Summary (tl;dr)

The first trailer for Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated Netflix film, Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, has been released, generating significant excitement and discussion among fans and critics alike.

Essential Background

In October 2018, Netflix secured a multi-year deal with the C.S. Lewis Company to develop films and TV programs based on The Chronicles of Narnia series, marking the first time all seven books' rights were held by a single company. Following the massive success of her film Barbie, acclaimed director Greta Gerwig signed on in July 2023 to write and direct two of these Narnia adaptations. For her initial foray into the magical world, Gerwig opted to adapt The Magician's Nephew, the sixth published book in the series but chronologically the first story, detailing the creation of Narnia. This film marks a reboot of the franchise, following a trilogy of films produced by Walden Media.

The Full Story

On October 13, 2026, Netflix officially unveiled the first trailer for Narnia: The Magician's Nephew, directed by Greta Gerwig. The trailer, which dropped after a poster release on October 12, was presented by Gerwig at an IMAX sneak peek event in New York and features Led Zeppelin's iconic song "Stairway to Heaven," marking the first time the band has granted permission for its use in a film. The film stars newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell as Digory and Polly, with a star-studded adult cast including Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew and Meryl Streep voicing the mythical lion Aslan. The adaptation notably shifts the story's setting from the book's original 1900s to post-World War II 1950s Britain. Narnia: The Magician's Nephew is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on February 12, 2027, with IMAX previews beginning February 10, before it becomes available for streaming on Netflix on April 2, 2027.

Why It Matters

This adaptation is highly anticipated, largely due to Greta Gerwig's celebrated directorial vision and her reputation for crafting thoughtful, successful films like Barbie. The movie also signifies a significant shift in strategy for Netflix, as it will be the company's first film to receive a wide global theatrical release, underscoring its ambition for the project. The unprecedented inclusion of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" in the trailer has garnered considerable attention, with Gerwig personally petitioning Robert Plant and Jimmy Page for its use, aligning the song's spiritual themes with the film's narrative of Narnia's creation. The casting of Meryl Streep as Aslan, a traditionally male character, has sparked both interest and some controversy among fans, particularly within the Christian community, highlighting the film's potential to reinterpret beloved elements of the source material. With a reported budget of $280 million, this film represents a substantial investment and a bold new direction for the beloved Chronicles of Narnia franchise.

Geographic Location

• AMC Lincoln Center, New York, New York, United States (trailer unveiling and discussion with Stephen Colbert)
• New York, New York, United States (trailer premiere event)
• New Jersey, United States (test screening of an early cut of the film)
• Shepperton Studios, London, England, United Kingdom (principal photography began)
• Longcross Studios, Surrey, England, United Kingdom (additional filming locations)
• Cardington Studios, Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, United Kingdom (additional filming locations)