The Lion King is an artistic work.
Donald Paul Hahn ( born November 25 , 1955 ) is an American film producer who is credited with producing some of the most successful animated films in recent history , including The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast , the first animated film to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture . Elton John . After decades of commercial chart success , John has also achieved success in musical theatre , both in the West End and on Broadway , composing the music for The Lion King ( film and musical ) , Aida and Billy Elliot the Musical . The National Film Registry ( NFR ) is the United States National Film Preservation Board 's ( NFPB ) selection of films for preservation in the Library of Congress . Simba . Introduced in Walt Disney Animation 's 32nd animated feature film The Lion King ( 1994 ) , the character subsequently appears in its sequels The Lion King II : Simba 's Pride ( 1998 ) and The Lion King 1 1/2 ( 2004 ) . The Lion King . The Lion King tells the story of Simba , a young lion who is to succeed his father , Mufasa , as King of the Pride Lands ; however , after Simba 's uncle Scar murders Mufasa , Simba is manipulated into thinking he was responsible and flees into exile .