The Lion King has always, and will always be, one of my favorite Disney Movies. As a kid, I saw it on opening night at the famous El Capitan Theater, and to this day, I still love singing along to “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” That nostalgia inspired me to create the most magical - albeit over the top, Lion King dinner and a movie night! For this meal, I decided to plan a literal fine dining experience at home in our own kitchen, just like the amazing steak dinners you’d expect at a fancy steakhouse, but for a fraction of the cost! This Lion King Dinner and a movie night meal is packed with so much flavor - it might even make your significant other roar! (haha) I’ll see myself out with those dad jokes.
This meal is hands down one of my favorites of all time, not only because it’s inspired by one of my favorite childhood movies but also because it was the first of my videos to truly go viral on Instagram! I can’t believe it reached almost one millions views!!! From the stunning Sarengheti Sunset cocktail to the Wild Wildebeest Ribeyes and Bug Grub Brownies, this menu has something for everyone, whether you’re cooking for family or hosting a dinner party of just adults!
If you’re ready to create your own Lion King dinner and a movie night, you’re in for a treat. Get ready to take a journey to the Pride Lands with bold flavors, colorful dishes, and a memorable movie experience. And don’t forget—you can find all the recipes for this dinner and more in my Magical Dinner and a Movie Cookbook.
Serengeti Sunset: A Cocktail Worthy of the Pride Lands
No Fairytale Foodie Movie night would be complete without the perfect cocktail to set things off - and this Lion King dinner and a movie night is no different. The Serengeti Sunset was an absolutely perfect choice. Inspired by the breathtaking sunsets over the Pride Lands, and the most epic intro to a movie, of all time - this cocktail is my Lion King spin on the classic tequila sunset. The bright fresh orange garnish mimics the setting sun from the film, bringing the colors and spirit of The Lion King straight into your glass.
The Serengeti Sunset isn’t just visually stunning—it’s also delicious. With the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, this drink is sure to impress your guests. Whether you’re serving it up as a cocktail or the mocktail version, which is included in my Magical Mixology Cookbook, this drink is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
If you’re looking to kick off your Lion King movie night in style, the Serengeti Sunset is the perfect way to start. Get the full recipe, along with other magical drinks, in my downloadable Magical Mixology Cookbook—the ultimate guide to movie-inspired cocktails and mocktails.
Simba-Inspired Crudité Board: A Bold and Colorful Appetizer
For the appetizer, I wanted to capture the energy and color from one of my favorite Lion King scenes: “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” This scene is bursting with bright colors and playful jokes, and lots of movement, so I channeled that into a vibrant Simba-Inspired Crudité Board. It was filled with bold, fresh veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots—all arranged to look like Simba while he is crooning this tume. The hummus in the center served as the perfect dip.
The beauty of a crudité board is in its simplicity and creativity. By using big, bright veggies, this dish didn’t just look good—it tasted amazing, too. Plus, it’s a healthy and refreshing way to kick off the night before the more indulgent courses come rolling in.
This appetizer really set the tone for our Lion King dinner and a movie night. It was fun to make, visually stunning, and definitely got us in the mood for the main event. If you’re looking for a colorful, healthy start to your own movie night, this crudité board is it.
Wild Wildebeest Ribeyes: The Star of the Show
For the main course of our Lion King dinner and a movie night, I wanted to create something that felt bold, indulgent, and absolutely unforgettable. Enter the Wild Wildebeest Ribeyes, cast iron ribeye steaks, cooked to perfection and topped with a homemade garlic and herb compound butter that took the flavors to a whole new level. This dish was truly to die for, and my husband even said it was his favorite steak he’s ever had. That’s saying something, considering how much we love indulging ourselves at fancy steak restaurants.
The real magic of this dish lies in the garlic and herb compound butter. It is seriously the most delicious addition to a steak, and it really just takes a few minutes. Placked with fresh minced garlic, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and just a splash of lemon - this compound butter is truly TO. DIE. FOR. . It’s a game-changer and elevates this meal to a fine-dining experience, right at home. Whenever I make this butter, I am sure to make extras as it is also amazing as a base for gravy or with potatoes and veggies!.
If you’re looking to impress your guests (or just treat yourself to an incredible meal), these ribeyes are a must. They were the star of the show and definitely set the bar high for the rest of the meal.
Pumba’s Twice Baked Potatoes: Crowd-Favorite Side Dish
No Lion King dinner and a movie night would be complete without shouting out everyone’s favorite piggy - Pumba, and I just knew his signature dish had to be something hearty, comforting, and packed with flavor. Cue: Pumba’s Twice Baked Potatoes. These cheesy, bacon-stuffed potatoes are my most famous recipe and the most requested dish by family and friends. Every bite is loaded with cheese, green onions, butter, chives, bacon, and sour cream—it’s comfort food at its finest.
These potatoes are the perfect side dish to the Wild Wildebeest Ribeyes. Crispy on the outside, creamy and indulgent on the inside, they complement the bold flavors of the steak without overshadowing them. The best part? They’re easy to make ahead of time, which leaves you more time to enjoy the movie (and less time in the kitchen!).
If you’re planning your own Lion King dinner and a movie night, these potatoes are a must-add to the menu. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or a cozy night in, Pumba’s Twice Baked Potatoes will steal the show.
Bold Veggies with Balsamic: A Colorful Side for the Pride Lands
To complement the rich flavors of the Wild Wildebeest Ribeyes and Pumba’s Twice Baked Potatoes, I wanted to add a side dish that was bold, colorful, and fresh. Enter the sautéed carrots, zucchini, and red onions with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. These veggies were cooked just enough to bring out their natural sweetness while still maintaining a vibrant, slightly crisp texture. The balsamic added a tangy, slightly sweet finish that tied the entire plate together. They were so easy to make, and they complimented the richness of the other dishes wonderfully.
If you’re planning your own Lion King dinner and a movie night, these veggies are the perfect side to bring a burst of flavor and color to your table.
Bug Grub Brownies: A Sweet and Playful Dessert
For dessert, I wanted to have a little fun and create something inspired by Timon and Pumba’s famous motto: “Hakuna Matata.” It was an easy choice to make a play on the old dirt cup with these bug gub brownies - a playful nod to the bug-eating scene that kids (and adults!) will love. These fudge brownies were topped with rich chocolate frosting, Oreo “dirt,” and garnished with gummy bugs to bring the whole theme to life. The Bug Grub Brownies were the absolute perfect sweet treat to end our Lion King dinner and a movie night. I am a brownie girl, and this treat made my chocolate loving heart so happy
This dessert was a huge crowd-pleaser and is perfect for adding a little extra magic to your movie night. If you’re looking for a sweet way to wrap up your Lion King experience, these brownies are the perfect choice!
Bringing the Pride Lands to Your Table: A Roaring Success
Our Lion King dinner and a movie night was a nostalgic journey back to one of my favorite childhood films, paired with a menu that felt like a night out at a five-star restaurant - while I got to stay at home in my yoga pants. From the vibrant Serengeti Sunset cocktail to the Wild Wildebeest Ribeyes and Bug Grub Brownies, this meal was a roaring (get it?) success that brought the spirit of the Pride Lands to life right here in my kitchen!
Whether you’re hosting a family movie night or treating yourself to a themed dinner, this menu will make you feel like royalty. Each dish was thoughtfully created to capture the essence of the movie, and the response was incredible – I still can’t believe that this video was my first to go viral on Instagram, with nearly one million views!
If you’re ready to recreate this magical meal, all the recipes are available in my Magical Dinner and a Movie Cookbook, which feature 12 planned-for-you dinner nights inspired by iconic films. From appetzers to desserts, these cookbooks will help you create a dinner and movie experience that your friends and family won’t forget.
And don’t forget, if you’re looking for more themed dinner ideas, be sure to check out my previous blog posts (link here) for even more inspiration!
