The New Narnia Movie: Everything We Know About Greta Gerwig’s Adaptation

Fantasy fans have a new reason to return to the magical world of Narnia. Netflix has unveiled the first trailer for Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, a new film written and directed by Greta Gerwig, the filmmaker behind Barbie and Little Women. Instead of revisiting the familiar story of children entering Narnia through a wardrobe, this adaptation travels further back in time to explore how the fantastical world first came into existence.

With a celebrated director, a prominent ensemble cast, and a theatrical release planned before its streaming debut, the film is shaping up to be one of the major fantasy releases of 2027.

Here is everything we know so far about the new Narnia movie, including its story, cast, release dates, connection to the original books, and what audiences can expect.

When Will Greta Gerwig’s New Narnia Movie Be Released?

Netflix has confirmed that Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will open in cinemas worldwide on February 12, 2027. IMAX previews are scheduled to begin on February 10, 2027. The movie will subsequently arrive on Netflix on April 2, 2027.

This release strategy is particularly noteworthy because Netflix is giving the film a substantial theatrical window rather than following its more familiar streaming-first approach. The decision gives audiences an opportunity to experience the fantasy adventure on the big screen before watching it at home.

The release plan also reflects the continuing appeal of the Narnia franchise, whose stories have entertained readers across generations.

Netflix has announced the dates, but the film has not yet premiered, so its box-office performance and audience reception remain unknown.

Source: Netflix Tudum’s official Narnia announcement.

What Is Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew About?

The film adapts The Magician’s Nephew, the 1955 novel by British author C. S. Lewis. Although the book was published after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, its story takes place earlier in Narnia’s fictional history.

The narrative follows two children, Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, who become involved in a dangerous experiment involving Digory’s uncle, Andrew Ketterley. Their adventures take them beyond the familiar world and into mysterious realms connected by magical pools.

One of the most important locations is the Wood Between the Worlds, an unusual place that connects different worlds. Their journey eventually leads to the creation of Narnia itself.

The story introduces readers to the origins of the magical land, its creator Aslan, and events that help explain the world encountered by the Pevensie children in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The new adaptation therefore offers an entry point for viewers unfamiliar with the earlier films, while longtime fans can discover how Gerwig interprets one of the franchise’s most imaginative stories.

Who Is in the Cast of the New Narnia Movie?

The production combines young performers with established Hollywood actors.

The principal cast includes:

• David McKenna as Digory Kirke: One of the young protagonists whose adventure leads toward Narnia’s creation.
• Beatrice Campbell as Polly Plummer: Digory’s companion on the journey into unfamiliar worlds.
• Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew: The magician whose experiments set important events in motion.
• Emma Mackey as Jadis: A powerful and dangerous character who becomes central to Narnia’s mythology.
• Meryl Streep as the voice of Aslan: The celebrated actor lends her voice to the great lion associated with Narnia’s creation.
• Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough and Susan Wokoma: Additional members of the ensemble.

The casting brings together performers known for very different kinds of projects. Craig has appeared in major action films and dramas, Mackey has built a following through television and cinema, and Streep is one of the most recognisable actors of her generation.

The two young leads will also be important to the film’s success. The story depends on the audience believing in the children’s curiosity, fear, friendship and growing understanding of the strange worlds they encounter.

The full cast has been announced by Netflix, although individual character details and the extent of some supporting roles may become clearer as more promotional material appears.

Why Is Greta Gerwig Directing Narnia?

Gerwig’s involvement is one of the biggest reasons the project has attracted attention.

She directed Lady Bird, Little Women and Barbie, demonstrating an ability to work across coming-of-age drama, literary adaptation and large-scale commercial filmmaking. Barbie became a major global box-office success in 2023, introducing her work to an even wider audience.

Narnia presents a different challenge. The story requires imaginative world-building, fantasy spectacle and an understanding of the emotional themes that make Lewis’s writing endure.

Gerwig has spoken publicly about reading The Magician’s Nephew as a child and being fascinated by its idea of a world brought to life through music. That personal connection may be important in shaping the adaptation, although viewers will have to wait for the finished film to judge how her vision translates to the screen.

Her previous literary adaptation, Little Women, also demonstrated her interest in reinterpreting a familiar classic for contemporary audiences without abandoning its central characters and emotional conflicts.

For Narnia, the challenge will be to combine that sensitivity with the scale expected of a modern fantasy production.

What Does the First Trailer Reveal?

The trailer released on October 13, 2026, offers the first substantial look at Gerwig’s interpretation of Lewis’s fictional universe.

It introduces the children’s journey into unfamiliar realms, the mysterious magic associated with Uncle Andrew, and the larger story of Narnia’s beginnings. The preview also highlights the film’s emphasis on music, mystery and spectacle.

One notable feature is the use of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” The song provides a distinctive musical backdrop for a fantasy film whose central story involves creation, wonder and the crossing of boundaries between worlds.

The trailer also brings attention to the performances of Craig, Mackey and Streep, though it is too early to judge the full impact of their characters from a short promotional preview.

A trailer can establish atmosphere and hint at a film’s direction, but it cannot reveal how successfully the finished production balances its plot, performances, visual effects and pacing.

How Does This Movie Fit Into The Chronicles of Narnia?

C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia consists of seven novels published between 1950 and 1956. The books combine fantasy adventure with themes of courage, sacrifice, temptation, loyalty and the struggle between good and evil.

Earlier screen adaptations, particularly The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005, introduced millions of viewers to Narnia through the Pevensie children’s arrival in a snow-covered kingdom ruled by the White Witch.

The Magician’s Nephew takes a different approach. It focuses on the world before that adventure, explaining how Narnia begins and introducing important elements of its mythology.

This is not simply a remake of the 2005 film. It is an adaptation of a different novel, one that explores the origins of the fictional universe.

For newcomers, the prequel story offers a way to enter the franchise without needing to remember every detail of the earlier movies. For existing fans, it offers a chance to see familiar mythology presented from a new perspective.

What Can Fans Expect From the New Narnia Film?

The combination of Gerwig’s direction, a high-profile cast and the story’s cosmic scale creates considerable anticipation. The source material offers opportunities for striking visual sequences, imaginative creatures and a story that moves beyond ordinary adventure into questions about creation and responsibility.

However, expectations should be balanced with what is actually known. The trailer provides an initial impression, not a complete picture of the finished film. Reviews, audience reactions and box-office results will only become available closer to and after release.

The theatrical-first strategy is another reason to watch the project closely. A fantasy film built around mysterious landscapes and the creation of an entire world could benefit from the scale of IMAX and cinema presentation.

Whether it becomes a defining adaptation of Lewis’s work will depend on how effectively the film captures the spirit of the novel while delivering an engaging experience for modern audiences.

Final Thoughts

Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is one of the most closely watched fantasy projects scheduled for 2027. Its newly released trailer has introduced audiences to a story about the origins of Narnia, supported by an ensemble featuring David McKenna, Beatrice Campbell, Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey and Meryl Streep.

With a theatrical release on February 12, 2027, followed by Netflix streaming on April 2, the film will give audiences two ways to experience the return to Lewis’s imaginative world.

The central question is whether Gerwig can translate the wonder of The Magician’s Nephew into a cinematic adventure that satisfies longtime readers and newcomers alike. The trailer has opened the door. The finished film will provide the answer.

Watch Official Trailer