Greta Gerwig’sThe Chronicles of Narniamovie has secured an IMAX release, and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos unpacks what that will mean for the company going forward. The epic fantasy movie is set to be based on C.S. Lewis' classic novels, exploring a fantastical world of magic and myth visited by various children across the ages. TheBarbiedirector joinedNetflix’s firstChronicles of Narniaproductionin 2023, and is expected to helm two features in the burgeoning franchise.
With the world of Narnia set to return to the big screen in 2026,Deadlinereports that Sarandos opened up about whetherThe Chronicles of Narnia’s IMAX presence around Thanksgiving 2026 marks a change in how the streamer will release its movies going forward. Despite the exception, Sarandos affirmed his commitment toNetflix primarily giving its slate a streaming release first and foremostduring a quarterly financial call. Furthermore, the co-CEO stated thatNarnia’s scale made an IMAX release a priority for viewers to fully enjoy the story, explaining:
Our core strategy is to give our members exclusive first round movies on Netflix.TheNarniaImax release is a release tactic. We routinely release movies and theaters a couple of weeks before to qualify for awards, to meet festival requirements and to prime the publicity pump a bit. In the case ofNarnia, it’s a two-week special event, I think it’s very differentiated from other runs, because I doubt anyone has a screen as big as an Imax screen at home.
Sarandos also shared his excitement at working with Gerwig, stating that her filmmaking prestige will be a draw for audiences. Check out Sarandos' explanation below:
Mostly, I want to say I’m incredibly excited to be working with Greta on this movie. We’re super excited to get it into production so we can talk about how great this movie is, more so than which screens it’s on. She’s an incredible director, and this is a really exciting project.
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Netlix’s development of theirChronicles of Narniasaga hasbrought a frequent criticism of their release strategy to the forefrontlong even before cameras begin rolling. It was reported that a key conflict in Gerwig committing to the production was her demands to see the movie receive a theatrical release, a condition Netflix soon reconsidered after the streamer failed to acquire Emerald Fennell and Margot Robbie’sWuthering Heightsadaptation. Though the company relented, Gerwig isn’t the only artist to dislike Netflix’s streaming-first strategy.
After Netflix acquired the rights totwoKnives Outsequels, both director Rian Johnson and star Daniel Craig questioned the streamer’s reluctance to release movies for longer, widespread theatrical runs, as opposed to a single-week limited release. ThoughNarnia’s potential IMAX strategy does show growth and an eye for which movies could be lucrative for a big-screen release, it is clear that the streamer is committed to its established strategy. As such, audiences and other filmmakersshouldn’t expect a major change to how Netflix releases its movies, no matter howThe Chronicles of Narniamay perform.
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When 2005’sThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobewas being developed, it was envisioned as a franchise that could have a similar appeal toHarry PotterandLord of the Rings. As such, it is unsurprising to see that, despite Gerwig needing to convince the streamer to see her vision,Netflix ultimately does see the potential draw that the franchise can havewith IMAX, thus giving it a solid starting point to the franchise.
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Furthermore, while Sarandos may be committed to being faithful to the streamers at home,The Chronicles of Narnia’s performance may push him to widen his field for what movies qualify for a theatrical release. With Netflix producing more and more movies every year, it is unlikely every title will get a theatrical release, butmore notable features may receive a chance. It could be beneficial to put more Netflix movies on the big screen, as they’ll then only feel more like notable events, rather than unceremonious at-home premieres.
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.
