Black Is King reigns.
After a full 12 months in the making, Beyoncé's highly anticipated visual album for Disney+ has officially debuted to the masses. The musical film, described on the platform as a "celebratory memoir for the world on the Black experience," has been, as the the Grammy-winning co-writer, co-director and co-executive producer called it, "a labor of love."
"It is my passion project that I have been filming, researching and editing day and night for the past year," Beyoncé wrote on Instagram. "I've given it my all and now it's yours."
As evidenced by the stunning imagery and star-studded cast, the film was no simple feat. "I worked with a diverse group of very gifted directors, and actors and creatives from all over the world to reimagine the story of The Lion King," the performer explained in a video. "The narrative unfolds through music videos, fashion, dance beautiful natural settings and raw, new talent. But, it all started in my backyard, so from my house to Johannesburg to Ghana to London to Belgium to the Grand Canyon, it was truly a journey to bring this film to life."
Beyoncé elaborated, "My hope for this film is that it shifts the global perception of the word Black, which has always meant inspiration and love and strength and beauty to me. But Black Is King means Black is regal and rich in history, in purpose and in lineage."
To represent all of those elements in the film, Beyoncé enlisted not only "raw, new talent," but also very familiar faces: her children, Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir, as well as her husband Jay-Z, mother Tina Knowles, longtime friend and Destiny's Child alum Kelly Rowland, and many more celebrated Hollywood stars to bring the film's story to life.
And, as the songstress mentioned, there was no shortage of standout style, picturesque scenery, powerful messaging—and even nods to the triple threat's own life.
For a breakdown of the film's major moments, keep scrolling!
As Beyoncé mentioned, one of the ways she and the movie's team told the story was through fashion—and there was no lack of it. Every scene featured captivating costumes donned by the cast members, including one-of-a-kind creations worn by Bey herself. From sparkling to patterned and printed, virtually no style or silhouette was left behind in the film's incredible wardrobe, all clear works of art.
While their famous parents tend to keep them out of the spotlight, fans get glimpses of the famous mom of three with her youngest little ones, now-3-year-old twins Sir and Rumi Carter, including in her dedication of the film.
At points in the film, a portrait of Beyoncé depicted as a Mother Mary figure can be seen hanging on a wall, showing the star holding her twins in her arms with Blue Ivy next to her. Baby angels appear above her holding Grammy statues, while below her, a child appears in both corners, possibly symbolizing the miscarriages she suffered.
The film features several celebrity appearances, including from Pharrell, Lupita Nyong'o and Naomi Campbell—the latter of which are mentioned in "Brown Skin Girl."
Beyoncé puts her friendship with fellow Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland front and center multiple times in the film, including when they embrace in a sweet hug during "Brown Skin Girl."
Beyoncé's firstborn is featured singing and dancing in several scenes of the film, including during "Brown Skin Girl," in which her posing harkens back to her appearance in her famous mom's 2016 "Formation" music video.
Lineage is a significant theme in the film, depicted in one particularly powerful moment when Beyoncé appears with both her mother, Tina Knowles, and daughters, Blue Ivy and Rumi, all wearing the same print.
Black Is King is streaming now on Disney+.
—Additional reporting by Taylor Bryant