Netflix delays 'Narnia: The Magician's Nephew' for February 2027 theatrical push
Greta Gerwig's adaptation of C.S. Lewis' classic fantasy series moves from Thanksgiving to February 12, 2027, to facilitate a global eventised rollout
Netflix has officially postponed the theatrical release of Greta Gerwig's film adaptation of *Narnia: The Magician's Nephew*, shifting the date from Thanksgiving to February 12, 2027. The streaming giant states that this adjustment is designed to facilitate a global eventised release, marking a significant expansion of its theatrical strategy compared to previous limited engagements.
The new schedule prioritises a full theatrical window, moving away from the previously announced plan of a two-week exclusive run on IMAX screens. Under the revised timeline, exclusive IMAX previews will commence on February 10, 2027, followed by a wide global rollout in cinemas. The film will not become available on Netflix streaming services until April 2, 2027.
This strategic pivot addresses previous concerns from major theatre chains regarding limited engagement and signals a thawing relationship between Netflix and cinema operators. Industry context suggests that Netflix's historical resistance to exclusive theatrical windows was a dealbreaker in past negotiations, such as the creators of *Stranger Things* who subsequently signed an exclusive deal with Paramount.
IMAX confirmed that the delay allows the film to secure a full theatrical window, suggesting that major theatre partners are unlikely to complain about the extended timeline. This approach aligns with recent collaborations, including the successful *Stranger Things* finale screenings at AMC Theatres, which highlighted the potential for deeper partnerships between streamers and exhibitors.
The high-profile production features a cast including Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep and serves as Gerwig's first directorial project since *Barbie*. The film adapts one of the later books in C.S. Lewis' classic fantasy series, acting as a prequel that explores the origins of Narnia. While the specific list of theatre chains and regions included in the wide global release has not been disclosed by Netflix, the move underscores a renewed focus on the cinema experience.
