The Lion King on Blu-ray and Digital - Walt Disney Signature Collection is Available Now!

A few weeks ago, I told you all about my experience at The Celebration of an Animated Classic: The Lion King panel at the D23 Expo. During the panel, we got to hear from filmmakers and some of the cast members and it got me feeling so nostalgic for one of my favorite Disney films. Then, it was announced that The Lion King was going to be released as part of the Walt Disney Signature Collection on Digital and Blu-ray! I've got all the details below on what you can expect!

If you're a fan of The Lion King, or it's time for you to introduce this classic to your children, you're going to love this! The Lion King has just roared to its rightful place within the Walt Disney Signature Collection! The film was released on Digital on August 15th and The Lion King on Blu-ray is also out now.

In case you didn't know, The Lion King is one of the biggest animated films, EVER. During the D23 Expo, filmmakers told us how The Lion King was like the "little film that could." Most of the experienced Disney staff members and animators chose to work on Pocahontas, which was expected to be a box office smash, so they had a hard time staffing The Lion King. I don't think anyone expected The Lion King to be a masterpiece that took the world by storm. Now, 23 years later, you can relive the magic all over again and enjoy new BONUS material.

Image © Joyce Duboise / Women and Their Pretties.

Believe me, hearing from Don Hahn, Rob Minkoff and other key team members from behind the scenes was fascinating and you'll a look behind the curtain with these bonus features.

You can check out the FULL discussion here:

Here's a little background about the movie, in case you aren't familiar with it: “The Lion King” follows the adventures of Simba, a feisty lion cub who cannot wait to be king, as he searches for his destiny in the great “Circle of Life.” The film earned a Golden Globe® for Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical and inspired a Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical that is currently the third longest-running musical in Broadway history. In 2019, a reimagined live-action film, helmed by Jon Favreau, will delight audiences with the thrilling retelling of the original tale utilizing groundbreaking technological advances, as only Disney can do. I got to see the opening scene at D23 Expo and it was seriously incredible.

Here's what you can expect from the BONUS features with The Lion King on Blu-ray and HD editions (features may vary by retailer):

• Brand New Sing-Along Version
• Audio Commentary – View the film with commentary by producer Don Hahn and co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
• Visualizing a Villain – Against a backdrop of live dancers and the animated “Be Prepared” sequence, artist David Garibaldi paints a masterpiece of evil.
• The Recording Sessions – Watch rare footage of the actors recording their roles, matched with the final animation. Intro by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
• Nathan and Matthew: The Extended Lion King Conversation – Nathan Lane (Timon) and Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba) offer candid and hilarious insights into their Lion King experience.
• Inside the Story Room – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff present archival footage of five original story pitches.
  • Circle of Life – See how color creates emotion and meaning in the film's iconic opening.
  • Simba & Nala – See how elements proposed in story meetings evolve into what appears onscreen.
  • Simba Takes Nala Out to Play – …And, sometimes what seems funny in story meetings never makes it into the film!
  • Hakuna Matata – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff sing, act and dance their hearts out as they pitch the "Hakuna Matata" sequence.
  • Rafiki and Reflecting Pool – Co-directors Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff pitch a sequence that became the emotional heart of The Lion King to Producer Don Hahn.
• Music & More – Sing along to your favorite songs from the movie!
  • “Circle of Life”
  • “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”
  • “Be Prepared”
  • “Hakuna Matata”
  • “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”
• Galleries
  •  Visual Development – Explore a gallery of striking artwork that inspired the movie's look and feel.
  • Character Design – Trace the development of the film's unforgettable characters through early concept art drawings.
  • Storyboards – Examine storyboards created in the development of “The Lion King.”
  • Layouts – Feast your eyes on layouts created in the development of “The Lion King.”
  • Backgrounds & Layouts – Journey through a gallery of landscape paintings that shaped the world of “The Lion King.”
•  Classic Bonus Features (Digital Only) – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as bloopers, audio commentary, deleted and alternate scenes, and in-depth journeys into the music, film, story, animals and stage show.

 Will you be getting The Lion King on Blu-ray or Digital?