Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Could Dethrone Chris Pratt’s Netflix Record

So, Netflix is clearly not messing around with Greta Gerwig's big Narnia project. Normally, they love keeping everything locked up for streaming, but this time? They're going all-in with a global theatrical release and an IMAX run for 'The Magician's Nephew.' Mark your calendars for February 12, 2027, because that's when this thing hits theaters around the world—before it heads to Netflix in April.

For a streaming company that usually treats theaters like a necessary evil, the confidence here is obvious. Basically, Netflix is betting Gerwig's take will be their next huge event, not just another fleeting streaming drop. And just to underline how massive this gamble is, word is this could end up being their most expensive film ever.

What is Netflix willing to pay for Narnia?

In terms of cash, here's what's floating in the industry rumor pool: According to Matthew Belloni (on his podcast chatting with Bloomberg's Lucas Shaw), Netflix is set to outspend themselves on this one. He said:

'I've heard it's going to be the most expensive movie Netflix has ever made, if not the most, with apologies to the Russo brothers here, but it's going to be among the most expensive movies that Netflix has ever made.'

If Belloni is right, Gerwig's 'Narnia' could top The Electric State (that Chris Pratt/Russo Brothers thing Netflix shelled out about $320 million for). No exact budget quotes have leaked, but breaking that $320 million mark would knock 'The Electric State' off the top spot. For context, Scorsese's 'The Irishman' cost Netflix about $225 million, and both 'Red Notice' (Dwayne Johnson) and 'The Gray Man' (Ryan Gosling) cost somewhere around $200 million apiece.

That would also make it the priciest movie Gerwig's ever directed. 'Barbie'—yes, the juggernaut that it was—cost $145 million. Narnia is apparently in an entirely different league, budget-wise.

The cast: It's a who's who

• Emma Mackey
• Carey Mulligan
• Daniel Craig
• Meryl Streep
• Ciarán Hinds
• Denise Gough
• Susan Wokoma
• Plus more heavy hitters, because why not?

The story itself is based on C.S. Lewis' 'The Magician's Nephew' from 1955. So if you've been waiting for another epic trip to Narnia—with a truly stacked cast and Netflix-level money thrown at it—this might be your cinematic event of 2027.

Bottom line: Netflix wants to set a new bar here. Anything that gives the streaming-first crowd a reason to leave the couch and buy a movie ticket is worth paying attention to. The only question is: will all that money and hype turn into something truly magical, or will it end up as just another expensive roll of the dice?