Why Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Is 2026’s Most Exciting Fantasy Movie

Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, has all the potential to be the most exciting fantasy movie of 2026. Though fans will have to wait until its November 26th, 2026 theatrical release (followed by a Christmas premiere on Netflix), her previous work suggests it will be well worth the wait. Gerwig has a strong track record, starting with co-writing Frances Ha in 2012, then writing and directing the acclaimed Lady Bird in 2017 and adapting Little Women in 2019. However, it was the huge success of her 2023 film Barbie that really highlighted her talent for creating films that are both insightful and cleverly made.

With the excitement around Barbie and Oppenheimer fading, attention is now focused on Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia film. While 2025 offered several big fantasy releases and 2026 will bring Christopher Nolan’s action-packed The Odyssey in July, Gerwig’s vision for Narnia is generating even more buzz.

‘Narnia’ Is a More Light-Hearted Fantasy Story Than ‘Game of Thrones’

HBO

Game of Thrones is widely considered one of the greatest fantasy TV shows ever made, so people often wonder if another series will achieve the same level of popularity. However, it’s a very dark and sad story. Although it dominated cultural conversations during its run and the final season is still debated, revisiting the show can be quite depressing.

Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia film promises a more lighthearted fantasy adventure, and that’s really appealing. So many fantasy stories these days are dark and intense, like Carnival Row and The Wheel of Time. It’s refreshing to think about a fantasy world that’s simply fun and escapist. For many, Narnia evokes cherished childhood memories, and the idea of revisiting that magical place is exciting. That’s the wonderful thing about fantasy – it lets us leave our worries behind and get lost in another world. Didn’t we all dream that Narnia was real when we were kids?

Gerwig’s Film Is Adapting a New ‘Narnia’ Book

Buena Vista Pictures

Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia film will take a fresh approach by adapting The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth book in C.S. Lewis’s seven-part Chronicles of Narnia series, originally published in 1955. The series began with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1950, which was first adapted into a film in 2005. Two follow-up movies, Prince Caspian (2008) and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), covered the second and third books in the series.

Although four Chronicles of Narnia movies were planned, a fourth was never produced. It’s notable that Greta Gerwig is choosing to adapt the sixth book in the series, rather than one of the earlier stories. The Magician’s Nephew is especially intriguing because it tells the origin of Narnia, showing how the lion Aslan creates the world with the help of two children, Polly and Digory, who are drawn into a magical adventure.

‘Narnia’ Has a Great Cast

Universal Pictures

Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, boasts a strong cast. Newcomers Beatrice Campbell and David McKenna will play the lead child characters, Polly Plummer and Digory Kirke, while Carey Mulligan will portray Digory’s mother, Mabel Kirke. Daniel Craig is also set to appear as Uncle Andrew, a pivotal character who gives the children a magical ring that opens the door to another world. This casting news was first reported by Deadline in March 2025, and is confirmed on the film’s IMDb page.

Craig and Mulligan stand out as a welcome surprise in the fantasy film’s cast, as they aren’t usually seen in this genre. Joining them is Emma Mackey, who will play the White Witch, known as Jadis. Viewers may recognize Mackey from her roles as Maeve Wiley in the British series Sex Education and as Physicist Barbie in Barbie.

There’s Good Franchise Potential for Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’

Buena Vista Pictures

The idea of one new Narnia movie is exciting, but two sounds even better! Greta Gerwig is reportedly planning to direct at least two Narnia films, hinting that a sequel is likely. Given her past success with movies like Barbie – which was the highest-grossing film of 2023 – and Little Women (earning $206 million worldwide and $108.1 million in the US, according to Deadline), her take on Narnia could be very successful and potentially launch a whole series of films.

With so many people loving the world of Narnia and Greta Gerwig’s growing popularity, her new movie is expected to be a hit in theaters. If the first film performs well, a sequel is already planned, and that could lead to even more Narnia movies down the road. For those looking to escape into a magical world, at least two Narnia films would be a fantastic way to do just that.

‘Narnia’ Could Be a More Creative Adaptation Than Previous Movies

Disney

While the earlier Chronicles of Narnia films beautifully recreate the magical world and feel of C.S. Lewis’s books, they just don’t feel very thrilling. The first movie does a good job of introducing the famous wardrobe, the enchanting forest, and key story elements – like the Turkish delight the White Witch uses to tempt Edmund. But honestly, how many people still remember or talk about those films?

Greta Gerwig’s take on the upcoming Narnia film promises a more imaginative and artistic approach than previous movies. Speaking at the 2024 TIME Women of the Year Gala, Gerwig didn’t reveal specific plot points, but hinted at her ambition to create something truly special and grand. She explained that she’s drawn to projects that feel challenging and exciting, saying she loves starting something when she isn’t sure how she’ll actually pull it off.

Gerwig Has Proven Success Adapting a Beloved Book

Sony Pictures Releasing

Greta Gerwig proved she’s a talented filmmaker with her 2019 movie Little Women, a successful and well-received adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, originally published in the 1860s. Because of this success, she’s a strong choice to direct a film based on Narnia.

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Greta Gerwig has a knack for taking beloved stories and making them her own. In her film Little Women, she cleverly starts with an adult Jo March and then flashes back to her childhood, a departure from the book’s original timeline. This choice beautifully emphasizes how our early years influence who we become. It’s exciting to think about how she’ll approach The Magician’s Nephew and whether she’ll make similar bold changes to create an even more epic and engaging movie experience.

2026-01-03 23:04