The First Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Trailer Is Here

Netflix has released the first Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew trailer, giving fans their first real look at Greta Gerwig’s take on C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy world. The trailer debuted online on October 13, 2026, hours after Gerwig introduced it at an exclusive IMAX sneak-peek event in New York City, according to USA Today.

The footage marks Gerwig’s first film since 2023’s Barbie, which TheWrap notes grossed $1.44 billion worldwide and earned a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards. Now the writer-director turns her attention to the beginning of Narnia itself: the 1955 novel The Magician’s Nephew is the first story chronologically in Lewis’ seven-book series, but it has never been adapted for the screen before.

The trailer opens on the familiar wardrobe from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe before introducing newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell as Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, two lonely children who wonder whether Digory’s Uncle Andrew is “really mad” or an actual magician. Daniel Craig plays Uncle Andrew Ketterley, who hands the children the magic rings that send them hopping between worlds.

From there, the preview sweeps through the Wood Between the Worlds and into Charn, where Digory rings a golden bell and wakes Jadis, the sorceress played by Emma Mackey in a glittery, glam-rock look — silver dress, glowing wand and all. As SweetyHigh’s trailer breakdown notes, Jadis chases the children back to London and appears to use her magic there, a change from the book. Digory and Polly take to the sky on Fledge, the winged horse, before the trailer closes with Meryl Streep’s Aslan singing Narnia into existence in bursts of color and music.

“Have you ever seen a world born?” the children are asked, as they watch it happen in awe.

How Gerwig Landed Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” for the Trailer

The trailer’s most talked-about detail may be its music. The footage is set to Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” a song the band has famously refused to license for films in the past. According to USA Today, Gerwig told the audience at the AMC Lincoln Square IMAX event that she met personally with singer Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page to win their blessing.

“They had not let it be used for anything,” Gerwig said at the event, adding that she was moved the band allowed it — not only did they understand “the heart” of the film, but they also “love C.S. Lewis.” Gerwig described the song as an epic spiritual journey, “the path of enlightenment,” mirroring the story of The Magician’s Nephew itself. The Q&A at the IMAX sneak peek was moderated by former late-night host Stephen Colbert, per USA Today.

Narnia Magician’s Nephew Trailer Release Dates: Theaters, IMAX and Netflix

Netflix is giving the film its biggest theatrical rollout ever. According to TheWrap, Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will be the streamer’s first major theatrical release — up until now, its cinema runs were mostly for awards consideration or special events like the KPop Demon Hunters sing-along weekends. The film will play in IMAX and standard theaters worldwide starting February 12, 2027, with IMAX-exclusive sneak previews beginning February 10, 2027. It will then stream on Netflix starting April 2, 2027.

The project has been years in the making: Netflix struck its deal with the C.S. Lewis Company in 2018 and recruited Gerwig to direct the Narnia adaptation in 2020. Netflix describes the movie as “a sweeping adventure that invites dreamers of all ages to experience the creation of Narnia.”

Who Stars in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia

Alongside McKenna, Campbell, Mackey and Craig, the ensemble includes Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Denise Gough and Susan Wokoma, with Meryl Streep voicing Aslan the lion, per Consequence. Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey is behind the film’s vibrant look.

Early online reaction is already split, with some viewers thrilled by Gerwig’s rock-opera approach and others cautious about how the books’ religious themes and mythology will be handled. Either way, Netflix’s gamble is clear: treat Narnia as an event on the big screen first, streaming second.

Fans of fantasy trailers can also check out our coverage of the new Ebenezer trailer with Johnny Depp as Scrooge, and Netflix watchers may want to read about Brad Pitt’s Cliff Booth movie poster for David Fincher’s Netflix film.

FAQ: Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew Trailer

When was the Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew trailer released?
The first trailer debuted online on October 13, 2026, following an IMAX sneak-peek event in New York where Greta Gerwig discussed the film with Stephen Colbert.

When does Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew come out?
The film opens in IMAX and theaters worldwide on February 12, 2027, with IMAX sneak previews on February 10, 2027. It streams on Netflix starting April 2, 2027.

Who plays Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia?
Meryl Streep voices Aslan the lion. The cast also includes Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew, Emma Mackey as Jadis, Carey Mulligan, Ciarán Hinds, and newcomers David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell as Digory and Polly.

Has The Magician’s Nephew been adapted before?
No. Per Netflix’s Tudum, this is the first screen adaptation of the 1955 novel, which comes first chronologically in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series. The earlier film trilogy (2005–2010) adapted The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.