Netflix Plans First-Ever Wide Theatrical Release for ‘Narnia The Magician’s Nephew’

Netflix is set to embark on a groundbreaking venture with one of the most eagerly awaited films in the coming years.

Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ will debut in theaters worldwide on February 12, 2027, marking a significant 45-day theatrical run before it becomes available on Netflix on April 2. This commitment to a theatrical release represents uncharted territory for the streaming giant and is a noteworthy development for those observing Netflix’s approach to film distribution.

The excitement will begin even earlier with exclusive IMAX screenings starting on February 10, just two days prior to the film’s wide global release. As detailed in Netflix’s official Tudum announcement, the intention is to present this as a true cinematic event, worthy of the grandeur that the Narnia series deserves.

Gerwig, who both wrote the screenplay and directs the film, has expressed how deeply personal this project is to her.

In a statement shared by Netflix, she reflected, “I was a child when I first read The Magician’s Nephew, and I fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life. I didn’t know that I would grow up to make films, but a universe built out of music is an idea that always lived in my heart. It is the honor of a lifetime to be asked to imagine it into being.”

This film adapts C.S. Lewis’s 1955 novel of the same name, which narrates the origin story of Narnia. This adaptation marks the first time this particular book has been brought to the screen. Newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell will portray the young protagonists, joined by a stellar cast that includes Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, Susan Wokoma, Daniel Craig, and Meryl Streep. The musical score will be crafted by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, the duo behind the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack with Gerwig.

The C.S. Lewis Company also shared their enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It’s incredibly moving to see how deeply Greta Gerwig has embraced C. S. Lewis’s world, and infused ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ with joy, heart, and genuine love for the story. We’re so excited for audiences everywhere to experience her vision and to share the magic of Narnia with a whole new generation.”

For context, the Chronicles of Narnia books have sold over 120 million copies across 70 countries and have been translated into more than 60 languages. This immense global fanbase likely explains Netflix’s willingness to venture so far beyond its usual strategy for this release.

Produced by Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, and Gerwig, with the C.S. Lewis Estate involved as executive producers, the film is set to hit theaters on February 12, 2027, and will be available on Netflix starting April 2, 2027.

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