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Netflix to Release Greta Gerwig's $200M 'Narnia' in 90 Countries on IMAX Screens Thanksgiving Day 2026

Jan 17, 2025, 12:36 PM

Netflix has agreed to a precedent-setting deal to release Greta Gerwig's adaptation of C.S. Lewis' 'Narnia' in about 1,000 IMAX screens across 90 countries worldwide on Thanksgiving Day 2026. The film, which has a budget of 200 million dollars, will have an exclusive theatrical run for two weeks within a 4-week window before premiering on Netflix on Christmas Day 2026. This marks a significant shift for Netflix, which typically avoids theatrical releases for its major films. The deal was negotiated between Netflix's chief content officer Bela Bajaria, IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond, and Gerwig's team. The film, described as a 'very new take' on the franchise, will be shot using both IMAX and regular cameras to cater to the dual release strategy. This move is seen as a response to Gerwig's desire for a theatrical release, leveraging her success with 'Barbie' to influence Netflix's distribution strategy.