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The Lion Kid 2 (2020) movie poster

Timeline

The Lion Kid 2 (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 73 mins · English
Directed by
James Snider
Starring
Simon Hill, KJ Schrock, Thomas Freeley, Kelsey Painter
Budget
$260M

Sheriff Kidd Mane returns from vacation to find his job and the peace of Tuckerville threatened. The new mayor, Mr. Tucker, has replaced him with a T-Rex named Cliff and plans to transform the town into a circus, using its residents as attractions. Kidd must now reclaim his position and restore tranquility to Tuckerville before Mr. Tucker’s chaotic vision becomes a reality.

Animation Drama Comedy Western Cast, crew & box office
On this page (5)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (13)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Lion Kid 2 (2020)

Where can you watch The Lion Kid 2? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on FlixHouse and Tubi TV: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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13 events in order · contains spoilers

The Lion Kid 2 Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Lion Kid 2 (2020) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Simba is presented to the kingdom

    King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi present their newborn son, Simba, to the gathered animals atop Pride Rock. Rafiki the mandrill conducts the traditional blessing as the kingdom celebrates the future king. Scar watches with envy, already coveting the throne.

    When
    Simba's birth ceremony
    Where
    Pride Rock

  2. Mufasa teaches the circle of life and sets boundaries

    Mufasa guides Simba across the Pride Lands and explains the responsibilities of kingship and the circle of life that connects all living things. He warns Simba not to venture beyond the Pride Lands' borders, emphasizing that some limits exist for a reason. Simba receives both a scolding and a blessing, learning that the past kings watch over them from the night sky.

    When
    early in Simba's youth
    Where
    Pride Lands

  3. Scar manipulates Simba toward danger at the elephant graveyard

    Scar schemes to lure young Simba into the dangerous elephant graveyard beyond the Pride Lands, exploiting Simba's curiosity. There, Simba and Nala are chased by a clan of hyenas, forcing Mufasa and Zazu to intervene. Mufasa rescues the cubs and forgives Simba for the reckless expedition, reminding him that the great kings watch from the stars.

    When
    shortly after Simba's earlier disobedience
    Where
    Elephant Graveyard

  4. Scar's treachery leads to Mufasa's death

    Scar lures Simba into danger and triggers a stampede by calling in the wildebeest herd, hoping Mufasa will be killed. He betrays Mufasa by throwing him into the stampede while pretending to help. Mufasa dies, and Scar convinces Simba that the death is his fault, exiling him from the Pride Lands.

    When
    after the stampede
    Where
    Gorge

  5. Scar proclaims himself king as hyenas enter Pride Lands

    With the kingdom mourning, Scar deceives the pride into believing Mufasa and Simba were killed by the stampede. He declares himself king and invites the hyenas to take control of the Pride Lands in exchange for hunting rights. The hyenas move in as Scar consolidates power.

    When
    after Mufasa's death
    Where
    Pride Lands

  6. Simba is rescued; meets Timon and Pumbaa

    Exiled from his homeland, Simba collapses in the sweltering desert before being rescued by two outcasts, Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog. They carry him to a lush oasis where they introduce him to their carefree motto, Hakuna Matata. Simba gradually grows up under their unlikely mentorship, leaving behind his past.

    When
    shortly after exile
    Where
    Desert / Oasis

  7. Simba grows up with Timon and Pumbaa

    Years pass as Simba adapts to life with Timon and Pumbaa, adopting a carefree lifestyle away from the Pride Lands. They travel and dream little; Simba forgets the throne he was meant to hold. The bond with his friends deepens, but the memory of home lingers.

    When
    years later
    Where
    Oasis

  8. Nala seeks Simba; tells him Pride Lands are drought-stricken

    An adult Nala tracks down Simba and reunites with him in the wilderness, where she pleads with him to return to save their homeland. She reveals that the Pride Lands have fallen under Scar's drought-stricken rule and that help is urgently needed. Although guilty over Mufasa's death, Simba initially refuses and leaves in anger.

    When
    adult
    Where
    Wilderness / Outlands

  9. Rafiki and Mufasa's spirit urge Simba to face his past

    Rafiki offers cryptic guidance and helps Simba reconnect with his father's memory. In a vision, Mufasa's spirit reminds him that his place is to lead, and Rafiki urges him to learn from the past instead of running from it. These signals rekindle Simba's resolve to return.

    When
    before returning
    Where
    Rafiki's tree / night sky

  10. Simba returns and confronts Scar

    With a new sense of purpose, Simba returns to Pride Lands and slips past the hyenas guarding Pride Rock. He confronts Scar, who shames him in front of the pride and finally reveals that he killed Mufasa. The truth sparks a tense standoff that leads to a climactic showdown.

    When
    return
    Where
    Pride Rock

  11. Battle with hyenas; Scar's downfall

    Scar tries to exploit the chaos, blaming the hyenas for his actions, but the truth comes out when Simba forces him to confess. A fierce battle erupts between Simba's allies and the hyenas, culminating in Scar fleeing toward Pride Rock's edge. Scar is knocked down, and the hyenas, furious at his betrayal, maul him to death.

    When
    final battle
    Where
    Pride Rock

  12. Simba becomes king as Pride Lands are restored

    With Scar and the hyenas gone, Simba takes his place as king, and Nala becomes queen. The Pride Lands are restored to balance as order returns to the realm.

    When
    after battle
    Where
    Pride Lands

  13. New cub and circle of life continues

    Rafiki presents Simba and Nala's newborn cub to the assembled animals, symbolizing the circle of life and the kingdom's hopeful future. The Pride Lands celebrate the return of the king and the continuation of their ancestral legacy.

    When
    end ceremony
    Where
    Pride Lands

Last updated: February 25, 2026 at 08:23

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Timeline questions answered

The Lion Kid 2 Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Lion Kid 2 (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Scar want to be king instead of Mufasa?

Scar is Mufasa's younger brother and has always envied Mufasa's position as king. From the moment Simba is presented as the future heir, Scar seethes with longing for the throne and the power that comes with it. His jealousy drives him to scheme against his own family.

Foreshadowing: Scar's envy is visible from Simba's birth ceremony, where he watches bitterly from the shadows.

  • scar
  • mufasa
  • throne
  • envy
  • brother
Q2

How does Scar manipulate Simba into going to the elephant graveyard?

Scar exploits Simba's curiosity and desire to prove himself brave. He hints that the elephant graveyard is a place only the brave can go, goading the young prince into proving his courage. This scheme puts Simba in danger and gives Scar an opportunity to potentially harm his nephew.

Foreshadowing: Scar's earlier conversation with Simba about 'seeing more of the kingdom' plants the dangerous idea.

  • scar
  • simba
  • manipulation
  • elephant graveyard
  • danger
Q3

How does Mufasa die in the stampede?

Scar lures Simba into a gorge and signals the hyenas to drive a wildebeest stampede toward him. Mufasa rushes to save Simba, but Scar, who had positioned himself to 'help,' betrays his brother by throwing him directly into the stampede. Mufasa is killed by the herd.

Foreshadowing: Scar's earlier warning to Simba about the 'great kings watching from the stars' gains tragic irony.

  • mufasa
  • death
  • stampede
  • scar
  • betrayal
Q4

Why does Scar tell Simba he caused Mufasa's death?

After Mufasa dies, Scar manipulates the traumatized Simba into believing he is responsible for his father's death. Scar claims Mufasa tried to save Simba but died because of Simba's recklessness. This calculated lie serves Scar's goal of eliminating his nephew and taking the throne.

Foreshadowing: Scar's earlier statement that 'the king is watching' takes on manipulative weight.

  • scar
  • simba
  • blame
  • mufasa
  • death
  • lie
Q5

Why does Simba flee the Pride Lands after Mufasa's death?

Believing he caused his father's death, Simba is consumed with guilt and shame. Scar tells him to flee and never return, presenting it as a form of mercy. The young prince accepts this exile because he cannot bear the weight of his supposed crime and sees leaving as the only way to escape his pain.

Foreshadowing: Simba's earlier fear of disappointing his father makes him vulnerable to Scar's manipulation.

  • simba
  • exile
  • guilt
  • flee
  • scar
Q6

What does hakuna matata mean and how does it affect Simba?

Hakuna matata is a Swahili phrase meaning 'no worries.' Timon and Pumbaa introduce Simba to this carefree philosophy, helping him forget his past and guilt. While it provides healing, it also causes Simba to avoid his responsibilities for years until Nala returns.

Foreshadowing: The phrase first appears when Simba is at his most vulnerable in the desert.

  • hakuna matata
  • timon
  • pumbaa
  • simba
  • carefree
Q7

How does Rafiki help Simba remember his father?

Rafiki guides Simba to a sacred location where he helps Simba reconnect with his memories of Mufasa. Through meditation and spiritual guidance, Simba experiences a vision of his father's spirit in the stars. Mufasa's spirit tells Simba that he is still king and that his legacy lives within him.

Foreshadowing: Mufasa previously told Simba that 'the great kings watch over us from the stars.'

  • rafiki
  • mufasa
  • spirit
  • vision
  • stars
  • guidance
Q8

Why do the hyenas kill Scar at the end?

During the final confrontation, Scar attempts to save himself by blaming the hyenas for everything, claiming he was only using them. The hyenas, who overhead his betrayal and have grown weary of his cruel rule, turn on him and maul him to death. He is destroyed by the very forces he manipulated.

Foreshadowing: Scar's earlier threat to the hyenas ('you won't get a scrap from my table') hints at his true feelings.

  • hyenas
  • scar
  • death
  • betrayal
  • mauled
Q9

How does Simba become king and restore the Pride Lands?

After defeating Scar and the hyenas, Simba takes his rightful place as king. With Nala beside him as queen, the Pride Lands begin to recover from the drought and destruction caused by Scar's rule. The circle of life is restored as the land regains its balance and vitality.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with the promise that Simba will be king, completing the cycle.

  • simba
  • king
  • pride lands
  • restored
  • circle of life
Q10

What does the final scene with the newborn cub mean?

At the end, Rafiki presents Simba and Nala's newborn cub to the kingdom, symbolizing the continuation of the circle of life. The film began with Simba's presentation as a cub, and now his own child represents the next generation. This closure reinforces the film's themes of renewal, responsibility, and the eternal cycle of leadership.

Foreshadowing: Mufasa's lesson about the circle of life connecting all living things provides context for this ending.

  • circle of life
  • cub
  • newborn
  • ending
  • rafiki
  • continuation

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Lion Kid 2, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Lion Kid 2 tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Heroic Underdog Redemption Stories Like The Lion Kid 2

A displaced leader must reclaim their rightful place and restore harmony. For fans of The Lion Kid 2 who love stories about a heroic underdog reclaiming their rightful throne. If you enjoyed Kidd Mane's journey to restore peace in Tuckerville, you'll find similar satisfying tales of redemption and leadership against corrupt opposition in these movies.

  • heroic
  • redemptive
  • epic
  • dramatic
  • triumphant
  • underdog
  • Tone: hopeful, heroic
  • Pacing: steady, building to a climax
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a clear arc: a hero is unjustly replaced or disgraced, a new antagonistic force creates chaos, and the hero must overcome personal doubts and external obstacles to reclaim their leadership role and save their community, culminating in a triumphant restoration of order.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share the core emotional satisfaction of watching a deserving hero fight back from a setback. They balance dramatic conflict with a fundamentally hopeful tone, featuring steady pacing, clear good-versus-evil dynamics, and an emotionally rewarding conclusion.

Underdog Kids movie poster

Underdog Kids

2015
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The Lion Kid 2

2020
Monkey King: Hero Is Back movie poster

Monkey King: Hero Is Back

2015
Rescue Heroes: The Movie movie poster

Rescue Heroes: The Movie

2003
Quest for Camelot movie poster

Quest for Camelot

1998
Descendants movie poster

Descendants

2008
Descendants movie poster

Descendants

2015
The Tale of Despereaux movie poster

The Tale of Despereaux

2008

Spiritual Coming-of-Age Journeys Like The Lion Kid 2

Young heroes face loss and responsibility on a path to self-discovery. If you loved the spiritual and emotional growth in The Lion Kid 2, explore these movies about young heroes on transformative journeys. Discover similar stories featuring themes of legacy, the circle of life, and overcoming grief to embrace responsibility, all with a hopeful core.

  • coming of age
  • spiritual
  • epic
  • dramatic
  • nostalgic
  • redemptive
  • Tone: hopeful, dramatic, nostalgic
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a young protagonist experiencing a traumatic event, often the loss of a mentor or parent, which spirals them into a period of avoidance or guilt. Through a series of challenges and guidance, they ultimately accept their responsibilities, embodying a larger spiritual truth about growth and legacy.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their focus on a profound personal transformation against an epic backdrop. They blend dramatic weight with hopeful redemption, featuring steady pacing, medium intensity, and a tone that evolves from innocence through darkness to enlightened maturity, all elevated by universal spiritual themes.

The Lion Kid 2 movie poster

The Lion Kid 2

2020
Once Upon a Forest movie poster

Once Upon a Forest

1993
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey movie poster

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

1993
The Journey of Natty Gann movie poster

The Journey of Natty Gann

1985
Brother Bear movie poster

Brother Bear

2003
Enchanted Journey movie poster

Enchanted Journey

1981
Child of Kamiari Month movie poster

Child of Kamiari Month

2021
Once Upon a Forest movie poster

Once Upon a Forest

2013

Every angle

The Lion Kid 2 (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Lion Kid 2 in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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