This review was made possible by Popped receiving an advanced screener of The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl.
Building on the success of Encanto at The Hollywood Bowl and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the animated classic, Disney+’s latest special The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl is a musical spectacular, showcasing the music the legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 1994 classic which has since evolved into a record-breaking franchise, spawning sequels, prequels and spin-offs, a Broadway musical and a live-action franchise retelling.
The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl is just one of many titles arriving on Disney+ this month, check out what else is arriving on the streaming service here.
A Celebration of ‘The Lion King’
The love for The Lion King has always been present, even now, 30 years on from the original film. The recent live-action prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King broke box office records to
There is something so magical about the music of The Lion King and a lot of the special features so many adrenaline-induced moments brought on by the fantastic music, first envisioned by Lebo M and Elton John.
The special also features some special appearances – the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Nathan Lane, Jeremy Irons, Ernie Sabella, Billy Eichner and Lebo M all share their talents to celebrate 30 years of The Lion King. Hudson provides a powerful opening, lending her voice to “The Circle of Life”, which is unforgettable, mirroring her performance of the song during her time on the third season of American Idol.
The Timeless Legacy of ‘The Lion King’
It’s hard to overstate just how much The Lion King has meant to audiences over the last 30 years, myself included. This film has clearly influenced generations through its powerful storytelling, stunning animation, and, of course, its unforgettable soundtrack. The film’s impact has only grown over time, evolving into a multimedia empire that includes a record-breaking Broadway adaptation, multiple sequels and spin-offs, and a live-action remake.
What makes The Lion King stand the test of time is its universal themes. Themes of love, loss, destiny, and redemption are all woven into a Shakespearean-inspired narrative that feels just as poignant today as it did three decades ago. Its ability to connect with audiences young and old is a testament to its enduring magic.
Whilst not completely related to the special and its wonderful performances, the recent developments at my beloved Disneyland Paris became so much more purposeful with the release of this special. There is such a clear love for this IP, even 30 years on and it serves as a wonderful backdrop for Theme Park IP. From the theme park musicals, to parade floats and now a dedicated attraction, the future is still so bright for The Lion King.
Weaver Meets Sabella and Lane
One of the highlights of the special is when Jason Weaver, Ernie Sabella and Nathan Lane get to meet for the first time, in anticipation of performing “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”. Whilst Sabella and Lane had a history of working together, Weaver never met the pair so seeing them perform alongside eachother was something extraordinary.
Later on in the special, we get the dynamic duo of Nathan Lane and Billy Eichner, representing both the old and current generation of The Lion King with a rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” – a performance with heaps of fun throughout.
There is one performance which has already gone viral, but I expect it to do the rounds once again upon the release of The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl… the performance in question? North West’s rendition of “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”. Performing a song as iconic as this one takes real courage, especially on such a big stage like The Hollywood Bowl. North West certainly gives it her all. Considering how young she is, North already shows potential. With her evident confidence and dedication, it’s exciting to imagine how her skills will develop in the future.
Which Film Deserves A Hollywood Bowl Concert Next?
With Encanto and The Lion King in the bag, where does Disney go after this? I have some suggestions which I think would make some highly entertaining concerts, blending the same synergy which the existing two have done so.
‘Hercules’ At The Hollywood Bowl
With a West End musical production on the way, a live-action remake on the cards and one of the best Disney soundtracks to date, Hercules makes for the perfect follow-up to The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl. Alan Menken’s unforgettable songs, including “Go The Distance”, which Roger Bart is still performing (!), “Zero to Hero” and “I Won’t Say I’m In Love”, which was performed so graciously by Ariana Grande during The Disney Family Singalong in April 2020.
‘The Little Mermaid’ At The Hollywood Bowl
With its unforgettable soundtrack and a legacy spanning multiple generations, The Little Mermaid is a perfect candidate for a Hollywood Bowl celebration. Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s iconic songs—including “Part of Your World”, “Under the Sea”, and “Poor Unfortunate Souls” are still loved today, making the IP a natural follow-up to The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl.
Disney has already proven the stage potential of The Little Mermaid, with a Broadway adaptation that brought Ariel’s undersea world to life in dazzling fashion. Theme parks have also embraced the film’s musical magic with both Disney Parks in the US honouring the IP. with Disney California Adventure’s The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Walt Disney World’s The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure stage show. More recently, the 2023 live-action adaptation starring Halle Bailey reintroduced the film’s songs to a new generation, even expanding the musical repertoire with fresh compositions from Menken and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who doesn’t want to see Awkwafina perform “The Scuttlebutt” in person?!
‘Frozen’ At The Hollywood Bowl
If we’re being honest though, there is only one true successor to The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl, and that would have to be Frozen At The Hollywood Bowl. Since its release in 2013, the film has become a cultural phenomenon, largely thanks to its soundtrack by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. Songs like “Let It Go”, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, and “Into the Unknown” have cemented their place in Disney history, making Frozen an obvious choice for a live concert spectacle.
The franchise has already proved its stage-show potential, with a show on Broadway and the West End; a stage show developed for Disney California Adventure’s Hyperion Theater as well as similar offerings on the Disney Cruise Line and at Hollywood Studios in Florida and Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.
With Frozen III and Frozen IV officially in development, the franchise is far from finished, and a Hollywood Bowl event could be a brilliant way to bridge the gap before the next chapter arrives.
The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl – Final Thoughts
Hakuna Matata – it means no worries for the rest of your days, and you should have no worries watching this magical musical celebration of all things The Lion King. Even if you’re stinking it on in the background for the pure joy-filled soundtrack, you do not want to miss The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl!
The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl premieres on Disney+ on February 7. Check out a trailer below:
The Review
'The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl'
Hakuna Matata - it means no worries for the rest of your days, and you should have no worries watching this magical musical celebration of all things The Lion King. Even if you're stinking it on in the background for the pure joy-filled soundtrack, you do not want to miss The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl!