Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, written for the screen and directed by Greta Gerwig, is officially set for a global theatrical rollout on February 12, 2027, with a premium-first strategy that includes exclusive IMAX previews beginning February 10. The film will later stream worldwide on Netflix on April 2, 2027, confirming a hybrid release model for one of the platform’s most ambitious projects.
The film marks a major milestone for The Chronicles of Narnia, as it becomes the first-ever screen adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, a story that explores the origin of Narnia. Positioned as a prequel to the widely known The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the narrative centers on the creation of the magical world and the first journey into it by two children, Diggory and Polly, through the mysterious “Wood Between the Worlds.”
Gerwig’s version places a strong emphasis on myth, imagination, and emotional storytelling, drawing from the novel’s central idea of a universe brought into existence by Aslan. The film’s origin-story framework gives it a distinct identity within the franchise, moving away from familiar adaptations and instead building the foundation of Narnia’s mythology from the ground up.
The ensemble cast reflects the scale of the project, blending established performers with emerging talent. The lineup includes David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough and Susan Wokoma. Among them, Emma Mackey is set to portray Jadis, the White Witch, a central antagonist in the Narnia saga.
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will release in IMAX and wide globally in theaters on February 12, 2027, and on Netflix on April 2, 2027. Sneak previews only in IMAX will begin on February 10, 2027.
Written for the screen and directed by Greta Gerwig, the origin story for Narnia…
— Netflix (@netflix) May 1, 2026
For Gerwig, the film represents a significant step following her global success with Barbie, which became one of the biggest box office hits of its year and cemented her position as a filmmaker capable of balancing large-scale storytelling with a distinct creative voice. Before that, she had earned critical acclaim for character-driven films like Lady Bird and Little Women, both of which were praised for their emotional depth and strong performances. With Narnia, she transitions fully into franchise filmmaking while bringing that same sensibility to a fantasy world.
The decision to launch the film with IMAX previews ahead of its wide release underscores the importance of the theatrical experience for this adaptation. It also highlights Netflix’s evolving distribution approach, as the streaming giant continues to experiment with large-scale theatrical rollouts for its biggest titles. By combining a global cinema release with a later streaming debut, the platform is positioning Narnia as both a box office event and a streaming tentpole.
This strategy aligns with the scale of the project. As the first adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, the film carries the responsibility of introducing audiences to the very origins of Narnia — a narrative that demands visual ambition and immersive storytelling. The IMAX-first previews reinforce that intent, offering audiences an early look at the film in its most expansive format.
The February release date also places the film outside the traditional holiday congestion, giving it a clearer runway to build momentum in theatres before transitioning to streaming. The two-month gap between theatrical and Netflix release reflects a balanced approach, allowing the film to maximize its theatrical footprint while maintaining anticipation for its digital debut.
At its core, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew represents more than just a new adaptation. It is a foundational story — one that establishes the mythology, tone, and emotional core of the franchise moving forward. With Greta Gerwig bringing her storytelling sensibility to a large-scale fantasy world, the film is positioned as a defining chapter in Netflix’s long-term vision for The Chronicles of Narnia.
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