The 17-year running musical, "The Lion King" is currently the most profitable musical production of all time, holding the worldwide box-office record in any medium, including film and theater.

The Associated Press stated that "The Lion King" has earnings of more than US$6.2 billion worldwide this summer, surpassing "The Phantom of the Opera" which earned US$6 billion.

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"The Phantom of the Opera" is the longest running production on Broadway, having opened the curtain in 1986. Over 140 million people have watched the said show.

Those behind "The Phantom of the Opera" have acknowledged the standing of "The Lion King" and even refer to the production as "the pride of Broadway".

According to a spokesman for Walt Disney Co., "It is the highest-grossing total in box office history. The US$6.2 billion figure is just the box office of the stage musical." 

The theatrical adaptation of the story contributed US$1.1 billion to the title's overall gross. Other contributors to the massive earnings include national and international tours in North America, London, Japan, Australia and others. 

The animated film, on the other hand, raked in around US$1 billion worldwide. However, "Avatar" is still the most profitable film of all time at US$2.8 billion.

Aside from the film's popularity pushing the popularity of the theatrical adaptation, the strategy of increasing seat prices when demand is high has also contributed to the massive earnings.

"It's difficult not to become emotional at this realization of the show's impact," shared Thomas Schumacher, president and producer at Disney Theatrical Productions.

The story of "The Lion King" revolves around Simba, whose father, King Mufasa, is killed by his vengeful uncle, Scar. Mufasa's death prompts the young cub to run away, where he meets memorable characters along the way who help him regain his father's kingdom.

New York and Australian cast members of "The Lion King" have been filmed spontaneously breaking into song while riding the subway and an airplane respectively.