View source for Simba

{{short description|The Lion King character}}
{{Other uses|Simba (disambiguation)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox character
|name = Simba
| series = [[The Lion King (franchise)|The Lion King]]
| image = Simba ( Disney character - adult).png
| image_size = 165px
| caption = A promotional image of adult Simba
| first = ''[[The Lion King]]'' (1994)
| creator = {{Plainlist|
* [[Irene Mecchi]]
* [[Jonathan Roberts (writer)|Jonathan Roberts]]
* [[Linda Woolverton]]
}}
| voice = {{Plainlist|
* [[Matthew Broderick]]<br>(adult; main 3 films)
* [[Jonathan Taylor Thomas]]<br>(cub; [[The Lion King|1st film]])
* [[Joseph Williams (musician)|Joseph Williams]]<br>(adult; singing in [[The Lion King|1st film]], ''The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Active Play'' and ''[[Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse]]'')
* [[Jason Weaver]]<br>(cub; singing; [[The Lion King|1st film]])
* Evan Saucedo<br> (cub; singing; 1st film (''The Morning Report'' only))
* [[Ryan O'Donohue]]<br>(cub; ''[[Disney's Animated Storybook: The Lion King]]'' and ''[[Disney's Activity Center|Disney's Activity Center: The Lion King]]'')
* [[Shaun Fleming]]<br>(cub; ''[[The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure]]'')
* [[Bret Loehr]]<br>(cub; ''[[Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure]]'')
* [[Matt Weinberg]]<br>(cub; ''[[The Lion King 1½]]'')
* Oliver King<br>(cub; singing; ''[[The Lion King 1½]]'')
* Kathryn Haywood<br>(cub; ''The Lion King: Simba's Big Adventure'')
* [[Colin Ford]]<br>(cub; ''[[Disney Friends]]'')
* [[Cam Clarke]]<br>(spin-offs, merchandise and singing in ''[[Simba's Pride]]'')
* [[Rob Lowe]]<br>(''[[The Lion Guard]]'')
* [[Donald Glover]]<br>(adult; [[The Lion King (2019 film)|2019 remake]] and ''[[Mufasa: The Lion King]]'')
* [[JD McCrary]]<br>(cub; 2019 remake)
}}
| lbl1 = Inspired by
| data1 = {{Plainlist|
* [[Prince Hamlet]]
* [[Moses]]
* [[Joseph (Genesis)|Joseph]]
}}
| species = [[Masai Lion|Lion]] (''Panthera leo'')
| family = {{Plainlist|
* [[Mufasa]] (father)
* [[Sarabi]] (mother)
* [[Sarafina (The Lion King)|Sarafina]] (mother-in-law)
* [[Kovu]] (son-in-law)
* [[Rani (The Lion Guard)|Rani]] (daughter-in-law)
* [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]] (paternal uncle)
* [[Ahadi (The Lion King)|Ahadi]] (paternal grandfather; in ''Six New Adventures'')
* [[Uru (Lion King)|Uru]] (paternal grandmother; in ''Six New Adventures'')
* [[Mohatu]] (paternal great-grandfather; in ''The Brightest Star'')
* [[Bunga (The Lion Guard)|Bunga]] (adoptive brother) 
}}
| spouse = [[Nala (The Lion King)|Nala]] (wife)
| children = {{Plainlist|
* [[Kopa (The Lion King)|Kopa]] (son; in the books)
* [[Kiara (The Lion King)|Kiara]] (daughter)
* [[Kion (The Lion King)|Kion]] (son)
}}
}}
'''Simba''' is a fictional character in [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]]'s ''[[The Lion King (franchise)|The Lion King]]'' franchise. He first appears as a royal cub in ''[[The Lion King]]'' (1994), fleeing his homeland after his father, [[Mufasa]], King of the Pride Lands, is [[Regicide|murdered]] by his paternal uncle, [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]]. Scar manipulates Simba into believing he is responsible for Mufasa's death. Several years later, Simba returns as an adult to confront his [[childhood trauma]], challenge Scar, and reclaim his [[birthright]] as King of the Pride Lands. He later appears in the sequels ''[[The Lion King II: Simba's Pride]]'' and ''[[The Lion King 1½]]''.

Simba was created by screenwriters [[Irene Mecchi]], [[Jonathan Roberts (writer)|Jonathan Roberts]], and [[Linda Woolverton]]. The character underwent several revisions during development to make him more sympathetic and to clarify his [[Blood relative|familial relation]] to Scar. Although conceived as an original character, Simba was inspired by biblical figures [[Moses]] and [[Joseph (Genesis)|Joseph]], as well as the title character from [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Hamlet]]''. [[Mark Henn]] and [[Ruben A. Aquino]] served as supervising animators for the cub and adult Simba, respectively, studying live lions and drawing from the character’s voice actors for reference. Simba was originally voiced by [[Jonathan Taylor Thomas]] as a cub and [[Matthew Broderick]] as an adult; various other actors have voiced him in sequels, spin-offs, and related media.

Simba has received a mixed reception from critics. Some praised his design but found him less engaging as a main character. Nevertheless, he is widely regarded as one of Disney’s most iconic characters and one of the [[Cultural depictions of lions#Film|most famous lions in popular culture]]. The character has appeared in numerous [[tie-in]] products, including merchandise, television series, and video games. In 1997, ''The Lion King'' actors [[Scott Irby-Ranniar]] and [[Jason Raize]] originated the role on [[The Lion King (musical)|Broadway]], and in 2019, [[Donald Glover]] and [[JD McCrary]] voiced Simba in a [[The Lion King (2019 film)|photorealistic remake]] of the original film.

== Role ==
Simba first appears in ''[[The Lion King]]'' as a cub, the son of King [[Mufasa]] and [[Queen Sarabi]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Deborah |date=June 24, 1994 |title=Latest Jewel In Disney Crown Not The Shiniest |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-the-lion-king/90968906/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619071842/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-the-lion-king/90968906/ |archive-date=June 19, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]}}</ref> As Mufasa's heir, Simba is destined to become the next King of the Pride Lands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Simba |url=https://www.shopdisney.co.uk/characters-and-movies/popular-characters/simba |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206170740/https://www.shopdisney.co.uk/characters-and-movies/popular-characters/simba |archive-date=February 6, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2024 |website=[[Disney Store|shopDisney UK]]}}</ref> However, Simba's jealous uncle [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]] plots against him in order to seize the [[throne]] for himself, betraying and killing Mufasa after he rescues Simba from a [[wildebeest]] stampede, and then deceiving Simba into believing he is responsible for Mufasa's death.<ref name=":30">{{Cite web |title=Lion King, The (film) |url=https://d23.com/a-to-z/lion-king-the-film/ |access-date=January 17, 2024 |website=[[D23 (Disney)|D23]]}}</ref> Crippled with guilt, Simba flees to the jungle where he befriends [[Timon and Pumbaa]], a [[meerkat]] and [[warthog]] who raise him and teach him to live the carefree lifestyle,<ref name=":30" /><ref name=":41">{{Cite news |last=Scalzi |first=John |author-link=John Scalzi |date=June 25, 1994 |title='Lion King': Film offers great characterizations |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fresno-bee-lion-king-22/90947633/ |access-date=January 25, 2023 |work=[[The Fresno Bee]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> but, for some reason, Simba hadn't noticed that he continuously struggles to ignore his past just for close attention.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cook |first=Linda |date=September 15, 2011 |title=Not an ordinary cartoon |url=https://qctimes.com/entertainment/columnists/linda-cook/not-an-ordinary-cartoon/article_f293f556-dfb6-11e0-ad43-001cc4c03286.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218020945/https://qctimes.com/entertainment/columnists/linda-cook/not-an-ordinary-cartoon/article_f293f556-dfb6-11e0-ad43-001cc4c03286.html |archive-date=February 18, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[Quad-City Times]]}}</ref> Years later, Simba's childhood friend [[Nala (The Lion King)|Nala]] finds him and convinces him to return to the Pride Lands which has grown barren and starving under Scar's rule.<ref name=":30" /> After being visited by Rafiki and Mufasa's spirit who reminds him of his responsibilities, Simba confronts Scar who finally admits to killing Mufasa and defeats him, reclaiming his rightful place as king.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King (1994) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/60348 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |website=[[American Film Institute]]}}</ref> With order restored and Scar killed by the hyenas, Simba and Nala have a child, thus ushering in hope for the future of the Pride Lands.<ref name=":8-3">{{Cite AV media |title=[[The Lion King]] |date=June 15, 1994 |medium=Motion picture |publisher=[[Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures]] |location=United States |people=[[Roger Allers|Allers, Roger]] (director); [[Rob Minkoff|Minkoff, Rob]] (director)}}</ref>

In ''[[The Lion King II: Simba's Pride]]'', Simba and Nala commemorate the birth of their daughter, [[Kiara (The Lion King)|Kiara]], who Simba is overprotective of since she grows up to be adventurous and rebellious like he was as a cub. Simba discovers that Kiara has visited the forbidden Outlands – home to an enemy pride of Scar's exiled followers known as the Outsiders – and befriended [[Kovu]], the younger son of the pride's leader, [[Zira (The Lion King II)|Zira]]. Unbeknownst to them, Zira is grooming Kovu to avenge Scar by usurping Simba. Several years later, Kovu rescues Kiara from a [[wildfire]] started by Kovu's siblings, Nuka and Vitani. Simba reluctantly lets Kovu, who claims to have left the Outsiders, live with them, but continues to act coldly towards him. Witnessing Kiara and Kovu's growing friendship, Simba decides to spend a day getting to know Kovu. Realizing that Kovu is beginning to side with Simba due to his feelings for Kiara, Zira ambushes Simba and convinces him that Kovu orchestrated the attack. After narrowly escaping with his life, Simba exiles Kovu and warns Kiara against seeing him, prompting her to leave. When a battle ensues between the Pride Landers and Outsiders, Kiara and Kovu return to stop them, with Kiara helping Simba and the prides reconcile their differences peacefully. Zira attacks Simba as he is about to accept the Outsiders back into his pride, but he she is intercepted by Kiara, causing the pair of lionesses to tumble over the edge of a cliff. Having landed safely on a ledge, Kiara offers to help Zira, who is struggling to hang on. However, Zira, consumed by resentment, refuses help and falls to her death. Simba finally accepts Kovu into the pride and reconciles with his daughter.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=[[The Lion King II: Simba's Pride]] |date=October 27, 1998 |author-link=Darrell Rooney |medium=Motion picture |publisher=Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment |location=United States |people=Rooney, Darrell (director)}}</ref>

In ''[[The Lion King 1½]]'', Simba appears as a less prominent character because the film's primary focus is on Timon and Pumbaa's behind-the-scenes role and involvement in the events of ''The Lion King.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delia |first=John |year=2012 |title=The Lion King 1 1/2 and The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride Now on Blu-ray |url=http://acedmagazine.com/the-lion-king-1-12-and-the-lion-king-2-simbas-pride-now-on-blu-ray/ |access-date=August 9, 2013 |website=ACED Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Dennis |date=March 22, 2012 |title=The Lion King 1 1/2: Special Edition (a J!-ENT Children's Blu-ray Disc Review) |url=http://j-entonline.com/blu-ray-dvd-reviews/blu-ray-reviews/the-lion-king-1-12-special-edition-a-j-ent-childrens-blu-ray-disc-review/ |access-date=August 9, 2013 |website=J!-ENT |publisher=j-entonline.com}}</ref> Although the two films technically share the same story and timeline, the plot of ''The Lion King 1½'' focuses more on Timon and Pumbaa. The [[meerkat]] and [[warthog]] unknowingly coexist alongside Simba, and the story fills in the two characters' [[backstories]] and events that led up to their long-lasting friendship, coinciding with and often initiating the events that affect Simba's life during the first film. These events include the commemorative bow that occurs during the opening "[[Circle of Life]]" musical number and the collapsing of the animal tower that takes place during "[[I Just Can't Wait to Be King]]".<ref>{{Cite web |year=2004 |title=The Lion King 1 1/2 |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/dvdreviewsnews.php?id=3234 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040219011539/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/dvdreviewsnews.php?id=3234 |archive-date=February 19, 2004 |access-date=August 9, 2013 |website=ComingSoon.net |publisher=CraveOnline Media, LLC}}</ref> The film also explores, in further detail, the relationship among the three characters as Timon and Pumbaa struggle to raise Simba as [[Adoptive parent#Example of Terms used in Honest Adoption Language|adoptive "parents"]] and disapprove of his relationship with Nala, portraying Simba as he grows from an energetic young lion cub, into an incorrigible teenager and, finally, an independent young [[lion]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=[[The Lion King 1½]] |date=February 10, 2004 |publisher=[[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] |location=United States |people=[[Bradley Raymond|Raymond, Bradley]] (director)}}</ref>

==Development==
===Creation===
''The Lion King'' was conceived in 1988.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Beck |first=Jerry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fTI1yeZd-tkC&q=ruben+a.+aquino+the+lion+king+interview&pg=PA145 |title=The Animated Movie Guide |publisher=[[Chicago Review Press]] |year=2005 |isbn=9781569762226 |location=United States |pages=145–146 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510110341/https://books.google.com/books?id=fTI1yeZd-tkC&q=ruben+a.+aquino+the+lion+king+interview&pg=PA145 |archive-date=May 10, 2023}}</ref> Although considered an original story<ref name=":5-1">{{Cite web |last=Carnevale |first=Rob |date=October 6, 2011 |title=The Lion King 3D – Don Hahn interview |url=http://web.orange.co.uk/article/film/the-lion-king-3d-don-hahn-interview-67182466 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808054507/http://web.orange.co.uk/article/film/the-lion-king-3d-don-hahn-interview-67182466 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=[[Orange UK]]}}</ref><ref name=":6-1">{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=The Lion King 3D – Don Hahn interview |url=http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/the-lion-king-3d-don-hahn-interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926084815/http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/the-lion-king-3d-don-hahn-interview |archive-date=September 26, 2013 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=IndieLondon |publisher=}}</ref>{{NoteTag|Disney has stated that ''The Lion King'' was their first "original" animated film, in the sense that its story is not directly based on or adapted from any pre-existing work or material.<ref name="originalpost">{{cite news |last1=Nyman |first1=Shane |title=25 things you (probably) don't know about Disney's 'Lion King,' which turns 25 this year |url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/entertainment/2019/02/07/disneys-animated-the-lion-king-turns-25-musical-back-appleton/2733823002/ |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[The Post-Crescent]] |date=February 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519125152/https://www.postcrescent.com/story/entertainment/2019/02/07/disneys-animated-the-lion-king-turns-25-musical-back-appleton/2733823002/ |archive-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref><ref name="lionkingoriginalhuffpost">{{cite news |last1=Bradley |first1=Bill |title=Was 'The Lion King' Copied From A Japanese Cartoon? Here's The Real Story |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lion-king-kimba_n_6272316 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[HuffPost]] |date=January 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204202206/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lion-king-kimba_n_6272316 |archive-date=February 4, 2023}}</ref> Although loosely inspired by and sharing several similarities with [[William Shakespeare]]'s play ''[[Hamlet]]'', ''The Lion King'' is not considered to be an adaptation of the play.<ref name="colliderhamlet">{{cite news |last1=Fischer |first1=William |title=Just How Deep Is 'The Lion King's' Debt To 'Hamlet?' |url=https://collider.com/the-lion-king-hamlet-connection-explained/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722013716/https://collider.com/the-lion-king-hamlet-connection-explained/ |archive-date=July 22, 2023}}</ref><ref name="oprahlionkinghamlet">{{cite news |last1=Vincenty |first1=Samantha |title=The Lion King's Surprising Connections to Hamlet |url=https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a28376309/the-lion-king-hamlet-comparison/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[Oprah Daily]] |date=July 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203235256/https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a28376309/the-lion-king-hamlet-comparison/ |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |quote="Based on," no. But it's thematic similarities are undeniable.}}</ref>|name=}} that follows a young lion, Simba, becoming an adult and learning to take responsibility for his actions,<ref name=":34" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Paluso |first=Marianne |date=March 14, 2012 |title=Interview: Don Hahn, producer of "The Lion King" and "Chimpanzee" |url=http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=12925 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002084754/http://www.the-trades.com/article.php?id=12925 |archive-date=2 October 2013 |access-date=2 August 2013 |work=The Trades}}</ref> the film's creators drew inspiration for the character from various sources, namely several [[coming-of-age stories]] and the [[biblical figures]] [[Moses]] and [[Joseph (Genesis)|Joseph]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2011 |title=Roundtable Interview: The Lion King |url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=7433 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112011218/http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=7433 |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=Blu-ray.com |publisher=}}</ref><ref name=":8-1">{{Cite web |last=Bonanno |first=Luke |date=September 27, 2011 |title=Interview: Don Hahn, Producer of The Lion King |url=http://www.dvdizzy.com/donhahn-lionking-interview.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705193616/http://www.dvdizzy.com/donhahn-lionking-interview.html |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |website=DVDizzy.com |publisher=}}</ref> The film underwent several title changes, one of the earliest of which was ''King of the Jungle''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 28, 2011 |title=10 things you don't know about Lion King |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2011/11/28/752396/10-things-you-dont-know-about-lion-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116200525/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2011/11/28/752396/10-things-you-dont-know-about-lion-king |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |work=[[The Philippine Star]]}}</ref> According to producer [[Don Hahn]], this title was intended to serve as an [[allegory]] about Simba needing to survive and grow up in both a literal and [[metaphor]]ical jungle.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Craig S. |date=Jul 1, 2019 |title=25 Surprising Facts About 'The Lion King' |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/57386/30-facts-about-lion-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111142744/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/57386/30-facts-about-lion-king |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=[[Mental Floss]]}}</ref> However, they renamed it ''The Lion King'' upon realizing lions don't live in jungles, and wanting to shift focus to a simpler story about a lion becoming king.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 26, 2021 |title=The Original Names Of 10 Huge Hollywood Movies |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/movies/the-original-names-of-10-huge-hollywood-movies/slidelist/36445145.cms#slideid=36445166 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111143524/https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/movies/the-original-names-of-10-huge-hollywood-movies/slidelist/36445145.cms#slideid=36445166 |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |work=[[Business Insider India]]}}</ref> Some filmmakers nicknamed the film "''Bambi ''in Africa" due to similarities between ''The Lion King'' and Disney's own ''[[Bambi]]''.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Noyer |first=Jérémie |date=September 30, 2011 |title=Lion King D-rectors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff: 2D's for a 3D hit! |url=http://animatedviews.com/2011/lion-kings-roger-allers-and-rob-minkoff-2d-for-a-3d-hit/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326132238/http://animatedviews.com/2011/lion-kings-roger-allers-and-rob-minkoff-2d-for-a-3d-hit/ |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=Animated Views |publisher=}}</ref> The name "Simba" is the [[Swahili language|Swahili]] word for "lion".<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Baxter-Wright |first=Dusty |date=July 26, 2016 |title=21 things you didn't know about The Lion King |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a44918/things-you-didnt-know-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111184142/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a44918/things-you-didnt-know-lion-king/ |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |work=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]]}}</ref> Unlike Disney's three previous romantic films ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', and ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'', ''The Lion King'' focuses on Simba's relationship with his father.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title="The Lion King" – Production Information |url=http://www.lionking.org/text/FilmNotes.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330055419/https://www.lionking.org/text/FilmNotes.html |archive-date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=August 31, 2018 |website=The Lion King WWW Archive}}</ref>

In April 1992, the filmmakers hosted a "brainstorming session" in which much of the film, including Simba's personality, was re-written.<ref name=":1" /> Story supervisor [[Brenda Chapman]] realized they had written a proud, unlikeable character.<ref name=":26">{{Cite news |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=July 22, 2019 |title=The Lion King: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Simba |url=https://screenrant.com/the-lion-king-facts-about-simba/#originally-simba-wasn-t-a-very-likable-character |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723141029/https://screenrant.com/the-lion-king-facts-about-simba/#originally-simba-wasn-t-a-very-likable-character |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref> Originally, Simba was intended to remain with his pride after [[Mufasa]]'s death until this was revised to make him a more [[sympathetic character]].<ref name=":1" /> Additionally, one of the earliest iterations of Scar was a rogue lion unrelated to Simba,<ref name=":2" /> whereas Simba was meant to be raised by Scar in another version.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradley |first=Laura |date=July 19, 2019 |title=Inside Mufasa's Lion King Death Scene, a Tearjerker for the Ages |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/07/the-lion-king-original-vs-remake-mufasa-death-scene |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208040226/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/07/the-lion-king-original-vs-remake-mufasa-death-scene |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite news |last=Rawden |first=Jessica |date=August 7, 2017 |title=Apparently, Scar Was Originally Supposed To Raise Simba In The Lion King |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1689290/apparently-scar-was-actually-supposed-to-raise-simba-in-the-lion-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127173742/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1689290/apparently-scar-was-actually-supposed-to-raise-simba-in-the-lion-king |archive-date=November 27, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=[[CinemaBlend]]}}</ref> According to [[Disney Theatrical Group]] president [[Tom Schumacher]], Scar was planned to kill Simba and Mufasa at the same time, only for other characters to mistake him for saving Simba from the stampede.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Griffiths |first=Emmy |date=July 25, 2019 |title=The original ending of the Lion King was too dark for the remake |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2019072575743/lion-king-dark-original-ending-remake/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112161638/https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/2019072575743/lion-king-dark-original-ending-remake/ |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=[[Hello! (magazine)|Hello!]]}}</ref> Instead of meeting [[Timon and Pumbaa]], this version of Simba would have grown up a slacker under Scar's reign, making him easier to overthrow.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lorusso |first=Billy |date=August 8, 2017 |title=The Original Plan For Simba In 'The Lion King' Will Literally Blow Your Mind |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/film/the-original-plan-for-simba-in-the-lion-king/2039268 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112162038/https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/film/the-original-plan-for-simba-in-the-lion-king/2039268 |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=[[Elite Daily]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Radulovic |first=Petrana |date=July 16, 2019 |title=The curious case of dust in The Lion King |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/16/20692330/disney-the-lion-king-special-visual-effects-dust-cg-animation-2d-3d |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116210531/https://www.polygon.com/2019/7/16/20692330/disney-the-lion-king-special-visual-effects-dust-cg-animation-2d-3d |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> A short scene depicting a young Simba wandering the desert before meeting Timon and Pumbaa was also cut.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Acuna |first=Kirsten |date=November 23, 2018 |title=17 things you probably didn't know about the making of 'The Lion King' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/lion-king-trivia-2017-7#9-there-was-another-scene-of-simba-originally-wandering-around-in-the-desert-more-before-passing-out-from-exhaustion-9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115150938/https://www.businessinsider.com/lion-king-trivia-2017-7#9-there-was-another-scene-of-simba-originally-wandering-around-in-the-desert-more-before-passing-out-from-exhaustion-9 |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref>

Screenwriter [[Linda Woolverton]], one of the writers credited with creating the character,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Abramovitch |first=Seth |date=December 3, 2018 |title=Original 'Lion King' Screenwriter Apprehensive of Remake: "I Wasn't Thrilled With 'Beauty and the Beast'" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/linda-woolverton-lion-king-remake-beauty-beast-1165869/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004190646/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/linda-woolverton-lion-king-remake-beauty-beast-1165869/ |archive-date=October 4, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |quote=[[Linda Woolverton]], the creator of such beloved Disney characters as Belle and Simba}}</ref> joined the film to revise its screenplay, which included providing Simba with a stronger adversary by changing the rogue lion into Simba's uncle.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Reif |first=Alex |date=July 2, 2020 |title=10 Things We Learned from Linda Woolverton During WDFM's Happily Ever After Hours |url=https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/07/02/10-things-we-learned-from-linda-woolverton-during-wdfms-happily-ever-after-hours/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112150254/https://www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/07/02/10-things-we-learned-from-linda-woolverton-during-wdfms-happily-ever-after-hours/ |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |website=Laughing Place}}</ref> She felt the change contributed more [[Shakespearean]] elements to the story.<ref name=":8" /> The character has often been compared to [[Prince Hamlet]] from [[William Shakespeare]]'s tragedy ''[[Hamlet]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King Characters |url=https://www.thelionking.co.uk/the-lion-king-characters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415090359/https://www.thelionking.co.uk/the-lion-king-characters |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=February 12, 2024 |website=[[The Lion King (musical)|The Lion King]]}}</ref> In an earlier version of the script, Simba was meant to lose his final fight to Scar, being thrown from Pride Rock before his uncle ultimately dies in a fire.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashton |first=Will |date=July 1, 2020 |title=The Lion King: 10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Disney Animated Movie |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2549109/the-lion-king-behind-the-scenes-facts-about-the-disney-animated-movie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030085736/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2549109/the-lion-king-behind-the-scenes-facts-about-the-disney-animated-movie |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |work=[[CinemaBlend]]}}</ref> Nala's younger brother Mheetu, who Simba was to have rescued from a stampede, was also written out of the film,<ref name=":2" /> as well as a trio of Simba's childhood friends.<ref name=":16-1" /> For a while, the story team struggled to come up with a convincing reason as to why Simba would believe he was responsible for Mufasa's death, without killing him.<ref name=":40">{{Cite news |last=Bradley |first=Bill |date=February 24, 2020 |title=Your Favorite Disney Movies Were Almost Completely Different, This Director Says |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/disney-movies-different_n_5e472416c5b64433c6167239 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125134018/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/disney-movies-different_n_5e472416c5b64433c6167239 |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> Story artist [[Chris Sanders]] explained that the key to this was eventually accepting that a child in an extremely emotional state would simply believe what their uncle told them.<ref name=":40" />

Addressing online speculation that Simba and Nala could potentially be related since Mufasa and Scar are the only adult male lions identified in the film, Woolverton acknowledged that although it is possible, she had never written Simba and Nala as cousins or siblings.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Losgar |first=Maxwell |date=May 27, 2016 |title=Your Burning Questions about Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, Answered |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/05/linda-woolverton-interview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801145131/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/05/linda-woolverton-interview |archive-date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> Although Woolverton admitted that songs such as "[[Hakuna Matata (song)|Hakuna Matata]]" were non-essential to the plot and arrived later during the writing process, she confirmed that it helps demonstrate Simba during his "lost boy" phase.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Emma |date=June 2, 2014 |title=Linda Woolverton and the Making of Maleficent |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/linda-woolverton-maleficent |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204145713/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/linda-woolverton-maleficent |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]}}</ref> Some of Disney's marketing team doubted Simba's marketability, since most of Disney's lead characters at the time were female or princesses.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Riedel |first=Michael |date=October 16, 2020 |title=How The Lion King Became a $9 Billion Broadway Smash |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/how-the-lion-king-became-a-dollar9-billion-broadway-smash |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101011716/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/how-the-lion-king-became-a-dollar9-billion-broadway-smash |archive-date=November 1, 2020 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref>

===Voice===
Actor [[Matthew Broderick]] provided the speaking voice of adult Simba.<ref name=":16-1">{{Cite magazine |last=Daly |first=Steve |date=July 8, 1994 |title=Mane Attraction |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/07/08/storyboard-screen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528101440/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,302837,00.html |archive-date=May 28, 2013 |access-date=July 27, 2013 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> The first actor cast for ''The Lion King'',<ref name=":6-1" /> Broderick learned that Disney was interested in him for the lead role while he was vacationing in Ireland,<ref name=":25" /> to where Disney sent him sketches of Simba.<ref name=":39">{{Cite magazine |last=Holub |first=Christian |date=April 2, 2018 |title=The Lion King stars look back on the making of the animated hit |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/04/02/disney-lion-king-timon-pumbaa-simba/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525180100/https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/25/the-lion-king-cover-story/ |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |access-date=January 24, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> The filmmakers hired him based on his performance in the [[teen comedy]] film ''[[Ferris Bueller's Day Off]]''.<ref name=":25">{{cite news |last=Kehr |first=Dave |author-link=Dave Kehr |date=December 27, 2002 |title=At the Movies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/27/movies/at-the-movies.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525174903/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/27/movies/at-the-movies.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |access-date=May 25, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name=":16" /> According to Hahn, Broderick was cast because his voice invoked a character who could be irresponsible yet likeable enough to redeem himself.<ref name=":16-3">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cinemaspy.com/spotlight/interview-disneys-don-hahn-adds-another-dimension-to-the-lion-king-10575/ |title=Interview: Don Hahn Adds Another Dimension to Disney's The Lion King |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130726211202/http://www.cinemaspy.com/spotlight/interview-disneys-don-hahn-adds-another-dimension-to-the-lion-king-10575/ |archive-date=July 26, 2013 |date=October 5, 2011 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |website=CinemaSpy.com |last=Simpson |first=Michael}}</ref> Minkoff recalled that the actor was able to humanize the character, preventing the hero from "becoming 2-dimensional" using a combination of sensitivity, thoughtfulness, and humor.<ref name=":1" /> Having been involved in the film since early development,<ref name=":25" /> Broderick said he had always assumed ''The Lion King'' was an adaptation of ''Hamlet'',<ref name=":14" /> elements of which were most prominent when he was first cast.<ref name=":25" /> Broderick worked on the film on-and-off for two-three years,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Holub |first=Christian |date=March 6, 2018 |title=The Making of The Lion King |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |via=[[EBSCO Information Services]]}}</ref><ref name=":16-1" /> often re-recording his work to match what the animators had drawn several months later.<ref name=":25" /> He also slightly lowered his pitch to establish Simba's maturity once he decides to become king.<ref name=":43" /> Although Broderick recorded most of his lines alone, he briefly recorded with an actress who had originally been cast as Nala until she was ultimately replaced with [[Moira Kelly]], which Broderick only learned had happened at the film's premiere.<ref name=":25" /> The actor said he sometimes felt left out when recording his lines, which were more somber in comparison to the film's supporting cast.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |last=King |first=Susan |date=September 15, 2011 |title=A 'Lion's' tale |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-sep-15-la-et-lion-king-20110915-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024090815/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/15/entertainment/la-et-lion-king-20110915/2 |archive-date=October 24, 2013 |access-date=July 27, 2013 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url-status=live |pages=1, 2}}</ref>
[[File:Matthew Broderick 2022.jpg|left|thumb|225x225px|[[Matthew Broderick]] voiced the adult Simba.]]
Disney auditioned dozens of [[child actor]]s for the role of young Simba, searching for an actor who could embody "a scrappy young kid".<ref name=":38" /> Actor [[Jonathan Taylor Thomas]] was cast as the speaking voice of young Simba.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 4, 1994 |title=Whoopi Goldberg and James Earl Jones Lend Voices to Disney's Movie 'The Lion King' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8LoDAAAAMBAJ&dq=jonathan+taylor+thomas+%22simba%22&pg=PA32 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116171112/https://books.google.ca/books?id=8LoDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32&dq=jonathan+taylor+thomas+%22simba%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjt7qPwseKDAxUTD1kFHcpUCV0Q6AF6BAgJEAI#v=onepage&q=jonathan%20taylor%20thomas%20%22simba%22&f=false |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |pages=32–35 |via=[[Google Books]] |issn=0021-5996}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Amy |date=September 27, 2011 |title=With 'Lion King' No. 1, where is Jonathan Taylor Thomas? |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/09/jonathan-taylor-thomas-lion-king.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527064505/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/09/jonathan-taylor-thomas-lion-king.html |archive-date=May 27, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> He was 12 years-old at the time.<ref name=":15">{{Cite magazine |last=Chanko |first=Kenneth M. |date=June 17, 1994 |title=The familiar voice of ''The Lion King'' |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/06/17/familiar-voice-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112180119/https://ew.com/article/1994/06/17/familiar-voice-lion-king/ |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Thomas did not alter his voice for the character,<ref name=":38">{{Cite news |last1=Cernetig |first1=Miro |last2=Schindehette |first2=Susan |date=August 1, 1994 |title=Feline Groovy |url=https://people.com/jonathan-taylor-thomas-talks-voicing-simba-in-the-lion-king-in-1994-8668406 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923142838/https://people.com/jonathan-taylor-thomas-talks-voicing-simba-in-the-lion-king-in-1994-8668406 |archive-date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=June 23, 2024 |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |via=}}</ref> but simply spoke "with a real kid spirit" since Simba had been described to him by the film's directors as "energetically cocky".<ref name=":15" /> Thomas recorded his lines in hour-long sessions over the course of a year and a half.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |last=Davis |first=Sandi |date=June 24, 1994 |title=Actor's Voice Destined to Live Forever |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1994/06/24/actors-voice-destined-to-live-forever/62421872007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112180119/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1994/06/24/actors-voice-destined-to-live-forever/62421872007/ |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |work=[[The Oklahoman]]}}</ref> Because he was working by himself, he improvised much of what other characters were supposed to be saying to his character due to the lack of other actors on set.<ref name=":23">{{Cite news |last=Bergman |first=Anne |date=August 23, 1994 |title=Enjoying His Juggling Act : 'Home's' Thomas Finds Time for Serious Work and Play |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-08-23-ca-30283-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031180649/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-08-23-ca-30283-story.html |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2023 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref name=":17" /> Due to his busy schedule, Thomas recorded some his dialogue on the ''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]'' set, the [[sitcom]] on which he was starring at the time,<ref name=":17" /> since both productions were filmed on [[Walt Disney Studios (Burbank)|Disney's Burbank lot]].<ref name=":38" /> His recording sessions were video recorded, which animators used to incorporate some of Thomas' expressions and mannerisms into their drawings,<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":27" /> namely the actor's "sly smile".<ref name=":23" /> His appearance and personality served as creative inspiration for supervising animator [[Mark Henn]] in particular.<ref name=":5-1" /> The actor found Simba's curiosity similar to his own.<ref name=":17" /> He also likened Simba to his ''Home Improvement'' character [[Randy Taylor]], describing both as curious, intuitive, confident, and quick-witted.<ref name=":23" /> Hahn recalled "rough[ing Thomas] up" during certain recording sessions when his character was intended to sound active or out of breath, in order to deliver a convincing performance.<ref name=":38" />

Although Broderick recorded his character's songs twice, the studio opted not to use his vocals in the final film, which the actor attributed to Disney being interested in a poppier sound than he was capable of delivering.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 29, 2021 |title=11 Actors That Shockingly Didn't Sing In Their Movies |url=https://toofab.com/2021/10/29/11-actors-that-shockingly-didnt-sing-in-their-movies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116190738/https://toofab.com/2021/10/29/11-actors-that-shockingly-didnt-sing-in-their-movies/ |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |work=TooFab}}</ref> [[Toto (band)|Toto]] lead singer [[Joseph Williams (musician)|Joseph Williams]] and actor [[Jason Weaver]] provided the singing voices of adult and young Simba, respectively.<ref name=":19">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gemm.com/artist/Joseph%20Williams |title=Joseph Williams Biography |access-date=July 29, 2013 |website=Gemm |url-status = dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224111839/http://www.gemm.com/artist/Joseph%20Williams |archive-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref> Williams was originally hired to record all of [[Aladdin (Disney character)|Aladdin]]'s vocals.<ref name=":22" /> However, ''Aladdin''<nowiki/>'s songwriters preferred a more theatrical voice over Williams', and ultimately replaced him with actor [[Brad Kane]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |last=Hudson |first=Mark |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Interview: Joe Williams of Toto |url=https://nippertown.com/2023/02/21/interview-joe-williams-of-toto/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115181735/https://nippertown.com/2023/02/21/interview-joe-williams-of-toto/ |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2024 |work=Nippertown}}</ref> Several months later, Disney's music supervisor Chris Montan invited Williams back to record some [[Demo recording|demos]], which ultimately became the songs used in ''The Lion King''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grierson |first=Tim |date=June 15, 2022 |title='I've Never Judged Myself Against Him, Ever': Toto Joseph Williams on His Father, 'Star Wars' Composer John Williams |url=https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/joseph-williams-toto-john-williams |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115181211/https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/joseph-williams-toto-john-williams |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |work=[[MEL Magazine]]}}</ref> Although Williams speculated that he would be replaced similar to ''Aladdin'', all of his vocals were retained in the final film.<ref name=":22" /> Williams claims Broderick was upset that Disney had decided to [[Dubbing|dub]] him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaudiosi |first=Jeff |date=August 25, 2019 |title=A Conversation with Toto Vocalist Joseph Williams |url=https://misplacedstraws.com/2019/08/a-conversation-with-toto-vocalist.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116174613/https://misplacedstraws.com/2019/08/a-conversation-with-toto-vocalist.html |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=January 16, 2024 |website=Misplaced Straws}}</ref> He recorded "Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight" for the film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Casino |first=Snoqualmie |date=February 23, 2023 |title=For Toto, 'Africa' is just one long note in a symphonic career run |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sponsored/for-toto-africa-is-just-one-long-note-in-a-symphonic-career-run/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126133409/https://www.seattletimes.com/sponsored/for-toto-africa-is-just-one-long-note-in-a-symphonic-career-run/ |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref>

Impressed by Weaver's performance as a young [[Michael Jackson]] in the [[miniseries]] ''[[The Jacksons: An American Dream]]'', songwriters [[Elton John]] and [[Tim Rice]] recruited him to record "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" and "[[Hakuna Matata (song)|Hakuna Matata]]" while ''The Lion King'' was still in its early stages and little animation had been completed.<ref name=":20">{{Cite web |last=Bachelor |first=J. |date=September 20, 2011 |title=Guest Star: "I [Still] Make Residual Income Off Of ['The Lion King' Movie]" |url=http://www.sohh.com/2011/09/i_was_recruited_by_elton_john_disney.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105740/http://www.sohh.com/2011/09/i_was_recruited_by_elton_john_disney.html |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2013 |website=[[SOHH]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{Cite web |last=Rene |first=Shameika |date=October 18, 2011 |title=Sound Check: Jason Weaver |url=http://soultrain.com/2011/10/18/sound-check-jason-weaver/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703171104/http://soultrain.com/2011/10/18/sound-check-jason-weaver/ |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |access-date=August 2, 2013 |website=[[Soul Train]] |publisher=}}</ref> Weaver said the songwriters approached his mother about wanting Simba's singing voice to have "a young Michael Jackson vibe".<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Ashley |date=June 24, 2024 |title='The Lion King' at 30: Jason Weaver Sang for Simba but Few Knew It |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/movies/lion-king-simba-jason-weaver.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918153432/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/movies/lion-king-simba-jason-weaver.html |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Weaver recorded "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" only a few days after completing the miniseries, with John in particular vouching for his involvement in ''The Lion King''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Xavier |date=August 10, 2019 |title=Jason Weaver Explains Why He Was Only 1994 Young Simba's Singing Voice |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/fnr-tigg/jason-weaver-explains-why-he-was-only-young-simbas-singing-voice |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123203235/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/fnr-tigg/jason-weaver-explains-why-he-was-only-young-simbas-singing-voice |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=[[Complex Networks|Complex]]}}</ref> His meeting with Disney in Burbank was intended to only be an audition but he ultimately recorded "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" in two takes, completing his work before he had to fly back to Chicago.<ref name=":10" /> His recording from the audition was ultimately retained for the final film, which Weaver said they had prepared for extensively prior.<ref name=":10" /> Impressed by his performance, the directors considered offering Weaver the speaking role as well before learning that negotiations with Thomas had already been finalized.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Monique |date=August 10, 2019 |title=Here's Why Jason Weaver Wasn't Able To Take The Speaking Role Of Simba In 'The Lion King' |url=https://blavity.com/entertainment/heres-why-jason-weaver-wasnt-able-to-take-the-speaking-role-of-simba-in-the-lion-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123203309/https://blavity.com/entertainment/heres-why-jason-weaver-wasnt-able-to-take-the-speaking-role-of-simba-in-the-lion-king |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2022 |website=[[Blavity]]}}</ref> Disney originally offered Weaver $2 million [[USD]] for his work on ''The Lion King'', but Weaver's mother declined in favor of a deal securing $100,000 upfront and lifetime [[royalties]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 2019 |title=Jason Weaver Turned Down $2M In Exchange For Royalties For 'Lion King' Role |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/movies-tv/jason-weaver-royalties-lion-king-interview-666060/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623165813/https://www.vibe.com/news/movies-tv/jason-weaver-royalties-lion-king-interview-666060/ |archive-date=June 23, 2021 |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dorisca |first=Samantha |date=November 18, 2022 |title=After Turning Down $2M For Singing In 'The Lion King,' Jason Weaver Celebrates Double-Platinum Track 30 Years Later |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/turning-down-2m-singing-lion-174603602.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJIhrBox2wwbDJMLsXIDilZr6OMd62v_bPmTj7wKhjJnhi21S_PQaTHxYdvkwbmqK5Dh2ZN_rVGnwSS1mUDZ92w4Dq3GNPUuF1zPjmtSJ25WxW4FTUIbHTGS7vrU9zuMw7NoaYruY0FmT1PyA7OSVC_eW7Dqq4DC__RWM1qeqneb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123205612/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/turning-down-2m-singing-lion-174603602.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAJIhrBox2wwbDJMLsXIDilZr6OMd62v_bPmTj7wKhjJnhi21S_PQaTHxYdvkwbmqK5Dh2ZN_rVGnwSS1mUDZ92w4Dq3GNPUuF1zPjmtSJ25WxW4FTUIbHTGS7vrU9zuMw7NoaYruY0FmT1PyA7OSVC_eW7Dqq4DC__RWM1qeqneb |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=AfroTech |via=[[Yahoo! Finance]]}}</ref> Weaver receives a portion of the film's revenue every time it is re-released, and his total earnings have since exceeded Disney's initial offer.<ref>{{Cite news |title="Lion King" singer says mum changed his life by rejecting a whopping $2m |url=https://thelagosreview.ng/lion-king-singer-says-mum-changed-his-life-by-rejecting-a-whopping-2m/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125150030/https://thelagosreview.ng/lion-king-singer-says-mum-changed-his-life-by-rejecting-a-whopping-2m/ |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[The Lagos Review]]}}</ref> Weaver was not invited to the film's premiere and did little promotion for it, which he attributes to Disney's desire to use the bigger names in the cast to promote the film.<ref name=":10" /> Voice actor [[Frank Welker]] provided the roars of adult Simba and all other lions, simulating the effect using a trash can.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Crystal |date=April 23, 2012 |title='The Lion King': Voice Actor Frank Welker Brings A Lion's Roar To Life With A Garbage Can (Video) |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-lion-king-voice-actor-frank-welker-video_n_1446325 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206210237/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-lion-king-voice-actor-frank-welker-video_n_1446325 |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=January 20, 2024 |work=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref>

===Personality and design===
Disney has long denied [[Kimba the White Lion (TV series)#Claims of resemblance to The Lion King|accusations]] that ''The Lion King'' is based on the anime series ''[[Kimba the White Lion (TV series)|Kimba the White Lion]]'', despite similarities between the names "Simba" and "Kimba", as well as some [[concept art]] depicting Simba as a [[white lion]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Keeley |first=Pete |date=July 22, 2019 |title=Big Little Lions: Disney's New 'Lion King' Dodges the 'Kimba' Similarity Issue |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lion-king-kimba-white-lion-does-disney-need-come-clean-1225822/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621080544/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lion-king-kimba-white-lion-does-disney-need-come-clean-1225822/ |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mirjalili |first=Fatemeh |date=March 25, 2022 |title=Why Some Thought The Lion King Was Just A Copycat Of This Anime |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/811619/why-some-thought-the-lion-king-was-just-a-copycat-of-this-anime/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414152820/https://www.slashfilm.com/811619/why-some-thought-the-lion-king-was-just-a-copycat-of-this-anime/ |archive-date=April 14, 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[/Film]]}}</ref> The studio maintains that any parallels are coincidental.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Adams |first=Cecil |date=December 23, 1999 |title=The Straight Dope |url=https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-straight-dope-433/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809073516/https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/the-straight-dope-433/ |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[Chicago Reader]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Denham |first=Hannah |date=July 26, 2019 |title='Lion King' has been clouded by intellectual property controversy for 25 years. Here's the story behind it. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/07/26/lion-king-has-been-clouded-by-intellectual-property-controversy-years-heres-story-behind-it/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604184935/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/07/26/lion-king-has-been-clouded-by-intellectual-property-controversy-years-heres-story-behind-it/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> However, Broderick said he thought he had originally been cast in an American remake of ''Kimba'' because the characters seemed so similar to him at first.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 12, 1994 |title='Lion King' recalls beast of another reign |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-07-12-1994193097-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904001830/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-07-12-1994193097-story.html |archive-date=September 4, 2019 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> Because Disney was prioritizing ''[[Pocahontas (1995 film)|Pocahontas]]'' over ''The Lion King'', the former of which most of their experienced animators gravitated towards since the studio considered it the more promising of the two projects,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobs |first=Matthew |date=July 22, 2019 |title=In 1994, 'The Lion King' Was A Surprise Smash. Today, It's Just Another Product. |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-lion-king-remake-jon-favreau_n_5d30736de4b004b6adac065d |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118165604/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-lion-king-remake-jon-favreau_n_5d30736de4b004b6adac065d |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Golembewski |first=Vanessa |date=June 23, 2015 |title=The Secret Rivalry Between Pocahontas & The Lion King |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2015/06/89430/pocohantas-disney-anniversary-animation-team-rivalry |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118172820/https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2015/06/89430/pocohantas-disney-anniversary-animation-team-rivalry |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Refinery29]]}}</ref> Simba was one of the few ''Lion King'' characters animated at the studio's main California location.<ref name=":26" /> This proved challenging for the production team because Simba shares several scenes with characters who were animated in [[Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida|Florida]].<ref name=":26" />
[[File:Jonathan Taylor Thomas.jpg|left|thumb|281x281px|Actor [[Jonathan Taylor Thomas]] voiced young Simba and served as visual inspiration for his animators. ]]
The role of Simba's supervising animator was divided between [[Ruben A. Aquino]] and Mark Henn, the former of whom was the first animator hired for ''The Lion King''.<ref name=":1" /> Henn served as the supervising animator of Simba as a cub,<ref name=":37">{{Cite web |last=jchan |date=November 14, 2014 |title=Meet the Disney Animator Who Helped Create Some of Your Favorite Princesses: Mark Henn |url=https://blog.academyart.edu/meet-the-disney-animator-who-helped-create-some-of-your-favorite-princesses-mark-henn/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119195850/https://blog.academyart.edu/meet-the-disney-animator-who-helped-create-some-of-your-favorite-princesses-mark-henn/ |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=[[Academy of Art University]]}}</ref> and Aquino animated him as an adult.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wloszczyna |first=Susan |date=October 29, 2003 |title=Looks like a bear market for 2-D animation |work=[[USA Today]] |via=[[EBSCO Information Services]]}}</ref><ref name=":6-4">{{Cite web |last=Solomon |first=Charles |author-link=Charles Solomon (animation historian) |date=November 12, 2003 |title=Drawing breath |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-12-et-solomon12-story.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423154505/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-12-et-solomon12-story.html |archive-date=April 23, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Aquino and Henn worked on the character from Disney's California and Florida studios, respectively.<ref name=":34" /> According to Aquino, animating [[Quadrupedalism|four-legged creatures]] is difficult because artists are required to draw twice as many legs as human characters, while still incorporating human-like qualities.<ref name=":6-5" /> For assistance, Aquino drew inspiration from Disney's previous animal films such as ''Bambi'', ''[[Lady and the Tramp]]'', and ''[[The Jungle Book (1967 film)|The Jungle Book]]''.<ref name=":6-5">{{Cite web |last=Tiemann |first=Brian |date=December 25, 1994 |title=The Lion King |url=http://www.lionking.org/text/FilmNotes.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620183143/https://www.lionking.org/text/FilmNotes.html |archive-date=June 20, 2023 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=The Lion King WWW Archive |publisher=Brian Tiemann}}</ref> Aquino based his early drawings of Simba on Broderick,<ref name=":24">{{Cite news |last=Giardina |first=Carolyn |date=March 11, 2022 |title='Lion King' Animator Ruben Aquino Looks Back at the Inspirations Behind His Design of Simba |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/lion-king-animator-interview-simba-design-1235106624/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115055119/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/lion-king-animator-interview-simba-design-1235106624/ |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> whose voice he said offers the character "a lot of humor and vulnerability ... which really gave me something to go on and made it easier for me to flesh out my performance".<ref name=":6-5" /> Aquino would quietly sketch Broderick live during his sessions, which would end up informing each other's performances.<ref name=":39" /> Because the adult version of the character is introduced [[Depression (mood)|mildly depressed]], Aquino originally drew him with sad, soulful eyes and a disheveled mane, but redesigned him to look more heroic at Hahn's request.<ref name=":24" /> As a result, Simba ended up resembling Mufasa.<ref name=":24" /> To make sure the character looked believable, Aquino studied live lions loaned to the studio and consulted with zoologists.<ref name=":24" />

Henn animated Simba's scenes from the beginning of the film until approximately the "Hakuna Matata" sequence,<ref name=":0" /> including Simba's first appearance as an adult towards the end of the musical number.<ref name=":34">{{cite web |last=Noyer |first=Jérémie |date=January 8, 2010 |title=The Princess and the Frog's Supervising Animator Mark Henn – Part 2: The "Disney Decade" |url=http://animatedviews.com/2010/the-princess-and-the-frog-supervising-animator-mark-henn-part-2-the-disney-decade/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609191934/http://animatedviews.com/2010/the-princess-and-the-frog-supervising-animator-mark-henn-part-2-the-disney-decade/ |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |access-date=August 7, 2013 |website=Animated Views}}</ref> Before ''The Lion King'', his experience as a supervising animator was limited to predominantly female characters, having previously worked on [[Ariel (The Little Mermaid)|Ariel]] from ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', [[Belle (Disney character)|Belle]] from ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'', and [[Jasmine (Aladdin)|Jasmine]] from ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]''.<ref name=":34" /><ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Roger |date=September 15, 2011 |title='Lion King' was born and animated in Orlando |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2011/09/15/lion-king-was-born-and-animated-in-orlando/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002123248/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-09-15/entertainment/os-movie-story-henn-20110915_1_disney-s-feature-animation-florida-disney-animation-mark-henn |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Amidi |first=Amid |author-link=Amid Amidi |date=December 16, 2023 |title=Animation Legend Mark Henn Retires After 43-Year Run At Disney |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/animators/animation-legend-mark-henn-retires-after-43-year-run-at-disney-235890.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122092512/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/animators/animation-legend-mark-henn-retires-after-43-year-run-at-disney-235890.html |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=[[Cartoon Brew]]}}</ref> He initially campaigned heavily to animate the film's villain, Scar, because he wanted to do something different than the [[Disney Princess|princesses]] he had become known for,<ref name=":34" /><ref name=":35">{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2017 |title=Everything We Learned From the 'Lion King' Panel at the 2017 D23 Expo |url=https://www.moviefone.com/news/everything-we-learned-from-the-lion-king-panel-at-the-2017-d23/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425014453/https://www.moviefone.com/news/everything-we-learned-from-the-lion-king-panel-at-the-2017-d23/ |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |website=[[Moviefone]]}}</ref> but Hahn convinced him to work on Simba due to his experience with main characters.<ref name=":8-2">{{Cite web |last=Radish |first=Christina |date=September 11, 2011 |title=Mark Henn and Tony Bancroft Interview The Lion King 3D |url=https://collider.com/mark-henn-tony-bancroft-the-lion-king-3d-interview/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418071844/http://collider.com/mark-henn-tony-bancroft-the-lion-king-3d-interview/ |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=live |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Hahn reminded Henn that the success of the entire film hinges on Simba's design, since he is considered the most important character in ''The Lion King'',<ref name=":34" /><ref name=":35" /> and the animator found it a welcome departure from [[Leading lady|leading ladies]] nonetheless.<ref name=":8-2" /> Aside from [[Andreas Deja]] who ultimately animated Scar, Henn was the most tenured animator on ''The Lion King'', whose roster mostly consisted of newer or first-time animators.<ref name=":8-2" /> Simba proved to be a challenge because Henn was tasked with creating an animated character who would both appear and behave like a real lion cub for the first time.<ref name=":33" /> To achieve believability, Henn visited zoos, studied live lion cubs that were loaned to the studio for research, and consulted with wildlife professionals.<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |last=Priebe |first=Ken A. |date=October 10, 2011 |title=Disney Animator Mark Henn Reflects |url=http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=8850 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125111537/http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/the-lion-king-interview-with-mark-henn/ |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=Hollywood Jesus}}</ref> Henn maintained that animators can not simply use their cats as reference models due to their different anatomies.<ref name=":32" /> Recalling their efforts to make his character as realistic as possible, Henn said that, unlike domestic cats, lion cubs “have a power ... underlying that seemingly soft exterior".<ref name=":27" /> He was also responsible for making sure Simba's appearance remained consistent between himself, the directors, and other animators.<ref name=":0" />

When it came to animating the "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" musical sequence, Henn insisted that Simba remain on all-fours, despite the character [[Anthropomorphism|exhibiting human characteristics]] by dancing.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Minow |first=Nell |author-link=Nell Minow |year=2011 |title=Interview: Mark Henn of 'The Lion King' |url=http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2011/10/interview-mark-henn-of-the-lion-king.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002204846/http://blog.beliefnet.com/moviemom/2011/10/interview-mark-henn-of-the-lion-king.html |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=[[Beliefnet]]}}</ref> The animators would often observe and film the actors' recording sessions, using their mannerisms as visual reference, with Thomas proving particularly influential on Simba's design and personality.<ref name=":5-2">{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Brian |date=September 15, 2011 |title=Tony Bancroft and Mark Henn Talk The Lion King |url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/tony-bancroft-and-mark-henn-talk-the-lion-king |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707051223/http://movieweb.com/tony-bancroft-and-mark-henn-talk-the-lion-king/ |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2014 |website=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref> Henn described his version of the character as a young, cocky, inexperienced cub who had yet to mature, which he hoped would remind viewers of their younger selves.<ref name=":34" /> Compared to adult Simba, Simba is "looser" and less physically assured, which allowed Henn to draw him "a little more awkward, his feet were a little bigger, they could be a little floppier than when he’s an adult".<ref name=":34" /> Although Henn and Aquino did not spend much time discussing the character's design with each other, both artists referenced live lions and received input from the same research team to determine how Simba should look and behave.<ref name=":34" /> Catherine Hinman of the ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' observed that the animators' extensive research resulted in "a lion cub who moves like his aristocratic cousins on the savannah but acts like the kid down the street".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hinman |first=Catherine |date=June 19, 1994 |title=Disney-mgm Animation 'Lion King' Of The Jungle |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/06/19/disney-mgm-animation-lion-king-of-the-jungle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030162925/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-06-19/news/9406190329_1_lion-king-feature-animation-simba |archive-date=October 30, 2015 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref> Tom Bancroft, an animator who worked on Simba under Henn, described his supervisor as the fastest animator at Disney at the time, making it difficult for other animators to acquire their own scenes to animate as Henn would typically do them himself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Lavalle |date=January 24, 2013 |title=Traditional Animation |url=https://www.traditionalanimation.com/2013/tom-bancroft-interview-character-mentor-workshops/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203154908/https://www.traditionalanimation.com/2013/tom-bancroft-interview-character-mentor-workshops/ |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |website=Traditional Animation}}</ref> According to the [[Academy of Art University]], Henn's work on Simba "further cemented his place in [animation] history".<ref name=":37" />

Some journalists believe Simba's mane was based on how singer [[Jon Bon Jovi]] styled his hair during the 1980s.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Ali |date=June 13, 2014 |title=The Lion King: 20 Things Might Not Know |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/movies/the-lion-king-20-things-might-not-know-141843642.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111150432/https://www.yahoo.com/news/movies/the-lion-king-20-things-might-not-know-141843642.html |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |work=[[Yahoo! News]]}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Fallon |first=Kevin |date=July 12, 2017 |title='The Lion King' Turns 20: Every Crazy, Weird Fact About the Disney Classic |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-lion-king-turns-20-every-crazy-weird-fact-about-the-disney-classic |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203210941/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-lion-king-turns-20-every-crazy-weird-fact-about-the-disney-classic |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |work=[[The Daily Beast]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chanel |first=Sunny |date=August 28, 2017 |title=25 Things You Probably Didn't Know About "The Lion King" |url=https://www.brit.co/lion-king-facts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120075336/https://www.brit.co/lion-king-facts/ |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2024 |website=[[Brit + Co]]}}</ref> Simba spends 55% of his screen time as a cub, and the remaining 45% as an adult lion.<ref name=":29">{{Cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Matthew |last2=Sheehan |first2=Paul |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Top 10 Disney Heroes Ranked By Screen Time |url=https://www.goldderby.com/gallery/disney-heroes-screen-time/heroes-simba/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117175215/https://www.goldderby.com/gallery/disney-heroes-screen-time/heroes-simba/ |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |work=[[Gold Derby]]}}</ref> At the time of the film's release, Simba had the most screen time of any Disney hero, appearing in 49.71% of the film (or 43 minutes and 51 seconds).<ref name=":29" />

==Critical reception==

Reception towards Simba has been generally mixed. ''[[The Christian Science Monitor]]''{{'}}s [[David Sterritt]] hailed him as "a superbly realized character".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sterritt |first=David |author-link=David Sterritt |date=June 15, 1994 |title=Disney studio roars with 'The Lion King' |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1994/0615/15121.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202115440/http://www.csmonitor.com/1994/0615/15121.html |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=July 13, 2014 |website=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]}}</ref> [[Owen Gleiberman]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' described Simba as "marvelously expressive", to the point where he appears to be more human-like than ''[[Aladdin (1992 Disney film)|Aladdin]]'' and ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]''<nowiki/>'s human characters.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |author-link=Owen Gleiberman |date=June 24, 1994 |title=The Lion King (2002) |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C302734%2C00.html |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102212245/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,302734,00.html |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> In a review for ''[[The Fresno Bee]]'', author [[John Scalzi]] called Simba "the cutest little lion club you'd ever care to see",<ref name=":41" /> and film critic [[Roger Ebert]] described him as "cute" several times throughout his review of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=June 24, 1994 |title=The Lion King |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-lion-king-1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203182729/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-lion-king-1994 |archive-date=February 3, 2024 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]]}}</ref> [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' and [[About.com]]'s David Nusair were moved by Simba's relationship with Mufasa.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Travers |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Travers |date=June 15, 1994 |title=The Lion King |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-lion-king-19940615 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616053928/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/the-lion-king-19940615 |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |access-date=August 13, 2013 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nusair |first=David |title=Top 5 Animated Films Based on Fairy Tales |url=http://movies.about.com/od/animatedmovies/tp/best-animated-films-1990s.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021053803/http://movies.about.com/od/animatedmovies/tp/best-animated-films-1990s.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |access-date=April 16, 2014 |website=[[About.com]]}}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] of ''[[ReelViews]]'' enjoyed that the film prioritizes Simba's personal growth over his romantic relationship with Nala, but found Broderick's performance "nondescript".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berardinelli |first=James |author-link=James Berardinelli |year=1994 |title=Lion King, The |url=http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/l/lion_king.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406171622/http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/l/lion_king.html |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |website=[[ReelViews]] |publisher=}}</ref>[[File:Simba(TheLionKing).png|thumb|upright|Some critics complimented Simba's design.]]

''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'' described Simba as "the least compelling character in ''The Lion King''", acknowledging this might be a controversial opinion.<ref name=":36">{{Cite news |last1=Abad-Santos |first1=Alex |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Alissa |date=July 17, 2019 |title=Lion King 2019 vs. the original: what's better and worse about the remake |url=https://www.vox.com/2019/7/17/20694836/lion-king-2019-versus-1994-original-review-comparison |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417043039/https://www.vox.com/2019/7/17/20694836/lion-king-2019-versus-1994-original-review-comparison |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]}}</ref> [[Hal Hinson]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' gave the character a negative review, questioning Simba as a hero and nicknaming him "the Lion Country incarnation of [[Fabio Lanzoni|Fabio]]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hinson |first=Hal |author-link=Hal Hinson |date=June 24, 1994 |title=The Lion King |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/lionkinghin.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227152856/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/lionkinghin.htm |archive-date=February 27, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> [[Kenneth Turan]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]] ''said Simba was outshone by his sidekicks, describing him as "irritatingly callow".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turan |first=Kevin |author-link=Kenneth Turan |date=June 15, 1994 |title=Movie Review : 'The Lion King' and His Court Jesters : The Sidekicks Steal the Show in Disney's Animated Opus |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-15-ca-4277-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114121234/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-15-ca-4277-story.html |archive-date=January 14, 2023 |access-date=July 13, 2014 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> [[Joshua Starnes]] of [[ComingSoon.net]] panned Simba as a main character, describing him as the film's "weak link being both blandly designed and blandly performed".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Starnes |first=Joshua |author-link=Joshua Starnes |date=September 1, 2011 |title=The Lion King 3D |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/reviewsnews.php?id=81694 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225024555/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/reviews/81694-the-lion-king-3d |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=July 25, 2013 |website=[[ComingSoon.net]] |publisher=}}</ref> Acknowledging the character's Shakespearean roots, ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]''{{'}}s [[Stephen Hunter]] called Simba a less compelling version of Hamlet, [[Morris the Cat]], and [[Sylvester the Cat]].<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Hunter |date=June 24, 1994 |title=In 'The Lion King,' the animation roars |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-06-24-1994175141-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422105224/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-06-24-1994175141-story.html |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |access-date=April 22, 2023 |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref> Hunter also found adult Simba to be even less interesting than young Simba,<ref name=":42" /> while film critic [[Gene Siskel]] found the character boring.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Siskel |first=Gene |author-link=Gene Siskel |date=June 24, 1994 |title=Entertaining 'Lion King' Lacks the Flair of Disney's Best |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-06-24-9406240051-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512210839/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-06-24-9406240051-story.html |archive-date=May 12, 2021 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> Johnny Brayson of ''[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]'' described Simba as "not as great as you remember" despite the character's popularity, criticizing his privileged upbringing, arrogance, and immaturity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brayson |first=Johnny |date=April 19, 2016 |title=Admit It: Simba Was A Total Pain |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/155662-why-simba-from-the-lion-king-isnt-as-great-as-you-remember |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625121045/https://www.bustle.com/articles/155662-why-simba-from-the-lion-king-isnt-as-great-as-you-remember |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]}}</ref> Jonathan Allford of ''[[The Guardian]]'' called Simba "a happy, slightly dislikable lion cub".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allford |first=Jonathan |date=March 6, 2015 |title=The film that makes me cry: The Lion King |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/mar/06/the-film-that-makes-me-cry-the-lion-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919005702/https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/mar/06/the-film-that-makes-me-cry-the-lion-king |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |access-date=September 16, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In 2022, Rachel Ulatowski of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' wrote that despite differing opinions about the character, "Audiences cannot deny that Simba's design perfectly embodies his role as the [[tragic hero]]" with "an intriguing appearance that is heroic, bold, charming, but also weary and disheveled at times. The contrasting elements paint him perfectly as an exiled prince who has been through tragedy in his life".<ref name=":44">{{Cite news |last=Ulatowski |first=Rachel |date=March 13, 2022 |title=Lion King Animator Ruben Aquino Reveals How Simba Was Designed |url=https://screenrant.com/lion-king-simba-design-how-ruben-aquino/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314164711/https://screenrant.com/lion-king-simba-design-how-ruben-aquino/ |archive-date=March 14, 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>

Despite the character's mixed reviews, several critics have praised Broderick's performance,<ref>{{Citation |last=Stack |first=Peter |title=Disney's 'Lion King' Let Loose / Story, animation tops in jungle tale |date=March 3, 1995 |website=[[SFGate]] |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Disney-s-Lion-King-Let-Loose-Story-animation-3042865.php |access-date=April 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323004116/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Disney-s-Lion-King-Let-Loose-Story-animation-3042865.php |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Webster |first=Dan |date=March 3, 1995 |title='The Lion King' Is Another Crowning Achievement For Disney |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/mar/03/the-lion-king-is-another-crowning-achievement-for/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126165609/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/mar/03/the-lion-king-is-another-crowning-achievement-for/ |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[The Spokesman-Review]]}}</ref><ref name=":46" /> including ''[[The Washington Post]]''{{'}}s [[Desson Howe]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Howe |first=Desson |author-link=Desson Howe |date=June 24, 1996 |title=The Lion King |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/lionkinghowe.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416151521/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/lionkinghowe.htm |archive-date=April 16, 2018 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Annette Basile of ''[[FilmInk]]'' described Broderick as "excellent" in the role,<ref name=":1-2">{{Cite web |last=Basile |first=Annette |date=September 19, 2011 |title=The Lion King 3D |url=http://www.filmink.com.au/reviews/the-lion-king-3d-film/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002033155/http://www.filmink.com.au/reviews/the-lion-king-3d-film/ |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |website=[[Filmink]]}}</ref> while [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''The Guardian ''called him "sumptuous".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Bradshaw |date=December 20, 2002 |title=The Lion King - Imax |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/dec/20/artsfeatures3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823054039/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/dec/20/artsfeatures3 |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> ''[[Digital Spy]]'''s Mayer Nissim described Broderick's work as "wonderful".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nissim |first=Mayer |date=October 5, 2011 |title='The Lion King 3D' review |url=http://www.digitalspy.ca/movies/review/a343876/the-lion-king-3d-review.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620103539/http://www.digitalspy.ca/movies/review/a343876/the-lion-king-3d-review.html |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |access-date=August 5, 2013 |website=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=}}</ref> Several critics and publications have ranked ''The Lion King'' among his best films and performances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boladeras |first=Rafa |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Matthew Broderick's 10 Best Movie and TV Performances, Ranked |url=https://movieweb.com/matthew-broderick-best-movie-and-tv-performances-ranked/#the-lion-king-1994 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126142527/https://movieweb.com/matthew-broderick-best-movie-and-tv-performances-ranked/#the-lion-king-1994 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Giles |first=Jeff |date=November 3, 2011 |title=Total Recall: Matthew Broderick's Best Movies |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/total-recall-matthew-brodericks-best-movies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627134553/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/total-recall-matthew-brodericks-best-movies/ |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> According to the actor's biography on [[PBS]], Broderick's work in the film and its sequels ironically delivered him "his greatest screen success (to date) in relative anonymity".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Matthew Broderick |url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/matthew-broderick/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129180207/https://www.pbs.org/wnet/broadway/stars/matthew-broderick/ |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=[[PBS]]}}</ref> [[Penske Media Corporation|Gold Derby]] said the film earned Broderick legions of younger fans, ranking it his sixth best film.<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last1=O'Brien |first1=Tom |last2=Holland |first2=Misty |last3=Beachum |first3=Chris |date=March 18, 2023 |title=Matthew Broderick movies: 12 greatest films ranked worst to best |url=https://www.goldderby.com/gallery/best-matthew-broderick-movies-ranked/matthew-broderick-movies-ranked-the-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126033657/https://www.goldderby.com/gallery/best-matthew-broderick-movies-ranked/matthew-broderick-movies-ranked-the-lion-king/ |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=[[Gold Derby]]}}</ref> [[MovieWeb]] ranked Simba the greatest performance of Thomas' career, praising his "wide range of emotions".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali Idrisoglu |first=Fatima |date=May 11, 2023 |title=Jonathan Taylor Thomas' Best Performances, Ranked |url=https://movieweb.com/jonathan-taylor-thomas-best-performances-ranked/#the-lion-king-1994 |access-date=July 17, 2024 |work=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref> However, Janet M. Walker of the ''[[New York Amsterdam News]]'' criticized Disney for casting [[Whitewashing in film|white actors]] as Simba,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Debruge |first=Peter |date=July 11, 2019 |title=Film Review: 'The Lion King' |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/the-lion-king-review-1203264678/ |access-date=March 5, 2024 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |quote=“The Lion King” rightly took flak for casting white actors in Disney’s first Africa-set animated movie (“Home Improvement” star Jonathan Taylor Thomas played young Simba, while Matthew Broderick performed the adult version).}}</ref> considering his parents are voiced by Black actors [[James Earl Jones]] and [[Madge Sinclair]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bailey |first=Jason |date=July 18, 2019 |title=What Disney Risked to Make 'The Lion King' in 1994 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/18/movies/disney-lion-king.html |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110012704/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/18/movies/disney-lion-king.html |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> [[Christopher Null]] of [[Contactmusic.com]] panned Weaver's performance, likening his singing to [[Michael Jackson]] and saying "You almost don't want him to succeed".<ref name=":46">{{Cite web |last=Null |first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Null |year=2002 |title=The Lion King Movie Review |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/movie-review/thelionking_1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423030349/https://www.contactmusic.com/film/review/thelionking_1 |archive-date=April 23, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2013 |website=[[Contactmusic.com]] |publisher=}}</ref> 

When the film was released, some viewers [[alleged]] that during one of Simba's scenes, he creates a [[dust cloud]] that appears to spell the word "SEX" in the night sky.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Phillipson |first=Daisy |date=July 19, 2019 |title=Does this cut Lion King scene confirm a popular conspiracy theory? |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a28445087/lion-king-disney-conspiracy-theory-edit-scene/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126154821/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a28445087/lion-king-disney-conspiracy-theory-edit-scene/ |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[Digital Spy]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mikkelson |first=David |date=December 30, 1996 |title=Is the Word 'Sex' Hidden in 'The Lion King'? |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-lion-king/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129200335/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/the-lion-king/ |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |website=[[Snopes]]}}</ref> In a lawsuit filed against Disney in Texas, the studio was accused of including sexual [[subliminal messages]] in a family-oriented film,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Schweizer |first=Peter |url=https://archive.org/details/disneymousebetra00schw/page/142/mode/2up |title=Disney the Mouse Betrayed: Greed, Corruption, and Children at Risk |publisher=[[Regnery Publishing]] |year=1998 |isbn=978-0895263872 |location=United States |pages=142 |author-link=Peter Schweizer |access-date=January 30, 2024 |via=[[Wayback Machine]]}}</ref> while Catholic activist organization [[American Life League]] demanded an apology for including sexual material in its films.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Leef |date=September 1, 1995 |title=Disney's Loin King? Group Sees Dirt in the Dust |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/flionking.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323031600/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/review96/flionking.htm |archive-date=March 23, 2020 |access-date=February 6, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Animator [[Tom Sito]] claims the letters actually spelled "SFX", an abbreviation for [[special effects]], and was an [[Easter egg (media)|easter egg]] animated by the film's special effects department.<ref name=":45">{{Cite news |last=Bradley |first=Bill |date=December 16, 2020 |title=Finally, The Truth About Disney's 'Hidden Sexual Messages' Revealed |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/disney-sexual-messages_n_6452666 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126154821/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/disney-sexual-messages_n_6452666 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |work=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref> Beginning in 2002, the letters were edited out of re-releases of ''The Lion King'', and replaced with standard dust clouds.<ref name=":5" />

== Cultural impact ==

=== Legacy and popularity ===
According to a ''[[Vox (website)|Vox]]'' writer, Simba is not as iconic as Scar or Mufasa, which they attributed to the character's perceived lack of agency and tendency to rely on instructions from other characters.<ref name=":36" /> Contrarily, Marc Snetiker of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' described Simba as an iconic character who has "spent nearly a quarter century etched into pop culture".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Snetiker |first=Marc |date=March 3, 2019 |title=Return of the King |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |via=[[EBSCO Information Services]]}}</ref> Chhavi Puri of [[Pinkvilla]] said characters such as Simba "defined our childhood".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Puri |first=Chhavi |date=September 10, 2022 |title=Top 7 facts about The Lion King: Things you didn't know about the Disney movie |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/top-7-facts-about-the-lion-king-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-disney-movie-1189536 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111144755/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/top-7-facts-about-the-lion-king-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-disney-movie-1189536 |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2023 |work=[[Pinkvilla]]}}</ref>  The same publication named Simba the second-best Disney character of all-time and "undoubtedly one of the best male Disney characters",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Puri |first=Chhavi |date=October 1, 2022 |title=14 Best Disney characters that made our childhood awesome |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/disney-characters-1175309 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102182745/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/disney-characters-1175309 |archive-date=January 2, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Pinkvilla]]}}</ref> while ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' ranked him 29th.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pirrello |first=Phil |date=January 25, 2023 |title=The 50 best Disney animated characters of all time |url=https://www.avclub.com/best-disney-animated-characters-ranked-1850020180 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[The A.V. Club]]}}</ref> According ''[[Toons Mag]]'', Simba is one of the 10 best Disney cartoon characters of all time and "one of Disney's most significant characters".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lacasse |first=Jacques |date=January 2024 |title=Ranking the 10 Best Disney Cartoon Characters of All Time |url=https://www.toonsmag.com/10-best-disney-cartoon-characters-of-all-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726211614/https://www.toonsmag.com/10-best-disney-cartoon-characters-of-all-time/ |archive-date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=July 26, 2024 |work=[[Toons Mag]]}}</ref> [[Static Media|Looper]] ranked Simba Disney's 37th best character of all-time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Buddery |first=Sarah |date=February 3, 2022 |title=60 Best Disney Characters Of All Time Ranked |url=https://www.looper.com/751181/60-best-disney-characters-of-all-time-ranked/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223172610/https://www.looper.com/751181/60-best-disney-characters-of-all-time-ranked/ |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=February 23, 2024 |work=[[Looper.com|Looper]]}}</ref> [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']] named Simba one of Disney's 25 most iconic characters.<ref name=":27">{{Cite news |last1=Debruge |first1=Peter |last2=Drury |first2=Sharareh |last3=Franklin |first3=McKinley |last4=Garrett |first4=Diane |last5=Horst |first5=Carole |last6=Riley |first6=Jenelle |last7=Tangcay |first7=Jazz |last8=Thompson |first8=Jaden |last9=Yossman |first9=K.J. |date=October 13, 2023 |title=25 Most Iconic Disney Characters |url=https://variety.com/lists/25-most-iconic-disney-characters/jack-skellington/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117163242/https://variety.com/lists/25-most-iconic-disney-characters/jack-skellington/ |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> According to Arunkumar Sekhar of ''[[Cinema Express]]'' and Rachel Ulatowski of ''Screen Rant'', Simba is one of the studio's most iconic animated characters.<ref name=":44" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sekhar |first=Arunkumar |date=November 21, 2018 |title='Even Disney parks don't have all the princesses together' |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/nov/21/even-disney-parks-dont-have-all-the-princesses-together-8881.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119200757/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/interviews/2018/nov/21/even-disney-parks-dont-have-all-the-princesses-together-8881.html |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=[[Cinema Express]]}}</ref> In a 1995 article ranking "The most powerful people in entertainment", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' likened Disney chairman [[Michael Eisner]]'s success story to that of Simba.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 27, 1995 |title=Power 101 |url=https://ew.com/article/1995/10/27/power-101-3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102092310/https://ew.com/article/1995/10/27/power-101-3/ |archive-date=November 2, 2023 |access-date=February 6, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Publications such as [[World Animal Protection]], the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', ''[[Wilmington Star-News]]'', and the ''[[Birmingham Mail]]'' consider Simba to be one of the [[Cultural depictions of lions|most famous lions in popular culture]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2021 |title=5 famous lions from popular culture |url=https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.nz/news/5-famous-lions-from-popular-culture |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115152238/https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.nz/news/5-famous-lions-from-popular-culture |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |website=[[World Animal Protection]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Staton |first=John |date=March 6, 2014 |title=The List - 6 awesome pop culture lions |url=https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2014/03/06/the-list-6-awesome-pop-culture-lions/30953938007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207150709/https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/2014/03/06/the-list-6-awesome-pop-culture-lions/30953938007/ |archive-date=February 7, 2024 |access-date=February 7, 2024 |work=[[Wilmington Star-News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Aslan and the great movie lions |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-movielions-2008-pg-photogallery.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115151615/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-movielions-2008-pg-photogallery.html |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 8, 2015 |title=The world's eight most famous lions |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/worlds-eight-most-famous-lions-10558299 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115160505/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/worlds-eight-most-famous-lions-10558299 |archive-date=January 15, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2023 |work=[[Birmingham Mail]]}}</ref> Richard Fink of [[MovieWeb]] declared him "the most famous lion in all of cinema".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fink |first=Richard |date=October 18, 2023 |title=30 Best Animated Disney Characters of All Time, Ranked |url=https://movieweb.com/best-disney-characters-of-all-time/#simba |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805013815/https://movieweb.com/best-disney-characters-of-all-time/#simba |archive-date=August 5, 2023 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |work=[[MovieWeb]]}}</ref>

Charlotte Cripps of ''[[The Independent]]'' ranked Simba Disney's second best role-model for children.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cripps |first=Charlotte |date=January 21, 2022 |title=The 10 best Disney role models for kids |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-10-best-disney-role-models-for-kids-b1997299.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117171127/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/the-10-best-disney-role-models-for-kids-b1997299.html |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' ranked Simba Disney's 12th most likeable prince character, due to his relatability.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Espinoza |first=Madisyn |date=January 3, 2023 |title=15 Disney Princes Ranked By Likability |url=https://www.cbr.com/likable-disney-princes/#simba-returns-to-his-responsibilities |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120190331/https://www.cbr.com/likable-disney-princes/#simba-returns-to-his-responsibilities |archive-date=January 20, 2023 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref> [[Collider (website)|Collider]] ranked Simba ''The Lion King''<nowiki/>'s fourth-best character,<ref name=":31">{{Cite news |last=Searle |first=Tyler B. |date=October 22, 2023 |title=The 10 Best Characters in 'The Lion King,' Ranked |url=https://collider.com/the-lion-king-best-characters-ranked/#simba |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123173328/https://collider.com/the-lion-king-best-characters-ranked/#simba |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> as well as the best [[protagonist]] of the [[Disney Renaissance]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Searle |first=Tyler B. |date=November 27, 2022 |title=Ranking the Protagonists of the Disney Renaissance, From Ariel to Tarzan |url=https://collider.com/ranking-the-protagonists-of-the-disney-renaissance/#simba |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705032524/https://collider.com/ranking-the-protagonists-of-the-disney-renaissance/#simba |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> Contributor Tyler B. Searle said Simba "has one of the strongest character arcs of any Disney protagonist".<ref name=":31" /> Writing for the same publication, Anas Yamin said Simba has the best character development of all Disney main characters.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yamin |first=Anas |date=May 26, 2023 |title=The 10 Best Character Development Arcs in Disney, Ranked |url=https://collider.com/best-character-development-arcs-disney-ranked/#simba-the-lion-king |access-date=September 4, 2024 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' ranked Simba eighth in their ranking, including him among "some of the most beloved and iconic main characters in animation history".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Espinoza |first=Madisyn |date=July 26, 2022 |title=10 Best Disney Movie Protagonists From The '90s |url=https://www.cbr.com/best-90s-disney-movie-protagonists/#simba-was-sweet-with-a-sad-backstory-the-lion-king |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831222529/https://www.cbr.com/best-90s-disney-movie-protagonists/#simba-was-sweet-with-a-sad-backstory-the-lion-king |archive-date=August 31, 2022 |access-date=January 24, 2024 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref>

Simba's appearance has also generated online debates discussing whether it is appropriate for fans to consider the character attractive, because he is a cartoon lion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jordana |first=Lipsitz |date=January 15, 2016 |title=Is It Weird To Think That Simba's Kinda Hot? |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/134853-is-it-weird-to-have-a-crush-on-simba-from-the-lion-king-well-youre-certainly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117181944/https://www.bustle.com/articles/134853-is-it-weird-to-have-a-crush-on-simba-from-the-lion-king-well-youre-certainly |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanza |first=Kevin |date=July 26, 2023 |title=The internet loses it after Simba, Nala & others are ranked 'hottest animated animals' |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/comics/news-the-internet-loses-simba-nala-others-ranked-hottest-animated-animals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117182457/https://www.sportskeeda.com/comics/news-the-internet-loses-simba-nala-others-ranked-hottest-animated-animals |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Sportskeeda]] |quote=netizens are now up in arms because of a recent article in Polygon that ranked Simba and Nala, along with others, as some of the most attractive animals}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Reid |first=Rebecca |date=July 19, 2019 |title=Women Are Thirsting Over Sexy Fictional Cats And That's Okay |url=https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/tv-and-film/catstrailer-lionking/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117183518/https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/tv-and-film/catstrailer-lionking/ |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Grazia]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cobb |first=Kayla |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Who Else Thinks 'The Lion King's Lions Are Hella Hot? |url=https://decider.com/2019/07/18/the-lion-king-hot-lions/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117183234/https://decider.com/2019/07/18/the-lion-king-hot-lions/ |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[decider.com|Decider]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Natasha |date=August 16, 2018 |title=Cartoon Crushes: So, I Had a Thing for Simba from 'The Lion King' |url=https://hot1047.com/cartoon-crushes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117184031/https://hot1047.com/cartoon-crushes/ |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |website=[[Hot 104.7]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Walsh |first=Laura |date=May 22, 2019 |title=People Crushing On Old School Cartoon Characters On Twitter Will Make You Say, "Same" |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/these-tweets-about-childhood-cartoon-character-crushes-will-give-you-heart-eyes-17911232 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005081744/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/these-tweets-about-childhood-cartoon-character-crushes-will-give-you-heart-eyes-17911232 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Elite Daily]] |quote=As weird as it can be to crush on someone who's a cartoon (let alone the weirdness of catching feelings for an anthropomorphic character like Simba from Lion King or the foxy Robin Hood) ... If you grew up during Disney's golden era or watched a lot of '90s animated movies, chances are that you had a thing for a character who only existed on your screen.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Alexander |first1=Julia |last2=Frank |first2=Allegra |date=February 14, 2017 |title=Our first crushes may have been fictional, but the feelings were very real |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/14/14613978/video-game-crushes-movie-crushes-tv-crushes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119191614/https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/14/14613978/video-game-crushes-movie-crushes-tv-crushes |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> Several publications, such as ''[[Refinery 29]],'' ''[[HuffPost]]'', ''[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]],'' [[The Edge (radio station)|The Edge]], ''[[YourTango]]'', ''[[The Daily Edge]]'', [[Pride.com|Pride]], and ''[[Thought Catalog]]'', included Simba in [[listicles]] about their most memorable "cartoon crushes",<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bogen |first1=Julie |last2=Le Vine |first2=Lauren |last3=Nicolaou |first3=Elena |date=November 21, 2017 |title=31 Animated Characters You Totally Have A Crush On – Young Simba from The Lion King |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2014/10/182221/sexy-cartoons#slide-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129204140/https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2014/10/182221/sexy-cartoons#slide-17 |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=January 17, 2023 |work=[[Refinery29]] |id=The article includes both young and adult Simba as separate listings.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Capewell |first1=Jillian |last2=Strachan |first2=Maxwell |last3=Frank |first3=Priscilla |date=September 4, 2015 |title=27 Cartoon Characters Who Gave Us The Hots As Kids |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cartoon-characters-crushes_n_55e47039e4b0c818f6187178 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117201307/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cartoon-characters-crushes_n_55e47039e4b0c818f6187178 |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[HuffPost]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Devoe |first=Noelle |date=July 21, 2015 |title=11 Cartoon Characters You Totally Had a Crush on When You Were a Kid |url=https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a32363/cartoon-characters-you-had-a-crush-on-when-you-were-a-kid/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620033317/https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a32363/cartoon-characters-you-had-a-crush-on-when-you-were-a-kid/ |archive-date=June 20, 2022 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 5, 2022 |title=We Asked The Edge - Who Was Your Cartoon Crush? |url=https://www.theedge.co.nz/home/shows/the-edge-breakfast/2022/08/the-edges-childhood-cartoon-crushes-.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119135550/https://www.theedge.co.nz/home/shows/the-edge-breakfast/2022/08/the-edges-childhood-cartoon-crushes-.html |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=[[The Edge (radio station)|The Edge]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Churchill |first=Alexandra |date=August 11, 2014 |title=20 Cartoon Characters Who Were Hunkalicious Back In The Day |url=https://www.yourtango.com/cartoon-characters-we-totally-had-crushes-on-back-in-the-day |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119140621/https://www.yourtango.com/cartoon-characters-we-totally-had-crushes-on-back-in-the-day |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |work=[[YourTango]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Loftus |first=Valerie |date=March 9, 2017 |title=9 cartoon characters you definitely fancied as a young one |url=https://www.dailyedge.ie/cartoon-characters-you-fancied-3278925-Mar2017/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119140308/https://www.dailyedge.ie/cartoon-characters-you-fancied-3278925-Mar2017/ |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2023 |work=[[The Daily Edge]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Diehl |first1=Dustin |last2=Shatto |first2=Rachel |date=March 26, 2023 |title=16 Disney Crushes We Still Can't Get Over |url=https://www.pride.com/geek/disney-crushes#rebelltitem11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119141308/https://www.pride.com/geek/disney-crushes#rebelltitem11 |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=[[Pride.com|Pride]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Eastman |first=Ari |date=December 13, 2014 |title=10 Cartoon Characters You'd Definitely Hook Up With If They Were Real |url=https://thoughtcatalog.com/ari-eastman/2014/12/10-cartoon-characters-youd-definitely-hook-up-with-with-if-they-were-real/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123151541/https://thoughtcatalog.com/ari-eastman/2014/12/10-cartoon-characters-youd-definitely-hook-up-with-with-if-they-were-real/ |archive-date=January 23, 2024 |access-date=January 23, 2024 |work=[[Thought Catalog]]}}</ref> while ''[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]'' ranked him the fourth most attractive Disney prince.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saxena |first=Jaya |date=March 14, 2017 |title=An Important, Definitive Ranking of the Hottest Disney Princes |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/news/g29691/ranking-hottest-disney-princes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117181943/https://www.elle.com/culture/news/g29691/ranking-hottest-disney-princes/ |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]}}</ref> [[Polygon (website)|''Polygon'']] ranked Simba the sixth "hottest animated animal character",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Madden |first=Caroline |date=Jun 26, 2023 |title=Disney's hottest animated animal characters, ranked |url=https://www.polygon.com/century-of-disney/23768474/disneys-hottest-animated-animal-characters-ranked |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117174042/https://www.polygon.com/century-of-disney/23768474/disneys-hottest-animated-animal-characters-ranked |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> and [[Mashable]] ranked him eighth.<ref>{{Cite news |last=de Luna |first=Elizabeth |date=April 9, 2022 |title=The hottest Disney animal characters, ranked |url=https://mashable.com/article/hottest-disney-animal-characters |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118162424/https://mashable.com/article/hottest-disney-animal-characters |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Mashable]]}}</ref> ''Refinery29''<nowiki/>'s Anne Cohen lamented that the 2019 remake lacks the "Hot Simba Energy" of the original film.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Anne |date=July 11, 2019 |title=The Lion King Could Use A Lot More Hot Simba Energy |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2019/07/237629/the-lion-king-2019-movie-review-disney-reboot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118152341/https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/2019/07/237629/the-lion-king-2019-movie-review-disney-reboot |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Refinery29]]}}</ref> Kayla Cobb of [[New York Post|Decider]] theorized that Disney wanted audiences to know that "in the lion world, Simba is a babe" by drawing him with traditionally attractive and masculine features.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cobb |first=Kayla |date=July 18, 2019 |title=Who Else Thinks 'The Lion King's Lions Are Hella Hot? |url=https://decider.com/2019/07/18/the-lion-king-hot-lions/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117183232/https://decider.com/2019/07/18/the-lion-king-hot-lions/ |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=[[Decider (website)|Decider]]}}</ref> Louis Costello, a writer for [[PEDESTRIAN.TV|Pedestrian]], said "yes it’s okay to be attracted to adult Simba and yes you’re not the only one".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Costello |first=Louis |date=May 20, 2019 |title=7 Disney Characters All Of Us Had An Irrational Crush On Growing Up |url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/disney/irrational-crush-disney-characters/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119173559/https://www.pedestrian.tv/disney/irrational-crush-disney-characters/ |archive-date=January 19, 2024 |access-date=January 19, 2024 |website=[[PEDESTRIAN.TV]]}}</ref> In 2019, the pop culture website [[Junkee Media|Punkee]] published an article asking readers "Why Are We All So Thirsty For Simba?", which author Jenna Guillaume attributed to the character's long mane, smile, "flirty eyebrow raise", and Broderick's voice.<ref name=":28">{{Cite news |last=Guillaume |first=Jenna |date=July 31, 2019 |title=Horny On Mane: Why Are We All So Thirsty For Simba? |url=https://punkee.com.au/the-lion-king-simba/77993 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117174042/https://punkee.com.au/the-lion-king-simba/77993 |archive-date=January 17, 2024 |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Punkee]]}}</ref> Senior lecturer Dr. Lauren Rosewarne theorized that Simba's story and character development throughout ''The Lion King'' offers several opportunities for viewers to find him attractive, progressing from wounded, ostracized cub to “potentially offers a bad boy, and then the hero appeal that some audiences will be drawn to".<ref name=":28" />

=== Pop culture references ===
During the film's opening song, "[[Circle of Life]]", Rafiki introduces a newborn Simba to a large crowd of onlooking animals gathered at the foot of Pride Rock by standing towards the edge and holding the cub high above their heads, while Mufasa and Sarabi observe from behind them.<ref name=":8-1" /> The scene is considered to be one of the most famous from ''The Lion King'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Winning |first=Josh |date=December 1, 2011 |title=50 Greatest Disney Movie Moments |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/features/50-greatest-disney-movie-moments/circle-of-life |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903132817/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/50-greatest-disney-movie-moments/circle-of-life |archive-date=September 3, 2014 |access-date=August 13, 2013 |website=[[Total Film]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sessa |first=Andrew |date=July 29, 2019 |title=The Real-Life Locations That Inspired the New Lion King Movie |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-real-life-locations-that-inspired-the-new-lion-king-movie |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130150233/https://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-real-life-locations-that-inspired-the-new-lion-king-movie |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=[[Condé Nast Traveler]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Winer |first=Stuart |date=October 22, 2018 |title=Israeli photographer's real-life 'Lion King' photo grabs headlines |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-photographers-real-life-lion-king-photo-grabs-headlines/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205150229/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-photographers-real-life-lion-king-photo-grabs-headlines/ |archive-date=February 5, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2024 |work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> and has been parodied in several projects since the film's release.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Davis |first1=Richard Brian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_16YEAAAQBAJ&dq=pride+rock+rafiki+%22iconic%22&pg=PA147 |title=Disney and Philosophy: Truth, Trust, and a Little Bit of Pixie Dust |last2=Irwin |first2=William |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |year=2019 |isbn=9781119538318 |location=United States |pages=147 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Several fans have recreated the image using their own children or pets,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richards |first=Kimberly |date=May 11, 2016 |title=These Parents Recreated 'The Lion King' Scene With Their Newborn In The Sweetest Video |url=https://www.romper.com/p/these-parents-recreated-the-lion-king-scene-with-their-newborn-in-the-sweetest-video-10466 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240129185213/https://www.romper.com/p/these-parents-recreated-the-lion-king-scene-with-their-newborn-in-the-sweetest-video-10466 |archive-date=January 29, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Romper]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 10, 2016 |title=Parents Recreate Scene From 'Lion King' for Newborn Daughter |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/parents-recreate-scene-lion-king-newborn-daughter/story?id=39007311 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317145500/https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/parents-recreate-scene-lion-king-newborn-daughter/story?id=39007311 |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=January 29, 2024 |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref> including, controversially, singer [[Michael Jackson]] in 1992,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vineyard |first=Jennifer |date=November 20, 2002 |title=Michael Jackson Calls Baby-Dangling Incident A 'Terrible Mistake' |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458799/michael-jackson-apologizes-baby-incident.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221034019/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458799/michael-jackson-apologizes-baby-incident.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=July 28, 2013 |website=[[MTV]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmader |first=David |date=May 11, 2005 |title=The Week in Review |url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/last-days/Content?oid=21270 |access-date=July 28, 2013 |website=[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]] |publisher=}}</ref> and [[Brendan Fraser]] at the end of the film ''[[George of the Jungle (film)|George of the Jungle]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Olson |first=Scott R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MGI2vdGPN6UC&q=george+of+the+jungle+the+lion+king+parody&pg=PR15 |title=Parody As Film Genre: "Never Give a Saga an Even Break" |date=January 1, 1999 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0313261862 |editor-last=Gehring |editor-first=Wes |location=United States |page=XV |access-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |people=Weisman, Sam (director) |date=June 16, 1997 |title=George of the Jungle |medium=Motion picture |publisher=Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures |location=United States}}</ref> During the [[Once Upon a Time (season 3)|third season]] [[Snow Drifts|finale]] of ''[[Once Upon a Time (TV series)|Once Upon a Time]]'', the main character [[Emma Swan]] asked her parents [[Mary Margaret Blanchard|Snow White]] and [[David Nolan (Once Upon a Time)|David Nolan]] if they were going to hold up her yet unnamed baby brother like in ''The Lion King''.<ref>''Once Upon a Time'', Season 3, "[[Snow Drifts]]"</ref>

Since the release of ''The Lion King'', the name "Simba" has increased in use and popularity among pet owners, specifically dogs and cats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nannestad |first=Chloe |date=February 1, 2024 |title=184 Magical Disney-Inspired Names for Your Dog |url=https://www.rd.com/article/disney-dog-names/ |access-date=February 6, 2024 |work=[[Reader's Digest]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Finch-Brand |first=Vincent |date=May 19, 2023 |title=160+ Dog Names from Movies for Your Furry Film Critic |url=https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-names/dog-names-from-movies |access-date=February 6, 2024 |website=[[Dotdash Meredith|Daily Paws]]}}</ref> According to [[Comcast]] in 2010, the use of Simba as a dog name reemerged in popularity in 2009 after experiencing a noticeable decline in 2001, ranking the name ninth out of 10 on its list of "Top 10 Trendiest Dog Names of the Year".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/news-trendydognames/9/ |title=VetStreet.com: Top 10 Trendiest Dog Names of the Year |year=2010 |access-date=August 6, 2013 |website=Comcast |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130719090845/http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/news-trendydognames/9/|archive-date = July 19, 2013|url-status = dead}}</ref> In May 2013, [[Yahoo! Lifestyle]] included the name on its list of "Trendiest Dog Names".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/general/galleries/photo/-/17310815/trendiest-dog-names/17310829/ |title=Trendiest dog names |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=August 6, 2013 |website=Yahoo! Lifestyle |publisher=Yahoo!7}}</ref> According to YouPet, Simba is the 17th most popular cat name out of 100 candidates.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.youpet.com/cat-names/ |title=Cat Names |access-date=July 29, 2013 |publisher=YouPet, LLC|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140814150839/http://www.youpet.com/cat-names/|archive-date = August 14, 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref> Care2 included Simba in its article "All-around Cool Cat Names,"<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cool-cat-names-vote-for-your-favorite.html |title=Cool Cat Names: Vote for Your Favorite |date=December 2, 2012 |access-date=July 29, 2013 |website=Care2 |publisher=Care2.com, Inc |last=Udell |first=Cherise}}</ref> while DutchNews.nl reported that Simba ranks among the country's most popular cat names as of July 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2013/07/luna_most_popular_name_for_dut.php |title=Luna most popular name for Dutch dogs and cats |date=July 2, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2013 |website=DutchNews.nl }}</ref> In its list of "Top Popular Pet Names," BabyNames.com placed Simba at number 64 on its list of most popular dog names out of the 100 that were considered.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.babynames.com/Names/Pets/ |title=Top Popular Pet Names |access-date=July 29, 2013 |website=BabyNames.com |publisher=BabyNames.com LLC|url-status = dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100207162823/http://www.babynames.com/Names/Pets/ |archive-date=February 7, 2010}}</ref> [[Yahoo! News Underground|Yahoo! News UK]] reported that Simba was one of the most popular pet names in Britain in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 12, 2016 |title=These Are The Most Popular Pet Names In Britain |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/most-popular-pet-names-britain-113924926.html |access-date=February 6, 2024 |work=[[Yahoo! News]]}}</ref> Corresponding with the ''Lion King'' remake in 2019, Simba was that year's most popular male cat name.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larson |first=Jessi |date=December 26, 2019 |title=The Lion King Dominates Top Cat Names of 2019 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-lion-king-dominates-top-cat-names-of-2019-300979333.html |access-date=February 6, 2024 |work=[[PR Newswire]]}}</ref> According to ''[[Daily Hive]]'', Simba ranked among Toronto's 10 most popular dog names in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Brooke |date=December 1, 2021 |title=Here are the most popular dog and cat names in Toronto |url=https://dailyhive.com/toronto/most-popular-dog-cat-names-toronto |access-date=February 6, 2024 |work=[[Daily Hive]]}}</ref>

== In other media ==

Actors [[Donald Glover]] and [[JD McCrary]] voiced adult and young Simba, respectively, in the 2019 [[photorealistic]] [[The Lion King (2019 film)|remake]] of ''The Lion King''.<ref name=":11">{{cite news |last=Mandell |first=Andrea |date=July 19, 2019 |title=Donald Glover: From redoing Simba after losing his father to his funny Blue Ivy encounter |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/07/16/lion-king-donald-glover-redid-simba-lines-after-losing-dad/1728489001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604103853/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2019/07/16/lion-king-donald-glover-redid-simba-lines-after-losing-dad/1728489001/ |archive-date=June 4, 2023 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sun |first=Rebecca |date=November 2, 2017 |title='Lion King's' Young Simba Actor Signs With ICM Partners (Exclusive) |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lion-king-young-simba-actor-signs-icm-partners-1054468 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414205408/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lion-king-young-simba-actor-signs-icm-partners-1054468 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2017 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> The remake closely adheres the plot and characters from the original, but devotes more time to exploring Simba's transition from lion cub to adult.<ref name="Entertainment Weekly">{{Cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftRPVHyELXo&t=19s |title=What To Expect From The Characters in the Upcoming 'The Lion King' Adaptation |date=April 25, 2019 |author=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en |access-date=April 29, 2019 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> Although the film had already been completed, Glover asked to rerecord his work after his own father died, claiming the experience strengthened his understanding of his character.<ref name=":11" /> To commemorate the remake's release, [[Funko Pop!]] released several vinyl figurines of Simba and other main characters from the film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fallon |first=Sean |date=April 15, 2019 |title=Disney's "Live-Action" 'The Lion King' Gets Its First Funko Pops |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/disney-live-action-the-lion-king-funko-pops/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207193443/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/disney-live-action-the-lion-king-funko-pops/ |archive-date=December 7, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Scheier |first=Lauren |date=2019 |title=Can't Wait to Be King? Get the New Lion King Funko Pop! Figures and Be the Mane Event! |url=https://www.entertainmentearth.com/news/lion-king-funko-pop-figures/?srsltid=AfmBOoqlr67-tDPRuKOa0NmeJrKwPtHpY6ERPwDcqZuC2MDNggabp3e0 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |work=[[Entertainment Earth]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fallon |first=Sean |date=December 12, 2018 |title=Disney's 'The Lion King' Gets a New Wave of Funko Pop Figures |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/disneys-the-lion-king-funko-pop-figures/ |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref> Glover reprised his role in ''[[Mufasa: The Lion King]]'', which coveys the story of Mufasa's origins and upbringing to Simba's daughter Kiara.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gomez |first=Dessi |date=December 20, 2024 |title='Mufasa: The Lion King' Voice Cast Guide: Who Voices Whom? |url=https://deadline.com/gallery/mufasa-the-lion-king-voice-cast/mufasa-aaron-pierre-copy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107135447/https://deadline.com/gallery/mufasa-the-lion-king-voice-cast/mufasa-aaron-pierre-copy/ |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref>

Simba makes several [[guest appearances]] on the animated television series ''[[The Lion King's Timon & Pumbaa]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Leunig |first=Maximilian |date=June 29, 2024 |title=10 Animated '90s TV Shows Based on Movies |url=https://collider.com/animated-tv-shows-movies-90s/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240702015909/https://collider.com/animated-tv-shows-movies-90s/ |archive-date=July 2, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brennan |first=Steve |date=January 24, 1995 |title=Disney's 'Lion King' Roars Off to Television |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Disney-s-Lion-King-Roars-Off-to-Television-3047470.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203083117/https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Disney-s-Lion-King-Roars-Off-to-Television-3047470.php |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=[[SFGate]] |publisher=}} Accessed 24 January 1995.</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ganguly |first=Srinjoy |date=August 21, 2023 |title=Timon & Pumbaa: Where to Watch & Stream Online |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1320421-timon-pumbaa-where-to-watch-stream-online |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205201844/https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1320421-timon-pumbaa-where-to-watch-stream-online |archive-date=February 5, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=[[Comingsoon.net]]}}</ref> Beginning with the television special ''[[The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar]]'', Simba guest appears on the animated series ''[[The Lion Guard]]'', which mostly occurs during the timeline of ''The Lion King II: Simba's Pride''<nowiki/>'s.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Paul |first=Trinetra |date=December 20, 2024 |title=How to watch all 'The Lion King' movies in chronological order, including 'Mufasa' |url=https://www.lifestyleasia.com/kl/entertainment/movies/the-lion-king-movies-in-chronological-order/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=[[Lifestyle Asia]]}}</ref> It follows Simba and Nala's second-born cub, [[Kion (The Lion King)|Kion]], who becomes leader of the Lion Guard tasked with protecting the Pride Lands.<ref name="Brett">{{cite web |last=Brett |first=Susan |date=February 8, 2016 |title=Exclusive Interview: Disney's The Lion Guard creator Ford Riley talks new Lion King sequel |url=http://tvdaily.com/exclusive-interview-disneys-the-lion-guard-creator-ford-riley-talks-new-lion-king-sequel/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823115446/http://tvdaily.com/exclusive-interview-disneys-the-lion-guard-creator-ford-riley-talks-new-lion-king-sequel/ |archive-date=August 23, 2016 |access-date=November 25, 2016 |website=TV Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2014 |title=Be Prepared for The Lion Guard |url=http://blogs.disney.com/insider/2014/06/10/be-prepared-for-the-lion-guard/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627104733/https://ohmy.disney.com/insider/2014/06/10/be-prepared-for-the-lion-guard/ |archive-date=June 27, 2017 |access-date=August 10, 2014 |website=[[Disney.com|Disney Insider]]}}</ref> Simba is voiced by [[Rob Lowe]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Snetiker |first=Marc |date=August 11, 2015 |title=Lion King spin-off voice cast includes Rob Lowe, Gabrielle Union, James Earl Jones, and more |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/08/11/lion-king-spinoff-voice-cast-rob-lowe-gabrielle-union/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225104858/https://ew.com/article/2015/08/11/lion-king-spinoff-voice-cast-rob-lowe-gabrielle-union/ |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> The character was also featured as guest on the animated series ''[[House of Mouse]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Simba |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Disneys-House-of-Mouse/Simba/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref> as well as its spin-off film ''[[Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Simba |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/movies/Mickeys-Magical-Christmas-Snowed-in-at-the-House-of-Mouse/Simba/ |access-date=February 5, 2025 |website=Behind the Voice Actors}}</ref>

Actors [[Scott Irby-Ranniar]] and [[Jason Raize]] played young and adult Simba, respectively, in the [[Original Broadway Cast|original Broadway cast]] of the [[The Lion King (musical)|stage adaptation]] of ''The Lion King''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King: Opening Night Cast |url=http://www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/Cast/8729/The-Lion-King-at-New-Amsterdam-Theatre |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817054530/http://www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/Cast/8729/The-Lion-King-at-New-Amsterdam-Theatre |archive-date=August 17, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2013 |website=[[Playbill Vault]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=David |date=August 15, 2012 |title='The Lion King' to surpass 'A Chorus Line' on Broadway |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-xpm-2012-aug-15-la-et-cm-the-lion-king-to-surpass-a-chorus-line-on-broadway-20120814-story.html |url-access=limited |access-date=August 1, 2013 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> Raize auditioned after learning that director [[Julie Taymor]] was looking for ethnically ambiguous actors.<ref name=":7-2">{{Cite web |last=Pacheco |first=Patrick |date=January 13, 1998 |title=Raize of Light |url=http://www.jasonraize.net/intheater98.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124122848/http://www.jasonraize.net/intheater98.pdf |archive-date=November 24, 2015 |access-date=August 1, 2013 |website=InTheater}}</ref> Raize said the role was highly sought-after because the musical required more "triple-threat work" than other Broadway shows at the time, and immediately felt connected to Simba.<ref name=":7-2" /> Once cast, Raize found it challenging to maintain the character's duality because Simba is "both man and beast", without sacrificing one for the other.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kahn |first=Sheryl |year=1997 |title=A Lion's Share |url=http://www.jasonraize.net/intheater97.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224101713/http://jasonraize.net/intheater97.pdf |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |access-date=August 1, 2013 |website=InTheater |page=22}}</ref> Although hundreds of child actors auditioned for the role of young Simba,<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Felicia R. |date=December 17, 1997 |title=Circle of Life: School, Homework, Broadway and Sleep |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/17/theater/circle-of-life-school-homework-broadway-and-sleep.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418234709/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/17/theater/circle-of-life-school-homework-broadway-and-sleep.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2013 |website=[[The New York Times]] |quote=Mr. Irby-Ranniar in particular was singled out.}}</ref> the casting process was much less grueling for Irby-Ranniar who, according to Taymor, simply "walked in and he had the part".<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 13, 1997 |title=Heart of a Lion |url=http://www.jasonraize.net/pr_stjr_dth111397.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130324031213/http://www.jasonraize.net/pr_stjr_dth111397.html |archive-date=March 24, 2013 |access-date=August 1, 2013 |website=[[Telegraph Herald]] |publisher=THonline.com}}</ref> Both actors received positive reviews for their performances.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Simons |first=Tad |date=August 5, 1997 |title=The Lion King (Orpheum Theater) |url=https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/the-lion-king-orpheum-theater-1117329815/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003182115/https://variety.com/1997/legit/reviews/the-lion-king-orpheum-theater-1117329815/ |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 9, 2023 |title=Broadway Stars We Lost Too Soon |url=https://www.bet.com/article/equ6ir/broadway-stars-we-lost-too-soon |access-date=February 5, 2025 |work=[[BET]]}}</ref><ref name=":12" />

=== Merchandising and video games ===
As an part of the [[The Lion King (franchise)|franchise]]'s merchandising, Simba has appeared in various ''The Lion King''-related products.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King |url=http://www.disneystore.com/the-lion-king/mn/1000030/ |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002054705/http://www.disneystore.com/the-lion-king/mn/1000030/ |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |access-date=August 17, 2013 |website=Disney Store |publisher=Disney}}</ref> The character's likeness has been used in and adapted into a variety of items, including plush toys and figurines, clothing, bedding, household decor, and appliances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lion King Toys, Action Figures & Plush On Sale! |url=https://toywiz.com/search.php?s=simba |access-date=August 17, 2013 |website=ToyWiz}}</ref> The success of the stage musical has also led to its own line of merchandising,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King the Musical Official Broadway Souvenir Merchandise |url=http://www.playbillstore.com/likigime.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806175729/http://www.playbillstore.com/likigime.html |archive-date=August 6, 2013 |access-date=August 17, 2013 |website=PlaybillStore.com |publisher=Playbill, Inc}}</ref> including the Simba beanbag doll, based on the character's appearance and costume in the Broadway show.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King the Broadway Musical – Simba Beanbag Doll |url=http://www.playbillstore.com/likibrmusibe2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423153358/https://www.playbillstore.com/the-lion-king-the-broadway-musical-small-simba-plush-doll.aspx |archive-date=April 23, 2023 |access-date=August 17, 2013 |website=[[Playbill|PlaybillStore.com]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Simba Beanbag Doll |url=http://www.broadway.com/souvenirs/bridges-madison-county/likibrmusibe2/simba-beanbag-doll/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019002524/http://www.broadway.com/souvenirs/bridges-madison-county/likibrmusibe2/simba-beanbag-doll/ |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |access-date=August 17, 2013 |website=[[Broadway.com]]}}</ref>

Simba has appeared as a [[playable character]] in several video games both directly and indirectly associated with the ''Lion King'' franchise. The character's first appearance as a [[Player character|video game character]] was in ''[[The Lion King (video game)|The Lion King]]'' (1994),<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King |url=http://ca.ign.com/games/the-lion-king/snes-6868 |access-date=August 2, 2013 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=}}</ref> which follows the plot of the original film and features Simba as both a cub and an adult.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Christopher Michael |title=The Lion King |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2532&tab=overview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116052825/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2532&tab=overview |archive-date=November 16, 2014 |access-date=August 16, 2013 |website=[[Allgame]] |publisher=}}</ref> Simba appears in ''[[The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure]]'' (2000),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Nick |title=Disney's The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26031&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114140050/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26031&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=August 16, 2013 |website=[[Allgame]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=November 30, 2000 |title=Disney's The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure |url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2000/12/01/disneys-the-lion-king-simbas-mighty-adventure |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120063249/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/01/disneys-the-lion-king-simbas-mighty-adventure |archive-date=November 20, 2013 |access-date=August 2, 2013 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=}}</ref> which encompasses 10 levels that incorporate the plot of both ''The Lion King'' and ''The Lion King II: Simba's Pride'' as "Simba ... matures from a precocious cub to an adult lion".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marriott |first=Scott Alan |title=Disney's The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26641 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114100040/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=26641 |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |access-date=August 16, 2013 |website=[[Allgame]] |publisher=}}</ref>

In the [[Kingdom Hearts]] video game franchise, Simba appears as a friend and ally of the series' main character, [[Sora (Kingdom Hearts)|Sora]], in ''[[Kingdom Hearts (video game)|Kingdom Hearts]]'', ''[[Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories]]'' and ''[[Kingdom Hearts III]]'', and as a companion in battle in ''[[Kingdom Hearts II]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Cecily |date=May 5, 2012 |title=IGN Nomura Interview 2004 |url=http://www.khinsider.com/news/IGN-Nomura-Interview-2004-2562 |access-date=August 12, 2013 |website=Kingdom Hearts Insider |publisher=KHInsider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kingdom Hearts Ultimania Interviews Kingdom Hearts II Interview (IGN) |url=http://www.kh2.co.uk/website/interviews/ign |access-date=August 12, 2013 |website=Kingdom Hearts Ultimania}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kingdom Hearts II |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/video-games/Kingdom-Hearts-II/ |access-date=August 12, 2013 |website=Behind The Voice Actors}}</ref><ref>{{Cite video game|title=[[Kingdom Hearts II]]|publisher=[[Square Enix]]|developer=[[Square Enix|Square Enix Product Development Division 1]]|platform=[[PlayStation 2]]|date=December 22, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Simba |url=http://www.khinsider.com/characters/simba |access-date=August 12, 2013 |website=Kingdom Hearts Insider |publisher=KHInsider.}}</ref> Simba also appears as a playable character in [[Disney Interactive Studios]]' ''[[Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure]]'' and ''[[Disney Magic Kingdoms]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 26, 2017 |title=Update 12: The Lion King {{!}} Livestream |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ7X8p4Q688 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hwang |first=Kaiser |date=September 3, 2003 |title=Disney's Extreme Skate Adventure |url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2003/09/04/disneys-extreme-skate-adventure-2 |access-date=August 12, 2013 |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc}}</ref> He is one of the central characters in ''[[Disney Friends]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeVries |first=Jack |date=March 7, 2006 |title=Disney Friends Review |url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2008/03/07/disney-friends-review |access-date=August 2, 2013 |website=IGN |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc}}</ref> and also appears as a villager in the [[life simulation game|life simulation]] [[adventure game]] ''[[Disney Dreamlight Valley]]''.

=== Walt Disney Parks and Resorts ===
Live versions of Simba appear in the [[The Lion King (musical)|''Lion King'' musical]] and in the parades and shows at the [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts]].

Simba was also the main character in "Legend of the Lion King," a former [[Fantasyland]] attraction in [[Walt Disney World]]'s [[Magic Kingdom]], which retold the story of the film using fully articulated puppets. Other Disney attractions that have featured Simba include the [[Mickey's PhilharMagic]] 3D show and the [[Hong Kong Disneyland]] version of ''[[It's a Small World]]''.

He appeared as one of the main characters at Epcot's [[The Land (Epcot)|Land Pavilion]] 12-minute [[edutainment]] film ''[[Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable]]'', until its closure in 2018. He currently appears in animatronic form in [[Festival of the Lion King]] at [[Disney's Animal Kingdom]].

== Notes ==
{{References list|group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{The Lion King}}
{{Disney animated characters}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:The Lion King (franchise) characters]]
[[Category:Fictional exiles]]
[[Category:Fictional lions]]
[[Category:Fictional princes]]
[[Category:Fictional kings]]
[[Category:Fictional tribal chiefs]]
[[Category:Male characters in animated films]]
[[Category:Film characters introduced in 1994]]
[[Category:Animated characters introduced in 1994]]
[[Category:Child characters in animated films]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with post-traumatic stress disorder]]
[[Category:Anthropomorphic lions]]