It’s not entirely clear why it’s happening now, but “lion king 2” is trending on Twitter, and people are taking the opportunity to sing its praises, which is something of a surprise to those of us who forgot the direct-to-video sequel even existed.
The full title of the 1998 film to the 1994 classic is actually The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride. The basic story of the first film was partially borrowed from Hamlet, so the folks behind Simba’s Pride modeled it after another Shakespeare tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Simba and Nala are the king and queen and their daughter Kiara is the princess. The Outsiders, a group exiled by Simba for previously aligning with Scar, lives in the Outlands beyond the kingdom.
It’s in the Outlands that Kiara, our Juliet, meets Kovu, the son of the Outsiders’ leader Zira and the Romeo of the story. Without getting into too much more detail, it’s safe to say that the end of the movie is much happier than Shakespeare’s original. It’s still Disney after all.
The Lion King II was released on VHS on October 27, 1998, and did quite well from a commercial perspective, eventually pulling in about $300 million. But after two other sequels, a smash Broadway hit, a live-action remake of the original, and a Beyoncé visual album, The Lion King II isn’t quite as well remembered as its fans would like it to be. Many of the tweets contain a tinge of outrage that it’s not more widely celebrated.
Lion King 2>>>>>> Mulan 2, Pocahontas 2, The Little Mermaid 2.
Lion King 2 is the only sequel that Disney didn't fumble tbh
— Price of the brick going up (@jiggyjayy2) August 13, 2020
Lion King 2 is trending
That movie is my life. I think it's better than the original.
AND nothing slaps harder than My Lullaby pic.twitter.com/gcS9ki5nRd
— Raven 💛🖤 (@theRavenflight) August 13, 2020
More specifically, Kovu seems to be a seminal character in many people’s lives, and many of the tweets call him out by name.
Lion King 2 is trending and I’m glad Kovu is finally getting the recognition he deserves pic.twitter.com/dJuBSrgTUg
— Emma Martin (@smileemmakate) August 13, 2020
5 year old me every time Kovu came on screen in Lion King 2 pic.twitter.com/u6zvLEsxZm
— miles morales stan acct (@guardthatgalaxy) August 13, 2020
But the film’s greatest strength, if Twitter is to be believed, is its soundtrack.
Anyway, Lion King 2 soundtrack slapped. And musically “He Lives In You” is on par with “Circle of Life” if y’all wanna have that conversation 🤔 (maybe better🌚)
— Tori Vega Apologist⁷ (@yourfavheadass) August 13, 2020
The music in Lion King 2 is better than the original and I will die on that hill. “He Lives in You” is one of the greatest Disney songs EVER. https://t.co/XEHYGT1kPW
— Blackie Brown (@BlaiqueJLee) August 13, 2020
And who knows, a big enough outpouring of love for Simba’s Pride might be enough to get it a live-action remake.
Is it time for a live-action remake of THE LION KING 2: SIMBA’S PRIDE? pic.twitter.com/ARwHvj6gFq
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 13, 2020
If you haven’t seen the film since the VCR era, you can stream it on Disney+.
