Netflix has released the first trailer for Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, introducing the film’s cast, fantasy settings and music. Based on C.S. Lewis’s 1955 novel, the film is scheduled to open in theaters on February 12, 2027, before arriving on Netflix on April 2.
Key Takeaways
- Netflix released the first trailer on October 13, 2026, introducing Gerwig’s adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew
- The story follows Digory and Polly as they travel between magical worlds and witness the creation of Narnia
- Daniel Craig, Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep are among the cast
- Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” accompanies the trailer
- The film opens in theaters on February 12, 2027, followed by its Netflix premiere on April 2
Netflix Releases the First Trailer for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Film
Netflix unveiled the first trailer for Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew on October 13, providing an extended look at Gerwig’s interpretation of the fantasy novel. The footage introduces the central characters, magical environments and visual approach to Lewis’s fictional world.
Gerwig wrote and directed the film, which explores events preceding The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Rather than revisiting the storyline of earlier screen adaptations, the production begins with the origins of Narnia.
The trailer features Daniel Craig as magician Andrew Ketterley, whose experiments with magical rings allow two children to travel between worlds. Scenes move from London to unfamiliar landscapes populated by fantastical creatures, introducing the settings central to the story.
Gerwig presented the footage at an IMAX event in New York before its online release. The preview also established the film’s musical direction through its use of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”
The Magician’s Nephew Introduces the Origins of Narnia
Published in 1955, The Magician’s Nephew is the sixth book in the original publication order of The Chronicles of Narnia, although its events take place before those of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The story follows Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, two children whose adventures begin when Digory’s uncle, Andrew Ketterley, introduces magical rings that transport them between worlds. Their journey takes them through the Wood Between Worlds and eventually to the creation of Narnia.
One of the novel’s defining moments involves Aslan, the lion who brings Narnia into existence through song. Translating that sequence to the screen illustrates the creative challenges of turning literature into cinema, particularly when filmmakers must represent settings and events previously conveyed through written descriptions.
The story also introduces Jadis, who later becomes known as the White Witch. Her involvement connects the creation narrative with conflicts explored elsewhere in Lewis’s series.
By selecting this novel, Gerwig establishes a starting point that explains Narnia’s mythology while introducing audiences to its central characters and magical environments.
Daniel Craig and Emma Mackey Lead the Film’s Cast
The adaptation brings together established actors and newcomers for its principal roles. Daniel Craig portrays Andrew Ketterley, while Emma Mackey plays Jadis, the character who eventually becomes the White Witch.
David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell portray Digory and Polly, the two children whose experiences form the central narrative. Their characters introduce audiences to the different worlds and creatures encountered throughout the story.
Meryl Streep provides the voice of Aslan, one of the most recognizable characters in Lewis’s fictional universe. The lion plays a central role in the creation of Narnia and remains an important figure throughout the wider series.
Carey Mulligan also appears in the ensemble, alongside Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough and Susan Wokoma.
The trailer introduces several of these characters through brief scenes while emphasizing the film’s fantasy environments. Gerwig’s adaptation combines live-action performances with visual effects to portray the creatures and landscapes described in the novel.
Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven Features in the Trailer
Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” accompanies the trailer, providing a recognizable rock recording for the film’s first major public preview.
The song plays over footage depicting the children’s journey into unfamiliar worlds. Its inclusion creates a musical connection with the source novel, in which Aslan’s singing brings Narnia into existence.
Gerwig secured permission to use the recording after meeting with Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. She has described the film as a spiritual journey, making the song’s themes relevant to her interpretation of Lewis’s story.
The use of an established recording also demonstrates how music can influence audiences’ experience of cinematic storytelling. That relationship takes another form in live film soundtrack performances, where musicians perform songs and scores alongside screenings of existing movies.
Netflix has credited Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt with composing the film’s original score. The inclusion of “Stairway to Heaven” in the trailer does not establish whether the recording will appear in the finished film.
Theatrical and Netflix Release Dates Set for 2027
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on February 12, 2027, followed by its Netflix premiere on April 2.
IMAX sneak previews will begin on February 10, allowing audiences to see the film in the large-format presentation ahead of its wider opening.
Netflix will manage domestic distribution, while Sony Pictures Entertainment will handle distribution outside North America. The release plan gives the production a dedicated theatrical window before it becomes available to streaming subscribers.
The strategy reflects Gerwig’s emphasis on developing the adaptation for theatrical viewing. Its large-scale production design, fantasy environments and visual effects are intended for presentation on cinema screens.
With the first trailer released, the film’s principal cast, source material and theatrical schedule are now established ahead of its February debut.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Will Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Movie Be Released?
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is scheduled to open in theaters on February 12, 2027. IMAX previews will begin on February 10.
When Will The Magician’s Nephew Arrive on Netflix?
The film is scheduled to begin streaming on Netflix on April 2, 2027, following its theatrical release.
Which Actors Star in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Adaptation?
The cast includes Daniel Craig as Andrew Ketterley, Emma Mackey as Jadis, and David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell as Digory and Polly. Carey Mulligan also appears, while Meryl Streep voices Aslan.
Which C.S. Lewis Book Is the New Narnia Film Based On?
The film adapts The Magician’s Nephew, published in 1955. The novel explores the creation of Narnia and follows Digory and Polly as they travel between magical worlds.
Which Led Zeppelin Song Appears in the Narnia Trailer?
The trailer features Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” accompanying scenes introducing the film’s characters, fantasy settings and central storyline.
