Netflix and Greta Gerwig have reached terms with IMAX about its theatrical window for “Narnia.” But Variety reports it’s not the full four weeks speculated about months ago. Instead, it’s for two weeks: not as long as Gerwig hoped, but an unprecedented decision for the streamer.
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The IMAX run for “Narnia” begins on Thanksgiving Day 2026 and run for two weeks, with Gerwig’s film getting an additional two weeks in other theaters before its premiere on Netflix on Christmas the same year. That’s the biggest rollout Netflix has ever done for one of their films, substantially more than the one-week run in 600 theaters they did for “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery“ in 2022.  
Could this be a harbinger of things to come for the streamer? Netflix is notorious for their stringent approach to theatrical releases of their films compared to Amazon and even Apple, and it’s a trend they haven’t relinquished, even as it cost them acquiring festival favorites. It seems unlikely, but maybe Gerwig’s star power and the success of “Barbie” two years ago swayed the streamer this time around.
Even though it’s about two years away, “Narnia” is one of Netflix’s most anticipated upcoming projects. Netflix first announced the development of projects based on C.S. Lewis‘ book series back in 2018. Two years later, Gerwig signed on to help develop and in 2022, confirmed she would direct at least two upcoming films. Then “Barbie” happened, catapulting Gerwig into a Hollywood megastar after her film made $1.446 billion worldwide, becoming 2023’s highest-grossing film. Now Netflix hopes Gerwig makes “Narnia” a phenomenon much like her 2023 film, catapulting a new major franchise for the streamer.
But will Netflix get their wish? A four-week theatrical window, with two involving IMAX, should bring in solid numbers for “Narnia,” but not “Barbie”-level numbers. Still, it’s a minor shock that Netflix caved to Gerwig’s wishes, and it may hint at a broader change in the streamer’s stance on theatrical release. Only time will tell on that front, though.