Netflix will release Greta Gerwig’s upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia movie in theatres before its streaming debut. According to Puck News, her Narnia movie will be shown in nearly 1,000 IMAX theatres for 3-4 weeks before arriving on Netflix. The deal covers over 90 countries, excluding France (due to its regulations for theatrical releases) and China (because of censorship approval issues).
Gerwig’s push for a theatrical release of the Narnia movie makes sense, as her last theatrical venture, Barbie (2023), grossed over $1.4 billion globally. She is one of the strongest advocates for theatrical releases, joining the ranks of notable filmmakers such as Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Steven Spielberg, and others.
The film is slated to premiere on November 26, 2026. With a four-week theatrical window, it appears the project will remain exclusively in theatres until Christmas 2026. However, the duration of the theatrical release could change, as much depends on how the movie performs in theatres.
Netflix is known for its strong commitment to a streaming-first-release strategy. Another notable project that received similar treatment was Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. However, that movie was released in only 600 theatres in the U.S. This makes Gerwig’s Narnia movie the largest theatrical release from Netflix to date.
Glass Onion’s short theatrical window received strong criticism from both Rian Johnson and its leading man, Daniel Craig, as it limited the project’s profits. This is why Narnia’s release in theatres signals a more theatre-friendly approach from the streamer.
Gerwig’s recent deal with Netflix is certainly a significant win for her, as it allows fans to enjoy a true theatrical experience while watching her movie. It also bodes well for IMAX, as this could pave the way for more big-budget projects from Netflix to be released on IMAX in the future. Stay tuned for more updates.