Vue CEO Criticizes Netflix-IMAX Narnia Deal: Millions Deprived of Theatrical Experience

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Tim Richards, head of Vue Entertainment – Europe’s biggest independent cinema chain – has criticized the agreement between IMAX and Netflix to show Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film based on Narnia.

Vue CEO Tim Richards recently wrote a letter to Variety discussing Netflix’s plan to show some of its films in IMAX theaters for two weeks. The news caused concern within the movie theater industry, and Richards was among the first to publicly share his thoughts on the agreement. Here’s a part of what he wrote:

Because of this, most moviegoers won’t be able to see ‘Narnia’ in theaters. It will only be shown in IMAX cinemas that are willing to show films before their standard release date.

IMAX has reportedly threatened theaters with severe consequences if they don’t adhere to traditional release windows. While this might benefit IMAX and Netflix in the short run, it could ultimately harm the entire movie industry and moviegoers worldwide.

Many families who want to see ‘Narnia’ in theaters won’t be able to, due to a limited release strategy. IMAX is not only accepting this approach but seems to be pushing other movie studios to do the same, which could ultimately harm the movie theater experience as a whole.

Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film, starring Emma Mackey, Daniel Craig, and Carey Mulligan, is based on C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth book in The Chronicles of Narnia, originally published in 1955. The movie will first be shown in theaters on November 26, 2026, and will later be available to stream on Netflix starting December 25.

The 2005 film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the first book in The Chronicles of Narnia series, was a major success, earning an Academy Award and making over $745 million worldwide in theaters.

In his letter, Richards also criticized IMAX, pointing out that it only represents a very small fraction of screens globally – less than 1%. He also referenced comments made by Gerwig herself about the release of Barbie, and went on to say:

While premium formats like IMAX can enhance a movie, they aren’t essential for success, as demonstrated by Barbie, which didn’t release in IMAX but still earned $1.5 billion worldwide and played in theaters for months. Director Greta Gerwig shared that her ideal viewing experience is in Dolby Vision with a Dolby Atmos sound mix, feeling it best captures the essence of her film.

Although Greta Gerwig’s statements support Richards’s argument, he primarily emphasizes IMAX’s involvement in the agreement, not Netflix. The CEO of Vue also points out that while IMAX remains a good product, it’s no longer at the forefront of cinema technology and only accounts for a small portion of the premium large format (PLF) box office.

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, featuring Margot Robbie, was a huge hit in 2023, becoming the year’s highest-earning film. This achievement made Gerwig the first woman to direct a solo film that grossed over a billion dollars worldwide.

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2025-11-17 23:11