Netflix’s Narnia Reboot Slammed for “Undermining” Theatrical Ecosystem

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A new film based on the popular fantasy series is causing discussion in the movie industry. Many fans of The Chronicles of Narnia are thrilled about the project, as it’s been 15 years since the last movie adaptation. But Tim Richards, head of Vue Entertainment, a major European cinema chain, has publicly criticized the deal.

In a public letter, Richards warned that the current IMAX deal could harm the overall movie theater industry that allows films to succeed. He specifically criticized the exclusivity of the agreement and expressed worry about IMAX making similar deals in the future. According to Richards, this means the new Narnia movie will only be shown on a small fraction of cinema screens globally – those IMAX screens operated by theaters willing to deviate from standard release schedules. He also stated that IMAX has warned theaters they may face consequences if they don’t participate in the Narnia movie’s IMAX release.

There’s growing discontent with Netflix and IMAX’s plans for Greta Gerwig’s next movie. Director Richards has publicly voiced his concerns, but he’s likely not the only one. This frustration stems from the success of Gerwig’s recent hit, Barbie, which proved incredibly popular without needing to be shown in IMAX theaters. Now, her next film will only be available in IMAX and on Netflix, potentially limiting its reach and hurting struggling movie theaters.

In closing his letter, Richards argued that the Narnia agreement limited consumer options. He stated, “The film industry shouldn’t push audiences into believing there’s only one way to experience a good movie.”

Netflix’s Narnia Reboot Is a Prequel

The Chronicles of Narnia films are adaptations of C.S. Lewis’s famous fantasy novels. Released in the early 2000s, the first two movies – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian – were made by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Entertainment. For the third film, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Disney stopped being involved, and 20th Century Fox took over production.

Netflix is doing something new with its Narnia adaptation. They’re starting with The Magician’s Nephew, which actually comes first in the story’s timeline, even though it was the sixth book published. It’s a prequel to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. They’re also updating the setting from the early 1900s to the 1950s. If they continue to shift the dates of the other Narnia books while keeping The Magician’s Nephew as the starting point, the events of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe would likely take place in the 1990s instead of the 1940s.

Greta Gerwig wrote and directed a new film based on The Magician’s Nephew, part of the Chronicles of Narnia series. The movie features Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Denise Gough, and Daniel Craig. It will first be released in IMAX theaters on November 26, 2026, and then become available on Netflix on Christmas Day, December 25, 2026.

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2025-11-18 00:06