In a major deal for a Netflix release,Greta Gerwig’s plannedThe Chronicles of Narniamovie will release in IMAX theaters before streaming. Netflix has been stingy with theatrical releases for their films, typically only allowing a limited release that satisfies the requirements for awards qualification. However, the acclaimed director’s new project comes off the heels of 2023’sBarbie, which was a smash theatrical success, and she had reportedly been pushing for a greater theatrical presence for herNarniafilmsthan is customary for the streamer.
Now,Puckreports that Netflix, IMAX, and Gerwig’s team have officially come to an agreement.Her next movie will open on approximately 1000 IMAX screens worldwide on Thanksgiving Day, 2026, in addition to being branded as a Netflix/IMAX release from the outset and filmed partially with IMAX cameras. The deal includes locations in 90 countries, with China still subject to approval from its censors and France unclear due to its own rules for theatrical windowing.
Netflix has also agreed to hold the streaming release of the film until Christmas, granting four weeks of theatrical exclusivity, and will market the film like a traditional theatrical tentpole. For now, though, IMAX has currently only guaranteed its screens for the first two weeks; a third week could be added depending on demand. There’s also a chance some non-IMAX theaters will screen the film before its Netflix debut. This deal was reportedly hard-won, with theater owners only coming around once it was made clear that, forNarnia, it was this or nothing.
What This IMAX Release For Narnia Means For Netflix
Did Greta Gerwig Just Change The Streamer’s Playbook For Good?
Netflix built its business in part on the exclusivity of its library of originals, and beyond awards-qualifying runs, has shared its movies with theaters only on rare occasions. In 2022, after reports that the streamer was considering a longer window, Rian Johnson’sGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mysteryplayed in about 600 US theatersfor just one week, considered a big concession at the time. It did not, however, lead to a more theater-friendly approach, andNetflix has instead doubled-down.
As long as Gerwig can make the release date, it’s hard to see this plan failing, andNarnia’s streaming performance will undoubtedly benefit from the awareness (asGlass Onion’s did).
Recently, as other studios have seen theatrical presence buoy subsequent streaming performance, the pressure from the creative community has increased; Emerald Fennell & Co. notably rejected a much-higher offer from Netflix to secure a theatrical release for her upcomingWuthering Heightsadaptation. So, when reports surfaced that Gerwig wanted theaters forNarnia, it seemed possible that she could turn her post-Barbiecachet into a unique arrangement.
This deal is clearly a big win for her, and for fans of her work.Not only will her movie play on the big screen (and, importantly, be filmedforthe big screen), but a full-scale marketing push and theatrical presence gives her the chance to continue building momentum as one of Hollywood’s only young filmmakers to become a household name. It’s also a big win for IMAX—Gerwig’s follow-up toBarbieis a surefire hit, financially, and this potential inroad with Netflix could have massive implications for future tentpole-style films of theirs.
Whether Netflix considers it a win remains to be seen. As long as Gerwig can make the release date, it’s hard to see this plan failing, andNarnia’s streaming performance will undoubtedly benefit from the awareness (asGlass Onion’s did). But, as Matt Belloni notes in hisPuckreport, this sets a precedent for future deals with marquee filmmakers, and others will surely inquire about getting their own Gerwig deal. On the one hand, that’s a recipe for future insults to not-as-big-as-they-think filmmakers; on the other,this could be the bargaining chip that keeps star creatives from turning to competitors.
Our Take On Netflix & IMAX’s Deal For Greta Gerwig’s Narnia
Barbenheimer’s Tail Keeps Getting Longer
While it’s entirely possible that, likeGlass Onion, this proves a one-off aberration in Netflix’s strategy,I find this deal heartening.In this shifting climate, I believe Ted Sarandos recognizes his film division needs to be able to offersomethingto attract the highest echelon of creatives to their service, andestablishing a collaboration with IMAX seems like the ideal version of that for everyone involved. Limited and premium, the way Netflix would prefer, while still plugged into one of the hottest trends in theatrical moviegoing right now.
I also can’t help but think of this as the deal that Barbenheimer wrought. After Gerwig benefitted directly from her own movie’s part in the phenomenon,Narnia’s now drawing on one of the the primary lessons fromOppenheimer’s part of the equation: the growing value of Premium Large Format screens.
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narniais a fantasy franchise based on the seven-book series written by C.S. Lewis between 1950 and 1956. The series is set in the magical world of Narnia, where children from our world are transported to fulfill prophecies, battle evil forces, and restore peace under the guidance of Aslan, a mystical lion. The franchise has seen multiple adaptations, including a BBC television series in the late 1980s, three major Hollywood films between 2005 and 2010, and an upcoming reboot by Netflix, which has generated significant anticipation. The franchise is beloved for its rich allegorical storytelling, blending Christian themes with epic fantasy elements.
