Netflix’s Adaptation of Classic 75-Year-Old Fantasy Series Already 1 Has Near-Impossible Challenge

by

Netflix is known for both quickly greenlighting and canceling shows. It’s become common to see online campaigns trying to save series that Netflix has decided to stop making. While these efforts sometimes succeed – like with Sense8, which got a final episode to conclude its story – most viewers are hesitant to get too attached to shows, knowing they might be canceled unexpectedly.

While recent content might suggest Netflix plays it safe, they’re actually taking big risks. They’re consistently investing in both brand new concepts and well-known franchises. For example, Wednesday, based on the classic Addams Family character, has been a huge hit for them, and they have more fantasy shows planned. However, Netflix needs to be cautious, as their next major adaptation could be overly ambitious.

Netflix Is About to Take a Very Big Swing

Following the huge success of films like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter in the early 2000s, Hollywood began searching for its next major fantasy series. While many attempts failed, The Chronicles of Narnia found some traction, adapting C.S. Lewis’ beloved books. The first film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, was a global hit, earning over $700 million worldwide. A sequel quickly followed and performed reasonably well, leading to plans for another installment. However, interest waned after The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader didn’t resonate with either critics or audiences. The series stalled until Netflix recently acquired the rights to create new films based on the books.

Netflix acquired the rights to The Chronicles of Narnia in 2018, but it took five years to find a director. Greta Gerwig, known for Barbie, will direct at least two films, beginning with an adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, which takes place before The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Starting with this earlier story will help Netflix create a unique version of Narnia. However, to make the project truly successful, Netflix needs to stay committed even if it faces challenges.

Turning Narnia Into a Success Means Being Patient

Currently, Netflix is backing up its plans for The Magician’s Nephew with a commitment to release it in IMAX theaters before it starts streaming in 2026. This level of support will likely make Netflix a desirable option for filmmakers interested in tackling a Narnia movie once Greta Gerwig moves on to other projects. However, it will still be challenging for Netflix to convince filmmakers it’s fully committed, as it’s hard to imagine the platform approving seven films. A director agreeing to The Horse and His Boy while The Silver Chair is being made would likely worry that Netflix might change its mind and abandon the project.

Netflix can counter concerns about its content strategy by being transparent about its release schedule. As soon as The Magician’s Nephew is streaming, they should announce the release date for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and continue to do so for each subsequent film. This is a great chance for Netflix to make characters like Aslan, Lucy Pevensie, and the White Witch as popular as iconic figures like Albus Dumbledore, Frodo Baggins, and Voldemort, but they’ll need to handle any challenges that arise.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/every-sci-fi-movie-tv-show-coming-to-streaming-services-in-november-2025/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-02 21:40