Disney released the original version of The Lion King in 1994 and introduced viewers of all ages to the coming-of-age story of Simba and his destiny. The Lion King had it all — humor, sadness, anger... But one of the best parts of the film were the Simba's best friends: Timon and Pumbaa
Timon, an African Meerkat, and Pumbaa, a warthog, were an unlikely duo but they were best friends who relied on each other. Once they met a stranded and defeated Simba, they added him to their group and the duo became a trio. While Simba focused on the needs of his pride, Timon and Pumbaa proved they were Disney's best friendship.
Pumbaa: "Kid, What's Eating You?" Timon: "Nothing, He's At The Top Of The Food Chain!"
When Pumbaa and Timon first met Simba, they didn't know what to expect from him. He was a lion after all. But considering he was young, they figured it was safe to talk to him.
At this point, Simba didn't know anything about Timon and Pumbaa and wanted nothing to do with them. He had just lost his dad and ran away from home. He had nowhere to turn. When Pumbaa saw how sad Simba was, he asked what was "eating" him emotionally. Timon jokingly said nothing would eat him because he's at the top of the food chain. The ability to have comedic banter in hard times made them one of the best duos.
Timon: "Gee, He Looks Blue." Pumbaa: "I'd Say Brownish-Gold!"
Upon meeting him, Timon and Pumbaa didn't know a thing about Simba. He looked weak and sad, which prompted Timon to tell Pumbaa that Simba looked blue. Pumbaa humorously didn't understand Timon's reference, which is another reason why they're one of the best duos.
They're able to converse and learn from each other without getting too serious. This quote was also a nice lesson about the meaning of looking "blue" for younger viewers.
Pumbaa: "She's Going To Eat Me!" Timon: "Whoah! Jeez, Why Do I Always Have To Save Your- Ahh!"
While Pumbaa was minding his business, grazing, he noticed a lion hunting him. He screamed and ran in his lovable Pumbaa way until he found Timon. At this time, Pumbaa's large rump got stuck in a tree root, leaving him an easy target for the lion.
Timon tried rescuing Pumbaa while screaming this line, but right before the lion (who happened to be Nala) approached them Simba stopped her. It was then that Simba and Nala were reunited. And while Simba wasn't sure if he wanted to be queen, plenty of fans felt that Nala had what it took to be Queen of the pride without him.
Pumbaa: "Ever Wonder What Those Sparkly Dots Are Up There?" Timon: "Pumbaa, I Don't Wonder, I Know."
In one picturesque scene, Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon are all lying on the grass and looking up at the night sky. Pumbaa adorably asked if anyone knew what stars were to which Timon assure him they were fireflies.
Ironically, Pumbaa assumed they were balls of gas millions of miles away (which was more accurate than fireflies), but Timon made a joke about Pumbaa relating everything to gas. Sweet (and funny) moments like this showed their connection and that they could talk about anything while learning from each other.
Pumbaa: "My Buddy Timon Says, 'You Got To Put Your Behind In Your Past.'" Timon: "It's You Gotta Put Your Past Behind Ya."
Timon and Pumbaa are two of the most likable characters in The Lion King. Their personalities broke up the seriousness of the movie.
When they were warming up to Simba, Pumbaa told him a quote that Timon told him once: "You got to put your behind in your past." He adorably got the quote wrong but that's where Timon came to the rescue with the correct quote. These two are great examples of one carrying what the other lacks.
Timon & Pumbaa: "Hakuna Matata - It Means No Worries For The Rest Of Your Days."
"Hakuna Matata" is one of Disney's most iconic songs, and it was all because of Timon and Pumbaa. Their motto, Hakuna Matata, was how they lived their life. By living worry-free and in a happy state, they could live their best lives.
Timon and Pumbaa were the best Disney duo because this motto (and song) taught a new philosophy to viewers and Simba. Without Timon, Pumbaa and Hakuna Matata, who knows if Simba would have ever become king.
Pumbaa: "He's So Cute And All Alone. Can We Keep Him?" Timon: "Pumbaa, Are You Nuts? You're Talking About A Lion!"
Timon and Pumbaa were both intelligent in their own way in The Lion King. They had what the other lacked and supported each other in times of need. They also bounced ideas off each other – like the time they found Simba asleep in the sunlight.
As Simba slept, Pumbaa found him so adorable and asked Timon if they could "keep him." Timon reminded Pumbaa that this was a lion they were talking about and lions eat animals like them. However, since Simba was so young they decided to start a friendship.
Timon: "Uh-Oh, He Called Him A Pig." Pumbaa: "Are You Talking To Me?"
Timon and Pumbaa had the best friendship in Disney because of their mutual sense of humor. They knew each other backward and forwards and knew what would make each other laugh, along with making them upset.
At the end of the film when the hyenas are hunting Timon, Pumbaa came to the rescue. The hyenas called Pumbaa a "pig," which infuriated him. Timon hilariously warned the hyenas that Pumbaa didn't like being called a pig, which is when Pumbaa started charging them. Pumbaa's anger from being called a pig instead of a warthog saved Timon's life and created a timeless moment in The Lion King.
Pumbaa: "Maybe He'll Be On Our Side." Timon: "Ha! That's The Stupidest Thing I Ever Heard...Hey, I Got It, What If He's On Our Side?"
The only reason why Pumbaa and Timon decided to befriend Simba—before knowing his true character—was because he was a lion who could potentially be on Timon and Pumbaa's side. With Simba as a protector instead of a predator, they'd never had to worry about being another lion's dinner.
In this situation, Pumbaa was the one with the brilliant idea. At first, Timon shot him down but when he realized how smart it was, he acted like he thought of it. It was another silly moment that fans loved about them.
Pumbaa: "Yeah, It's Our Motto!" Simba: "What A Motto?" Timon: "Nothing, What's A Motto With You!?"
Before diving into one of The Lion King's best songs, Pumbaa and Timon made a funny play on words with the words "motto" and "matter." It's moments like these that viewers fell in love with them because they didn't take each other too seriously.
Their ability to laugh in times of sadness or uncertainty was inspiring. As was their ability to befriend a predator all because he was down in the dumps. Though the ups and downs, Timon and Pumbaa always had their friendship.