Netflix’s Upcoming Reboot of Beloved Fantasy Series Gets Delayed (But There’s Great News)

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Netflix has traditionally preferred to keep its original movies exclusive to its streaming platform. However, the company has begun to experiment with theatrical releases, realizing that many viewers are happy to pay to see Netflix films in cinemas. The finale of Stranger Things performed well in theaters, and last year, Guillermo del Toro’s Oscar-winning Pinocchio had a longer-than-expected run due to popular demand.

Netflix has announced that next year, it will release its first movie with a traditional theatrical release. Greta Gerwig’s new film, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, will play in theaters for more than 50 days before becoming available on Netflix. While this is positive news, the film has been delayed. Originally planned for November, Narnia, which follows Gerwig’s Barbie, will now premiere in theaters in February.

Netflix’s Narnia Reboot Delayed Until 2027

Originally planned for release in late 2026, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will now arrive in theaters on February 12, 2027, with special IMAX previews starting February 10th. Netflix has confirmed the film will then be available to stream on their platform on April 2, 2027—51 days after its theatrical release. Reports suggest director Greta Gerwig advocated for a full movie theater release, and it appears she successfully convinced Netflix to do so.

Greta Gerwig expressed her excitement about collaborating with Netflix on the film, praising IMAX as a fantastic partner. She shared that she first discovered C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew as a child and was captivated by the beautiful idea of a lion creating the world of Narnia through song. She always dreamed of bringing such a musically-inspired universe to life on screen, and felt honored to be given the opportunity. Gerwig explained that The Chronicles of Narnia sparked her lifelong belief in magic, adventure, and the possibility of enchantment in everyday life, profoundly impacting her as a child and inspiring her creative journey.

Despite being the sixth book published in C.S. Lewis’s Narnia series, The Magician’s Nephew is the first story in terms of the timeline. While Narnia stories have been made into movies before, this is the first time The Magician’s Nephew has been adapted for the screen. Netflix has announced a star-studded cast for the film, including Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, and Meryl Streep, who was previously believed to be providing the voice for Aslan.

Netflix revealed the talented team Greta Gerwig has brought on board for her new film, a group that includes frequent collaborators and Oscar-nominated and winning professionals – signaling a strong ambition for awards success. Gerwig herself, a four-time Academy Award nominee, will write and direct. The crew includes Seamus McGarvey as cinematographer (nominated for his work on Atonement and Anna Karenina), Andrew Weisblum as editor (nominated for Black Swan and tick, tick…BOOM!), and Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt composing the music (nominated for “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie). Lee Sandales will handle set decoration (winning an Oscar for Wicked), Paul Franklin will oversee visual effects (an Oscar winner for Inception and Interstellar), and Jacqueline Durran will design the costumes (winning Oscars for Anna Karenina and Gerwig’s Little Women).

Following the huge success of Barbie, both in theaters and at the Oscars, it’s easy to see why Greta Gerwig has assembled such a talented team for her next project. What’s especially great is that audiences will get to experience this film in theaters first, rather than just watching it at home. This could be a significant achievement for Netflix, demonstrating that their films can have a successful theatrical run before becoming available for streaming, potentially leading to more Academy Award recognition.

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2026-05-02 00:41