Netflix Unveils First Behind-The-Scenes Footage From Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Ahead of Its Massive 2027 Theatrical Debut

Fantasy franchise reboots carry a particular kind of pressure, especially when the source material has already been adapted before and holds decades of nostalgic weight for generations of readers. Netflix’s ambitious new take on one of literature’s most beloved fantasy series has spent months building anticipation while staying relatively quiet on actual footage, making any new glimpse behind the curtain a genuinely significant moment for fans.

That wait is finally starting to pay off. Netflix has released a new clip offering fans their first real look at filmmaker Greta Gerwig at work behind the camera, bringing C.S. Lewis’s beloved story ‘The Magician’s Nephew’ to life for the very first time on screen. The footage arrives as part of the streamer’s ongoing promotional rollout for the film, confirming its worldwide theatrical release date of February 12, 2027.

Netflix’s official announcement frames the project as a genuine cinematic event, describing it as Gerwig’s chance to bring viewers into the origins of Narnia itself, inviting “dreamers of all ages” to experience the fantasy world’s creation for the very first time on screen.

‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ pairs newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell, who play Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, alongside an accomplished ensemble that includes Emma Mackey as the White Witch, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, and Denise Gough, with Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep rounding out the star-studded lineup. Written for the screen and directed entirely by Gerwig, this marks the first-ever screen adaptation of Lewis’s 1955 prequel novel.

The film’s path to the screen hasn’t been entirely smooth. Originally slated for a Thanksgiving 2026 release, production hit a delay after a cast member suffered an on-set injury that forced a six-week filming suspension, according to Deadline’s reporting. Rather than rush the film out, Netflix and Gerwig ultimately used that setback as an opportunity to secure something the streamer had never done before: a genuine, wide global theatrical release.

Experience the creation of Narnia, as filmmaker Greta Gerwig brings to life C. S. Lewis’s beloved story The Magician’s Nephew for the first time. In theaters worldwide February 12, 2027 https://t.co/LzkRw4qQaV

— Netflix (@netflix) September 16, 2026

That theatrical strategy represents a notable shift for a company that’s historically prioritized day-and-date streaming premieres over traditional cinema runs. Following IMAX-exclusive sneak previews beginning February 10, 2027, the film will open wide in theaters worldwide on February 12, before eventually arriving on Netflix itself on April 2, 2027, marking the streamer’s first-ever wide theatrical release.

Gerwig expressed genuine enthusiasm about the unconventional release structure in a statement shared through Netflix’s Tudum platform. “Working with Netflix to bring this film to life has been extraordinary, and IMAX continues to be an incredible partner,” she said. “I cannot wait for people to see the film in theaters on February 12 and on Netflix on April 2.”

With a reported production budget of $200 million and a release strategy designed to maximize the film’s big-screen impact before it eventually reaches Netflix subscribers, this project represents one of the streamer’s most ambitious theatrical bets to date. For a filmmaker who’s already proven her ability to reinvigorate beloved intellectual property with ‘Barbie,’ expectations are running high for how she’ll translate that same sensibility to the sweeping, magical origins of Narnia.

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