It’s been confirmed that IMAX and Netflix are indeed in talks to release ‘Narnia’ theatrically, sources tell THR. The tentative plan is to release the film during Thanksgiving 2026 before making it available to subscribers over Christmas. That’s six weeks between the theatrical and streaming dates — highly unusual and unprecedented for Netflix.
Studios will definitely not be happy if IMAX decides to hold screens for a Netflix film that isn’t getting a traditional window. Will this backfire on them? THR adds that it was Gerwig who approached IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond, asking him if he’d be interested in her film. A Q2 shoot is being eyed for ‘Narnia.’
The current plan is for an IMAX rollout in 2000+ screens. It could end up being more locations, but that’ll depend on exhibitors’ willingness to cave towards Netflix. I’m willing to bet now that Daniel Craig and Rian Johnson might use the ‘Narnia’ rollout as leverage to get their ‘Knives Out 3’ to hit theaters.
Given their scope and grandeur, Gerwig had voiced “concerns” about limiting her ‘Narnia’ movies to Netflix’s streaming platform. Puck’s Matt Belloni reported that Gerwig was originally “bummed” by the streamer’s theatrical model. Then again, she knew the consequences of her actions when she signed on to direct these movies.
Gerwig signed on to direct ‘Narnia’ months before “Barbie” was released in theaters, sometime in late 2022. I don’t think she realized at the time how big “Barbie” was going to be. After “Barbie,” she could have gotten carte blanche on whatever passion project she wanted, but ‘Narnia’ has now turned into her follow-up effort.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos is known for his harsh stance in not giving the streamer’s films a traditional theatrical window, much to the frustration of many filmmakers. The streamer gave it a shot with Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” with a skimp three-week theatrical rollout before making it available on Netflix.
Much like with ‘The Irishman’ and ‘Roma,’ it’s very possible that Netflix will not release box office numbers for ‘Narnia’ once it gets released in November 2026.
Nobody expected a 55-year-old NC-17 movie to be one of the surprise box office stories of the fall. Yet here we are, and this absolutely puts a smile on my face.