10 Times The Lion King's Scar Was Just Being Honest (& We Agreed)
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VOICE OVER: Emily Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Tal Fox
Even villains can speak truth sometimes! Join us as we examine the moments when The Lion King's most notorious antagonist dropped some uncomfortable facts. From his sardonic observations to his brutally honest declarations, we're looking at times when Scar's sharp tongue cut straight to the truth. Whether dealing with royal duties, facing challengers, or managing incompetent followers, Scar's wit and wisdom occasionally hit the mark - even if his methods didn't. Which of these memorable quotes resonates with you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Top 10 Times Scar Was Just Being Honest
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the times Scar from “The Lion King” franchise was just speaking his truth.
After Mufasa’s death and Simba runs off, it seems Scar has turned Zazu into his own personal radio. No shock that Zazu’s song choice is a bit on the bleak side. Scar, of course, demands something with a peppier beat. You know how some songs just burrow into your brain and refuse to leave? As anyone who’s ever been on the “It’s a Small World” ride—or worse, been stuck on it while it’s broken down—can tell you that one clings to your soul. So yes, Scar, totally get it. Although now we’re stuck singing “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” for the rest of the day. So, thanks for that, guys. Really.
If you ever wondered how Mufasa ended up with a red-billed hornbill and a Mandrill on his royal council, the 2024 prequel clears it up. After escaping an attack on their Pride, the lion brothers—now joined by Sarabi and her scout Zazu—stumble across what looks like dinner. But they quickly learn that eating this particular primate would be a mistake. Turns out, he’s their key to moving forward. Earlier, Taka was also denied the chance to eat Zazu, and look, we all know hanger is real. You can’t always control what you say (or nearly eat) when it kicks in. Chin up, Scar. Maybe you’ll have better luck with the next misfit you eat—sorry, meet.
Unfortunately, we’re all too familiar with this type. They’re the ones who, the second they get any power (or, in Scar’s case, steal it), let it go straight to their heads. Scar struts around like a visionary, rules like a tyrant, and delegates like someone who’s never seen a to-do list. The hyenas cheer on command, the savannah turns into a wasteland, and Scar still insists it’s not his problem. He’s the kind of king who couldn’t lead a hunt if the prey lined up for him because he’s too busy reveling in the title. Sarabi tries to reason with him, but Scar’s not hearing it—he’s king, and that’s all that matters.
In the animated version of this scene, Scar is menacing, but in a comical way. Yet in the 2019 remake, they somehow make it feel even darker, to the point where we had to remind ourselves, “Yes, this is still a family-friendly Disney movie!” When Zazu tells him he’s expected to rise when his brother enters and answer to him, Scar’s response is simple. If he chose to skip his one and only nephew’s presentation ceremony, he’d already made it clear that he answers to no one. If we were Zazu, we’d probably back away after that, before enduring more of Scar’s wrath—or worse, almost ending up as his lunch!
You know how villains love to monologue so long that the heroes have just enough time to swoop in and save the day? Scar’s way too smart for that. “Be Prepared” is hardly deceptive—it’s more of an oddly honest manifesto with a lot more flair. He lays out his plans: manipulate, dominate, take what’s his. No sugarcoating, no hiding behind political jargon, who needs subtlety?. In fact, “Be Prepared” is probably the most “real” moment in the whole movie. Scar’s not pretending to be anything he’s not—he’s just that upfront about his evil. It’s terrifying, but in a strange way, it’s more transparent than most power-hungry leaders who hide behind smoke and mirrors.
When you think about it, the warning signs were there from the start. This isn’t just some lion sulking about the royal pecking order—it’s an outcast who’s spent years imagining life with a crown, growing more bitter by the minute. Scar speaks in sarcasm laced with venom. He doesn’t fake remorse or politeness, and when he does, it’s laughably obvious. Sure, he’s snarky, but also brutally honest. He’s not playing nice, not bowing to the heir, and definitely not hiding his resentment. If Mufasa is regal restraint, Scar’s the guy in the corner, muttering what everyone’s too polite to say. He’s not loyal, not happy, and not going to pretend otherwise.
Remember when we talked about how Mufasa and Co. ended up joining forces with Rafiki? Well, as the lions size up dinner, they quickly realize this isn’t your average Mandrill. For one, he’s not even slightly rattled by being surrounded by three lions and a hornbill. If we were in Rafiki’s place, we’d probably be sweating—Taka definitely thinks he should be. Who has time to put on airs when dinner is walking away? He lays bare the raw truth of how he sees the world: lions are supposed to inspire fear. End of. So when Rafiki doesn’t flinch, Scar’s whole worldview short-circuits—and he reacts the only way he knows how: sarcasm, ego, and full-volume projection.
Poor Simba, he’s been dragged into all this intergenerational drama, and he has no idea. He trots up to his Uncle Scar, beaming about his royal future, and is met with all the warmth of a cold sardine (which tracks—Scar did ghost his birth ceremony). He could’ve just said congrats and moved on like a functioning adult. But Scar doesn’t do polite formalities. Instead, he slathers his resentment in sarcasm and deadpan flair that, mercifully, flies right over Simba’s fluffy little head. Not gonna lie—we’ve all pulled a Scar once or twice, mostly when eye-rolling isn’t considered a socially acceptable response. That said, we draw the line at premeditated betrayal.
You’re preaching to the choir there, Scar! Sure, we’re not chatting with our food as we prepare to devour it, but we get it. Plus, we’re sure it brought the mouse great comfort in what it thought would be its final moments to hear a top-of-the-food-chain mammal commiserate about life’s injustices. But Scar’s not wrong here. Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and that really sucks. And let’s not forget misery loves company! Scar proves his point quickly when an unexpected visitor leaves him with no lunch and no closer to being king. Life really isn’t fair, is it? Can't a lion just eat his feelings (and a mouse) in peace?
You know those people who stay silent, but their face practically has subtitles? Well, in this moment, Scar speaks for them all. We’ve all been there, trapped in an absolute circus of incompetence. But instead of calling it out, most of us just mutter under our breath or, if we’re feeling bold, throw in an eye roll when no one’s looking. Think about all the hyenas you’ve had to deal with, whether in school, at work, or, you know, plotting a coup against your brother. As we grit our teeth and take a deep breath, we’re all secretly wishing we had Scar’s guts to just broadcast our unfiltered truth for the world to hear.
Which Scar quote made you roar in agreement? Let us know in the comments
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the times Scar from “The Lion King” franchise was just speaking his truth.
#10: “NO! Anything but That.”
“The Lion King” (1994)After Mufasa’s death and Simba runs off, it seems Scar has turned Zazu into his own personal radio. No shock that Zazu’s song choice is a bit on the bleak side. Scar, of course, demands something with a peppier beat. You know how some songs just burrow into your brain and refuse to leave? As anyone who’s ever been on the “It’s a Small World” ride—or worse, been stuck on it while it’s broken down—can tell you that one clings to your soul. So yes, Scar, totally get it. Although now we’re stuck singing “I’ve Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” for the rest of the day. So, thanks for that, guys. Really.
#9: “Wonderful. Another Misfit Stray We’re Not Supposed to Eat”
“Mufasa: The Lion King” (2024)If you ever wondered how Mufasa ended up with a red-billed hornbill and a Mandrill on his royal council, the 2024 prequel clears it up. After escaping an attack on their Pride, the lion brothers—now joined by Sarabi and her scout Zazu—stumble across what looks like dinner. But they quickly learn that eating this particular primate would be a mistake. Turns out, he’s their key to moving forward. Earlier, Taka was also denied the chance to eat Zazu, and look, we all know hanger is real. You can’t always control what you say (or nearly eat) when it kicks in. Chin up, Scar. Maybe you’ll have better luck with the next misfit you eat—sorry, meet.
#8: “I Am the King. I Can Do Whatever I Want.”
“The Lion King” (1994)Unfortunately, we’re all too familiar with this type. They’re the ones who, the second they get any power (or, in Scar’s case, steal it), let it go straight to their heads. Scar struts around like a visionary, rules like a tyrant, and delegates like someone who’s never seen a to-do list. The hyenas cheer on command, the savannah turns into a wasteland, and Scar still insists it’s not his problem. He’s the kind of king who couldn’t lead a hunt if the prey lined up for him because he’s too busy reveling in the title. Sarabi tries to reason with him, but Scar’s not hearing it—he’s king, and that’s all that matters.
#7: “I Answer to No One”
“The Lion King” (2019)In the animated version of this scene, Scar is menacing, but in a comical way. Yet in the 2019 remake, they somehow make it feel even darker, to the point where we had to remind ourselves, “Yes, this is still a family-friendly Disney movie!” When Zazu tells him he’s expected to rise when his brother enters and answer to him, Scar’s response is simple. If he chose to skip his one and only nephew’s presentation ceremony, he’d already made it clear that he answers to no one. If we were Zazu, we’d probably back away after that, before enduring more of Scar’s wrath—or worse, almost ending up as his lunch!
#6: “Be Prepared”
“The Lion King” (1994)You know how villains love to monologue so long that the heroes have just enough time to swoop in and save the day? Scar’s way too smart for that. “Be Prepared” is hardly deceptive—it’s more of an oddly honest manifesto with a lot more flair. He lays out his plans: manipulate, dominate, take what’s his. No sugarcoating, no hiding behind political jargon, who needs subtlety?. In fact, “Be Prepared” is probably the most “real” moment in the whole movie. Scar’s not pretending to be anything he’s not—he’s just that upfront about his evil. It’s terrifying, but in a strange way, it’s more transparent than most power-hungry leaders who hide behind smoke and mirrors.
#5: “Oh, I Shall Practice My Curtsy”
“The Lion King” (1994)When you think about it, the warning signs were there from the start. This isn’t just some lion sulking about the royal pecking order—it’s an outcast who’s spent years imagining life with a crown, growing more bitter by the minute. Scar speaks in sarcasm laced with venom. He doesn’t fake remorse or politeness, and when he does, it’s laughably obvious. Sure, he’s snarky, but also brutally honest. He’s not playing nice, not bowing to the heir, and definitely not hiding his resentment. If Mufasa is regal restraint, Scar’s the guy in the corner, muttering what everyone’s too polite to say. He’s not loyal, not happy, and not going to pretend otherwise.
#4: “Because We’re Lions. As in… LION!”
“Mufasa: The Lion King” (2024)Remember when we talked about how Mufasa and Co. ended up joining forces with Rafiki? Well, as the lions size up dinner, they quickly realize this isn’t your average Mandrill. For one, he’s not even slightly rattled by being surrounded by three lions and a hornbill. If we were in Rafiki’s place, we’d probably be sweating—Taka definitely thinks he should be. Who has time to put on airs when dinner is walking away? He lays bare the raw truth of how he sees the world: lions are supposed to inspire fear. End of. So when Rafiki doesn’t flinch, Scar’s whole worldview short-circuits—and he reacts the only way he knows how: sarcasm, ego, and full-volume projection.
#3: “Well, Forgive Me for Not Leaping for Joy…”
“The Lion King” (1994)Poor Simba, he’s been dragged into all this intergenerational drama, and he has no idea. He trots up to his Uncle Scar, beaming about his royal future, and is met with all the warmth of a cold sardine (which tracks—Scar did ghost his birth ceremony). He could’ve just said congrats and moved on like a functioning adult. But Scar doesn’t do polite formalities. Instead, he slathers his resentment in sarcasm and deadpan flair that, mercifully, flies right over Simba’s fluffy little head. Not gonna lie—we’ve all pulled a Scar once or twice, mostly when eye-rolling isn’t considered a socially acceptable response. That said, we draw the line at premeditated betrayal.
#2: “Life’s Not Fair, Is It?”
“The Lion King” (1994) & “The Lion King” (2019)You’re preaching to the choir there, Scar! Sure, we’re not chatting with our food as we prepare to devour it, but we get it. Plus, we’re sure it brought the mouse great comfort in what it thought would be its final moments to hear a top-of-the-food-chain mammal commiserate about life’s injustices. But Scar’s not wrong here. Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned, and that really sucks. And let’s not forget misery loves company! Scar proves his point quickly when an unexpected visitor leaves him with no lunch and no closer to being king. Life really isn’t fair, is it? Can't a lion just eat his feelings (and a mouse) in peace?
#1: “I’m Surrounded By Idiots”
“The Lion King” (1994)You know those people who stay silent, but their face practically has subtitles? Well, in this moment, Scar speaks for them all. We’ve all been there, trapped in an absolute circus of incompetence. But instead of calling it out, most of us just mutter under our breath or, if we’re feeling bold, throw in an eye roll when no one’s looking. Think about all the hyenas you’ve had to deal with, whether in school, at work, or, you know, plotting a coup against your brother. As we grit our teeth and take a deep breath, we’re all secretly wishing we had Scar’s guts to just broadcast our unfiltered truth for the world to hear.
Which Scar quote made you roar in agreement? Let us know in the comments
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