Greta Gerwig's adaptation of "The Magician's Nephew" is hitting theaters on February 12, 2027, before landing on Netflix two months later on April 2. The shift marks a significant change in strategy for the Narnia project, which now gets a traditional theatrical window rather than going straight to streaming.
This move signals Netflix's growing comfort with theatrical releases for prestige projects. The company has tested this hybrid model before, but committing to a wide cinema release for a tentpole fantasy film carries real financial stakes. Gerwig's involvement, fresh off the cultural phenomenon of "Barbie," gives the studio confidence that audiences will show up in multiplexes.
The staggered release also hedges bets smartly. A theatrical run builds buzz and word-of-mouth for the streaming audience two months later. Netflix gets to claim box office legitimacy while still feeding its subscription base. For viewers, it means the first major studio adaptation of C.S. Lewis's prequel novel gets the big-screen treatment it demands, with visual spectacle intact before the inevitable home viewing.
The timeline pushes deep into 2027, suggesting post-production is still underway. Gerwig's meticulous approach to her projects typically means extended editing and effects work. Netflix and the studio are betting that patience pays off here.