Netflix’s Narnia Reboot From Barbie Director Confirmed for 2026 IMAX Release

The highly anticipated reboot of Netflix’s “Chronicles of Narnia,” directed by Greta Gerwig who previously worked on “Barbie,” has been given a release date. Starting on Thanksgiving in 2026, audiences can catch the movie in IMAX theaters for an immersive viewing experience. Initially, it won’t be available for home streaming until Christmas. At present, the plan is for a two-week theatrical run across approximately 1,000 locations worldwide, but there’s a chance it could extend to a third week if demand warrants.

At present, it’s only agreed that Narnia will premiere exclusively in IMAX cinemas. However, showings in standard, non-IMAX theaters have not been definitively decided against just yet.

Discussions about releasing the film “Narnia” in cinemas have been ongoing since at least October, when it was hinted that IMAX might showcase the high-budget fantasy flick. Although it’s been common knowledge that Netflix had planned a streaming release in December 2026 for the movie, the fate of its theatrical debut was uncertain until now. Traditionally, Netflix prefers to offer their films only a brief cinematic run to qualify for Academy Awards. It is yet undecided how long Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” will be shown in theaters by Netflix.

The upcoming film version of Gerwig’s “Narnia,” slated for production this summer, is the initial move in Netflix’s ambitious endeavor to bring to life all the books from C.S. Lewis’ beloved series. Fresh from the $1 billion success of her Best Picture nominee “Barbie,” Gerwig will direct at least two parts of the series. She has expressed the importance of handling the adaptation with great care, expressing her deep admiration for the original content. Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos hinted that these films would be more grandiose and daring than viewers might anticipate.

It’s pleasing to learn that Netflix and IMAX have come together for the cinematic premiere of Narnia. Given its epic fantasy genre, it’s fitting that a grand spectacle like Narnia should grace our movie screens. Filmmaker Greta Gerwig intends to capture this magnificent tale with IMAX cameras, making it even more intriguing to witness her creative interpretation of such a vast undertaking. While films like Lady Bird, Little Women, and even Barbie were smaller productions, Narnia could mark a significant leap in Gerwig’s artistic journey. Here’s hoping that Netflix will facilitate screenings of the film beyond IMAX venues, enabling more viewers to experience it as intended by Gerwig.

It’s intriguing to consider whether the Narnia deal sets any kind of precedent for Netflix in terms of future agreements. Many top-tier directors might seek similar arrangements when negotiating with the streaming service. Not all Netflix films are designed for premium formats, but many filmmakers still value preserving the theatrical experience and would likely appreciate a guarantee for an extended theatrical run prior to streaming. It’s likely that decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Given the significant investment that Netflix has made in Narnia, it seems logical to promote it through IMAX screens.

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2025-01-17 19:42