Netflix Plans Massive 8-Film ‘Narnia’ Franchise with Greta Gerwig at the Helm

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As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the upcoming reimagining of C.S. Lewis’ beloved series, “The Chronicles of Narnia,” by Netflix. This project is already seen as the foundation for their next major cinematic franchise. Not only is it one of the select Netflix original movies to receive an IMAX release, but it has the potential to establish a long-lasting film series, surpassing any previous efforts. The earlier adaptations under Disney, such as “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” (with its sequels “Prince Caspian” and “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”), managed to bring three of Lewis’ novels to life. However, Netflix seems determined to explore much more of this enchanting world than that.

According to a recent report from Deadline, IMAX CEO Rich Gerlfond has disclosed that Netflix is considering expanding its upcoming Chronicles of Narnia film into an eight-part series. Gerlfond shared this information during IMAX’s earnings call as part of their strategy to impress Wall Street investors. “This was a fantastic movie for us because I believe there are around eight movies planned,” he stated. If true, Netflix would be looking to extend the franchise beyond Lewis’ original novels. The streaming service might choose to divide one book into two films or create an entirely new story within Lewis’ fictional universe.

Although Rich Gerlfond hopes that all eight Narnia films will be shown on IMAX, only the first movie has been officially confirmed by Netflix. Assuming this initial film becomes successful and Netflix decides to produce more (possibly up to seven more), it’s not certain that Greta Gerwig would return for any additional movies. Even if she expresses interest in returning for all seven sequels, the release schedule of the franchise is likely to stretch over at least a decade due to Gerwig’s current commitment to directing the highly-anticipated 2023 Barbie sequel.

Don’t Expect Netflix IMAX Releases to Become The Standard

As a passionate cinephile, much like other esteemed directors before me who have collaborated with Netflix, I found myself engaged in a tough battle to persuade them to let my rendition of Narnia grace the big screen, and not just any screen – but an IMAX one! Some might be dreaming that streaming platforms will eventually warm up to the idea of simultaneous streaming and cinematic releases, but according to Rich Gerlfond, this may not be the standard we can expect.

I’ve discussed this with Netflix, and they seem just as enthusiastic as we are about the prospect. However, it’s important to note that we don’t plan on rushing into another partnership immediately. Instead, we want to ensure that all aspects align perfectly for everyone involved.

The key elements frequently involve a movie’s projected box office success and its potential recognition during award ceremonies. According to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a film must have been screened in cinemas to be eligible for specific categories. In previous years, Netflix showcased movies such as “Roma”, “The Irishman”, “Marriage Story”, and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” in theaters to make them eligible for certain awards.

Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia is set to hit theaters on November 26, 2026, followed by its streaming debut on Netflix a few weeks after that.

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2025-02-20 19:03