Narnia, Netflix, and Warner Bros: What It All Could Mean
Door Jam: January 26, 2025
The Door Jam is a place to squeeze in articles about C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, their work, adaptations of their fantasy worlds, news from other franchises, and interesting articles. Unless otherwise stated, I’m not endorsing (or criticizing) any of these but merely sharing them with you.
As Greta Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation returns to filming, the discussion around its theatrical distribution picks up as well.
With Netflix’s pending acquisition of Warner Bros. studios, the question of theatrical releases returns to the forefront. Originally, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said WB movies would still go to theaters but have a limited, possibly 15-day, run on the big screen before appearing on the streamer.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, however, Sarandos committed to a much longer time period.
We will run that business largely like it is today, with 45-day windows. I’m giving you a hard number. If we’re going to be in the theatrical business, and we are, we’re competitive people — we want to win. I want to win opening weekend. I want to win box office.
But that’s not currently Narnia’s situation. Before Netflix agreed to buy Warner Bros., Gerwig pressured Netflix into conceding a month-long IMAX-exclusive run for Narnia. With Netflix entering the box office business, some are asking for more.
Eduardo Acuna, CEO of Regal Cineworld Group, the second-largest U.S. theater chain, told Puck’s Matt Belloni:
Why [doesn’t Netflix] give 45 days to Narnia and show it in every format, not only IMAX? Narnia looks more like a Warner Bros. movie than a Netflix movie. Consumers would love that, Greta Gerwig would love that. I don’t see who wouldn’t love that.
As much as Gerwig, theaters, and movie viewers may love to see Narnia with a wide theatrical release, Netflix is unlikely to want to delay the movie’s streaming debut. Not to mention any specific exclusivity deals in place with IMAX.
Belloni has long been skeptical of Netflix's long-term commitment to theaters. On his podcast, he’s argued that, regardless of what they say right now, they’d prefer to have movies, including Narnia, on their streaming service as soon as possible.
Never say never, but fans will likely need to see Narnia in IMAX this Thanksgiving before it makes its way to Netflix by Christmas.
Sources:
Netflix Facing Pressure to Expand Narnia’s Theatrical Release After Warner Bros Acquisition — Narnia Web
Ted Sarandos Says Critics Just Misunderstand Netflix — The New York Times
How Theaters Plan to Hold a Netflix-Owned W.B. Accountable — Puck
The Town with Matt Belloni — The Ringer
Not Safe But Good
C.S. Lewis quote of the week
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
“Is Theology Poetry?” from The Weight of Glory
Tumnus’ bookshelf
Books by or about Lewis or Tolkien
I can’t recommend The Abolition of Man enough. It may be Lewis’ most prophetic work.
The Problem of Printers
Bad but unfortunately real C.S. Lewis book covers
Nothing says a C.S. Lewis “Classic of Collection” like an AI image generator’s idea of Lewis surrounded by colorful birds.
Behind the Wardrobe
Sneak peek at the bonus articles
Major visual effects company joins Narnia production
A 37-year-old man is teaching himself to read by going through Narnia on Instagram
A Narnia-themed restaurant is being sold
The Lord of the Rings took over theaters (again)
Peter Jackson shares about filming the trilogy
How the calendar reveals the theology behind The Lord of the Rings
Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) reveals his favorite Lord of the Rings scene
