Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” trailer give us a first look at Netflix’s ambitious adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s fantasy novel, taking audiences to the beginning of Narnia’s story. Led by Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, and Meryl Streep, the film takes a look at the creation of the magical world and the events that precede “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.“ Accompanied by Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” the trailer positions Gerwig’s latest project as an expansive cinematic fantasy rather than a conventional children’s adventure.
Netflix acquired the rights to Lewis’s seven-book “The Chronicles of Narnia” series in 2018, with Gerwig’s involvement confirmed in 2023 after months of industry speculation. Principal photography took place in London between August 2025 and January 2026, spanning six months before a cast injury reportedly paused production for six weeks and pushed the film beyond its original Thanksgiving 2026 target.
“Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” is now scheduled to open in IMAX and theaters worldwide on February 12, 2027, before arriving on Netflix on April 2. The release marks a significant new chapter for the franchise, with Gerwig choosing to begin the adaptation series with the novel that explains how Narnia came into existence.
What the “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” Trailer Reveals
The trailer introduces Daniel Craig as Andrew Ketterley, an eccentric magician who brings Digory and Polly, played by newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell, into contact with magical rings capable of transporting them beyond the known world. Their journey leads them to the Wood Between the Worlds, a mysterious realm filled with ponds that connect different universes. The setting establishes the film’s visual identity before the children encounter the darker forces that shape their adventure.
Emma Mackey appears as Jadis, the future White Witch, in the ruined world of Charn. The trailer presents the character as an imposing figure whose destructive actions have already devastated her civilization. A brief appearance by Fledge, the winged horse who accompanies the children, further hints at the fantastical creatures and otherworldly landscapes awaiting audiences.
The most significant moment in the “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” trailer comes with the introduction of Aslan, voiced by Meryl Streep. The great lion appears as his song brings Narnia into existence, recreating the creation sequence at the heart of Lewis’s novel.
Gerwig has described this scene as the moment that first drew her to the story. “I was a child when I first read The Magician’s Nephew, and I fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life,” she said in a statement.
By centering the trailer on the birth of an entire world, the film establishes a different approach to fantasy storytelling. Rather than beginning with the familiar conflict between the Pevensie children and the White Witch, Gerwig takes audiences back to the mythology, moral questions, and supernatural forces that underpin the wider series.
Meet the Cast and Creative Team
Daniel Craig in Greta Gerwig’s ‘NARNIA: THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW.’ https://t.co/MrSxPN56ni
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) October 13, 2026
The film brings together an ensemble led by Craig and Streep, with Carey Mulligan playing Mabel Kirke, Digory’s ailing mother. Her condition provides an emotional foundation for the young protagonist’s journey, connecting the story’s fantastical elements to a personal struggle.
Mackey’s portrayal of Jadis is another major focus of the trailer. The character’s presence in Charn establishes the origins of one of Narnia’s most recognizable antagonists, offering audiences a closer look at the events and decisions that precede her rise as the White Witch.
Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma round out the cast. Together with the younger leads, the ensemble gives the adaptation a mix of established performers and emerging talent.
Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt are responsible for the film’s score, reuniting with Gerwig after their collaboration on “Barbie.“ Their work on that film helped establish a distinctive musical identity, and their involvement suggests a similarly considered approach to the new fantasy project.
The use of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” in the “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” trailer also sets a clear tone. The song’s movement from earthly ambition toward something more transcendent echoes Digory’s journey through unfamiliar worlds and the novel’s broader exploration of creation, temptation, and sacrifice.
Netflix Bets on Narnia as a Theatrical Event
The decision to give “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew” a substantial theatrical run before its streaming debut signals Netflix’s ambition for the project. The film is scheduled to arrive in IMAX previews on February 10, 2027, before its global theatrical release on February 12. Its Netflix debut follows on April 2, creating a 45-day theatrical window.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has described theatrical distribution as a “release tactic,” reflecting the company’s broader approach to bringing selected productions to cinemas while maintaining its streaming-first business model. In this case, the IMAX launch and worldwide theatrical rollout give the adaptation an opportunity to establish itself as a major event beyond the platform.
The strategy also places the film within a wider landscape of fantasy franchises that rely on expansive world-building, recognizable mythology, and theatrical spectacle to reach audiences. With Gerwig directing, Netflix is betting on a filmmaker whose previous work has demonstrated an ability to turn established intellectual property into a cultural event.
Greta Gerwig Takes Narnia Back to Its Origins
Experience the creation of Narnia, as filmmaker Greta Gerwig brings to life C. S. Lewis’s beloved story The Magician’s Nephew for the first time. In theaters worldwide February 12, 2027 https://t.co/LzkRw4qQaV
— Netflix (@netflix) September 16, 2026
The C.S. Lewis estate has also expressed support for Gerwig’s interpretation, describing her vision as one that brings “joy, heart, and genuine love for the story.” The endorsement carries particular significance given the care surrounding previous adaptations of Lewis’s work and the importance of preserving the books’ underlying themes.
Unlike earlier screen versions of Narnia, which focused on “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and its sequels, Gerwig’s film adapts “The Magician’s Nephew,“ the 1955 prequel that explains the origins of the fictional world. Although the novel occupies an earlier place in the series’ chronology, it has never received a major screen adaptation.
With its focus on Narnia’s creation, a high-profile cast, and an ambitious theatrical release, the film offers Netflix an opportunity to introduce the franchise to a new generation while revisiting the foundations of Lewis’s fantasy universe. The trailer provides an early indication of how Gerwig intends to approach that challenge, placing the wonder of creation and the consequences of human choices at the center of the story.
Featured image: Netflix
