First point the post wasn't directed toward you but none the less, I'll put up our usual sparring match as these things go, Saint.
I judge movies for what they are, look at Ralph Bakshi films nearly all push the limits in terms of animation, he's a pioneer in film, but none of them are any good they all are just highly entertaining failures from Wizard to even AMerican Pop. Art is and forever is, expression, everything is inspired by something else, the Lion King is a beautiful film and because it didn't design some new techique, like many disney films have, does not hinder it, it simply a simple story. The problem with our current generation is that people seem to mistake simple or something that's not deep as not good, stuff should be taken as it's meant to be taken. Sometimes the simplest of stories have the best impact. But I find it funny you bring up Howl's Moving Castle which is a beautiful movie as are all Studio Gibli films but it's story has many faults and is a convoluted mess, it still a good movie but it's not great. So far your biggest complaint is that your favorite animated mvoies don't get the attention they deserved and Lion King didn't push the limits but it's a perfectly crafted film. And to those who say it's just Hamlet with Lions, a similar remark could be said about Shakesphere, his stories are not amazing, but it's his beautiful language which makes him popular, just like Lion King uses it's visuals. But with all that said, would I take Spirited Away over Lion King, and the answer is a definate yes.