Netflix Shifts Greta Gerwig’s Narnia to Wide Theatrical Release in 2027

Netflix moved Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s *The Magician’s Nephew* from a Thanksgiving 2026 IMAX debut to a February 12, 2027 wide theatrical release, with IMAX sneak previews on Feb 10 and a Netflix streaming debut on April 2, 2027. This is Netflix’s first full-window theatrical launch for a new title.

Hollywood ReporterThe Straits TimesIndieWireDeadline Hollywood

Four-time Oscar-nominated Greta Gerwig writes and directs. Producers include Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith and Gerwig; executive producers are Patricia Whitcher, Douglas Gresham and Melvin Adams. Leads are newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell; supporting cast includes Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep.

Hollywood Reporter

Original plan: Thanksgiving Nov 26 2026 IMAX debut with a two-week run in 90 countries. May 1 2026: Netflix announces postponement and wide theatrical window. Feb 10 2027: IMAX previews. Feb 12 2027: Wide release (45–49 days). Apr 2 2027: Netflix debut.

Hollywood Reporter

The theatrical window will last about 45 days (some sources say 49) before streaming, the longest exclusive run for Netflix. The film opens alongside *The Nightingale* and *Ice Age: Boiling Point*. The 2000s Narnia series earned over $1 billion worldwide. Netflix also touts the title as its biggest theatrical debut to date, surpassing the limited run of *K-Pop Demon Hunters*.

Deadline Hollywood

Netflix said the shift reflects the series’ “broad appeal across generations and geographies.” IMAX praised its partnership to realize Gerwig’s vision. The C.S. Lewis Company highlighted Gerwig’s “joy, heart and genuine love.” Cinema United’s Michael O’Leary called it “welcome news,” and AMC’s Adam Aron pledged to “throw everything we have.”

The Straits Times

Analysts note the move removes the film from the Oscar-season window, possibly limiting awards chances; box-office viability remains uncertain.

IndieWire

Sources disagree on the window length—45 versus 49 days. Early IMAX plans cited a two-week exclusive; later statements focus on a global wide release.

IndieWire

• “Working with Netflix to bring this film to life has been extraordinary and Imax continues to be an incredible partner. I cannot wait for people to see the film in theaters on February 12 and on Netflix on April 2.” — Greta Gerwig, Director

Variety Magazine

• “She continued: “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.” — Greta Gerwig

IndieWire

• “ “From the outset, we got involved with ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ to support Greta Gerwig and see her vision realized to the fullest in IMAX.” — IMAX spokesperson

IndieWire

• “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,” — C.S. Lewis Company representative

IndieWire

After the April 2 streaming debut, Netflix will continue developing Narnia films and series under its multi-year deal, as the company has signaled plans for additional adaptations.

The Straits Times