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Netflix has partnered with Imax for a global release of Greta Gerwig’s Narnia two weeks ahead of the film’s streaming debut.
Narnia, based on the Chronicles of Narnia book series by C.S. Lewis, is currently set for an Imax release on Thanksgiving Day 2026, before a debut on Netflix during the Christmas period that year. The landmark deal is a win for Imax, which partners with Netflix as it seeks another limited, promotional theatrical run for one of its movie titles.
With Narnia, the two week exclusive window for Imax was crucial to establishing a long enough run to satisfy theater circuits that operate Imax auditoriums. Netflix acquired the film and TV rights to the C.S. Lewis book series in 2018 and Gerwig, just ahead of her Barbie release and success, was attached to direct the film version.
Imax is also getting in business with Gerwig as she continues her drive into bigger-budget filmmaking and adaptations after her directorial breakout with Lady Bird, which netted five Oscar nominations including best director and best screenplay, and tackling Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women for Sony.
Gerwig in partnering with Imax is also following James Cameron and Christopher Nolan and other big name directors who have embraced its large format screens. Oppenheimer, which Nolan shot in large part with Imax-certified cameras, did huge business.
And Netflix and Imax are eyeing franchise potential with Narnia. In total, the seven Narnia books have sold over 115 million copies and been translated into 57 languages worldwide.