Of all the fictional worlds ever created, C.S. Lewis' magical, wintry Narnia is one of the most beloved, especially by Christians.
Based off Lewis’ Narnia novels -- celebrated as allegories for Christian faith -- you’d believe that the average British schoolchild saves a minimum of two magical worlds on their typical Tuesday. For example, The Chronicles of Narnia’s first book, The Magician’s Nephew, opens with two run-of-the-mill British children getting in trouble, and ends with them saving a world they got hoodwinked into discovering.
Narnia on the Big Screen
Either despite or because of this (depending on your point of view), everything Lewis has written is positively brilliant, and The Chronicles of Narnia are no exception.
Twenty years ago this December, Disney released The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, in which the four Pevensie siblings discover the magical land of Narnia -- where it's always winter but never Christmas -- by passing through a wardrobe.
There, they navigate betrayal, battle, a powerful lion, and Santa Claus. Fauns, nymphs, and magic talking animals fill out the edges of a stunningly detailed fantasy world.
Starring a young Ben Barnes, the 2008 sequel Prince Caspian follows a young prince’s struggle to regain his throne from his usurping uncle, with support from Kings and Queens of Narnia past. Star-reading centaurs and dwaves both fell and fair help him become the king his land needs, set to a beautiful soundtrack.
And both movies are available on Disney+ and AppleTV!
Greta Gerwig's New Narnia
Hitting theaters for a limited run on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2026, is a Netflix version of the series, adapted and directed by Greta Gerwig. This initial movie of a planned series then comes to Netflix on Christmas Day, 2026.
Netflix has obtained rights to all eight books, which differs from previous Disney adaptions of only The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian, or BBC adaptations, including The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Netflix is throwing its hat in the ring, hoping to create a Narnia universe, like the Avengers or Game of Thrones universes.
There have been all kinds of news and rumors about Netflix's Narnia. Among the news is the casting of Emma Mackey as the White Witch, and Daniel Craig as the uncle of young Digory Kirke.
From Deadline.com:
The film will reportedly adapt The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth novel in the Narnia series from author C.S. Lewis, which tells the origin story of Narnia. The story centers on Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, who discover the magical world of Narnia through Digory’s uncle’s magic. Production is expected to take place next year.
Under the heading of rumor (reported by Deadline but neither confirmed nor denied by Netflix) is that Meryl Streep has been offered the role of the talking lion Aslan, created as an allegory for Christ in the mythical land.
For obvious reasons, this has upset many corners of Narnia fandom and Christians at large, so we'll have to see how that works out.
Keeping Hope Alive
I’m clinging to hope for a solid adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, the main characters for which include a noble, intelligent young boy, Digory, and his kind, sensible friend, Polly.
With modern CGI, the scenes of Narnia’s creation could look incredible, with its subtle allegory for the creation of Earth and Fall of mankind. Polly and Digory travel to and from London and other worlds, which could be stunningly conveyed in CGI.
The story also explains the presence of Jadis the White Witch in Narnia and establishes the reigning line of Narnia’s goodhearted kings and queens. As lore-building goes, you can’t get much better than The Magician’s Nephew, and I hope for a true-to-form adaptation.
But Before Any New Movies, New Book Editions
While you’re waiting for the new movies, update your knowledge of the whole Narnia series by reading through them this year!
Last month, publisher HarperCollins celebrated the books' 75th anniversary with a re-release of the series, in newly designed mass-market paperbacks and hardcovers, with covers drawn by artist Owen Richardson -- who discusses the experience below.
I happened to pick up The Magician’s Nephew this month, over a decade since I last read the series, and was immediately drawn into Lewis’ accessible yet engaging writing style, dry wit, and incredible worldbuilding. It’s well worth a read, no matter your age.
If you’re listening to the audiobook, play it while you try making Edmund’s infamous Turkish Delight!
Image: Adobe Stock
Sophia Sariego is a Los Angeles native working in the pro-life movement. She loves Eucharistic Adoration, making music, and hitting the beaches in her spare time.
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