pl |language=pl}}</ref> ====30th anniversary==== In conjunction with the film's 30th anniversary, ''The Lion King'' was re-released on July 12, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-lion-king-will-be-the-latest-classic-to-return-to-theaters-for-30th-anniversary-this-summer |title=The Lion King Will Be the Latest Classic to Return to Theaters for 30th Anniversary This Summer |website=IGN.com |date=June 6, 2024 |access-date=June 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606183726/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-lion-king-will-be-the-latest-classic-to-return-to-theaters-for-30th-anniversary-this-summer |archive-date=June 6, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> During its opening weekend, the film earned an estimated $1.08 million in the United States from 1,330 theaters.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Box Office Report |user=BORReport |number=1812506523584926019 |title=Disney's 30th Anniversary re-issue of The Lion King grossed an estimated $1.08M domestically this weekend (from 1,330 locations). #TheLionKing #BoxOffice |date=July 14, 2024 |access-date=July 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240714180416/https://x.com/BORReport/status/1812506523584926019 |archive-date=July 14, 2024 |via=Twitter |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Home media=== ''The Lion King'' was first released on [[VHS]] and [[LaserDisc]] in the United States on March 3, 1995, under [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]'s "Masterpiece Collection" video series. The VHS edition of this release contained a special preview for [[Walt Disney Pictures]]' then-upcoming [[animation|animated]] feature film ''[[Pocahontas (1995 film)|Pocahontas]]'' (1995), in which the [[Pocahontas (character)|title character]] (voiced by [[Judy Kuhn]]) sings the musical number "[[Colors of the Wind]]".<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Laura |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-11-ca-41357-story.html |title=Growling at 'The Lion King' Video |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 11, 1995 |archive-date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=December 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206053629/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-11-ca-41357-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}</ref> In addition, Deluxe Editions of both formats were released. The VHS Deluxe Edition included the film, an exclusive [[lithograph]] of Rafiki and Simba (in some editions), a commemorative "Circle of Life" [[Epigraph (literature)|epigraph]], six concept art lithographs, another tape with the half-hour TV special ''The Making of The Lion King'', and a certificate of authenticity. The CAV laserdisc Deluxe Edition also contained the film, six concept art lithographs and ''The Making of The Lion King'', and added storyboards, character design artwork, concept art, rough animation, and a directors' commentary that the VHS edition did not have, on a total of four double sided discs. The VHS tape quickly became the [[List of best-selling films in the United States|best-selling videotape]] of all time: 4.5 million tapes were sold on the first day<ref name="homevideosellingfigures">{{cite web |publisher=ComingSoon.Net |title=''The Lion King'' home video selling figures |url=https://comingsoon.net/news.php?id=1818 |date=October 9, 2003 |access-date=July 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050222065417/http://www.comingsoon.net/news.php?id=1818 |archive-date=February 22, 2005}}</ref> and ultimately sales totaled more than 30 million<ref name="EWlionking">{{cite magazine| magazine=Entertainment Weekly| title="Lion King" sets new records with DVD release| url=https://www.ew.com/article/2003/10/13/lion-king-sets-new-records-dvd-release| access-date=August 16, 2008| first=Gary| last=Susman| date=October 13, 2003| archive-date=April 11, 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411042630/http://www.ew.com/article/2003/10/13/lion-king-sets-new-records-dvd-release| url-status=live}}</ref> before these home video versions went into [[moratorium (entertainment)|moratorium]] in 1997.<ref name="homevideoinfo">{{cite web| publisher=Lionking.org| title=TLK on Home Video| url=http://www.lionking.org/homevideo.html| access-date=September 24, 2006| archive-date=October 10, 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010180557/http://www.lionking.org/homevideo.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The VHS releases have sold a total of 32{{nbsp}}million units in North America,<ref name="topvhs">{{cite web |title=Charts – TOP VENTES VHS |url=http://www.jpbox-office.com/topvhs.php |website=JP's Box Office |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124003357/http://www.jpbox-office.com/topvhs.php |url-status=live }}</ref> and grossed {{US$|520 million|long=no}} in sales revenue.<ref>{{cite web|last=Grover|first=Ronald|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1998-02-15/the-entertainment-glut|title=The Entertainment Glut|website=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]|publisher=[[Bloomberg L.P.]]|date=February 16, 1998|access-date=May 1, 2017|archive-date=October 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012095740/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1998-02-15/the-entertainment-glut|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, 23{{nbsp}}million units were shipped overseas to international markets.<ref name="standard">{{cite journal |title=Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys |journal=Standard & Poor's Industry Surveys |date=1996 |volume=164 |issue=2 |page=29 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yhscAQAAMAAJ |publisher=[[Standard & Poor's Corporation]] |quote=The top-selling video of 1995 was Disney's ''The Lion King'', which sold more than 30{{nbsp}}million copies in North America after its release in March of that year. Toward the end of 1995, another 23{{nbsp}}million copies of the animated musical were shipped for sale in international markets. |via=Google Books |access-date=June 23, 2019 |archive-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820030413/https://books.google.com/books?id=yhscAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the Philippines, the film was released on VHS in March 1995 by Magnavision.<ref>{{cite news|last=Red|first=Isah Vasquez|title=Scary and scarred|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=u2UVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ygoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6206%2C1458574|access-date=April 16, 2021|work=[[Manila Standard]]|publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corp.|date=March 10, 1995|page=22|archive-date=April 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416072029/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=u2UVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ygoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6206,1458574|url-status=live}}</ref> The film sold more than {{nowrap|55 million}} video copies worldwide by August 1997, making it the best-selling [[home video]] title of all time.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Best-Selling Video |title=The Guinness Book of Records 1999 |date=1998 |publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] |isbn=978-0-85112-070-6 |page=215 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessbookofre0000unse_z7f4/page/215}}</ref> On October 7, 2003, the film was re-released on VHS and released on [[DVD]] for the first time, titled ''The Lion King: Platinum Edition'', as part of Disney's Platinum Edition line of DVDs. The DVD release featured two versions of the film on the first disc, a remastered version created for the 2002 [[IMAX]] release and an edited version of the IMAX release purporting to be the original 1994 theatrical version.<ref name="dvddifferences">{{cite web| publisher=UltimateDisney.com| title=The Lion King: Platinum Edition DVD Review (Page 2) which shows the differences between the film presented on the DVD and the original theatrical cut| url=http://www.dvdizzy.com/thelionking2.html| access-date=January 24, 2009| archive-date=July 18, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718113034/http://www.dvdizzy.com/thelionking2.html| url-status=live}}</ref> A second disc, with bonus features, was also included in the DVD release. The film's soundtrack was provided both in its original [[Dolby 5.1]] track and in a new Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix, making this one of the first Disney DVDs so equipped.<ref name="DVDfeatures">{{cite web| website=IGN| date=April 16, 2003| title=''The Lion King'' Special Edition| url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/16/the-lion-king-special-edition-2| access-date=September 18, 2006| archive-date=March 22, 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130322040209/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/16/the-lion-king-special-edition-2| url-status=live}}</ref> This [[THX]] certified two-disc DVD release also contains several games, [[Timon and Pumbaa’s Virtual Safari|''Timon and Pumbaa's Virtual Safari'']], deleted scenes, music videos and other bonus features.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdmg.com/lionking.shtml|title=The Lion King: Platinum Edition (1994) - DVD Movie Guide}}</ref> By means of [[seamless branching]], the film could be viewed either with or without a newly created scene – a short conversation in the film replaced with a complete song ("The Morning Report"). A Special Collector's Gift Set was also released, containing the DVD set, five exclusive lithographed character portraits (new sketches created and signed by the original character animators), and an introductory book entitled ''The Journey''.<ref name="homevideoinfo" /> The Platinum Edition of ''The Lion King'' featured changes made to the film during its IMAX re-release, including re-drawn [[crocodile]]s in the "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" sequence as well as other alterations.<ref name="dvddifferences"/> More than two million copies of the Platinum Edition DVD and VHS units were sold on the first day of release.<ref name="homevideosellingfigures" /> A DVD box set of the three ''The Lion King'' films (in two-disc Special Edition formats) was released on December 6, 2004. In January 2005, the film, along with the sequels, went back into moratorium.<ref name="outofprint">{{cite web| publisher=UltimateDisney.com| title=Out of Print Disney DVDs| url=http://www.dvdizzy.com/disneyvault.html| access-date=September 24, 2006| archive-date=September 8, 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908163433/http://www.dvdizzy.com/disneyvault.html| url-status=live}}</ref> The DVD releases have sold a total of 11.9{{nbsp}}million units and grossed {{US$|220 million|long=no}}.<ref name="topdvd">{{cite web |title=Charts – TOP VENTES DVD |url=http://www.jpbox-office.com/topdvd.php |website=JP's Box Office |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125162934/http://www.jpbox-office.com/topdvd.php |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] released the Diamond Edition of ''The Lion King'' on October 4, 2011.<ref name="PR News Wire">{{cite news|title=Audiences to Experience Disney's "The Lion King" Like Never Before|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/audiences-to-experience-disneys-the-lion-king-like-never-before-122647058.html|access-date=May 26, 2011|newspaper=PR News Wire|date=May 26, 2011|archive-date=May 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530074215/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/audiences-to-experience-disneys-the-lion-king-like-never-before-122647058.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This marks the first time that the film has been released in high-definition [[Blu-ray]] and on [[Blu-ray 3D]].<ref name="PR News Wire" /><ref name="IGN">{{cite news|title=Exclusive: Lion King 3D Blu-ray Details|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/25/exclusive-lion-king-3d-blu-ray-details|access-date=May 26, 2011|newspaper=IGN|date=May 25, 2011|archive-date=October 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017000144/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/25/exclusive-lion-king-3d-blu-ray-details|url-status=live}}</ref> The initial release was produced in three different packages: a two-disc version with Blu-ray and DVD; a four-disc version with Blu-ray, DVD, Blu-ray 3D, and [[digital copy]]; and an eight-disc box set that also includes the sequels ''[[The Lion King II: Simba's Pride]]'' and ''[[The Lion King 1½]]''.<ref name="PR News Wire" /><ref name="IGN" /> A standalone single-disc DVD release also followed on November 15, 2011.<ref name="PR News Wire" /> The Diamond Edition topped the Blu-ray charts with over 1.5 million copies sold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.homemediamagazine.com/blu-ray-disc/lion-king-fast-five-propel-blu-ray-record-breaking-week-25386|title='Lion King,' 'Fast Five' Propel Blu-ray to Record-breaking Week|work=Home Media Magazine|date=October 18, 2011|first=John|last=Latchem|access-date=December 24, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222035539/http://www.homemediamagazine.com/blu-ray-disc/lion-king-fast-five-propel-blu-ray-record-breaking-week-25386|archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref> The film sold 3.83 million Blu-ray units in total, leading to a $101.14 million income.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/news/125440830-Blu-ray-Sales-Vamps-Defeat-Tramp|title=Blu-ray Sales: Vamp Defeat Tramp|work=The Numbers|date=March 1, 2012|author=C.S.Strowbridge|access-date=March 1, 2012|archive-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617125416/http://www.the-numbers.com/news/125440830-Blu-ray-Sales-Vamps-Defeat-Tramp|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Lion King'' was once again released to home media as part of the ''Walt Disney Signature Collection'' first released on Digital HD on August 15, 2017, and on Blu-ray and DVD on August 29, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/John-Favreau-Shares-First-Look-at-Live-Action-LION-KING-at-D23-Expo-20170717|title={{sic|Jo|hn|nolink=y}} Favreau Shares First Look at Live-Action LION KING at D23 Expo|work=Broadway World|date=July 17, 2017|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|access-date=July 17, 2017|archive-date=July 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720135400/http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/John-Favreau-Shares-First-Look-at-Live-Action-LION-KING-at-D23-Expo-20170717|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Lion King'' was released on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] and [[4K resolution|4K]] digital download on December 3, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/64094/thelionking4kultrahdbluray.html|title=The Lion King – 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Ultra HD Review {{!}} High Def Digest|website=ultrahd.highdefdigest.com|access-date=2019-01-22|archive-date=November 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114010733/https://ultrahd.highdefdigest.com/64094/thelionking4kultrahdbluray.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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