Netflix Delays Release of Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia' Movie

In a move that could signal a new era of cooperation between Netflix and movie theaters, the streaming giant has delayed the release of Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' from Thanksgiving to February 12, 2027.

The film, which stars Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, will now debut with exclusive Imax previews on February 10, 2027, before a wide global release in theaters. The movie won't start streaming until April 2, 2027.

This delay could give the film a wider theatrical window and a bigger box office boost. According to Imax, the delay will allow the film to have 'a full theatrical window,' which could be a welcome change for the major theater chains.

This move comes as Netflix has been expanding its relationship with movie theaters. The company had previously said 'The Magician's Nephew' would play exclusively on Imax screens for at least two weeks before a streaming release for Christmas. That would have been an ambitious theatrical release by Netflix's standards, but relatively limited compared to many other Hollywood blockbusters.

Netflix's announcement doesn't get more specific about which theaters will be showing 'The Magician's Nephew.' But Imax released a statement noting that the delay will allow the film to have 'a full theatrical window,' so the major theater chains are unlikely to complain.

In fact, AMC Theatres recently highlighted the success of its 'Stranger Things' finale screenings and said it has plans for more collaborations with Netflix. At the same time, the streamer's limited support for theatrical releases and its resistance to exclusive theatrical windows was reportedly a 'dealbreaker' in negotiations with the creators of 'Stranger Things,' who ultimately signed an exclusive deal with Paramount.

Greta Gerwig, the film's writer-director, said she first read the book as a child and fell in love with the 'gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept' of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn't affect our editorial independence.

The film adapts one of the later books in C.S. Lewis' classic fantasy series, which lays out the origins of Narnia. With its star-studded cast and ambitious production, 'The Magician's Nephew' could be a major hit for Netflix and a significant test of the company's relationship with movie theaters.