The Lion King (1994)

Every actor brings something to The Lion King, but the lead performance is genuinely extraordinary. The subtlety involved, the way the character changes without announcing it — it's a masterclass.

We watched The Lion King together and spent an hour talking about the circle of life afterward. That kind of conversation doesn't happen often. The film gives you something real to think about together.

I've seen The Lion King multiple times now and it just keeps getting better. Jeremy Irons as Scar is something rarely matched in cinema. If you haven't watched it yet, clear your evening.

The Lion King ended and I sat with it for weeks. The the circle of life theme kept circling back. I'd be doing something mundane and Simba's return would pop into my head. That kind of resonance is rare.

I went into The Lion King knowing nothing — no trailer, no plot summary. I strongly recommend that approach. The responsibility hits much harder when you haven't been primed for it. Go in cold.