Netflix Sets Wide Theatrical Release for Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew is set to break new ground for Netflix by becoming the streaming service's first film to receive a wide theatrical release [1]. Starring Daniel Craig as Andrew Ketterley, the film is scheduled to debut in United States theaters on February 12, 2027, before transitioning to the Netflix streaming platform on April 2, 2027 [1].

Key takeaways

• Narnia: The Magician's Nephew marks Netflix's first foray into a wide theatrical release, with a minimum 45-day exclusive window in theaters [1].
• The film features an ensemble cast including Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Emma Mackey, and Carey Mulligan [1].
• Principal photography for the project took place at Shepperton Studios and various London locations, concluding in January 2026 [1].
• The production is based on C.S. Lewis’s 1955 novel and serves as the fourth film adaptation in the Chronicles of Narnia franchise [1].

A New Strategy for Netflix Distribution

The release of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew represents a significant shift in distribution strategy for Netflix. While the company has historically prioritized streaming, this project is designed to play in theaters exclusively for at least 45 days [1]. This move follows several years of development, during which the project underwent various scheduling changes; it was previously slated for an IMAX-exclusive release in late 2026 before those dates were claimed by another production [1].

The film, directed and written by Greta Gerwig, is the first of two Narnia projects she is slated to helm for the studio [1]. Production was a complex undertaking, involving location shoots at Bank Station and The Royal Exchange in London, as well as studio work at Shepperton and Longcross Studios [1]. The filming process faced a six-week delay due to an injury sustained by a cast member, though production ultimately wrapped on January 31, 2026 [1].

Casting and Creative Direction

The film features a high-profile cast, with Daniel Craig confirmed to play the role of Andrew Ketterley, the eccentric uncle of the protagonist, Digory Kirke [1]. Other key cast members include Emma Mackey as the White Witch, Carey Mulligan as Mabel Kirke, and Meryl Streep [1]. The musical score for the adaptation is being composed by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, who previously collaborated with Gerwig on the film Barbie [1].

Why it matters

The theatrical release of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew signals a potential evolution in how Netflix manages its high-budget intellectual property. By securing a wide theatrical window, the studio is moving away from its traditional streaming-first model for major franchise tentpoles. As the industry watches the box office performance of this 2027 release, the success of this strategy could influence how Netflix approaches future large-scale adaptations and its relationship with the theatrical exhibition market [1].