Greta Gerwig's Narnia: The Magician's Nephew Moves to 2027 – 5 Things to Know
If you ever opened a wardrobe hoping to find snow and a lamp-post inside, this one is for you. Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, Greta Gerwig's new Narnia film (from the director of Barbie and Little Women), released its first trailer on October 13, 2026 — together with news that fans will have to wait a little longer.
Quick answer: The film was first slated for a November 2026 IMAX run, but Netflix moved it to a global theatrical release on Feb 12, 2027 (IMAX previews from Feb 10), with streaming on Netflix from April 2, 2027. It adapts the 1955 novel that tells how Narnia began — and where the White Witch, the lamp-post and the wardrobe came from.
1. The first trailer — and a move to 2027
Gerwig unveiled the trailer on an IMAX screen at AMC Lincoln Center in New York, in conversation with Stephen Colbert. Netflix says it is the first time Led Zeppelin has licensed “Stairway to Heaven” for a trailer; Gerwig asked Robert Plant and Jimmy Page herself. AP reports the film was originally set for November, but Netflix pushed it into 2027 to give it a worldwide theatrical release.
Feb 10, 2027 — IMAX-only sneak previews
Feb 12, 2027 — in theaters (Sony distributes outside North America)
April 2, 2027 — streaming on Netflix
2. Who is in it
Newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell lead a cast that includes Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig, Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough and Susan Wokoma. Meryl Streep voices Aslan, who appears in the trailer as a cosmic outline that roars but does not yet speak. Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt are writing the score.
3. Why The Magician's Nephew is Narnia's “episode zero”
Published on 2 May 1955, it was the sixth of seven Narnia novels to appear, but it comes first in story order. In London in 1900, Digory and his neighbour Polly use magic rings to travel through the Wood between the Worlds and accidentally wake Jadis, Empress of Charn — the future White Witch.
The lamp-post grows from an iron bar Jadis tore off a London lamp-post.
The wardrobe is made from the wood of an apple tree Digory planted in London.
Digory grows up to be the Professor in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The seven books appeared between 1950 and 1956 and have sold around 120 million copies in 47 languages. Since 1994, HarperCollins has numbered them in story order, though many scholars still prefer publication order.
4. Greek myth hiding in Narnia
Lewis blended Greco-Roman, Norse, Arthurian and Christian traditions. Mr. Tumnus the faun is the first magical creature readers meet; Narnian centaurs, like Glenstorm in Prince Caspian, are skilled in astronomy and prophecy — much closer to the wise Chiron than to the rowdy centaurs of Greek myth; and minotaurs march in the White Witch's army. (Centaurs do not actually appear in The Magician's Nephew itself.)
Want to go deeper? Centaur: The Horseman's Dichotomy by ChatStick Team (119 pages) explores how one half-human, half-horse creature came to stand for both wildness and wisdom — from Greek origins to modern films and video games.
5. Your pre-Narnia checklist
Read The Magician's Nephew — it is short and makes the film richer.
Revisit The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) to catch the links.
Save the dates: Feb 12, 2027 in theaters; April 2, 2027 on Netflix.
Brush up on fauns, centaurs and minotaurs to see how Lewis reshaped old myths.
For the creature in the White Witch's army, Minotaur: The Bull-Man Odyssey (104 pages, ChatStick Team) follows the Minotaur from Crete and Daedalus's Labyrinth to modern pop culture.
What are you most excited to see?
The birth of Narnia, Jadis, or Meryl Streep's Aslan? Tell us in the comments and share this with a friend who grew up with Narnia.
FAQ
When does Narnia: The Magician's Nephew come out?
In theaters on Feb 12, 2027 (IMAX previews from Feb 10) and on Netflix from April 2, 2027, according to Netflix.
Who voices Aslan?
Meryl Streep, alongside a cast including Daniel Craig, Carey Mulligan and Emma Mackey.
Do I need to know the other Narnia stories first?
No. It is a prequel about Narnia's creation and comes first in story order, so it is a good starting point.
How are Narnian centaurs different from Greek ones?
Many Greek centaurs are wild, with Chiron the wise exception; Narnian centaurs resemble Chiron — skilled in astronomy and prophecy.
Sources: Netflix Tudum · AP (NY1) · Wikipedia: The Magician's Nephew · Wikipedia: The Chronicles of Narnia · Wikipedia: Magical creatures in The Chronicles of Narnia · Google Books: Centaur · Google Books: Minotaur
The books recommended here are by the ChatStick team — see all our titles on Google Play Books (ChatStick Team).
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