The director of Barbie and Little Women. A budget of $200 million. A star-studded cast including Meryl Streep, Daniel Craig, and Emma Mackey. And the most beloved fantasy universe in children's literature.
Narnia is coming back — and this time, it's bigger than ever.
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew opens in cinemas on February 12, 2027, and premieres on Netflix on April 2, 2027. IMAX sneak previews begin on February 10, 2027. Christian Daily
What is Narnia: The Magician's Nephew about?
The Magician's Nephew is the first film in Netflix's new Narnia adaptation. It is the first ever film adaptation of Lewis's 1955 novel The Magician's Nephew — the origin story of Narnia that explores how the magical world was created. The Hollywood Reporter
The story follows two children, Digory and Polly, who are the first to discover the "Wood between the Worlds" after an uncle gives them a magical ring. Christian Daily
As Digory and Polly travel through magical portals, they end up in Narnia at the moment of its creation — when the lion Aslan sings the world into existence. But they also bring a great evil with them: Jadis, the future White Witch, who immediately threatens to disrupt Narnia's magic.
The Magician's Nephew is the prequel story to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe — the story most people know. Reading the book before seeing the film will help you understand how Narnia became what it is when the Pevensie children arrive later.
The cast of Narnia: The Magician's Nephew
The cast includes newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell in the lead roles, alongside Emma Mackey and Carey Mulligan, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, with Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep completing the ensemble cast. The Hollywood Reporter
David McKenna as Digory Kirke
The young newcomer plays Digory — the boy whose mother is dying and who ends up in Narnia via the magical ring. Digory is also the man who will later place the enchanted wardrobe in his house — a fact that will make fans of the original series smile.
Beatrice Campbell as Polly Plummer
Polly is Digory's neighbor and his loyal travel companion through the magical worlds. Campbell plays the practical, determined Polly who never loses control — even in Narnia.
Emma Mackey as Jadis — the White Witch
Emma Mackey plays Jadis, also known as the White Witch, the series' antagonist. Mackey is known from Barbie (2023) and Sex Education — and previously worked with Greta Gerwig. The casting is deliberate: Mackey has the power and coldness that Jadis needs. Christian Daily
Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew
Digory's eccentric uncle, an amateur magician who created the magical rings without understanding what he had created. Craig adds the theatrical vulnerability that Uncle Andrew needs.
Meryl Streep as Aslan
The lion who sings Narnia into existence — and whose voice brings the world to life. Meryl Streep as Aslan may be the most extraordinary casting of 2026.
Carey Mulligan
Her exact role has not yet been officially confirmed, but she is one of the main cast members.
The director: Greta Gerwig
Gerwig described the adaptation as a deeply personal project and reflected on her early connection to the story. The Hollywood Reporter
"I was a child when I first read The Magician's Nephew, and I fell in love with the beautifully improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia into existence. It's the honor of a lifetime to be asked to bring it to life." Wikipedia
Greta Gerwig confirmed in 2023 that she will write and direct at least two Narnia films. This is not a one-off project — Netflix plans a full Narnia franchise under her direction. IMDb
The $200 million budget makes this one of Netflix's most expensive productions ever — and the decision to release the film in cinemas before Netflix is a conscious choice by Gerwig herself.
Director Greta Gerwig insisted on a theatrical release for the film, resulting in a deal with Netflix and IMAX for an exclusive cinematic run. Wikipedia
The Narnia reading order: which book first?
The Chronicles of Narnia consist of seven books by C.S. Lewis. There are two ways to read them:
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
- Prince Caspian (1951)
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
- The Silver Chair (1953)
- The Horse and His Boy (1954)
- The Magician's Nephew (1955) — basis for the film
- The Last Battle (1956)
Chronological order:
- The Magician's Nephew — the beginning of it all
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
- The Horse and His Boy
- Prince Caspian
- The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
- The Silver Chair
- The Last Battle
Which order do you choose?
If you want to prepare for the film: read The Magician's Nephew first — that's the book the film is based on. After that, read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for the context of the White Witch and the Pevensie children.
Why Narnia is so special
Narnia is a rare phenomenon that spans generations and geographies. C.S. Lewis's books have been in print for over 70 years and translated into more than 50 languages. Each generation has its own Narnia memory. Wikipedia
For Gen Z, Narnia is often the first fantasy universe they read as children — before Harry Potter, before The Hunger Games, before ACOTAR. The 2005 Narnia film with Tilda Swinton as the White Witch was a defining cinematic moment for many.
Greta Gerwig's new adaptation promises a $200 million visual spectacle that remains true to the spirit of Lewis's books — but adds a contemporary cinematic layer to it.
Read the book before the movie comes out
You have until February 12, 2027. The Magician's Nephew is a compact book — most readers will get through it in an afternoon. It's also the perfect entry point if you've never read Narnia before.
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Frequently asked questions about Narnia Netflix
When is Narnia coming to Netflix?
Narnia: The Magician's Nephew will be released in cinemas on February 12, 2027, and on Netflix on April 2, 2027. Christian Daily
Who is directing the new Narnia movie?
The film is written and directed by Greta Gerwig, the Oscar-nominated director of Barbie and Little Women. The Hollywood Reporter
Who plays the White Witch in the new Narnia movie?
Emma Mackey plays Jadis, also known as the White Witch. Christian Daily
Who plays Aslan in the new Narnia movie?
Meryl Streep voices Aslan — the lion who sings Narnia into existence.
Which Narnia book is the basis for the movie?
The film is based on C.S. Lewis's 1955 novel The Magician's Nephew — the origin story of Narnia and the first book in chronological order. The Hollywood Reporter
How many Narnia movies will Greta Gerwig make?
Greta Gerwig has confirmed she will write and direct at least two Narnia films. IMDb
What is the budget of the Narnia movie?
The budget for Narnia: The Magician's Nephew is $200 million. NarniaWeb
Should I read the Narnia books in order?
There are two reading orders — chronological (start with The Magician's Nephew) or publication order (start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe). For the movie, The Magician's Nephew is the most relevant book.