As a seasoned movie buff who’s seen the evolution of cinema through the decades, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgic excitement at the potential collaboration between Greta Gerwig and IMAX. If this rumored adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia graces our screens in 2026, it would be a monumental step for Netflix Original Movies.
In reference to IMAX’s quarterly earnings, IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond made vague but encouraging remarks about rumors that Netflix and IMAX were negotiating to show Greta Gerwig’s “The Chronicles of Narnia” on 2,000 screens worldwide in 2026, as reported by Puck News. The Hollywood Reporter states that Gelfond commented on these alleged discussions: “Directors and film studios are increasingly embracing the IMAX experience…we’re constantly striving to find new ways to make content more exciting.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, while discussions for a potential IMAX release over Thanksgiving 2026 are taking place, it’s uncertain if “Narnia” will secure enough theater exclusivity to satisfy chains like AMC. If these companies reject the proposal, this daring shift in Netflix’s stance on theatrical releases could be abandoned.
This volley from the creator of films like “Lady Bird,” “Little Women,” and “Barbie” (and let’s not forget the screenplay and starring role in “Frances Ha”) contributes another act to the ongoing saga of Netflix’s tumultuous partnership with cinemas. A brief recap: Netflix began distributing narrative feature films in October 2015 with “Beasts of No Nation.” On the same day, it was made available for streaming in a few art house theaters, resulting in poor box office earnings. Subsequently, Netflix decided never to disclose its box office figures publicly again.
After some time, Netflix provided substantial finances to filmmakers aiming to bring their visionary ideas to life. This enabled Netflix to maintain a sense of “respect” and be recognized as a genuine film production studio. Yet, the absence of traditional cinema distribution remained an ongoing issue. Netflix primarily releases its productions in only a few locations (primarily Los Angeles and New York) to satisfy Oscar eligibility requirements. Despite coming very close, The Irishman did not play in theaters nationwide because Netflix declined to offer theater chains a 60-day exclusivity period. At this moment, the Netflix film that has had the longest delay between its cinema premiere and streaming debut is surprisingly Bardo, False Chronicles of a Handful of Truths. This title was screened in cinemas for 42 days before being made available on Netflix.
Looking back, it’s quite adorable how Netflix and cinema clashes used to occur, given that the time window for exclusive big-screen showings (theaters) has significantly shrunk since COVID-19 closed cinemas. For instance, Universal can now release titles on premium video-on-demand platforms as early as 17 days after a movie’s premiere. Disney sent “Encanto” to Disney+ just 30 days following its theatrical debut. In fact, from 2021 to 2023, numerous films premiered both in theaters and on streaming services like Paramount+, Max, and Peacock.
It seems clear that these advancements suggest Netflix might eventually opt for theatrical releases, considering theater owners are becoming more open to shorter release schedules and other streaming platforms recognize the impact of cinema. However, Netflix has consistently taken a confrontational stance towards movie theaters. Over and over again, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has criticized theater owners. Upon closer examination, there are some ironic contradictions. For instance, it’s amusing to hear Sarandos argue that movie theaters hinder innovation when Netflix produces films like “The Gray Man,” “Spenser Confidential,” and “He’s All That.” Additionally, it’s quite intriguing that Sarandos’s enthusiasm for streaming-exclusive movies doesn’t stem from the fact that Netflix pays fewer (or possibly no) long-term residuals to artists if the films skip theaters. It’s almost as if Netflix’s movies don’t help struggling actors or theater owners, but instead just enrich the wealthy like Sarandos!
As a gaming enthusiast, it’s hard not to chuckle at Netflix’s apparent disdain for movie theaters – a classic Hollywood tale with a twist of irony, given that Netflix seems to be yearning for acceptance from cinematic giants like Cannes and the Academy Awards. In essence, Netflix is playing both the arsonist and the firefighter in the world of cinema without even realizing it!
In essence, filmmakers today have several alternative production companies (such as Amazon Studios, MGM Studios, Warner Bros., A24, and Universal) to consider, all willing to provide theatrical releases for their productions. Money alone isn’t enough nowadays, especially when it’s evident that exclusive streaming releases cannot recreate the success of movies like “Godzilla Minus One”, “Longlegs”, “It Ends With Us”, and numerous other cultural phenomena post-2020. Netflix’s dismal performance with original films in 2024 highlights the need for change. Keep an eye out for upcoming projects like Greta Gerwig’s “Narnia” film, which may signal a shift towards traditional big-screen releases from Netflix. It seems that the century-old method of movie distribution might still hold value…
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2024-11-01 13:15