Netflix has been looking for a major fantasy series to build a franchise around, and they may have finally found it. While they’ve primarily focused on TV adaptations like The Witcher and Shadow & Bone, these haven’t been as successful as they’d hoped. Things are expected to change in 2026 with Netflix’s new project – a reboot of The Chronicles of Narnia directed by Greta Gerwig, which will first be released in theaters instead of as a streaming series.
C.S. Lewis’s beloved Chronicles of Narnia have been adapted for the screen before, most recently by Disney in the 2000s and 2010s. However, those films didn’t fully capture the story, and now Netflix and director Greta Gerwig are hoping to do better. They’re starting with The Magician’s Nephew, which is the first story in terms of the Narnia timeline, even though it was the sixth book published. The movie is planned for a special release, starting with two weeks in IMAX theaters, and is already creating a lot of excitement. IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond recently described it as a potential
This is a project where my team actually had to restrain me, because I truly believe it will be revolutionary. I know that sounds like an exaggeration, but Greta is making this film for IMAX, and she understands that once people learn what it’s about, it will become a major cultural moment.
Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Should Be Huge For Netflix
The upcoming reboot of The Chronicles of Narnia is expected to be a major event for both Netflix and IMAX, and could significantly change how movies are released in theaters. The film will debut in roughly 1,000 IMAX cinemas in November 2026, and then stream on Netflix just a month later. This release strategy has drawn criticism from some theater chains, like Vue (according to Variety), as Netflix already has a strained relationship with cinemas and often avoids traditional full theatrical releases. This has even raised concerns about Netflix’s potential acquisition of Warner Bros. While Narnia likely won’t improve that relationship, its success could pave the way for similar releases in the future, with both positive and negative implications.
The movie’s quality seems promising. Although previous Narnia films haven’t always succeeded, director Greta Gerwig is highly talented. She’s successfully directed fantasy, large-scale productions, adaptations of classic books, and stories about growing up – all skills that make her well-suited to bring C.S. Lewis’s work to life. Gelfond shares this view, stating:
This movie is a huge production, made for both IMAX and Netflix, and I’m really excited about it. It’s a fresh take on Narnia – not the version you might remember from the past. The soundtrack features surprisingly modern music – think bands like Pink Floyd and The Doors – the kind of music that really comes alive in an IMAX theater.
The film’s music is surprisingly different for a Narnia movie, which should spark conversation. Along with the impressive sound design – a key feature of IMAX – the visuals promise to be stunning. While these elements will draw audiences to IMAX, it’s the story and acting that will encourage repeat viewings in theaters and continued interest when it’s released on Netflix, and that’s where the director is expected to truly excel.
Set to launch on the streaming service around Christmas, this release is expected to be a huge hit and a major holiday event. If it performs as well as anticipated, it could lead to sequels – early reports suggested the director was considering two films, and there are seven books that could potentially be adapted. This could also finally give Netflix a large-scale fantasy franchise with the potential for theatrical releases.
The film Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will debut in IMAX theaters on November 26, 2026, and will then be available to stream on Netflix during the Christmas season.
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2025-12-08 22:41