Greta Gerwig’s push for a major theatrical release for her "Chronicles of Narnia" movie at Netflix worked. The "Barbie" filmmaker's next movie will be released on 1,000 Imax screens over Thanksgiving in 2026, securing an exclusive theatrical window weeks before it streams on Netflix at Christmas.

Narnia, based on the Chronicles of Narnia book series by C.S. Lewis, is currently set for an Imax release on Thanksgiving Day 2026, before a debut on Netflix during the Christmas period that year.

The Imax launch is a rarity for the streamer, which does grant limited, Oscar-qualifying theatrical releases for its awards hopefuls like "Emilia Perez" and "Maria", but mostly prefers to have its movies, particularly the more broadly commercial ones, debut on its platform.

Netflix acquired the film and TV rights to the C.S. Lewis book series in 2018 and Gerwig, just ahead of her Barbie release and success, was attached to direct the film version.

Imax is also getting in business with Gerwig as she continues her drive into bigger-budget filmmaking and adaptations after her directorial breakout with Lady Bird, which netted five Oscar nominations including best director and best screenplay, and tackling Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women for Sony.

Source: Press Release