Opinion: Narnia in 2026? Why I Can’t Help but Feel Excited—Theaters or Not
Opinion by Impending Doom
Impending Doom is a NarniaWeb news poster and Instagram manager. He joined the NarniaWeb community in 2013.
It’s Thanksgiving 2024, and if Greta Gerwig/IMAX have their way, we are just two years away from Netflix’s first Chronicles of Narnia film. After over a decade of waiting and speculation, the idea of sitting in a theater—or even at home—watching a new adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s beloved series is a bit surreal.
Part of me hesitates to get too excited—after all, the rug has been pulled out from under us so many times before. But I can’t help it. This is the closest we’ve ever been to seeing Narnia come to life again.
The Journey to 2026
The road to this moment has been long and winding. Back in 2010, Walden Media and the C.S. Lewis Estate debated whether to follow Dawn Treader with The Magician’s Nephew or The Silver Chair. I still remember how devastated I was when the Estate ultimately decided to wait out the moratorium on the rights to pursue future adaptations independently.
Years later in 2013, The Silver Chair entered development under Sony Pictures, with Joe Johnston set to direct and David Magee writing the script. For a time, it seemed like progress was being made. Then the project stalled, leaving fans in limbo once again.
Then Netflix acquired the rights in 2018, promising “films and series” based on the 7 Narnia books, signaling a fresh start for the series. Matthew Aldrich, co-writer of Pixar’s Coco, was initially tapped to oversee the adaptations. However, after 18 months of development, Netflix pivoted to a new vision for Narnia.
A vision that included handing the reigns over to writer/director, Greta Gerwig. This decision not only reset the project but also completely reframed my expectations.
From Skepticism to Cautious Excitement
For a long time, I struggled to feel too optimistic about Narnia’s future, unable to shake the sense that the filmmakers cared more about adapting a fantasy epic than about embracing the unique aspects of Narnia itself.
But everything changed for me with the announcement of Greta Gerwig. Known for her critically acclaimed work on Lady Bird and Little Women, Gerwig brought immediate credibility and intrigue to the project. General audiences who might have dismissed another Narnia adaptation began to take notice.
The shift in tone was palpable: from eye rolls to raised eyebrows, indifference giving way to cautious excitement.
It’s still far too early to tell if her adaptations will be any good. And will they capture the books’ themes, tones, and characters even if they are? That remains to be seen. But for now, as a fan of Narnia, she’s saying all the right things—and Netflix seems to be following her lead.
The Benefits of a Theatrical Release
If you’ve been following NarniaWeb over the past two months, you will have seen reports that Netflix is working on a deal with IMAX to release the first Narnia film in theaters for 3–5 weeks following Thanksgiving 2026 at Gerwig’s request. Then debuting on streaming just in time for Christmas.
I think this would be an excellent compromise. Gerwig gets her full vision realized on the big screen while Netflix can reap the streaming benefits of a movie released in theatres.
For me, the value of a theatrical release lies less in the personal experience and more in what it represents. Admittedly, the only Narnia film I’ve seen in theatres is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and I quite enjoy watching movies at home, but there’s little doubt that a theatrical release carries more cultural weight. It says, “This is an event, not just another streaming title.”
Releasing Narnia theatrically would signal that Netflix values quality and cultural impact as much as it values new content. And for Narnia—a series that has already stood the test of time—quality matters. In a world increasingly dominated by quick and consumable content, The Chronicles of Narnia offers a return to grand, lasting storytelling.
Closer Than We Think
I can’t help but feel excited, even with the lingering fear that something could derail the project. After so many years of waiting and wondering, it’s incredible to think we’re this close to seeing Narnia on screen again. This journey—filled with false starts, stalled projects, and endless patience—has brought us to this current chapter!
What excites me most isn’t just the release itself but the cultural moment it could create. With Greta Gerwig at the helm, this isn’t just another adaptation; it’s a chance to reintroduce Narnia to a new generation. And whether it debuts in theaters, on Netflix, or both, it’s a moment worth savoring.
As we look ahead to 2026, I’m holding on to cautious optimism—and a lot of hope. This is the closest we’ve ever been.
How have you approached the wait for new Narnia films? What are you most looking forward to over the next few years of anticipation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
