The Most Significant Backdrops from The Lion King

Enjoy Disney’s wildest tale!

Once upon a time in Tanzania, the Pride Lands were home to thousands of animals, all ruled by a single pride of lions from the Pride Rock, which is used to introduce King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi’s newborn cub, Simba, as the heir to the throne. Scar, Mufasa’s brother, has been jealous of him his whole life and is constantly plotting to be the one on the throne instead.

Simba starts growing to become endlessly curious about the world around him, Mufasa then shows him the Pride Lands, yet forbids him from exploring beyond its borders. Scar tricks Simba into going to an elephant graveyard outside the pride lands, where he and his best friend Nala end up being chased by a trio of hyenas. Alerted by his majordomo, Mufasa heads to save his son and get him back to safety. Later, Scar pays a visit to the hyenas and offers them a deal: in exchange for helping him get the throne, he will grant them hunting rights, which they immediately accept.

Scar lures Simba to a cannon and asks the hyenas to drive a stampede of wildebeests to stomp him. He then alerts Mufasa and they head to the cannon together. Mufasa manages to save his son but ends up in a dangerous position himself, and when he asks his bother for help, Scar refuses and throws him into the stampede. When he reunites with Simba, Scar informs him that his father is dead and makes him believe it was his fault. Simba runs away and is ambushed by the hyenas who attempt to kill him, but he manages to escape.

As he heads into the jungle, Simba meets a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa. Simba befriends the two and they take him to the oasis where they live a carefree and easy life. Years later, Timon and Pumbaa are attacked by a lioness, Simba saves their life only to realize that the attacker is his childhood friend Nala. The two fall in love and Nala tries to lead Simba back to the Pride Lands, where Scar has now taken over and has led the kingdom into a drought. Still feeling guilt over his father’s death, Simba refuses and says goodbye to his newfound love.

Sometime later, Simba meets Rafiki the mandrill, who used to be his father’s shaman. Rafiki tells Simba his father’s spirit lives within. Mufasa then reconnects with his son through the night sky and tells him to accept his responsibilities as the king. Realizing that he must overcome the ghosts of his past, Simba returns to Pride Rock and is confronted by Scar and the hyenas, who attempt to taunt him with Mufasa’s death. Scar then reveals he was responsible for his brother’s death and is mercilessly cornered by an enraged Simba.

After trying to blame his actions on the hyenas, Simba spares his life but orders him to leave the Pride Lands and never return. Scar refuses and Simba throws him over the ledge. Scar survives but is then relentlessly mauled by the hyenas who overheard his treason. Simba takes his place as the rightful king of the Pride Lands, with Nala as his queen. Once peace has been restored, they present their new cub to the kingdom.

The Pride Lands

Transport your audience to the Pride Lands with the African Sun Landscape scenic backdrop, which features an image of the sun front and center. The yellow sphere is framed by silhouettes of acacia trees and the rolling landscape painted in black, red, and orange. Use this rentable backdrop to recreate the most magical moments of the story.

Scar’s Cave

The Scar’s Cave theatrical backdrop depicts a dark cave with small rock formations jetting from the ground. The scene is framed with columns made of stone and rock formations scattered around. In the center, remnants of an animal’s carcass add to the scary atmosphere of the backdrop. In the background, large entrances lurk in the darkness, while pointed rocks descend from the ceilings. This rentable backdrop is perfect to showcase the instance where Scar decides to make a pact with the trio of hyenas.

Elephant Graveyard

Create the ideal atmosphere with the Elephant Graveyard backdrop, which presents a desolate scene with a stony, cracked earth. A large elephant’s skull complete with tasks sits in the middle, surrounded by other elephant skeletons, and a dark pink and purple sky. This backdrop, available for rent, is the perfect match for the moment when Simba and Nala decide to venture beyond the Pride Lands.

The Jungle

Immerse your audience into the wild with the Lush Jungle backdrop. It features green bushes, and bright-colored plants in pink, orange, and red. Large lush trees grow behind this foliage with long vines connecting the trees. In the background is a sea of endless greenery.

On the other hand, the Jungle Oasis backdrop depicts a peaceful, quiet jungle forest. In the foreground, you see overgrown greenery. At the center of the backdrop is a river surrounded by lush greens, colorful flowers, and trees. In the background, you see a thicket of trees that look as though they go on forever. Use these rentable backdrops to present the iconic Hakuna Matata musical number.