Audiences will have to wait a few months longer to see “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” with its release date moved from Thanksgiving to February 12, 2027. This film marks the return of “Narnia” to big screens and serves as writer-director Greta Gerwig’s first project since “Barbie.” It also signifies an evolving step in Netflix’s theatrical partnerships, made more substantial by the postponement.
Initially, Netflix announced a two-week exclusive Imax run leading to a Christmas streaming debut, marking an ambitious release strategy for the platform. However, the updated plan involves Imax previews starting February 10, 2027, with a global theatrical release on February 12, labeling it a “global eventized release.” The film will become available for streaming on April 2.
Details on which theaters will host “The Magician’s Nephew” weren’t specified, but Imax emphasized that the delay grants it a “full theatrical window,” implying major chains are likely on board. AMC Theatres recently celebrated the successful screening of the “Stranger Things” finale and suggested further collaboration with Netflix, although Netflix’s limited theatrical support had been a “dealbreaker” for the “Stranger Things” creators before they opted for Paramount.
Starring Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, “The Magician’s Nephew” adapts one of the later books in C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy series, serving as a prequel outlining the origins of Narnia. In Netflix’s announcement, Gerwig shared her childhood love for the book’s “gorgeously improbable” concept, capturing the enchantment of a cosmic lion bringing Narnia to life through song.