Greta Gerwig’s Narnia The Magician’s Nephew Gets First Trailer

Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew has unveiled its first trailer, giving fans their first look at Netflix’s new take on the fantasy world. Released on October 13, the preview reveals magical rings, strange new worlds, the White Witch, and Meryl Streep’s voice role as Aslan. The film now has a confirmed theatrical release date of February 12, 2027, followed by its Netflix debut on April 2. The trailer is trending because it offers a fresh vision of a beloved franchise while setting up a major theatrical event.

The new adaptation also marks the first time C. S. Lewis’s 1955 novel The Magician’s Nephew has received a feature-film adaptation. Rather than retelling the familiar wardrobe adventure, Gerwig takes viewers back to the origins of Narnia itself. That shift gives longtime fans a new story to explore and newcomers a different entry point into the fantasy series.

At a Glance

Detail	Confirmed Information
Film	Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew
Director and screenwriter	Greta Gerwig
First trailer	October 13, 2026
Theatrical release	February 12, 2027
IMAX previews	February 10, 2027
Netflix release	April 2, 2027
Main cast	Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan
Source material	C. S. Lewis’s 1955 novel

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

The first trailer introduces Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, two children whose adventure leads them into unfamiliar worlds. Daniel Craig plays Andrew Ketterley, Digory’s uncle, whose magical rings set the journey in motion. Their discoveries eventually lead to Narnia and the mystery of its creation.

The preview moves from a more grounded London setting into vivid fantasy landscapes. It offers glimpses of magical creatures, a flying horse, and the White Witch, played by Emma Mackey. Most notably, the footage introduces Aslan, the great lion voiced by Meryl Streep.

Netflix also gives the trailer a musical identity with Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” The choice adds a rock-driven edge to the fantasy imagery. It also suggests that Gerwig wants this adaptation to feel distinct from previous Narnia films.

Fans can watch the official trailer on Netflix Tudum.

Why Is Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Trailer Trending Now?

The trailer arrives with several major talking points. Gerwig returns to a large-scale project after the enormous attention surrounding Barbie. Now, she is tackling a fantasy property with a devoted book readership and an established screen legacy.

However, this film is not simply another version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The Magician’s Nephew explores events that happen before the Pevensie children discover Narnia. That means audiences can learn how the world began, rather than revisit its best-known adventure.

The cast adds another reason for the attention. Craig brings a familiar screen presence to Uncle Andrew, while Mackey takes on Jadis, the character who becomes the White Witch. Streep’s casting as Aslan has also become a major talking point since Netflix revealed the first footage.

The release plan makes the announcement more significant. Netflix will give the film a wide theatrical launch before bringing it to streaming. This approach puts the movie in cinemas during February 2027, then gives subscribers access in April.

When Is Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Coming Out?

Netflix has confirmed a worldwide theatrical release on February 12, 2027. IMAX-only previews will begin two days earlier, on February 10. The film will then arrive on Netflix on April 2, 2027.

Release milestone	Date
IMAX previews	February 10, 2027
Theatrical release	February 12, 2027
Netflix streaming debut	April 2, 2027

This release strategy is notable because Netflix plans a wide cinema rollout before streaming. The decision gives Gerwig’s fantasy adventure room to build an audience on the big screen. It also reflects the scale of the production, which the Associated Press reports has a budget of $280 million.

The film was previously expected to arrive in 2026. Netflix moved it to 2027 to support the broader theatrical release. As a result, fans now have a clearer timeline for seeing the movie.

Who Stars in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Movie?

The film pairs newcomers Beatrice Campbell and David McKenna as Polly Plummer and Digory Kirke. Their characters guide viewers through the story’s discovery of Narnia. Meanwhile, established actors take on several major roles.

Daniel Craig plays Andrew Ketterley, the magician whose rings help launch the adventure. Emma Mackey portrays Jadis, who becomes the White Witch. Meryl Streep voices Aslan, the lion associated with Narnia’s creation.

Carey Mulligan and Ciarán Hinds also appear in the ensemble. Netflix has listed additional cast members, including Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough, and Susan Wokoma.

Gerwig wrote and directed the film. Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, who previously worked with her on Barbie, composed the original score. The trailer’s use of Led Zeppelin adds another musical layer to the movie’s identity.

How Does The Magician’s Nephew Connect to The Chronicles of Narnia?

C. S. Lewis published The Magician’s Nephew in 1955. Although it appeared later in the book series’ publication history, its story takes place before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The plot follows Digory and Polly in London around the turn of the 20th century. Magical rings transport them beyond their familiar world. Their journey leads to the creation of Narnia, introducing the origins of its magic and mythology.

That makes the story different from the earlier film adaptations. Those movies focused on the Pevensie siblings and their encounters with the White Witch. Gerwig’s version instead explores the foundation of the world itself.

For readers, this offers a chance to see a familiar mythology from a new angle. For viewers who have never read the books, the origin story could provide a more direct introduction to Narnia.

What Has Netflix Confirmed, and What Remains Unknown?

Netflix has confirmed the trailer, principal cast, director, and release schedule. The film adapts Lewis’s novel and marks the first feature-film adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew. The trailer also confirms the presence of key characters and gives viewers an early look at the visual style.

However, audiences have only seen a preview. It does not reveal the full plot, every major scene, or how closely the film will follow the novel. Fans should avoid treating trailer theories as confirmed story details.

The casting of Streep as Aslan has already sparked debate because the book describes the lion as male. Still, Netflix’s official materials confirm her voice role. The trailer offers only a brief look at the character, so viewers cannot yet judge the full portrayal.

The film’s commercial performance also remains unknown. Its large budget and theatrical plans suggest ambitious expectations, but neither guarantees box-office success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch The Magician’s Nephew trailer?

You can watch the official trailer on Netflix Tudum. Netflix released it on October 13, 2026.

What is the release date for Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew?

The film opens in theaters on February 12, 2027. IMAX previews begin February 10, and Netflix streaming starts April 2.

Who plays Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia?

Meryl Streep voices Aslan in the new adaptation. Daniel Craig plays Andrew Ketterley, while Emma Mackey portrays Jadis, the future White Witch.

Is The Magician’s Nephew a prequel to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?

Yes. Lewis’s novel tells an earlier story about Narnia’s creation. It follows Digory and Polly as they discover magical worlds and encounter the events that lead to Narnia’s beginnings.

Why This Narnia Trailer Could Be the Start of a New Fantasy Era

Gerwig’s first trailer presents The Magician’s Nephew as more than another return to a familiar franchise. It moves the story back to Narnia’s beginnings and gives the world a new cinematic identity. The combination of a major cast, a rock-driven trailer, and a wide theatrical release has made the project one of Netflix’s notable upcoming films.

The next test will be whether the finished movie can balance the wonder of Lewis’s novel with Gerwig’s own storytelling style. For now, the trailer has given fans a first glimpse of that vision. The film reaches theaters on February 12, 2027, before arriving on Netflix in April.