‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’: Release Date, Cast, Plot and Everything We Know

Greta Gerwig is taking audiences back to Narnia, but not through the familiar wardrobe. Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of C. S. Lewis’ The Magician’s Nephew will explore the magical kingdom’s origins, with Meryl Streep voicing Aslan, Emma Mackey playing Jadis, and Daniel Craig portraying the eccentric Uncle Andrew. The project marks Gerwig’s first feature as director since Barbie, which grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Netflix is also giving the fantasy adventure a substantial theatrical window before its streaming debut, an unusual strategy for one of its original productions.

With the first trailer offering a glimpse of Narnia’s creation, anticipation is building around the filmmaker’s interpretation of Lewis’ mythology. Here’s everything known about the release schedule, cast, storyline, and latest developments.

When Will Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Release in Theaters and on Netflix?

Credit: Peter Mountain/Netflix

Netflix has scheduled Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew for a theatrical rollout followed by a streaming premiere, giving audiences two ways to experience Gerwig’s fantasy epic. According to Netflix Tudum’s release announcement, the schedule is:

Netflix generally prioritizes streaming, but the scale of Gerwig’s production makes premium-format screenings an important part of its release strategy. Netflix has not confirmed the exact worldwide streaming premiere hour. However, if the film follows the platform’s usual midnight Pacific release pattern, the corresponding times would be:

These are calculated estimates based on a hypothetical simultaneous 12:00 a.m. Pacific release, not officially announced premiere times. The calculations account for daylight saving time. For theatrical screenings, exact showtimes will depend on local cinemas.

Who Is Joining Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Cast?

Credit: Peter Mountain/Netflix

Greta Gerwig has assembled a combination of established Hollywood performers and younger actors to introduce a new generation to Lewis’ fantasy universe. The reported principal cast includes:

Additional cast members include Ciarán Hinds, Denise Gough, Susan Wokoma, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, although their specific roles have not all been officially detailed. Streep’s involvement represents a notable change from Disney’s earlier Narnia films, which featured Liam Neeson as Aslan’s voice. Mackey, meanwhile, reunites with Gerwig following their collaboration on Barbie. 

What Is the Plot of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew?

Credit: Peter Mountain/Netflix

Based on C. S. Lewis’ 1955 novel, the film follows Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, two children who discover magical rings capable of transporting them between worlds. Their adventures lead them through the mysterious Wood Between the Worlds, where they encounter Jadis, the future White Witch, before witnessing Narnia’s extraordinary creation.

Netflix’s official synopsis confirms that the movie explores the birth of the magical kingdom, making it a prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Although Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew was published after Lewis’ original Narnia adventure, it takes place earlier chronologically and explains several mysteries surrounding the franchise’s mythology.

What Does the Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Trailer Reveal?

Credit: Peter Mountain/Netflix

Netflix unveiled the first trailer on October 13, 2026, offering audiences their first substantial glimpse of Gerwig’s fantasy epic. The footage moves from subdued London streets into vibrant magical landscapes, introducing Uncle Andrew’s mysterious rings, the children traveling between worlds, and Aslan’s cosmic presence. Perhaps its boldest flourish is Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven. Gerwig personally secured permission to use the song, adding a musical dimension to the film’s creation mythology.

Gerwig personally approached Robert Plant and Jimmy Page for connecting with the film’s spiritual themes and C. S. Lewis’ storytelling. The unusual musical choice gives the trailer an added layer of significance beyond its dazzling visuals.

Why Is Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Such a Big Gamble?

Credit: Peter Mountain/Netflix

Gerwig is making the first screen adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, rather than revisiting the more familiar Pevensie siblings. Speaking to Netflix Tudum, the filmmaker recalled being fascinated by Lewis’ vision of a lion creating an entire universe through music:

The production reportedly carries a $280 million budget, making its theatrical performance particularly significant. Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, who previously collaborated with Gerwig on Barbie, are composing the original score, with George Drakoulias supervising the music. Unlike the earlier Narnia films, this adaptation begins with the fantasy world’s origins, offering newcomers a chronological introduction while giving longtime readers a fresh perspective.

Whether Gerwig can transform Lewis’ creation myth into another blockbuster remains an intriguing question. Are you excited to see Narnia’s origins, or would you rather revisit the Pevensie siblings? Share your thoughts in the comments and follow FandomWire for more Narnia updates, Netflix release guides, fantasy movie news, and Hollywood casting announcements.