(SeaPRwire) – Netflix, the company that originated with the idea of watching films at home, has grown increasingly open to theatrical releases. Previously, only a few movies such as Roma and The Irishman received very limited theatrical showings to qualify for awards consideration. Later, titles like Glass Onion and Frankenstein were given somewhat broader releases, and then KPop Demon Hunters completely changed the approach in 2025.
Originally launched on streaming platforms, it achieved notable success in cinemas through sing-along events and other special screenings, demonstrating that audiences are willing to travel to theaters for compelling storytelling. Now, one of Netflix’s most significant upcoming projects is embracing a theatrical-first strategy with a release unlike anything the streamer has done before—one that means viewers will have to wait longer than expected.
Netflix recently revealed that Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew, which marks the beginning of an anticipated eight-part Narnia series, will debut with a “global eventized release” on February 12, 2027—about three months after its originally planned IMAX-exclusive opening on November 26, 2026. It will then become available on Netflix on April 2, 2027, making it the first Netflix film to receive both a wide theatrical release and a full 45-day exclusive window in cinemas.
“The film’s delay until 2027 allows Narnia to benefit from a broadened, comprehensive theatrical rollout; we support Greta and Netflix in pursuing this opportunity and are pleased IMAX can assist in making it happen,” IMAX stated, according to Variety. However, Deadline suggests another reason for the postponement: rumors indicate that production was delayed by six weeks due to an injury involving a cast member, meaning the movie would have missed its original Thanksgiving 2026 release date regardless.
In addition to enhancing the cinematic experience, this shift could influence scheduling across major franchises. Avengers: Doomsday, currently slated for mid-December, must compete with Dune: Part Three, which has secured all IMAX screens. With Narnia moving away from the highly sought-after Thanksgiving weekend slot, the Avengers may now premiere a few weeks earlier.
Gerwig has already distinguished her Narnia adaptation by starting with The Magician’s Nephew—the chronologically first book but the sixth published in the series. Now, she’s setting a new standard for Netflix with a genuine theatrical run comparable to traditional blockbusters. Having proven with Barbie that she can turn a beloved cultural icon into a box office sensation, can she now use Narnia to usher Netflix into a new era of dominance in theatrical releases?
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew premieres in theaters on February 12, 2027.
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