View source for The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

{{Short description|1998 animated film}}
{{redirect|The Lion King 2|the prequel and sequel to the 2019 film|Mufasa: The Lion King{{!}}''Mufasa: The Lion King''}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name        = The Lion King II: Simba's Pride
| image       = The Lion King II-Simba's Pride poster.jpg
| caption     = Home video release poster
| director    = [[Darrell Rooney]]
| producer    = Jeannine Roussel
| screenplay  = {{Plainlist|
* Flip Kobler
* Cindy Marcus
}}
| starring    = {{Plainlist|<!--Per end credits-->
* [[Matthew Broderick]]
* [[Neve Campbell]]
* [[Andy Dick]]
* [[Robert Guillaume]]
* [[James Earl Jones]]
* [[Moira Kelly]]
* [[Nathan Lane]]
* [[Jason Marsden]]
* [[Suzanne Pleshette]]
* [[Ernie Sabella]]
}}
| music       = [[Nick Glennie-Smith]]
| editing     = Peter Lonsdale
| studio      = [[Walt Disney Home Video]]<br>[[Walt Disney Video Premiere]]<br>[[Disney Television Animation|Walt Disney Television Animation]]{{efn|Animation outsourced to [[Walt Disney Animation Australia]]<ref name="production" /> and [[Walt Disney Animation Canada]].}}
| distributor = [[Buena Vista Home Entertainment]]
| released    = {{Film date|1998|10|27}}
| runtime     = 80 minutes 
| country     = United States
| language    = English
}}
'''''The Lion King II: Simba's Pride''''', also titled as '''''The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride''''',{{efn|Also titled as '''''The Lion King 2: Simba's Kingdom''''' in some countries.}} is a 1998 American animated [[direct-to-video]] [[musical film|musical]] [[drama film]] produced by [[Walt Disney Video Premiere]]. Directed by [[Darrell Rooney]], it is the [[sequel]] to [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney Animation]]'s 1994 film, ''[[The Lion King]]'', with its plot influenced by [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', and the second installment in [[The Lion King (franchise)|''The Lion King'' trilogy]].

Animated by [[Walt Disney Animation Australia]], the film centers on [[Simba]] and [[Nala (The Lion King)|Nala]]'s daughter Kiara, who falls in love with Kovu, a lion from a exiled pride once loyal to [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]]. Separated by Simba's prejudice against the pride and a vindictive plot planned by Kovu's mother Zira, Kiara and Kovu struggle to unite their estranged prides and be together.

Most of the original cast returned to their roles from the first film with a few exceptions. [[Rowan Atkinson]], who voiced Zazu in the first film, was replaced by [[Edward Hibbert]] for both this film and ''[[The Lion King 1½]]'' (2004). [[Jeremy Irons]], who voiced Scar in the first film, was replaced by [[Jim Cummings]], who briefly provided his singing voice in the first film. While not drawing the same attention as its predecessor, ''Simba's Pride'' received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences.

== Plot ==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 and 700 words only! Please check the word count before making any additions. -->

King [[Simba]] and Queen [[Nala (The Lion King)|Nala]]'s newborn daughter Kiara is presented to the gathered animals of the Pride Lands.{{Efn|As depicted in ''[[The Lion King]]'' (1994).}} After Kiara has grown into a young cub, she becomes frustrated with her father's parenting, so Simba has his childhood friends [[Timon and Pumbaa]] accompany her out of concern for her safety. Over Simba's protestations, Kiara wanders off alone into the barren Outlands — home to an enemy pride of [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]]'s exiled followers called the Outsiders — and encounters another cub, Kovu. After narrowly escaping a crocodile-infested river, the cubs befriend each other. When Simba comes across Kovu and Kiara playing, he misinterprets it as fighting and confronts Kovu just as he is confronted by Zira, Kovu's mother and the Outsiders' leader. Simba later explains to Kiara the responsibilities of queenship and that everyone is a part of each other. Zira, who is secretly training Kovu as an assassin, realizes she can use her son's friendship with Kiara to kill Simba and usurp the throne. Meanwhile, the spirit of Simba's late father, [[Mufasa]], plans to bring Kiara and Kovu together to reunite the Pridelanders and the Outsiders.

Years later, an adolescent Kovu rescues Kiara after his older siblings Nuka and Vitani start a wildfire during her first solo hunt. Alerted to Kiara's location, Simba accepts Kovu's offer to join the Pridelanders, though he remains suspicious of his motives. Later, while training Kiara in hunting, Kovu begins reconsidering his mission to kill Simba and tells Kiara he is not Scar's actual son. Simba's friend and advisor, Rafiki, leads the lions to the jungle and helps them fall in love by introducing them to "upendi" (a form of [[wikt:upendo|''upendo'']], which means "love" in [[Swahili language|Swahili]]). At Nala's persuasion, Simba has Kovu spend the night inside Pride Rock with the rest of the Pridelanders. Vitani, however, secretly sends word back to Zira about Kovu's failure to kill Simba.

The next morning, Simba shows Kovu the Pride Lands and tells him the truth about Scar. The Outsiders ambush Simba and trick him into thinking Kovu has betrayed him. In the ensuing battle, Nuka is killed and Simba escapes. Kovu turns on Zira and pleads Simba for forgiveness, but is instead exiled. Kiara makes Simba realize his irrational behavior and leaves Pride Rock to personally search for Kovu. After reuniting, Kiara and Kovu return to the Pride Lands and successfully convince the Pridelanders and Outsiders to stop fighting. Zira, however, tries attacking Simba, but is instead flipped off a nearby cliff to her death.

Following the battle, Simba welcomes the rest of the Outsiders, including Kovu, back into the Pride Lands, thus finally reuniting them with the Pridelanders. During a later celebration on Pride Rock, Simba witnesses Mufasa's spirit congratulating him.

== Voice cast ==
{{Main|List of The Lion King (franchise) characters}}
* [[Neve Campbell]] as [[List of The Lion King characters#Kiara|Kiara]], the daughter of Simba and Nala, heir to the Pride Lands and Kovu's love interest and later mate. [[Liz Callaway]] provided Kiara's singing voice.
** [[Michelle Horn]] voiced young Kiara while Charity Sanoy provided the cub's singing voice.
* [[Jason Marsden]] as [[List of The Lion King characters#Kovu|Kovu]], the son of Zira, Scar's successor, Nuka and Vitani's younger brother, and Kiara's love interest and later mate. Gene Miller provided Kovu's singing voice. 
** [[Ryan O'Donohue]] provided the voice of young Kovu.
* [[Matthew Broderick]] as [[Simba]], King of the Pride Lands, Mufasa and Sarabi's son, Scar's nephew, Nala's mate, and Kiara's father. [[Cam Clarke]] provided Simba's singing voice.
* [[Suzanne Pleshette]] as [[List of The Lion King characters#Zira|Zira]], the leader of the Outsiders, Scar's most loyal follower and the mother of Nuka, Vitani and Kovu. [[Kathleen Turner]] had originally been cast as Zira, but was replaced for undisclosed reasons. During an interview on ''[[The Rosie O'Donnell Show]]'' in March 1998, Turner talked about the role and sang a portion of her character's song (stating the film would be her singing debut).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-FkONusZY0 |title=Kathleen Turner Interview 2 - ROD Show, Season 2 Episode 116, 1998|website=[[YouTube]]|date=December 1, 2022|access-date=December 9, 2023}}</ref>
* [[Moira Kelly]] as [[Nala (The Lion King)|Nala]], Queen of the Pride Lands, Simba's mate, and Kiara's mother.
* [[Nathan Lane]] as [[Timon and Pumbaa|Timon]],  a wise-cracking [[meerkat]] who befriended Simba when he was a cub.
* [[Ernie Sabella]] as [[Timon and Pumbaa|Pumbaa]], a naïve [[warthog]] who befriended Simba when he was a cub.
* [[Robert Guillaume]] as [[List of The Lion King characters#Rafiki|Rafiki]], a wise [[mandrill]] who serves as the [[shaman]] of the Pride Lands.
* [[Edward Hibbert]] as [[List of The Lion King characters#Zazu|Zazu]], an uptight [[red-billed hornbill|hornbill]] who serves as the [[majordomo]] to the King of the Pride Lands.
* [[Andy Dick]] as [[List of The Lion King characters#Nuka|Nuka]], the eldest child of Zira and the older brother of Vitani and Kovu.
* [[Meredith Scott Lynn]] as [[List of The Lion King characters#Vitani|Vitani]], the daughter and middle child of Zira, the older sister of Kovu, and the younger sister of Nuka.
** [[Lacey Chabert]] voiced young Vitani while Crysta Macalush provided the cub's singing voice.
* [[James Earl Jones]] as [[Mufasa]], Simba's late father, Kiara's grandfather, Nala's father-in-law, Scar's brother, and the previous King of the Pride Lands.
* [[Jim Cummings]] as [[Scar (The Lion King)|Scar]], Mufasa's younger brother, Simba's uncle and Kiara's great-uncle who appears in a brief cameo.

== Production ==
In May 1994, discussion had begun about the possibility of a direct-to-video sequel to ''The Lion King'' before the first film had been released in theaters.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horn |first=John |date=May 6, 1994 |title=Sequels move to video market |page=8D |work=[[The Star Democrat]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7917923/sequelsmovetovideomarket/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208195940/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7917923/sequelsmovetovideomarket/ |archive-date=December 8, 2020 |quote="The studio is so confident in the sequel's success, it already is considering a direct-to-video sequel to ''The Lion King'' – which doesn't arrive in theaters until June." |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> In January 1995, it was reported that a ''Lion King'' sequel was to be released "in the next twelve months".<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 31, 1995 |title=Sequel to 'Lion King' Set to Roar into VCRs Within the Next Year |work=Bloomberg News Service |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1995/01/31/sequel-to-lion-king-set-to-roar-into-vcrs-within-the-next-year/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031112403/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-01-31/business/9501300385_1_video-lion-king-sequel |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |via=[[Orlando Sentinel]]}}</ref> However, it was delayed, and then it was reported in May 1996 that it would be released in early 1997.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=May 24, 1996 |title=Disney to Offer Original Made for Home Videos |work=[[Sun-Sentinel]] |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-05-24-9605230110-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022060639/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-05-24-9605230110-story.html |archive-date=October 22, 2020}}</ref> By 1996, [[Darrell Rooney]] had signed on to direct the film while Jeannine Roussel would serve as producer.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure audio commentary |last=Roussel |first=Jeannine |type=DVD |publisher=[[The Walt Disney Company]] |year=2006 |first2=Darrell |last2=Rooney}}</ref>

In April 1996, [[Jane Leeves]] of ''[[Frasier]]'' fame had been cast as Binti, who was to be Zazu's girlfriend,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ratliff |first=Larry |date=April 12, 1996 |title=Jane and the Giant Bug – Finding Right 'Peach' Voice Was All Relative for 'Frasier' Co-Star |work=[[San Antonio Express-News]] |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB03D6E17B60ABB&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=dead |access-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111012116/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB03D6E17B60ABB&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=January 11, 2016 |via=[[NewsBank]]}}</ref> but the character was ultimately dropped. In August 1996, [[Cheech Marin]] reported that he would reprise his role as Banzai the hyena from the [[The Lion King|first film]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slewinski |first=Christy |date=August 8, 1996 |title=Cheech Cops Plum Role on 'Nash' |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/cheech-cops-plum-role-nash-article-1.732224 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111025030/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/cheech-cops-plum-role-nash-article-1.732224 |archive-date=January 11, 2016 |access-date=June 3, 2018 |website=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref> but the character was ultimately cut from the sequel. In December 1996, [[Matthew Broderick]] was confirmed to be returning as Simba while his wife, [[Sarah Jessica Parker]], and [[Jennifer Aniston]] were in talks to voice Aisha, Simba's daughter. [[Andy Dick]] had also signed on to voice Nuka, which was mistakenly reported as "Nunka".<ref name="Simba'sPrideVariety">{{Cite news |last=Fleming |first=Michael |date=December 4, 1996 |title='Blackout' Awakens at Miramax; Hammer Hit |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/1996/voices/columns/blackout-awakens-at-miramax-hammer-hit-1117466917/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111023709/http://variety.com/1996/voices/columns/blackout-awakens-at-miramax-hammer-hit-1117466917/ |archive-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref> The character Aisha was renamed Kiara (after it was discovered that Aisha was the name of a female [[Mighty Morphin Power Rangers|Power Ranger]]), and voiced by [[Neve Campbell]], from the ''[[Scream (franchise)|Scream]]'' film series.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 2, 1998 |title='Lion Queen' Going Straight to Video |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-09-02-9809010309-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208092606/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1998-09-02-9809010309-story.html |archive-date=February 8, 2019 |via=[[Sun-Sentinel]]}}</ref> Kovu was voiced by [[Jason Marsden]], who had voiced [[Goofy]]'s son [[Max Goof|Max]] in ''[[A Goofy Movie]]'' (1995).<ref name="NY Times">{{Cite news |last=James |first=Caryn |date=October 23, 1998 |title=Video Review; A 'Lion King' with Girls As Stars |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/23/movies/video-review-a-lion-king-with-girls-as-stars.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021040210/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/23/movies/video-review-a-lion-king-with-girls-as-stars.html |archive-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref> During production, Kovu had been intended to be Scar's son, thus he would have been Kiara's first cousin once removed. According to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', the plot element of Scar's son romancing Simba's daughter "had been a topic of heated discussion between top Disney [executives]."<ref name="Simba'sPrideVariety" />

According to Rooney, the final draft gradually became a variation of ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]''. "It's the biggest love story we have," he explained. "The difference is that you understand the position of the parents in this film in a way you never did in the Shakespeare play."<ref name="production">{{Cite news |last=King |first=Susan |date=October 26, 1998 |title='LION KING' – Roaring Only in Stores |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-oct-26-ca-36222-story.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809071543/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-oct-26-ca-36222-story.html |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Because none of the original animators were involved in the production, the majority of the animation was done by [[Disney Television Animation|Walt Disney Television Animation]]'s studio in Sydney, Australia. However, all storyboarding and pre-production work was done at the [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Feature Animation]] studio in Burbank, California.<ref name="production" /> The additional animation was by [[List of animation studios owned by The Walt Disney Company|Disney's Canadian animation studio]] and [[Toon City]] in Manila, Philippines. By March 1998, Disney confirmed the sequel would be released on October 27, 1998.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hartl |first=Joe |date=March 5, 1998 |title=Disney's the 'King' Again Among Animated Releases |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19980305/2737819/disneys-the-king-again-among-animated-releases |url-status=live |access-date=August 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111024806/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19980305&slug=2737819 |archive-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref>

== Release ==
Coincided with its direct-to-video release, ''Simba's Pride'' was accompanied with a promotional campaign, which included tie-ins with [[McDonald's]], [[Mattel]], and [[Unilever|Lever 2000]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bigness |first=John |date=November 3, 1998 |title=McDonald's Hopes to Protect Kid Base with Bugs, Jungle Critters |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-11-03-9811030289-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027211950/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-11-03-9811030289-story.html |archive-date=October 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandler |first=Adam |date=January 22, 1998 |title=Bevy of BV videos |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/bevy-of-bv-videos-1117467010/ |url-status=live |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708000552/http://variety.com/1998/biz/news/bevy-of-bv-videos-1117467010/ |archive-date=July 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Kids go Wild for Bath Time with The Lion King Simba's Pride Elastic Jungle Gel |date=October 28, 1998 |publisher=[[Cision]] |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kids-go-wild-for-bath-time-with-the-lion-king-simbas-pride-elastic-jungle-gel-77170462.html |access-date=June 15, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235323/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kids-go-wild-for-bath-time-with-the-lion-king-simbas-pride-elastic-jungle-gel-77170462.html |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |work=[[PR Newswire]] |author=Unilever Home & Personal Care USA}}</ref> Unlike the North American release, ''Simba's Pride'' was theatrically released in European and Latin American countries in spring 1999.<ref>{{Cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=October 10, 1998 |title=Disney Sequel Will Play in Some Foreign Theaters |work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/DISNEY+SEQUEL+WILL+PLAY+IN+SOME+FOREIGN+THEATERS.-a083841762 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111030151/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/DISNEY+SEQUEL+WILL+PLAY+IN+SOME+FOREIGN+THEATERS.-a083841762 |archive-date=January 11, 2016 |via=TheFreeLibrary.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 9, 1998 |title=Disney's 'Lion King' Sequel Will Play in Cinemas Abroad |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB907889170421955000 |url-status=live |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111030152/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB907889170421955000 |archive-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref>

On October 21, 1998, ''Simba's Pride'' premiered at the [[Wadsworth Theatre]], with the filmmakers, voice cast, and multiple celebrities, some of whom attended with their children present in an African-themed party bash.<ref>{{cite news |last=Quintanilla |first=Michael |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-oct-22-ls-34832-story.html |title=More Proof That It's a Jungle Out There |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 22, 1998 |access-date=August 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804015646/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-oct-22-ls-34832-story.html |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was first released on [[VHS]] in the United States and Canada on October 27, 1998,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122520125/mercury-rising-and-deep-rising-due/ |title='Mercury Rising' and 'Deep Rising' due on video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408203318/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/122520125/mercury-rising-and-deep-rising-due/ |date=September 11, 1998 |access-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |page=106 |publisher=[[The Kansas City Star]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> and on [[DVD]] as a limited issue on November 23, 1999. The DVD release featured the film in a letterboxed 1.66:1 aspect ratio, the trailer for the movie, and a music video of "Love Will Find a Way" performed by [[Heather Headley]] and [[Kenny Lattimore]].<ref name="TLK on home video">{{Cite web |last=Tiemann |first=Brian |date=June 15, 2018 |title=TLK on Home Video |url=http://www.lionking.org/homevideo.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010180557/http://www.lionking.org/homevideo.html |archive-date=October 10, 2006 |access-date=July 13, 2018 |website=LionKing.org}}</ref> In 1998, Disney believed that ''The Lion King II: Simba's Pride'' would be so popular that it shipped 13 million copies to stores for the October 27 release date.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 6, 1998 |title=In Brief (Business) |work=[[Los Angeles Daily News]] |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83844450.html |url-status=dead |access-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409150253/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-83844450.html |archive-date=April 9, 2016 |via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref> In March 2001, it was reported that in its first three days, 3.5 million VHS copies were sold, and ultimately about thirteen million copies were sold.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=March 6, 2001 |title='Tramp' Sequel Scampers into Vid Paydirt |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2001/more/news/tramp-sequel-scampers-into-vid-paydirt-1117794881/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125160444/http://variety.com/2001/more/news/tramp-sequel-scampers-into-vid-paydirt-1117794881/ |archive-date=November 25, 2014}}</ref> In September 2001, it was reported that ''Simba's Pride'' had sold more than 15 million copies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=September 18, 2001 |title=Disney Ramps up Vid-Preem Sequel Slate |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2001/digital/news/disney-ramps-up-vid-preem-sequel-slate-1117852843/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226154147/http://variety.com/2001/digital/news/disney-ramps-up-vid-preem-sequel-slate-1117852843/ |archive-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> Overall, [[consumer spending]] on ''The Lion King II: Simba's Pride'' accumulated about $300 million — roughly the same figure of its predecessor's theatrical release at that time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Herrick |first=Scott |date=October 26, 2003 |title=There's Gold in Them DVDs |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2003/film/features/there-s-gold-in-them-dvds-1117894613/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111024921/https://variety.com/2003/film/features/there-s-gold-in-them-dvds-1117894613/ |archive-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref> By 2005, it still remained as one of the top-selling direct-to-video releases of all time, with $464.5 million worldwide in sales and rentals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dutka |first=Elaine |date=August 20, 2005 |title=Straight-to-Video: Straight to the Bank |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-08-04-0508040163-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709104325/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-08-04-0508040163-story.html |archive-date=July 9, 2019}}</ref>

On August 31, 2004, the film was re-released on VHS and a 2-Disc Special Edition DVD. The DVD edition featured optional pop-up informational commentary, several interactive games (including [[Timon and Pumbaa's Virtual Safari|Timon and Pumbaa’s Virtual Safari 2.0]]), five humorous "Find Out Why" shorts, an animated short based on [[Lebo M]]'s "One by One", and a "Proud of Simba's Pride" featurette.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Scott |date=August 28, 2004 |title=The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/dvdreviewsnews.php?id=6179 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728152413/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/dvdreviewsnews.php?id=6179 |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |website=ComingSoon.net}}</ref> The Special Edition version featured changes made to the film such as one of Kovu's reactions being re-animated as well as other alterations.<ref name="TLK on home video" /> A DVD boxed set of the three ''The Lion King'' films (in two-disc Special Edition formats) was released on December 6, 2004. In January 2005, the film, along with the sequels, went back into moratorium.<ref name="outofprint">{{Cite web |date=February 6, 2012 |title=Out of Print Disney DVD Titles |url=http://www.dvdizzy.com/disneyvault.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908163433/http://www.dvdizzy.com/disneyvault.html |archive-date=September 8, 2014 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |website=DVDizzy.com}}</ref>

On October 4, 2011, ''Simba's Pride'' was included in an eight-disc [[box set]] trilogy set with the other two films.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Audiences to Experience Disney's "The Lion King" Like Never Before |date=May 26, 2011 |publisher=[[Cision]] |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/audiences-to-experience-disneys-the-lion-king-like-never-before-122647058.html |access-date=May 26, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530074215/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/audiences-to-experience-disneys-the-lion-king-like-never-before-122647058.html |archive-date=May 30, 2011 |author=Walt Disney Studios |agency=[[PR Newswire]]}}</ref> The Blu-ray edition for the film was released as a separate version on March 6, 2012.<ref name="blu-ray">{{Cite web |last=Lui |first=Ed |date=December 20, 2011 |title="Lion King 1 1/2" and "Lion King 2" Coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on March 6, 2012 |url=https://animesuperhero.com/pr-lion-king-1-1-2-and-lion-king-2-coming-to-blu-ray-dvd-and-digital-on-march-6-2012/ |website=Anime Superhero}}</ref> The Blu-ray edition has three different versions, a 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, a 1-disc edition, and a digital download. The Blu-ray edition has also been attached with a new Timon & Pumbaa short, in which the two friends gaze at the night sky as the star constellations resemble their favorite meal, insects.<ref name="blu-ray" />

The film was re-released by [[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] on a Blu-ray combo pack and digital release along with ''The Lion King 1½'' on August 29, 2017 — the same day as the first film's Signature Edition was released.

== Reception ==
The [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that the film has an approval rating of 67% based on 12 reviews with an [[Weighted mean|average rating]] of 6.1/10.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lion_king_ii_simbas_pride |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902164804/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lion_king_ii_simbas_pride |archive-date=September 2, 2021 |access-date=September 2, 2021 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=[[Fandango Media]]}}</ref>

''[[At the Movies (1986 TV program)|Siskel & Ebert]]'' gave the film a "two-thumbs up" and said it was a "satisfactory sequel to one of the most popular films of all time, ''[[The Lion King]]''". However, they also said it was best that it went to video, citing that the music was lacking and not remotely equal to the original's soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Pleasantville/The Alarmist/The Lion King II: Simba's Pride/Apt Pupil/Life Is Beautiful |series=Siskel & Ebert |last=Ebert |first=Roger (host) |date=October 24, 1998 |season=13 |number=7 |first2=Gene (host) |last2=Siskel}}</ref> ''[[TV Guide]]'' gave the film {{frac|2|1|2}} stars out of four, claiming that, despite being of slightly higher quality than Disney's previous direct-to-video animated sequels, "comes nowhere near the level of its big-screen predecessor", either musically or artistically. The review later states: "Though most of the original characters and their voices are back, they all sound bored, apart from the zesty addition of Suzanne Pleshette as the scheming Zira. The overall result is OK for kids, who will enjoy the low humor provided by the comical meerkat Timon and the flatulent warthog Pumbaa, but it could have been so much better."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King II: Simba's Pride: Review |url=http://movies.tvguide.com/lion-king-ii-simbas-pride/review/133120 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528021558/http://movies.tvguide.com/lion-king-ii-simbas-pride/review/133120 |archive-date=May 28, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2012 |website=[[TV Guide]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref>

Writing for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', [[Joe Leydon]] commented in his review: "In marked contrast to most of the studio's small screen sequels to bigscreen animated hits, the new pic isn't merely kids' stuff. Not unlike its predecessor, ''Lion King II'' has enough across-the-board appeal to entertain viewers of all ages."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leydon |first=Joe |author-link=Joe Leydon |date=October 19, 1998 |title=Review: 'The Lion King II: Simba's Pride' |url=https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/the-lion-king-ii-simba-s-pride-1117487799/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111024946/http://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/the-lion-king-ii-simba-s-pride-1117487799/ |archive-date=January 11, 2016 |access-date=August 15, 2014 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media]]}}</ref> [[Caryn James]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' concluded her review: "It's the rare sequel that matches the creative flair of an original, of course. ''The Lion King II'' may be derivative, but it is also winning on its own."<ref name="NY Times" /> The parental website ''Screen It'' rated the movie 7 out of 10, claiming "...while it doesn't have the mighty roar of its predecessor, ''The Lion King II: Simba's Pride'' is clearly one of the better straight to video releases ever to come out of Hollywood. Although the animation isn't quite up to par with the original, the new songs don't have that special touch that made them and ''The Lion King'' such a success, and the fact that the film suffers somewhat from a heavy dose of familiarity, this is still a pretty decent picture."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lion King II: Simba's Pride |url=http://www.screenit.com/movies/1998/the_lion_king_2_simbas_pride.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428025542/http://www.screenit.com/movies/1998/the_lion_king_2_simbas_pride.html |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=July 26, 2019 |website=Screen It}}</ref>

''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' critic Stephen Witty, who graded the sequel a C+, wrote, "Despite its drawbacks, ''The Lion King II'' could make a decent rental for undemanding under-7 fans of the original, who won't be overburdened by the psychodrama. For true believers who've already watched and rewound their copies to shreds, it might even make a good buy. And for them, hey, hakuna matata. But for the rest of us, [[caveat emptor]] might be a better motto."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Witty |first=Stephen |date=October 30, 1998 |title=The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Review |url=http://ew.com/article/1998/10/30/lion-king-ii-simbas-pride/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003185635/http://www.ew.com/article/1998/10/30/lion-king-ii-simbas-pride |archive-date=October 3, 2015 |access-date=August 15, 2014}}</ref> James Plath of ''Movie Metropolis'' gave the film 6/10, saying that, "Simply put, we've seen it all before."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plath |first=James |date=March 3, 2012 |title=The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride – Blu-Ray Review |url=http://moviemet.com/review/lion-king-2-simbas-pride-blu-ray-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415074833/http://moviemet.com/review/lion-king-2-simbas-pride-blu-ray-review |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |access-date=July 21, 2012 |website=Movie Metropolis}}</ref> Felix Vasquez Jr. of ''Cinema Crazed'' derided, "the sequel is as predictable a sequel as can be. It takes from ''[[The Fox and the Hound]]'' with shades of ''Romeo and Juliet'' and side steps the interesting Simba in favor of his bland daughter Kiara, and Timon and Pumba [''sic'']."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vasquez |first=Felix |date=May 9, 2013 |title=The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride (1998) |url=http://cinema-crazed.com/blog/2013/05/09/the-lion-king-2-simbas-pride-1998/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031012102/http://cinema-crazed.com/blog/2013/05/09/the-lion-king-2-simbas-pride-1998/ |archive-date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=July 31, 2013 |website=Cinema Crazed}}</ref>

== Music ==
=== Songs ===
{{Track listing
| all_writing     =
| all_lyrics      =
| all_music       =
| extra_column    = Performer(s)

| title1          = [[He Lives in You]]
| extra1          = [[Lebo M]], Chorus
| writer1         = [[Mark Mancina]], [[Jay Rifkin]], Lebo M

| title2          = [[We Are One (Disney song)|We Are One]]
| extra2          = [[Cam Clarke]], Charity Sanoy
| writer2         = [[Marty Panzer]], [[Jack Feldman (songwriter)|Jack Feldman]] & [[Tom Snow]]

| title3          = My Lullaby
| extra3          = [[Suzanne Pleshette]], [[Andy Dick]], Crysta Macalush
| writer3         = [[Joss Whedon]], Scott Warrender

| title4          = Upendi
| extra4          = [[Robert Guillaume]], [[Liz Callaway]], Gene Miller, [[Ladysmith Black Mambazo]]
| writer4         = Kevin Quinn, Randy Petersen

| title5          = One of Us
| extra5          = Chorus
| writer5         = Feldman, Snow

| title6          = [[Love Will Find a Way (Disney song)|Love Will Find a Way]]
| extra6          = Callaway, Miller
| writer6         = Feldman, Snow

| title7          = He Lives in You (Reprise)
| extra7          = [[Tina Turner]]
| writer7         = Mancina, Rifkin, Lebo M

| title8          = Upendi (Reprise)
| extra8          = Wes Madiko
| writer8         = Quinn, Petersen

| title9          = Love Will Find a Way (End Title)
| extra9          = [[Kenny Lattimore]], [[Heather Headley]]
| writer9         = Feldman, Snow

}}

=== Soundtrack ===
A CD titled ''[[Return to Pride Rock|Walt Disney Records Presents: Return to Pride Rock: Songs Inspired by Disney's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride]]'' was released on September 8, 1998. Although not promoted as a soundtrack to the film, it contained all the songs from the film and some additional songs inspired by it by [[Lebo M]] such as an abridged version of his song "He Lives in You".

== Expanded franchise and live-action remake ==
Another installment, the direct-to-video film ''[[The Lion King 1½]]'', was released in 2004. The film serves as both a [[prequel]] and [[spinoff (media)|sidequel]] of ''[[The Lion King]]''. The franchise continued in January 2016, when a television series titled ''[[The Lion Guard]]'' began airing on [[Disney Junior]], following a television pilot film ''The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar'' in November 2015. The majority of the series takes place during the years in-between Kiara's first meeting with Kovu as a cub and her first hunt as a young adult.<ref>{{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=August 23, 2016 |website=TV Daily}}</ref> It focuses on Kiara's younger brother [[List of The Lion King characters#Kion|Kion]] who as second-born, becomes leader of The Lion Guard, a group who protect the Pride Lands and defend the Circle of Life.

Kovu, Vitani, Nuka, and Zira appear in the season 1 episode "Lions of the Outlands". Additionally, Kovu and Vitani make an appearance in the season 3 and series finale episode "Return to the Pride Lands", which takes place after the events of ''Simba's Pride''. [[Jason Marsden]], [[Lacey Chabert]] and [[Andy Dick]] reprised their roles from the film, while [[Suzanne Pleshette]], who died in 2008,<ref>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Bob|url=https://www.sfgate.com/nation/article/Actress-famed-as-Newhart-s-TV-wife-3231603.php|title=Actress famed as Newhart's TV wife|website=sfgate.com|date=January 20, 2008|accessdate=April 2, 2023}}</ref> was replaced by [[Nika Futterman]]. At the end of the season 3 premiere, "Battle for the Pride Lands", the Lion Guard leave the Pride Lands and go to the [[Far East]] in search of the Tree of Life for help, after Kion and another guard member are injured while defeating Scar's spirit. This explains Kion's absence from ''Simba's Pride''.

In the 2024 film ''[[Mufasa: The Lion King]]'', the prequel/sequel to the [[The Lion King (2019 film)|2019 photorealistic adaptation]], Kiara appears as a major character that listens to the story of Mufasa and Scar, told by Rafiki. At the end of the film, Kiara's new brother is born.

== Video game ==

A video game based on the film was released in 1998.<ref>https://www.mobygames.com/game/108595/disneys-the-lion-king-ii-simbas-pride/</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://movies.disney.com/the-lion-king-2-simbas-pride}}
* {{IMDb title|0120131}}
* {{Rotten-tomatoes|lion_king_2_simbas_pride_special_edition}}

{{The Lion King}}
{{Romeo and Juliet film adaptations}}
{{Disney direct-to-video animated features}}
{{Disneytoon Studios}}
{{Annie Award for Best Animated Home Entertainment Production}}
{{Portal bar|Disney|Animation|Film}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lion King II: Simba's Pride, The}}
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