The short version
- Netflix will distribute Greta Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation in theaters before streaming, marking its first wide theatrical release.
- The film updates the source material to a 1950s setting and features a cast including Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep.
- Gerwig cites David Bowie as an influence for the visual style, though she confirms the project is not a musical.
Netflix has announced a significant departure from its traditional distribution model by scheduling a wide theatrical release for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. This move marks the first time the streaming giant will prioritize cinema screens over immediate digital availability for a major title. The decision signals a potential recalibration of how premium content is delivered to audiences, blending the prestige of theatrical exhibition with the reach of a subscription platform.
The film serves as an adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s sixth novel in The Chronicles of Narnia series, which functions as a prequel to the more famous The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. While the original text was published in 1955, years after the first book appeared in 1950, it explores the origins of the magical world. Lewis reportedly struggled to complete this specific narrative, writing four other entries in the series before returning to answer questions about the lore’s foundational elements.
Gerwig has taken considerable creative liberties with the source material, shifting the temporal setting from the turn of the 20th century to postwar London in the 1950s. This update places the protagonists, Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, in a distinct historical context that differs sharply from previous adaptations. The narrative follows their accidental journey into other worlds after being tricked by Digory’s eccentric uncle, Andrew Ketterley, into using magic rings.
The visual approach to the film appears heavily influenced by the aesthetic of 1960s-era David Bowie, according to Gerwig. Despite these psychedelic undertones and the inclusion of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” in the trailer, the director has clarified that the project is not a musical. This distinction suggests a focus on atmospheric immersion rather than song-driven storytelling, aiming to capture a specific artistic vibe without adhering to genre conventions.
The cast brings together a mix of established stars and emerging talent. Daniel Craig portrays the uncle Andrew Ketterley, while Emma Mackey, known for her role in Gerwig’s previous film Barbie, plays the empress Jadis. Meryl Streep provides the voice for Aslan, and Carey Mulligan appears as Digory’s mother. The ensemble also includes David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell in the lead roles of Digory and Polly, alongside supporting performances from Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and others.
This project represents a fresh start for the Narnia franchise on screen. Previous film adaptations in the early 2000s adapted the first three novels but saw diminishing returns, leading to the expiration of film rights by 2011. There had been earlier plans to adapt The Silver Chair, but those initiatives stalled. Gerwig’s involvement brings new attention to the property, leveraging her recent commercial success with Barbie, which earned nearly $1.5 billion globally.
The release schedule underscores Netflix’s hybrid strategy. Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will open in theaters on February 12, 2027, before becoming available for streaming on April 2, 2027. This two-month window allows for a traditional cinema experience while maintaining the platform’s core value proposition of eventual digital access. It tests whether audiences will embrace a theatrical run for a film ultimately tied to a subscription service.
Gerwig has signed a two-picture deal with Netflix for the Narnia series, suggesting that this is only the beginning of her involvement with the franchise. If she follows the chronological order of the books, the next installment could be The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This long-term commitment indicates a strategic investment in building a new cinematic universe under the streamer’s banner, potentially redefining how intellectual property is managed in the modern entertainment landscape.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- Ars Technica↗Greta Gerwig channels Bowie in psychedelic The Magician's Nephew trailer
