Greta Gerwig's remake of The Chronicles of Narnia movies is one of the most anticipated fantasy franchises of the next few years. The only thing that would make the new films even more magical is if audiences get a chance to see them in theaters. However, since Netflix is producing, there's good reason to believe that the latest iteration of C.S. Lewis' seminal novels will never hit the big screen. It hasn't been confirmed that Netflix won't allow this, and in the past, the streaming service has signed on for limited theatrical releases, like with the acclaimed sequel, Glass Onion.
There are some reports that Gerwig will pursue an IMAX release of her Narnia movies, but this has always been a battle for movies released through Netflix. However, Gerwig's position is similar to that of Rian Johnson when he partnered with Netflix to create his string of mystery movies after the success of Knives Out. While there are financial risks involved when a film is released in theaters, there's also a lot to gain, and this is the case with the Narnia movies. If Gerwig is fighting for a chance to prove herself at the box office, she deserves it.
Glass Onion's Release Plan Could Be The Perfect Solution For Netflix's Narnia Remake
Netflix should follow its own example when it comes to the Narnia movies' future
The remake's lack of theatrical release has been rumored to be a problem for Gerwig. Though this isn't confirmed, it relates to the overarching issue of streaming services choosing not to give their movies a theatrical run when this could be a great thing for audiences and production companies. Netflix found a compromise with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story, which had a limited theatrical release ahead of when it officially dropped on the streamer. This was a smart ploy to make audiences even more excited about the film and make seeing it in theaters more attractive.
If Netflix doesn't want to give the Narnia movies a full theatrical run, following the Glass Onion model could make Gerwig, Netflix, and audiences happy. Viewers who want to see the movie in theaters will get the opportunity, and those waiting to watch at home will only be more excited because of the buzz generated by the initial premiere. Additionally, if a short-lived release works out for the first Narnia installment, this could convince Netflix to give the sequels even more time at the box office in the future.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) |
91% |
92% |
Greta Gerwig's Narnia Movies Deserve Time In Theaters (Even If It's Limited)
This will indicate to audiences that the new Narnia movies are something special
One of the biggest problems with Disney's attempt to adapt the Narnia books was that the movies didn't successfully capitalize on the franchise potential of the project. The first movie was fairly well-received, but the decline in quality and viewership of the sequels put an end to the hope that every novel would be brought to life onscreen. Giving Gerwig's remakes a theatrical release would create hype and interest in her project and increase interest in multiple sequels. Additionally, big fantasy franchises like Narnia work better in theaters. The audience is more immersed and transported when they're at the movies.
Greta Gerwig's Concerns About Netflix's Narnia Reboot Make Perfect Sense
Netflix has indicated it will not release Greta Gerwig's The Chronicles of Narnia in theaters, a foolish move for them and a cause of concern for her.
Additionally, Gerwig's movies have consistently been monetary hits, with Barbie's incredible box office record proving that the filmmaker knows how to get audiences in theaters. Like Barbie, The Chronicles of Narnia has well-known and iconic IP backing it, and treating the new movies like the blockbusters they could be will only work in favor of Gerwig and Netflix. Although Gerwig has only signed on to direct the first two movies, there's a possibility that the films could have the impact and longevity of other classic fantasy franchises, even if the movies only hit theaters for a limited release.
The Chronicles of Narnia remake release date is not confirmed.
- Created by
- C.S. Lewis
- Cast
- Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Skandar Keynes, Anna Popplewell, Simon Pegg
- TV Show(s)
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- First Film
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- Latest Film
- The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- First TV Show
- The Chronicles of Narnia
The Chronicles of Narnia is a fantasy franchise based on the seven-book series written by C.S. Lewis between 1950 and 1956. The series is set in the magical world of Narnia, where children from our world are transported to fulfill prophecies, battle evil forces, and restore peace under the guidance of Aslan, a mystical lion. The franchise has seen multiple adaptations, including a BBC television series in the late 1980s, three major Hollywood films between 2005 and 2010, and an reboot by Netflix, which has generated significant anticipation. The franchise is beloved for its rich allegorical storytelling, blending Christian themes with epic fantasy elements.
