There’s a first time for everything. After years of small-screen outings, Netflix is embracing a theatrical rollout for Barbie director Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia film, which has been pushed back a few months from its initial Thanksgiving 2026 release.
The adaptation of the sixth book in C.S. Lewis’ fantasy series is now slated to hit cinemas on 12 February 2027 before heading to the streamer on 2 April, with sneak previews beginning 10 February, only in IMAX. While Netflix had previously brought several of its films into theatres for a limited run, including the Knives Out movies and the sing-along version of KPop Demon Hunters, this marks its biggest theatrical debut to date. Before the scheduling change, the plan was to bring an exclusive two-week IMAX global screening to 90 countries.
On its new date, Narnia will face competition from The Nightingale, starring Elle and Dakota Fanning, as well as the Glen Powell comedy from Judd Apatow, The Comeback Kid, premiering in early February 2027. Emma Mackey, Cary Mulligan, Meryl Streep and Daniel Craig lead the casting for Gerwig’s adventure, with Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal and Vincent Sieber serving as producers. Patricia Whitcher, Douglas Gresham, and Melvin Adams are executive producers.
The Magician’s Nephew may be the sixth novel, but its chronology puts it as the prequel to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, focusing on the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion. The story follows two children, Diggory and Polly, as they explore parallel universes using a magical ring given by an uncle, during the summer of 1900.
Netflix acquired rights to the Narnia book series in 2018 and announced plans to flesh out the fantasy world through new films and television shows. The three existing adaptations were helmed by 20th Century and Disney previously: 2005’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 2008’s Prince Caspian, and 2010’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
“It’s incredibly moving to see how deeply Greta Gerwig has embraced C. S. Lewis’s world and infused Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew with joy, heart, and genuine love for the story. We’re so excited for audiences everywhere to experience her vision — and to share the magic of Narnia with a whole new generation,” said the C.S Lewis company.
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew bows in theatres on 12 February 2027.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
The Baroness
