🍿 Netflix is giving ‘Narnia’ a real theatrical release

The Dailies

For the first time in its history, Netflix is putting a film in theaters the way a traditional studio would. Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew'  is moving from Thanksgiving 2026 to February 2027. Here's the plan:

• Full wide theatrical release on February 12, 2027, across all circuits globally.
• IMAX sneak previews begin February 10.
• 49-day exclusive theatrical window before the film hits Netflix on April 2.

Initially, this was supposed to be a two-week IMAX-only run starting Thanksgiving, then straight to streaming on Christmas. That didn't go over well. Exhibitors slammed the arrangement, and studios were furious that IMAX had handed prime holiday screens to a streamer at a time when they're fighting to rebuild the box office. Then a cast member injury delayed production six weeks, the Thanksgiving date collapsed, and the wide theatrical release took shape.

Exhibitors who torched the original IMAX deal are now fully behind the new one, and it's easy to see why. After a decade of treating theaters as an awards-qualifying formality ('Glass Onion' got one week, KPop Demon Hunters' got a singalong re-release), Netflix is finally making a real commitment to theatrical. The fact that it also pulls Gerwig, a 4x Oscar-nominated filmmaker, out of a prime awards corridor only adds weight. This wasn't about trophies. It was about showing up for the big screen.

The move also gives Netflix more leverage in talent conversations. The Duffer Brothers walked to Paramount partly over theatrical windows. Gerwig reportedly pushed hard for this one. Netflix now has a precedent it can point to when those conversations come up.

Looking ahead… Netflix says it has no plans to give other films the same treatment. But subscriber growth is leveling out, price hikes are drawing scrutiny, and they're about to find out what a $1.5B franchise can do at the box office. If the numbers are good, that could change.

Are you excited to see Narnia: The Magician's Nephew in theaters or are you waiting until it's streaming on Netflix?