Netflix says Sony Pictures Entertainment will manage international distribution for Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” while Netflix will handle domestic North America distribution. The film is Netflix’s first wide theatrical release and first for
On a day Netflix detailed its theatrical plans, the decision landed in an unusually specific place: international distribution.
Netflix shared further details on its global theatrical release strategy for Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. ” saying Sony Pictures Entertainment will handle international distribution for the global theatrical release. Netflix framed the move as part of a longer partnership. pointing to their landmark global pay-1 licensing deal in which Sony Pictures Entertainment feature films stream on Netflix worldwide after their full theatrical and home entertainment windows.
The bigger shift is what Netflix is attempting to do with this film itself. “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” is set to be Netflix’s first wide theatrical release and its first attempt at releasing a movie into theaters exclusively for a minimum of 45 days. The timeline has already moved once: it was originally scheduled to open on Nov. 26 with an exclusive run on 1,000 Imax screens, followed by a debut on Netflix on Dec. 25. That plan has since been pushed to 2027.
For North America, Netflix is keeping control. The company said the film will receive a wide release across North America. playing in major theatrical chains including AMC. Regal. Cinemark. Cineplex. Marcus and Harkins. along with thousands of regional and independent theaters. In other words. Netflix won’t just be the streaming home after the theater run—it will also be the operator of the domestic theater push.
Gerwig’s adaptation has its own weight behind it. Written for the screen and directed by Gerwig, the film is the first-ever adaptation of C. S. Lewis’s “The Magician’s Nephew,” originally published on May 2, 1955. The cast pairs newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell with an all-star lineup that includes Emma Mackey. Carey Mulligan. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. Daniel Craig. Meryl Streep. and more. Netflix also notes that Lewis’ series captured Gerwig’s imagination from a young age.
The production team behind the film includes Mark Gordon, Amy Pascal, Vincent Sieber-Smith, and Greta Gerwig as producers. Executive producers are Patricia Whitcher and Douglas Gresham and Melvin Adams for the C. S. Lewis Estate. The film is co-produced by Christine Crais.
Netflix chairman of Film Dan Lin put the emphasis on what the company says it’s trying to give filmmakers when it steps into theaters. “Greta’s Narnia is exactly the kind of bold, ambitious filmmaking we love to champion. While most of our films debut on Netflix. sometimes a film like this comes along and we can give the filmmaker a different canvas and fans a theatrical experience that complements its Netflix release. I can’t wait for people to discover Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. and then fall in love with it again and again streaming on Netflix.”.
The arrangement makes the release feel like two experiences running in parallel—internationally through Sony’s distribution network. and domestically through Netflix’s own wide theatrical footprint—both designed to culminate with the film on Netflix after its minimum time in theaters. And with the release now targeted for 2027. viewers are left with one clear signal: Netflix is still planning for a theatrical event. but it’s also willing to share the logistics to make the reach global.
Netflix Sony Pictures Entertainment Greta Gerwig Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew international distribution theatrical release AMC Regal Cinemark Cineplex Marcus Harkins 45-day theater exclusive 1 000 Imax screens 2027
So Sony runs it overseas but Netflix owns it here… seems like whoever has the biggest deal gets the blame too.
Wait they’re putting it in theaters “exclusively” for 45 days? That sounds like normal movie stuff but with more corporate talk. Also moved to 2027?? I swear these release dates don’t even exist anymore.
I don’t get how Sony is “distribution” if it’s still a Netflix movie. Like is Sony collecting the tickets and Netflix collects the streaming money? And why did it start on Imax screens first, that part feels like a scam to me lol.
Netflix putting a film in theaters for 45 days is kinda wild but also not really, because they’re still gonna own the whole chain in North America. AMC Regal Cinemark… that’s basically every place I go. Pushed to 2027 though, so I’m gonna forget this even exists by then.