Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Chronicles of Narnia film for Netflix is set to receive a two-week IMAX theatrical release. A strategy that’s been said could (or, let’s be honest, probably won’t) mark a major turning point in how the streaming giant approaches the big screen. Teasing the upcoming release, which has been contentious with many theater owners and commentators, IMAX head Rich Gelfond previewed the forthcoming movie in a recent episode of The Town with Matt Belloni.
To bring you up to speed, IMAX, which operates its format in cinemas all around the globe, has carved out a two-week window of exclusivity before Greta Gerwig’s Narnia, ahead of its release on Netflix for Christmas 2026. As Belloni noted, Gerwig’s Netflix deal includes a clause requiring the film to be marketed like a true theatrical release. And with IMAX locked in for a two-week window, it signals a rare alignment between Netflix’s streaming-first model and the traditional film exhibition world.
“The story, the way it’s being filmed, the distribution pattern, the way Greta’s leaning into it… Netflix is really excited about this release,” said Gelfond, who is actively involved right now with marketing preparations, which involves him being privy to story plans.
Not all theaters are fully on board just yet. Belloni pointed out that Regal CEO Eduardo Acuna has not publicly committed to playing Narnia, a potential issue, considering Narnia would be a Netflix-backed release, and some chains have historically avoided those. But Gelfond downplayed the concern, saying Acuna privately told him he was open to playing the film, just hadn’t decided, saying, “Once it’s unveiled—what this looks like, how it’s going to be—I think people are going to line up to be part of it,” Gelfond predicted.
Gelford believes the release will be an event unlike Netflix has ever had in the past with its movies, and that’s partly down to the grand plans Gerwig has for the movie, with Gelford praising the scope and story of the film, which is expected to follow The Magician’s Nephew. “A lot of people are talking about it. It’s going to create an event. That’s what IMAX does—it creates events. It’s not just one movie; as you know, it’s a series of movies. I think IMAX is an ideal way to launch an event.”
The IMAX boss also added that Netflix is heavily leaning into the IMAX release and claims that the marketing will be much more akin to a traditional theatrical release, saying, “The Netflix organization is excited about it and leaning in.”
Although initially scheduled to get underway with production in July, most reports indicate that filming will now pick up in September in and around London in the United Kingdom.
For our full preview of everything we know about Netflix’s Greta Gerwig movie, including more on what it’ll cover, who’s cast so far, and the timeline of how we got to this point, check out our full preview.
