Netflix shifts Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ film to 2027 for major theatrical release

Audiences will need to wait a bit longer to watch “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” as its release has been shifted from the Thanksgiving window to February 12, 2027.

Marking her first project since Barbie, writer-director Greta Gerwig’s take on “The Magician’s Nephew” is also shaping up to be a defining moment in Netflix’s evolving approach to theatrical releases — and with the new timing, that shift appears even more significant.

Earlier, the company had planned for “The Magician’s Nephew” to debut exclusively in IMAX theatres for at least two weeks before arriving on the platform around Christmas. While that already represented an ambitious theatrical move for Netflix, it was still relatively limited compared to the typical rollout of major Hollywood blockbusters.

Under the revised plan, Netflix confirmed that the film will start with exclusive IMAX preview screenings on February 10, 2027, before expanding into a full global theatrical release on February 12. The company described this as a “global eventized release.” Streaming availability is now scheduled for April 2.

The announcement did not clarify exactly which cinema chains will screen the film. However, IMAX stated that the adjusted timeline gives the project room for “a full theatrical window,” suggesting that major exhibitors are unlikely to raise objections.

Indeed, AMC Theatres recently cited the success of its screenings of the “Stranger Things” finale and indicated its interest in pursuing further partnerships with Netflix. At the same time, Netflix’s historically limited commitment to theatrical windows has reportedly caused friction in past negotiations. This stance was described as a “dealbreaker” in talks with the creators of Stranger Things, who ultimately entered into an exclusive agreement with Paramount.

Featuring a cast that includes Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, “The Magician’s Nephew” adapts one of the later entries in The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. The story serves as a prequel, exploring the origins of the magical world of Narnia.

In the official announcement, Gerwig shared that she first encountered the book as a child, recalling how she “fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life.”