“Remember who you are.”

It’s insane to me that this film turns 20 years old today.

There is nothing more exciting than being a child when a movie like The Lion King comes out. This film has to be one of Disney’s most treasured animated features among the entirety of its cinematic works. And those of us who have seen it know why.

Set in a kingdom of lions in Africa, The Lion King tells the story a lion named Simba, prince of the Pride Lands. When Simba’s father, Mufasa, is murdered by his jealous and treacherous brother Scar, Simba is blamed for Mufasa’s death and banished from the Pride Lands, after which Scar takes the throne. The rest of the film follows Simba as he grows and realizes he must face his uncle and his past, and reclaim his right to the throne.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick voice the young and adult Simba, with James Earl Jones as Mufasa, and Jeremy Irons as Scar.

The film includes an ensemble of other characters: Simba’s best friends Nala (Niketa Calame/Moira Kelly), Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella); Zazu (Rowan Atkinson); Rafiki (Robert Guillaume); and Scar’s loyal hyenas Shenzi (Whoopi Goldberg), Banzai (Cheech Marin) and Ed (Jim Cummings).

So many elements make this movie memorable, powerful and a classic. Hans Zimmer’s score for one—music that leaves you emotionally hypnotized throughout the film’s most powerful scenes. We are also given a set of songs, courtesy of Elton John, with lyrics so unforgettable that those in their 20s today know them by heart.

Another of the film’s powerful elements is the heartfelt pain that grips you when Mufasa falls to his death and his son desperately attempts to wake him; when Simba is visited by his father’s spirit in a brief, but dramatic exchange; or during the climactic conflict between Simba and Scar atop Pride Rock.

The Lion King fails to fall short in any area of emotional impact, giving us humor, jealousy, love, loss, anger and friendship. Despite using animals as characters, the film’s story effectively makes each character relatable to the audience in some shape or form. No matter how old you are, there’s bound to be at least one part of this movie that brings you to the verge of tears. This is one of many, if not the primary, elements of The Lion King that makes it so powerful, but it’s the whole package that makes it my favorite Disney animated film of all time.

Happy 20th.

“Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars…So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you…and so will I.” – Mufasa