Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ to Release in IMAX Theatres Before Dropping on Netflix

If there was one filmmaker who would (finally) convince Netflix to change their distribution model, it was undoubtedly Greta Gerwig. After the skyrocketing theatrical success of Barbie, which was released during the 2023 WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes, it did feel slightly weird that her next directorial effort, an adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, would be made with Netflix. 

The streamer is known for their stubborn release model, either straight to the platform or with a limited theatrical run to qualify select titles for Academy Awards, such as Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez and Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham’s Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, as recent examples. Those movies were released in several key markets for the time it took to qualify for contention at the Oscars before eventually dropping on the streaming service. 

Some filmmakers sought to change this model, with Rian Johnson’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery releasing wide for one week only. The move was a financial success, yet its legs were cut short by Netflix’s insistence to limit its theatrical footprint. Now, Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation will not only exclusively be released in cinemas before making its way to Netflix, but it will also play globally in IMAX for two weeks during the Thanksgiving holidays of 2026. 

This is not Netflix’s first IMAX release, as one of their first films, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, bowed out in the format for a week before its streaming premiere. They also contributed with Paul Thomas Anderson on Anima, a short musical film starring Thom Yorke that played for one night only in IMAX and released on Netflix the following day. They also recently released Skywalkers: A Love Story in select IMAX theatres a week before it ultimately dropped on Netflix. 

However, Narnia’s IMAX release is significant for a number of reasons. Not only will it be their first legitimate blockbuster to have such the privilege to release on their screens, but it will also be a part of their wider plans to play the movie in cinemas for at least four weeks before it gets a chance to release on the streaming service. Some may argue that four weeks isn’t a lot, but it sure is better than the platform releases they are currently doing. 

If successful, this could obviously open the bottle for more Netflix originals to make their way to IMAX venues before releasing on the streaming service. Apple Original Films is also contributing with IMAX for the release of Joseph Kosinski’s F1, which was shot using IMAX cameras. It’s unclear if Gerwig will be using the technology for Narnia, but rumors are indeed pointing in that direction. Exciting times are (hopefully) ahead!

Source: THR