Netflix Pushes Greta Gerwig’s The Magician’s Nephew to 2027 With February 12 Theatrical Release

Netflix has pushed Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ “The Magician’s Nephew” to 2027, with a global theatrical rollout preceding its streaming debut.

“Netflix Delays Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia' Movie for a Major 2027 Release”

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Multiple outlets tie the new plan to a cinema opening on February 12, 2027, followed by a Netflix premiere on April 2, 2027.

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Cinema Express says the fantasy film “has been pushed to 2027,” and adds that “Netflix confirm[ed] a global theatrical rollout ahead of its streaming debut.”

MovieWeb likewise reports that “the movie will release in IMAX and wide globally in theaters on February 12, 2027, and on Netflix on April 2, 2027.”

JoBlo states the film was “slated for release this Thanksgiving” before being pushed back to “February 12, 2027,” and it also places the Netflix drop on “April 2, 2027.”

The Hollywood Reporter frames the change as a first for the streamer, saying Netflix is giving the film “a wide theatrical release, a first for the streamer,” while also listing the same dates.

Across coverage, sneak previews are consistently scheduled to begin in IMAX on February 10, 2027, including in Cinema Express, JoBlo, and The Hollywood Reporter.

The delayed project is “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” described as an adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ novel and positioned as a prequel within the Chronicles of Narnia story.

Cinema Express says the film is “based on CS Lewis' The Magician's Nephew” and that it “serves as a prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Cinema Express

Variety similarly states the movie follows “The Magician’s Nephew — the sixth novel in the series,” and it adds that the story “serves as a prequel to “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and centers on the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion.”

JoBlo provides additional plot framing, saying the prequel “deals with the creation of Narnia and the first humans to travel to the world,” and it describes “two children, Digory and Polly” who are “transported to different worlds by magic rings created by Digory’s uncle.”

Nerdist describes the story as focusing on “the creation of Narnia by Aslan the lion, voiced in this iteration by Meryl Streep,” and it says the children discover the “Wood between the Worlds” after their uncle gives them “a magical ring.”

Polygon emphasizes the prequel timing, stating it is “set a thousand years before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” and it notes that it is “the sixth book Lewis released in The Chronicles of Narnia series.”

The Wrap also ties the film’s narrative to the original text by stating, “The original novel was published on May 2, 1955,” and it repeats that the adaptation is “written and directed by Oscar nominee Greta Gerwig.”

The rollout details emphasize that Gerwig is both directing and writing the film, and they list a cast that blends established stars with newcomers.

“Change-up for Netflix’s Narnia movie from Greta Gerwig”

Deadline

Cinema Express says the film is “Directed and written by Greta Gerwig,” and it names an ensemble including “Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep and Emma Mackey.”

It further specifies that “Mackey will portray Jadis, the White Witch,” while “David McKenna will play Diggory.”

JoBlo adds more character mapping, stating “Daniel Craig is playing Uncle Andrew, with Emma Mackey as the White Witch,” and it lists “Carey Mulligan as Mabel Kirke,” along with “David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell as Digory and Polly.”

The Hollywood Reporter likewise identifies the leads as “Emma Mackey, Cary Mulligan, Meryl Streep and Daniel Craig,” and it says “The young cast includes David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell.”

Variety describes the antagonist role by stating, “Mackey is playing Jadis, also known as the White Witch, the antagonist of the series,” and it says David McKenna will play Diggory.

Cinema Express and Variety both say Mark Ronson is composing the music, with Cinema Express stating, “Music for the film will be composed by Mark Ronson,” and Variety adding that “Mark Ronson, who worked with Gerwig on “Barbie,” is on board to score the film’s music.”

The sources describe the delay as a strategic change in release timing, with several outlets pointing to production disruption and others focusing on the expanded theatrical window.

MovieWeb says Netflix “has confirmed that, while the movie was originally slated to land in theaters later this year, it would no longer be doing so,” and it adds that “Netflix hasn't revealed at this point why the movie has been delayed.”

MovieWeb

World of Reel, by contrast, attributes the shift to “an on-set injury involving a cast member, reportedly forcing a six-week production shutdown,” and it says “As a result, ‘Narnia’ will miss its planned November 2026 release window.”

Deadline also mentions a production delay, stating “A member of the cast was injured, we hear, which delayed production for six weeks,” and it frames the move as “Plan B” rather than a last-minute negotiation.

Winter Is Coming similarly says Netflix decided to push the film back from “Thanksgiving weekend” and “releasing on Christmas Day 2026,” and it quotes IMAX saying, “The film’s delay until 2027 creates an opportunity to give The Magician’s Nephew an expanded, wide release with a full theatrical window.”

The Hollywood Reporter and Cinema Express both emphasize the theatrical window rationale, with The Hollywood Reporter saying Netflix is planning a wide theatrical release and that “Narnia stay[ ] in theaters for 49 days before hitting the service.”

Across these accounts, the IMAX statement is consistent in its language about supporting Gerwig and Netflix and about the “exclusive debut in Imax, as it was meant to be seen.”

Gerwig and partners framed the delay as an opportunity for a broader theatrical experience, while other outlets connected the move to Netflix’s evolving relationship with theaters.

“It's difficult to overstate just how much of a success Greta Gerwig's Barbie was”

MovieWeb

Cinema Express quotes Gerwig saying, “Working with Netflix to bring this film to life has been extraordinary and Imax continues to be an incredible partner,” and it adds her line, “I cannot wait for people to see the film in theaters on February 12 and on Netflix on April 2.”

Nerdist

TheWrap reproduces a longer Gerwig statement that begins, “I was a child when I first read ‘The Magician’s Nephew’,” and it ends with, “It transformed me.”

IMAX’s statement is quoted repeatedly across outlets, including TheWrap’s version: “From the outset, we got involved with ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ to support Greta Gerwig and see her vision realized to the fullest in Imax.”

The Hollywood Reporter underscores the business stakes by noting Netflix is planning a wide theatrical release and that “Narnia will be the biggest theatrical debut release for the streamer to date.”

World of Reel goes further in describing the platform’s commitment, saying “Netflix now appears fully committed to theatrical,” and it references Ted Sarandos’s earlier remarks about the theatrical experience being “an outmoded idea.”

Finally, the C.S. Lewis Company reaction is quoted in multiple places, including TheWrap’s statement that it is “incredibly moving to see how deeply Greta Gerwig has embraced C. S. Lewis’s world,” and it says, “We’re so excited for audiences everywhere to experience her vision — and to share the magic of Narnia with a whole new generation.”