Greta Gerwig's Narnia trailer out; film hits cinemas February 12, Netflix April 2

Netflix has released the first trailer for Greta Gerwig's Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, the director's adaptation of C.S. Lewis's story of how the land of Narnia began. The trailer came out on 13 October 2026 and the film is set to open in cinemas, including IMAX screens, on 12 February 2027, with IMAX-only sneak previews from 10 February. It will arrive on Netflix on 2 April 2027. Gerwig wrote and directed the film, and its cast includes Daniel Craig, Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, Emma Mackey, Ciaran Hinds, David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell. The film will get a full cinema run of more than 30 days before streaming, a first for a Netflix film of this kind, according to reports.

Narnia is one of the best-loved fantasy worlds in children's literature, and fans have waited years for a new film. Choosing The Magician's Nephew, the story of how Narnia was created, lets the new film begin at the start of the world's history. With Gerwig, one of Hollywood's best-known directors, in charge and a cast led by Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, the project has drawn attention well beyond fantasy fans.

The release plan may matter as much as the film itself. Netflix has built its business on releasing films straight to its service, often with only a token cinema run. Giving Narnia more than a month in cinemas, including IMAX screens, before it reaches subscribers is a notable shift. It suggests Netflix sees big family films as events that can earn money and attention in theatres first, and then drive viewing on the service.

For cinema owners, a major family fantasy film from a well-known director, with a guaranteed cinema window, is welcome news. For audiences, the gap between cinema and streaming dates gives a clear choice: see it on the biggest screen early, or wait about seven weeks to watch it at home.

The trailer itself, with its rock soundtrack and first look at the young heroes stepping into a strange new world, has been widely shared online, and Gerwig has begun speaking in interviews about telling an intimate story on the biggest screen. The response over the coming months will show whether Netflix's bet on a long cinema run pays off.

Short-term: Interest in the film will build through more trailers and marketing, and cinema chains will plan IMAX and premium-screen slots for February 2027.

Long-term: If the cinema run is a success, Netflix may give more of its biggest films a full theatrical window, changing how streamers and cinemas work together. A hit could also launch a longer Narnia film series.

Who is affected: Narnia readers and fantasy fans; families planning cinema trips; cinema chains and IMAX; Netflix subscribers; and the film industry watching how streamers handle big releases.

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