The Lion King Across the Globe: Which Production Was My Favorite & Why

If there’s one musical I’d recommend to anyone—and everyone—it’s Disney’s The Lion King.

Is it my favorite show? Not exactly. My personal favorites are a mixed bag: Jersey Boys, CATS, The Music Man. So why The Lion King? Because, in my humble opinion, it has something for everyone.

Teenage Emily posing with a cast member from The Lion King on Broadway.

I first saw the Broadway production in 2008. I was a teenager with stars in my eyes, dreaming of one day performing in New York. My little brother, on the other hand, was… less enthused. He’d dutifully sat through all my community theater shows, but would’ve preferred to be anywhere else. The Lion King—though a massive step up from community theater—was no exception. He did not want to be there. But the moment the lights dimmed and the giraffe walked onstage, he was hooked.

The show is a technical masterpiece. The way animals are brought to life through masks, puppets, and movement is like nothing I’d ever seen. Add the nostalgic music from the film—plus new, unexpected songs that keep the audience on the edge of their seats (our favorite was “Chow Down”)—and you’re thoroughly entertained from start to finish.

It’s hard to be bored. Even if a song doesn’t land for you, or a scene doesn’t fully hold your attention, there’s always something to look at: a costume, a lighting effect, a striking bit of choreography. There's never a dull moment. Which is exactly why I believe The Lion King can be enjoyed at any age, in any language.

Seeing the Tokyo production with friends from work.

I saw it a second time in Tokyo. I’d spent a year working in Japan, but aside from a few pleasantries and useful phrases, I didn’t speak the language. So I relied completely on the visual storytelling. It wasn’t about what was being said or sung—but how it was being expressed. And I was captivated. In many ways, seeing the show in a language I didn’t understand allowed me to appreciate every other element of theater even more—costumes, lighting, movement, timing. It reminded me just how powerful those elements are on their own.

Outside the Théâtre Mogador Paris.

I saw it a third time in Paris. By then, after five years in France, I spoke French pretty well. Watching the show in a language I understand—but isn’t my native tongue—was yet another unique experience. I couldn’t sing along in my head, because I didn’t know the French lyrics. And translation is a funny thing. “Oh, I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” became “Je voudrais déjà être roi”—literally, “I would like to already be king.” Not quite how I would translate it, but it fit the rhythm. I found myself thinking about the translators. They, too, are storytellers. They help shape the experience.

I met someone in the ensemble of that production. I kept looking for her onstage—but could rarely spot her for long. One moment she’d be on, then gone, only to reappear in a new costume or mask. It made me think about the backstage choreography: the constant motion behind the scenes that we never see. What we do see onstage is a carefully orchestrated puzzle, but so is everything happening just offstage. It takes every single cast and crew member to make this show work. It’s a symphony of moving parts, and everyone matters.

So, there you have it—my reasons for recommending The Lion King. It’s a show that breaks barriers: of age, language, taste, and familiarity with theater. Whether it’s your first time seeing a musical or your hundredth, there’s magic in it for you.

So, which one was the best?

That’s a tough call. New York will always have a special place in my heart for that first unforgettable experience. But Tokyo? It was impeccable. The Japanese do everything with such precision, and their production was a stunning reflection of that—technically flawless and truly awe-inspiring. I’d have to give Tokyo the top spot. Paris, on the other hand, was solid, but the audience's behavior really took me out of the moment. Too many people using their phones, which made it hard to fully immerse myself in the magic of the show.

But my favorite? New York, without a doubt, because of the memory: seeing it with my family, including my little brother, who—after being utterly captivated—sang along to the soundtrack with me for years. That’s the magic of live theater. That’s the magic of The Lion King.

The Lion King has productions all over the world—get your tickets here and experience the magic for yourself!